MovieChat Forums > Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008) Discussion > Sadly! Most people couldn't understand ...

Sadly! Most people couldn't understand this show.

posted 13 years ago by fauxep
53 replies | jump to latest

I'm ready for the vitriolic responses, but what I said is true! This show was a great combination of ALL the history of Batman! The first thing I loved about this show was that it was not the same "dark, brooding, unfunny" Batman. That has been done to death, unfortunately it will be coming back. It was extremely refreshing to see Batman as a "cartoon character"!! And, throughout this series, it paid homage to just about every incarnation of Batman there has been (movies, tv, comics). You have to look at the backgrounds, listen to the dialogue, observe the artwork. It was a masterful series that appealed much as the same way the 1960's BATMAN did. One one level, my kids loved the action and adventure. I, on the other hand, liked the subtle details and 'inside jokes' that I saw on a weekly basis. Look, I understand not everyone will agree, but this show was so much smarter that given credit for. I'm sorry to see it go. But I am a Batman fan, and anxiously await any chance to see what comes next!

[–] pufnstuff 12 years ago

Sorry! I actually DO understand the show. I just f@cking HATE it.

Snoogans.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] pufnstuff 12 years ago

Not really. It's a lousy show.

Snoogans.

[–] MrCedric 12 years ago

Nah. You just have lousy taste.

[–] pufnstuff 12 years ago

It's also possible that YOU do.

Snoogans.

[–] HelloCarol509 12 years ago

This was a love letter to the Silver Age Batman who was more of an action adventure type Batman than a brooding crime fighter. I can't understand for the life of me why people can't accept different interpretations of Batman. The Brave and the Bold is different from TAS, just as TAS is different from The Dark Knight is different from Grant Morrison's Batman & Robin comic series is different from the Adam West tv series is different from Batman Returns. This isn't simple minded childish gibberish that takes a big *beep* on the Batman legacy just because it differs from the take you (and I for that matter, since I grew up on TAS) grew up with or whatever. Its a new take on it that takes from and references many different aspects of the Batman canon (not just the Silver Age though that's the main source) and remixes it to carve out its own niche quite well.

Frankly, to go off and disregard a Batman series because "Batman should be dark and not smile" is to spit in the face of Bob Kane himself. He said that he believed that there was no "definitive" take on Batman and that all takes were valid. Sure not all takes may not be good but you can't simply disregard a take on the character for not fitting your narrowminded view of the character. It just saddens me that some people can't appreciate the versatility of this character that's been utilized in everything from farces to crime dramas to science fiction stories.

It just amazes me when I think about the people I know from different generations that are familiar with and appreciate Batman that were all introduced to it with wildly different interpretations of the character. My grandfather was familiar with it through the comics, my mother and uncles watched the 60s series while it aired, I spent alot of my childhood through early highschool years watching the DCAU shows with Batman (I now also read the comics) and the past few years I've seen the 12 year old son of one of my wife's coworkers fall in love with Batman through this wonderful series. I just wish more people could see how many wildly different takes there are on this character that are all valid and (mostly) enjoyable to various degrees (save for your Batman & Robin type stuff that while having a certain interpretation of Batman is just really really really poorly done).

"Walk down the right back-alley in Sin City, and you can find anything...."

[–] ContinentalOp 11 years ago

''Frankly, to go off and disregard a Batman series because "Batman should be dark and not smile" is to spit in the face of Bob Kane himself. He said that he believed that there was no "definitive" take on Batman and that all takes were valid.''

Who cares what Kane thinks, he is not even the real creator. Bill Finger, who was shafted out of royalties by Bob Kane, was the true craetor. I don't agree with Kane's opinion either, as some takes are invalid, especially as I believe he said that when he was shilling for Burton's films (in which Batman killed people!). However, this take isn't because it is true to the Silver Age incarnation of the character.

''News flash: one: WB and DC wanted new takes and two: the funny thing here is producer James Tucker was one of Timm's guys. He was a producer for JL/JLU.''

And this show is pretty much a spin-off from the old school Batman segment in the TAS episode 'Legends of The Dark Knight', this segment was created and drawn by James Tucker; Batman and the Joker look almost identical to this show and the tone is the same.

And all these annoying Batdorks fail to realize that Batman was created primarily for children. There, I said it! He was. Batman was for a family audience (mostly because writers knew that fathers would be forced to read them to kids) but with children in mind, particularly. The fact that there is not even a single comic run for children now in DC's Batman lines is actually disgraceful and stupid.

