The Flash S:01 E:22

Posted on by Bubbawheat

Episode Title: Rogue Air
Original Airdate: 5-12-15

As the show teases its way towards the climactic encounter between Eobord Thawne and Barry Allen it takes one final moment to inject a little bit of chaos into the mix as Barry and the team have to figure out a way to transport the five meta-humans contained in their particle accelerator slash prison before it comes back online and kills them all. It brings a whole different level of conflict than we would usually see in these types of shows and brings together a couple friends for a pretty epic fight to bring things to a close.
Continue reading The Flash S:01 E:22

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Batman: The Brave and The Bold S:01 E:02

Posted on by laundryroombruce

Episode title: Terror on Dinosaur Island!

Original air date: November 21, 2008

This is the second episode, and as such it has the daunting task of convincing the viewer to be compelled to return on a weekly basis rather than simply tuning in due to mild curiosity or lack of something better to watch. I always feel like the third episode is the make or break point for a new series, and episode 2 to is a great opportunity to swing for the fences with little risk. Perhaps in this instance we have a home run.
Continue reading Batman: The Brave and The Bold S:01 E:02

Batman: The Brave and the Bold S:01 E:01

Posted on by laundryroombruce

Episode title: The Rise of the Blue beetle 

Original air date: November 14, 2008 

This is the first episode of the series, and as such it is tasked with establishing a relationship with the viewer. Too often series try to throw an excessive number of elements into a pilot, and I am impressed with the restraint of the creators in avoiding that trap with this one. I am, however, a bit puzzled by the direction this episode went. The teaser consists of Green Arrow and Batman in an elaborate trap constructed by the Clock King. Of course the good guys escape, but the significant moment of the sequence occurs when Batman says via voice over that even though the heroes bicker with one another, the truth is that they make each other better (paraphrased). This statement does establish the central theme of all the adventures that will follow over the three season’s of the series.
Continue reading Batman: The Brave and the Bold S:01 E:01

Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Introduction

Posted on by laundryroombruce

Batman: The Brave and the Bold is an animated anthology series inspired by The Brave and the Bold comic book series.  It aired three seasons on Cartoon Network from November 2008 until November 2011 with a final tally of 65 episodes.  Much like it’s inspiration, the television series builds each episode around a “team up” of Batman and a (usually) lesser known hero to take down a bad guy.  To a guy like me that is absolutely devoted to being exposed to as many incarnations of as many different comic book characters as possible, a show such as this is Nirvana.  Further adding to the robust roster of characters is the convention of starting each episode with an unrelated teaser adventure before the story proper begins, always featuring characters that are not part of the primary story.  Simply put, if a character has any degree of significance in the DCU he or she is bound to show up in this series eventually.  I’m particularly found of episodes including forgotten characters from the early silver age (Catman) or prematurely abandoned recent creations (Geo-Force).  Another characteristic of the series is that it often provides a straight forward superhero adventure while also demonstrating a meta awareness of the perceived ridiculousness of many of the characters involved.  With art that is simultaneously classic and distinctive in appearance as well as writing that is both aware of cannon yet unafraid to alter it when needed, this show rarely disappoints.  It is an understatement to say that I am excited to be reviewing each episode of this series, and I invite you to join me in this journey if you fancy yourself as brave and/ or bold.

Arrow S:03 E:08

Posted on by Bubbawheat

Episode: The Brave and the Bold
Original Airdate: 12-3-14

As essentially the other half of the Flash/Arrow crossover episode, I had to watch it. Especially because they teased Captain Boomerang via the first half of the episode. One of the first things I noticed about Arrow is that I had no idea that they introduced a sidekick for him already and throughout the episode I don’t think I ever caught his name, though I do believe “Speedy” was referenced. I’m not entirely sure if that’s what they actually call him, or if that’s what his sidekick was named in the comics back in the day. I also thought it was interesting that the title of the episode was also used for a Batman cartoon series several years back. It also was great to see the Flash really act like the Flash that I’ve known from those kind of cartoons. The cocky, flippant character that is absolutely a blast to watch. He felt more like the Flash here in Arrow than he has so far in any episode of his own show. There wasn’t any bothering with the serious love story or the serious backstory of his parents, or anything else. All the serious stuff was kept with Arrow while the Flash just got to spend the entire episode being the Flash and I absolutely loved it. Even though I didn’t really have any idea what was going on with several of the other characters like Diggle and his love interest, or anything to do with Amanda Waller. I am slightly familiar with the Suicide Squad and I knew that it had been referenced in Arrow but I didn’t quite know to what extent. Coming into it blind, there was quite a bit to take in, but it was still a nice episode and companion piece to the Flash’s half of the crossover episode, especially the end tease with the full blown practice fight between Arrow and Flash.

The Flash S:01 E:08

Posted on by Bubbawheat

Episode: The Flash vs. Arrow
Original Airdate: 12-2-14

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a good crossover episode. Probably not since the time when Buffy and Angel crossed paths with each other on their respective shows, even though I didn’t see them until syndication. But this episode has been hyped since almost the start of the season when they showed that the two characters existed on the same universe and just a mere train ride or run in order to meet up with each other. The Flash has already seen Felicity come over to the show for an episode, but this time around the whole gang comes along and secret identities be damned! The high point for me was all the hilarious reactions from Diggle who I wasn’t familiar with at all considering I haven’t really been watching Arrow at all. Mainly the episode felt like an excuse to showcase how differently each of the heroes work, where Barry has the power but goes in head first and flies by the seat of his pants. While Arrow has a plan of attack and relies on his preparation and experience. There’s nothing funnier than seeing Flash get shot with an arrow in the back with the casual reply “I heard you heal fast”. But of course, there’s also the villain of the week involving someone who essentially has the power of Red Kryptonite from Smallville, only with a bit more rage than just the losing of inhibitions. And of course, Barry gets “whammied” as an excuse to have the two heroes fight each other outside of being just a practice exercise. It’s even more noticeable when it finally comes time to go work together to catch the villain and it all happens during the commercial break. Overall, it was a pretty fun episode and also played an important part in the overall storyline involving Barry and Iris. Although I believe some iterations of the Flash have him eventually marrying Iris (although without the whole growing up together as step-siblings), here he gets on her bad side as he goes after her current boyfriend while under the influence of Red Kryptonite, or the rage glare, whatever you want to call it. Of course, she still hasn’t made the connection between the Flash and Barry, so those two are likely still on good terms. And of course, there’s also the setup that there is a Flash task force now within the police force dedicated to arresting him. Good times. Oh, and I have to mention that I loved the fact that Dr. Wells name-dropped Batman within the episode like it was nothing.