Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Genre	Adventure Superhero Comedy
Based on	Batman by Bill Finger and Bob Kane The Brave and the Bold by DC Comics
Developed by	James Tucker Michael Jelenic
Voices of	Diedrich Bader Dee Bradley Baker Jeff Bennett Kevin Michael Richardson Greg Ellis Michael Rosenbaum Grey DeLisle Corey Burton James Arnold Taylor Tom Kenny Will Friedle Gary Anthony Sturgis Mikey Kelley Phil Morris
Theme music composer	Andy Sturmer
Composers	Kristopher Carter Michael McCuistion Lolita Ritmanis
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	65 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Sam Register For Cartoon Network: Tramm Wigzell and Brian E.S. Jones[1]
Producers	James Tucker Michael Jelenic Linda Steiner
Editor	Joe Gall
Running time	26 minutes
Production companies	Warner Bros. Animation DC Entertainment
Distributor	Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original network	Cartoon Network
Picture format	1080i HDTV 1080p HDTV (Blu-ray)
Original release	November 14, 2008 (2008-11-14) – November 18, 2011 (2011-11-18)
Chronology
Preceded by	The Batman (2004–08)
Followed by	Beware the Batman (2013–14)
External links
Website

Batman: The Brave and the Bold is an American animated television series based in part on the DC Comics series The Brave and the Bold which features two or more superheroes coming together to solve a crime or foil a super villain. As the title suggests, the series focuses on Batman's regular "team-ups" with various heroes similar to the most well-known version of the original comic book series. This version has a much lighter and simpler, often comic feel, targeting younger viewers more than the character's other series. The series premiered on November 14, 2008, on Cartoon Network in the United States,^[2] and ended on November 18, 2011.

It was the first series produced by Warner Bros. Animation to be broadcast in high-definition.

Overview[]

Each episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold features the main character (Batman) teaming up with other, minor characters from the DC Universe to thwart minor villains or to solve crimes. Most episodes have a cold open with an escapade not related to the remainder of the episode. In the first season, the villain was Equinox, who later returned in "Time Out for Vengeance!"; and in the second season, the villain was the alien Starro. During production, the show's creator said that if a character's cold open appearance was deemed successful, then it may warrant exploring the character further in a future episode's main adventure.^[3]

Batman: The Brave and the Bold ended after season three, which consisted of 13 episodes.^[4] After it ended, a new show, Beware the Batman, returned the character to a more serious tone.^[5] However, a new direct-to-video crossover with Scooby-Doo, entitled Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold, was released in 2018.^[6]

Characters[]

Episodes[]

Season		Episodes		Originally aired
				First aired	Last aired
	1	26		November 14, 2008 (2008-11-14)	November 13, 2009 (2009-11-13)
	2	26		November 20, 2009 (2009-11-20)	April 8, 2011 (2011-04-08)
	3	13		March 25, 2011 (2011-03-25)	November 18, 2011 (2011-11-18)
	Film			January 6, 2018 (2018-01-06)

Cast[]

Principal cast[]

• Diedrich Bader – Batman / Bruce Wayne / Matches Malone,^[7] Kilowog, Ace, Owlman, Solomon Grundy, Punch, Gorilla Boss, Batman (Damian Wayne), Lord Death Man, Creepy Usher, Caveman Batman, Pirate Batman, Batmanicus, Robot Batman, Musketeer
• Jeff Bennett – Joker / Red Hood,^[8] Captain Marvel, Abra Kadabra, OMAC, Batman's Singing Voice, Rubberneck, Joker-Mite, Joker Jr., Rubin, Penguin (Scooby-Doo version), Prez Richards, El Gaucho, Ultra-Humanite, Starman
• Corey Burton – Red Tornado, Doctor Mid-Nite, Thomas Wayne, Milton Magnus, Mercury, Silver Cyclone, False-Face, Chancellor Gor-Zonn, General Zahl, Killer Moth, Batman (Bat-Manga version), Joker (Scooby-Doo version), Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
• John DiMaggio – Aquaman, Gorilla Grodd, Faceless Hunter, Black Mask, Tiger Soldier, Typhon, Enemy Ace, Ubu, Black Adam, Tattoo, Pharaoh, Toyman, Vigilante, Hellgrammite, Mr. Freeze, Legionnaire, Captain Boomerang, Owen
• Will Friedle – Blue Beetle / Jaime Reyes, Scarlet Scarab, Lazy Eye
• Tom Kenny – Plastic Man, Baby Face, Ray, Deadshot, Mirror Master, 'Mazing Man
• James Arnold Taylor – Green Arrow, Green Lantern (Guy Gardner),^[9] Blue Bowman, Major Disaster, Wotan, Nabu, Mark Desmond, Arges, Leslie "Rocky" Davis, Alpha-Red, G.I. Robot, Jace

