ach episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold features main character Batman teaming up with other characters from the DC Universe to thwart villains or solve crimes. Beginnings usually have a small introduction and are usually not related to the remainder of the episode, apart from the regular appearances and reappearances of a villain who will figure prominently in episodes to come. In the first season, the villain was Equinox; in the second and current season, the villain is the alien Starro.
Each episode of
Batman: The Brave and the Bold features the main character (Batman) teaming up with other characters from the
DC Universe to thwart villains or to solve crimes. Beginnings usually have a small introduction and are usually not related to the remainder of the episode, apart from the regular appearances and reappearances of a villain who will figure prominently in episodes to come. 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.
The show is split into two parts: A small adventure right before the
theme song, and the main adventure right after that, similar to the previous Batman series,
The Batman. The show's creator has said that if a character's guest appearance in the teaser is deemed successful, then it may warrant exploring the character further in a future episode's main adventure.
[2]
The show has no overarching story, instead having most episodes stand alone.
[3] The show is lighter in tone than previous Batman series,
[4] depicting the Dark Knight as more lighthearted and playful with a "dry, ironic wit."
[5] The show features various references to various depictions of Batman in media, including the 1960s
Batman TV series.
[6]
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 a look and feel akin to their
Silver Age incarnations. While the show has featured major heroes such as the
Green Lantern and the
Flash, it consistently focuses on the lesser-known individuals to have carried the names, such as
Guy Gardner and
Jay Garrick, rather than the more popular, better known
Hal Jordan or
Barry Allen,
[4] 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 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.
[5] From this episode onwards, whenever Bruce Wayne appears, his face is no longer silhouetted (as in "The Knights of Tomorrow").
The series finale "Mitefall!" ended with Batman joined by most of the series' characters in the Batcave as it's being taken down. Breaking the fourth wall and addressing the audience, the hero said his farewells with the show's characters behind him.
[edit]Characters