Formerly KingAngantyr

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] technikaras 12 years ago

13tongimp wrote.

When it first started I watched it and didn't care for it because I thought it was way too silly. Then about a year later I tried watching it again and then I realized what it was...and now this is one of my favorite Batman shows of all time.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the reason why the show is dead. People appreciated it too late.

Even the haters who currently write that they supposedly DO get the show but hate it anyway, when in the future they will endup actually watching a WHOLE episode, they will also realize what a gem they indirectly helped come to an early end.

It drives me Bats!

[–] pjmuck-161-277643 12 years ago

As someone who also discovered this show too late, I agree with your statements. I stumbled on the show accidentally On Demand trying to find suitable cartoons for my 4 year old son, who loves Batman. I've made the mistake in the past of putting superhero cartoons on for him, only to have to shut them off because they're ridiculously violent, bloody, or too adult-themed (Hulk vs. Wolverine, anyone?!). I was shocked when I watched this with him for the first time. Very entertaining, well-written, and funny! Entertaining not only to children but adults who "get" the inside jokes and obscure references. Reminded me a little of The Venture Bros. in spirit and writing, though obviously more accessible to a wider audience. The writers seem to know their DC history too. The show clearly took a certain direction in creating strong personalities for these characters, which is fine by me, as for the first time in his existence we now have an Aquaman who isn't a wooden wet noodle but a pompous, boisterous blowhard...who occasionally breaks into song!

Just great.

[–] technikaras 12 years ago

Great and... OUTRAGEOUS!!

[–] ItsEddieHaskellBeyotch 12 years ago

I understood the show, I just wasnt crazy about it like some of the fans were. I understand also that they needed a break from dark and broody Batman so this is what they came up with, however the fans should be glad it came and ran its course and knew when to stop before it got more ridiculous and run into the ground and became the show that people would say 'used to be good'.

Personally, instead of another Batman series which is inevitably on its way I'd kinda like to see something based on Batgirl like the finale teased or maybe a Nightwing series where Batman makes sporadic appearences.

"You win some, you lose some. But you live, you live to fight another day."

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] Takeshi666 12 years ago

Ironically, I hate this show not because it isn't the "dark and brooding" Batman we've been accustomed to since the 90's, but because it doesn't go deep enough in the *opposite* end! Instead, it just kind of grinds still somewhere between the two where it just becomes a bland and boring superhero cartoon.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] Takeshi666 12 years ago

When the protagonist is the least interesting character in the series, you're doing something wrong.

[–] Duragizer 8 years ago

IT is MORE truer to the Batman mythos than the KEvin Conroy version...... believe it or not..

I don't.

A Superman without trunks isn't worth watching or reading about.

[–] Reef-Shark 12 years ago

I avoided it during its time on TV because I thought it was purely returning to Silver Age antics in an effort to dumb Batman down. I stumbled upon some of the shows musical numbers and thought they were brilliant! I then looked into the show and have to agree: Amazing sense of humor: slapstick for kids and dry wit and allusions to comics for the older fans, and some very dynamic action thanks to the technology available today.

It really is like if Super Friends was actually as good as you remembered it being when you real young

The Batman hit the wrong notes in trying to separate itself from Batman: The Animated Series. Batman the Brave & the Bold immediately sets itself apart from other animated incarnations of Batman, has some clever writing, fun musical numbers, distinct animation style, and very comic savvy plots

"There are times when I look at people and I see nothing worth liking."

[–] bladou20 11 years ago

I agree and it was also nice to see a different look for once. James Tucker got a chance to go it his route this time and it looks like none of the other shows.

[–] nuclearsnow 11 years ago

I started getting comics back in the early 70's, and this show did pay homage to the Batman of 50's and 60's and to the tv show, back when the comics code authority was rigid, and comics were written for 8-12 year olds, because for comic book companies that is who read comics, wasn't till the late 60's and 70's with they realized older kids read comics as well. And stories changed. Is it over the top? Yeah, is it silly at times yeah? But it isn't as silly as the say the Teen Titans animated with with bad anime look, and they do have knowledge of the DC universe, Batman hitting Guy Gardner and knocking him out with one punch was straight from JLA mid 80's, and other references, so the writers are comic book fans.
I enjoy my Dark Knight serious and broody, but sometimes some lighter stuff can be enjoyed as well.