Special guest cast[]

Additional voices[]

Production[]

Writing[]

The show has no overarching story, instead having most episodes stand alone.^[20] The show is lighter in tone than previous Batman series,^[21] depicting the Dark Knight as more lighthearted and playful with a "dry, ironic wit."^[22] The show features various references to various depictions of Batman in media, including the 1960s Batman TV series.^[23]

While the tone is lighter, the series has touched on the subject of death with such examples as retelling the murder of Thomas Wayne and Martha Wayne at the hands of Joe Chill, the death of the Silver Age Blue Beetle, the assassination of Boston Brand, the death of the first Black Canary, the execution of "Gentleman" Jim Craddock, and the self-sacrifice and death of B'wana Beast and the Doom Patrol. The tone of the series was addressed in the episode "Legends of the Dark Mite!", when Bat-Mite broke the fourth wall to read out this missive from one of the show's creators:

Batman's rich history allows him to be interpreted in a multitude of ways. To be sure, this is a lighter incarnation, but it's certainly no less valid and true to the character's roots than the tortured avenger crying out for mommy and daddy.

Show creators have chosen to go with "lesser known" characters. In many instances, the characters are those that were repeatedly teamed with Batman in the 1970s run of the Brave and the Bold comic book, such as Green Arrow, Wildcat, Plastic Man, and even the Joker. Thus, the characters have an appearance and feel very akin to both of their Golden & Silver Age incarnations. While the show has featured major heroes such as the Green Lantern and the Flash, it consistently focused on the lesser-known individuals that portrayed the heroes, such as Guy Gardner and Jay Garrick, rather than the more popular, better known Hal Jordan or Barry Allen,^[21] until Barry appeared in the second-season episode "Requiem for a Scarlet Speedster!" (though this episode centers around Kid Flash and Jay Garrick) while Hal appeared in the first-season episode "The Eyes of Despero!" as well as the third-season episode "The Scorn of Star Sapphire". In the episode "Bat-Mite Presents: Batman's Strangest Cases!", Batman even teamed up with Scooby-Doo and the Mystery, Inc. gang to defeat the Joker and the Penguin in a retelling of the two similar crossovers from The New Scooby-Doo Movies.

Additionally, Batman's alter ego of billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne did not appear as an adult during the series in situations where Batman was unmasked. His face was kept hidden until the season 2 episode "Chill of the Night!" when Batman finally confronts Joe Chill.^[22] From this episode onwards, whenever Bruce Wayne appears, his face is no longer silhouetted (as in "The Knights of Tomorrow").

Crew[]

• Michael Jelenic – Producer, Story Editor
• – Line Producer
• Sam Register – Executive Producer
• Andrea Romano – Casting and Voice Director
• – Producer

Home media[]

The series was not initially released on DVD in full season formats, like previous Batman series. A series of DVD volumes, with each containing 4–5 episodes, were first released. A two-disc collection of the first 13 episodes, Season 1 Part 1, was released on August 17, 2010.^[24][25][26] Season 1, Part 2 was released on March 15, 2011,^[27] making the first season available both as separate volumes and two-part sets.

