Batman: The Brave and the Bold

UPDATE: Review of the thirteenth episode is available on page fourteen.

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Title: Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Episode: "Rise of the Blue Beetle!"
Premiere: Friday, November 14th at 8:00pm (ET)

Official Website: at CartoonNetwork.com
Series News: The DCAU Resource
A.I. News Link: CN Upfront 2008: Overview
A.I. News Link: CN Upfront 2008: 'Brave and the Bold'

The pilot of the latest Batman series is a great blend of childhood memory and mature sophistication. The episode begins in the heat of action. Batman and Green Arrow are suspended upside down on a set piece death trap finely crafted by the Clock King (...and no, this ain’t your brother’s Temple Fugate). After preemptively declaring victory, the Clock King makes his exit. Who knew the Clock King would have knockout gas in his wristwatch? But did anyone think Green Arrow would have a guided homing trick arrow or that Batman would have a spare Batarang hidden on his chest? (Unlike most animated incarnations, the audience is now privy to Batman’s inner monologue as the Caped Crusader admits that he and Green Arrow do compete to show each other up, but that the competition makes them better.)

The opening title sequence pulses on with an upbeat jazz ensemble. Those who can’t wait to know which characters will appear on the show are in luck. The names of characters flash across the screen in the shape of buildings and the like. You even get a few early looks at some of the heroes, and even the Batmobile makes an appearence.

The first episode tells the story of an amateur superhero proving himself in the eyes of Batman, not a painful memory about that fateful night in Crime Alley. As you'll find out very early on, in order to get ahold of Batman: The Brave and the Bold, some fans will have to adjust to origin-less characters, much more action, and more witty quips.

Instead of starting out in Gotham City with the Bat-Family, the Gotham City Police Department or the classic Rogue’s Gallery... the story shifts to El Paso, Texas.

As one teenage boy flicks through channels on television, another rants about Batman. Littered on the walls of the room are torn newspaper clippings, Batman and Green Arrow; Batman and Aquaman; Batman and Blue Beetle (with a reference to the original episode title); Batman and Plastic Man; Batman and Green Lantern (he is not who you think he is) battling Starro; Batman and Fire; and the Atom resting on Batman’s shoulder.

Suddenly, Jaime breaks in and asks Paco a hypothetical scenario: what if Poison Ivy took control of Superman (sound like an incident from a familiar series?), is Batman helpless? Of course not, he always has Kryptonite. After a rather clever Streaky reference, the opening sequence is revisited in the form of a live news report. Batman and Green Arrow defeat (more like humiliate) the Clock King. Jaime, now alone, wonders aloud if he could ever be a hero. At this point, Batman suddently appears at Jaime’s window with a well-timed geek joke. An interesting take on the classic Batman of the Dick Sprang era, the humor is actually quite refreshing after years of watching the more modern version.