“Rise of the Blue Beetle” (s01e01)

“The Dark Knight” may have showed us Batman at his darkest and most realistic – but “Batman: The Brave and The Bold” is showing us something completely different. This bright, imaginative series, is unlike any Batman we’ve seen in a very long time.

Even the cartoon version of Batman has remained dark and brooding since the popular “Batman: The Animated Series” in the 90s ruled the airwaves. Subsequent shows may have refreshed the formula, but they have maintained the dark tones of that show.

This series, however, runs in the opposite direction giving us an animated series that looks like something Jack Kirby would have created if he’d been told to make a cartoon based on the 60s Batman series starring Adam West. It’s an amazingly colorful show that promises DC guest stars each week, and a style that has an amazingly retro feel – while still maintaining a modern polish and execution.

The first episode is a mission statement for the show, opening with Batman and Green Arrow bound in an elaborate death trap created by the Clock King to “finish them once and for all”. The imagery immediately draws back thoughts of the 60s Batman series (and really makes you wonder where Robin is). The duo, of course, escape – and clean the King’s Clock. HA!

Then we’re introduced to The Blue Beetle, and before you know it, we’re off into SPACE (Yes – BATMAN IN SPACE…when is the last time you saw THAT?!?!). The Beetle and Bats are transported into an alternate universe where The Blue Beetle, with Batman’s help, must save a race of little jelly shaped people from an evil space pirate who looks like he fell right out of Jack Kirby’s 4th World.

This first episode was a blast to watch – and my daughter and I have rerun it off the DVR at least 3 times this weekend. If that’s not a good sign – I don’t know what is. We’re looking forward to future installments of “Batman: The Brave and The Bold” – and if you check it out…you probably will be too.