Season Two, Part One was released on August 16, 2011. It contained 12 episodes and did not contain "The Siege of Starro!".^[28] Warner Home Video confirmed that Season 2, Part 2 would be released on March 20, 2012. It contains 14 episodes, including the two-part "The Siege of Starro!" and the Season 3 episode "Battle of the Superheroes!".^[29] The final release, Season 3, Complete, was June 19, 2012. The DVD also contains the unaired-on-TV Season 2 episode "The Mask of Matches Malone!" as a bonus episode.^[30]

A Blu-ray set for the first season was released manufacture-on-demand on November 5, 2013 via Warner Archive.^[31] This was followed by a second season manufacture-on-demand Blu-ray set on September 9, 2014, and a third season manufacture-on-demand Blu-ray set on March 21, 2017. A first season DVD box set was conventionally released on May 20, 2014, and a second season DVD box set followed on April 7, 2015.

Volume	Release Date	Episodes
1	August 25, 2009	"The Rise of the Blue Beetle!" "Terror on Dinosaur Island!" "Evil Under the Sea!" "Invasion of the Secret Santas!"
2	November 10, 2009	"Day of the Dark Knight!" "Enter the Outsiders!" "Dawn of the Dead Man!" "Fall of the Blue Beetle!"
3	February 2, 2010	"Journey to the Center of the Bat!" "The Eyes of Despero!" "Return of the Fearsome Fangs!" "Deep Cover for Batman!" "Game Over for Owlman!"
4		"Mystery in Space!" "Trials of the Demon!" "Night of the Huntress!" "Menace of the Conquerer Caveman!"
5		"The Color of Revenge!" "Legends of the Dark Mite!" "Hail the Tornado Tyrant!" "Duel of the Double Crossers!"
6		"Last Bat on Earth!" "When OMAC Attacks!" "Mayhem of the Music Meister!" "Inside the Outsiders!" "The Fate of Equinox!"
Season 1, Part 1 (2 discs, 13 episodes)	August 17, 2010	"The Rise of the Blue Beetle!" "Terror on Dinosaur Island!" "Evil Under the Sea!" "Day of the Dark Knight!" "Invasion of the Secret Santas!" "Enter the Outsiders!" "Dawn of the Dead Man!" "Fall of the Blue Beetle!" "Journey to the Center of the Bat!" "The Eyes of Despero!" "Return of the Fearsome Fangs!" "Deep Cover for Batman!" "Game Over for Owlman!"
Season 1, Part 2 (2 discs, 13 episodes)	March 15, 2011	"Mystery in Space!" "Trials of the Demon!" "Night of the Huntress!" "Menace of the Conqueror Caveman!" "The Color of Revenge!" "Legends of the Dark Mite!" "Hail the Tornado Tyrant!" "Duel of the Double Crossers!" "Last Bat on Earth!" "When OMAC Attacks!" "The Fate of Equinox!" "Mayhem of the Music Meister!" "Inside the Outsiders!"
Season 2, Part 1 (2 discs, 12 episodes)	August 16, 2011	"Long Arm of the Law!" "Revenge of the Reach!" "Death Race To Oblivion!" "Aquaman's Outrageous Adventure!" "The Golden Age Of Justice!" "Clash of the Metal Men!" "A Bat Divided!" "Sidekicks Assemble!" "The Super-Batman of Planet X!" "The Power of Shazam!" "Chill of the Night!" "Gorillas In Our Midst!"
Season 2, Part 2 (2 discs, 14 episodes)	March 20, 2012	"The Siege of Starro! Part One" "The Siege of Starro! Part Two" "Requiem for a Scarlet Speedster!" "The Last Patrol!" "Menace of the Madniks!" "Emperor Joker!" "The Criss Cross Conspiracy!" "The Plague of the Prototypes!" "Cry Freedom Fighters!" "The Knights of Tomorrow!" "Darkseid Descending!" "Battle of the Superheroes!" (Season 3 episode) "Bat-Mite Presents: Batman's Strangest Cases!" "The Malicious Mr. Mind!"[32]
Season 3, Complete (2 discs, 13 episodes)	June 19, 2012	"Joker: The Vile and the Villainous!" "Shadow of the Bat!" "Night of the Batmen!" "Scorn of the Star Sapphire!" "Time Out for Vengeance!" "Sword of the Atom!" "Triumvirate of Terror!" "Bold Beginnings!" "Powerless!" "Crisis: 22,300 Miles Above Earth!" "Four Star Spectacular!" "Mitefall!" "The Mask of Matches Malone!" (as a bonus episode)[32]
The Complete First Season (4 DVD discs/2 Blu-ray discs, 26 episodes)	November 5, 2013 (Blu-ray) May 20, 2014 (DVD)	"The Rise of the Blue Beetle!" "Terror on Dinosaur Island!" "Evil Under the Sea!" "Day of the Dark Knight!" "Invasion of the Secret Santas!" "Enter the Outsiders!" "Dawn of the Dead Man!" "Fall of the Blue Beetle!" "Journey to the Center of the Bat!" "The Eyes of Despero!" "Return of the Fearsome Fangs!" "Deep Cover for Batman!" "Game Over for Owlman!" "Mystery in Space!" "Trials of the Demon!" "Night of the Huntress!" "Menace of the Conqueror Caveman!" "The Color of Revenge!" "Legends of the Dark Mite!" "Hail the Tornado Tyrant!" "Duel of the Double Crossers!" "Last Bat on Earth!" "When OMAC Attacks!" "The Fate of Equinox!" "Mayhem of the Music Meister!" "Inside the Outsiders!"
The Complete Second Season (4 DVD discs/2 Blu-ray discs, 26 episodes)	September 9, 2014 (Blu-ray) April 7, 2015 (DVD)	"Long Arm of the Law!" "Revenge of the Reach!" "Death Race To Oblivion!" "Aquaman's Outrageous Adventure!" "The Golden Age Of Justice!" "Clash of the Metal Men!" "A Bat Divided!" "Sidekicks Assemble!" "The Super-Batman of Planet X!" "The Power of Shazam!" "Chill of the Night!" "Gorillas In Our Midst!" "The Siege of Starro! Part One" "The Siege of Starro! Part Two" "Requiem for a Scarlet Speedster!" "The Last Patrol!" "Menace of the Madniks!" "Emperor Joker!" "The Criss Cross Conspiracy!" "The Plague of the Prototypes!" "Cry Freedom Fighters!" "The Knights of Tomorrow!" "Darkseid Descending!" "Battle of the Superheroes!" (Season 3 episode, DVD only) "The Mask of Matches Malone!" (Blu-ray only) "Bat-Mite Presents: Batman's Strangest Cases!"
The Complete Third Season (1 Blu-ray disc, 13 episodes)	March 21, 2017 (Blu-ray)	"Joker: The Vile and the Villainous!" "Shadow of the Bat!" "Night of the Batmen!" "Scorn of the Star Sapphire!" "Battle of the Superheroes!" "Time Out for Vengeance!" "Sword of the Atom!" "Triumvirate of Terror!" "Bold Beginnings!" "Powerless!" "Crisis: 22,300 Miles Above Earth!" "Four Star Spectacular!" "Mitefall!"

In other media[]

Comic book[]

In January 2009, the first issue of Batman: the Brave and the Bold was released. The comic book follows the same format as the show, starting off with a brief teaser segment at the start of the book which features Batman teaming up with an additional hero for a short adventure unrelated to the rest of the issue. Several authors have contributed to the comic book series, including Matt Wayne, J. Torres and Landry Walker.

Certain characters such as Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel Jr., and Mary Marvel made appearances in the comic prior to actually appearing in the show, while other characters, such as Power Girl, Kid Eternity, Brother Power and Angel and the Ape, appeared in the comic without ever actually appearing on the show. In addition, the depictions of several characters in the comic book (notably Katana and Talia al Ghul and The Doom Patrol and Damian Wayne) do not match up with their television counterparts, something that Brave and the Bold director stated stems from the comic artists not being given character reference sheets from the show's producers.^[33]

The Batman: The Brave and the Bold comic series began selling in the UK on March 11, 2010, published by Titan Magazines.

In late 2010, the series was relaunched as The All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold, with the new creative team of Sholly Fisch and Rick Burchett. In order to devote more pages to the actual story, the teaser segments from the first series were dropped.^[34] This incarnation of the title lasted 16 issues. The final issue is a Valentine's-themed story featuring Batman, Batgirl, and Bat-Mite.

Video games[]

• A video game inspired by the show was released on September 7, 2010, for the Wii and Nintendo DS by WayForward Technologies. The game is a 2D side-scroller for two players. Gentleman Ghost, Mongul, Catman, Gorilla Grodd, and Catwoman are major villains in the game. It also features the Rogues, Two-Face, Clock King, Copperhead, Sinestro, Astaroth, and Starro.
• On May 6, 2010, DCBeyond.com launched a Unity 3D Batman: The Brave and the Bold game for fans to play for free online.^[35]

Soundtracks[]

On 28 January 2014, La La Land Records released a 2-disc compilation of music from the series, featuring the musical scores for 12 episodes from the first and second seasons (including those of "Legends of the Dark Mite!", "The Mask of Matches Malone!" and "Chill of the Night!"). It is a limited edition release of 2000 units and can be purchased at the La La Land Records website.^[36]

A soundtrack exclusively covering songs from the musical episode "Mayhem of the Music Meister!" was released on October 24, 2009.^[37]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Performed by	Length
1.	"Batman: The Brave and the Bold Theme"			Andy Sturmer	0:32
2.	"I'm the Music Meister"		Michael McCuistion	Neil Patrick Harris, John DiMaggio, James Arnold Taylor, Kevin Michael Richardson, Dee Bradley Baker and Grey DeLisle	5:54
3.	"Drives Us Bats"	Michael Jelenic	Lolita Ritmanis	Neil Patrick Harris and Various Artists	1:46
4.	"If Only"	Michael Jelenic	Lolita Ritmanis	Neil Patrick Harris and Grey DeLisle	2:35
5.	"Death Trap"	James Tucker	Kristopher Carter	Neil Patrick Harris and Grey DeLisle	1:49
6.	"The World Is Mine"	Michael Jelenic	Kristopher Carter	Neil Patrick Harris, Grey DeLisle, Jeff Bennett and Various Artists	3:34
7.	"If Only (Reprise)"	Michael Jelenic	Lolita Ritmanis	Grey DeLisle and James Arnold Taylor	2:03
8.	"Drives Us Bats (Mayhem of the Music Meister End Credits)"	Michael Jelenic	Lolita Ritmanis		0:31

The main theme has also been included on The Music of DC Comics: 75th Anniversary Collection soundtrack.

See also[]

• Batman: The Animated Series
• The New Batman Adventures
• The Batman
• Beware the Batman
• Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold

References[]

External links[]

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Batman: The Brave and the Bold

• DC page: TV series
• Batman: The Brave and the Bold Videogame
• Batman: The Brave and the Bold at World's Finest
• Batman: The Brave and the Bold at BatmanYTB.com
• Batman: The Brave and the Bold at BATMAN-ON-FILM.COM
• Batman: The Brave and the Bold at Animated Superheroes
• Batman: The Brave and the Bold at Legions of Gotham
• Batman: The Brave and the Bold at Big Cartoon DataBase
• Batman: The Brave and the Bold at IMDb
• "Batmanimation" The home for all things animated Batman
• Batman: The Brave and the Bold Toy List at the Parry Game Preserve.