there's a 90's, semi future Gotham finds the sketchbook of Bruce Wayne in the old Wayne Manor ruins or such, comic that has some really good bat suits in it. A couple almost demon Batman designs that I dunno if a favorite but are definitely cool as funk. Some damn good Robin suits too.
Not only does this episode have a lot of deep cut references to Batman comics, the whole Bat Mite as Batman sequence at the end is also one big Looney Tunes reference to a Daffy Duck short called The Great Piggy Bank Robbery where Daffy Duck had a dream he was Dick Tracy.
@CasuallyComics I was the background paint supervisor for B:TB&tB. This is probably the most thorough breakdown of our first Bat-Mite episode I've ever seen. Nicely Done! A couple of things: the background of Bat-Mite doing the BTAS lightning strike pose is actually the same one from BTAS. We were able to track down the original art and had a high res scan made and that is what you saw in the episode. Also, I was able to get original BTAS background artist John Calmette to paint the backgrounds that transitioned to that shot. If you have the "Art of Batman: The Animated Series" book, a lot of John's paintings are in there. Also, the sequence with Polkadot Man, Kite Man, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum was a reference to Bob Clampett's "The Great Piggybank Robbery". I can't find a better quality version on RUclips, but believe me when I say we painted it as close to the original colors as possible: ruclips.net/video/_yay2en74N0/видео.htmlsi=fcMPsUc_Av06qNHP&t=42
@@MrEnKaye I’m afraid i don’t. When working on that show either James Tucker or Ben Jones would hand us one of those DC Archive Editions with a ton of little post it notes in them marking all the obscure references we were putting in each episode. I thought I knew a lot about old DC comics, but compared to those guys, I knew nothing.
I love Sasha's emotional arc in this episode. She starts in a slightly restrained, buttoned down fashion, but by the time she gets to all the references, she is beaming with unbridled joy. It's a beauty to behold.
Even if I wasn't a weird old nerdlinger like everyone else, I'd still keep coming back, tbh. That borderline giddy joy when someone gets fully into talking about the niche things they're passionate about is such a lovely contact high. It's a breath of fresh air for someone who feels too much in a world that's falling apart.
While Calendar King never becomes a thing in the comics, I am aware of a comic where Mxyzptlk gives Calaendar Man the ability to see and interact with the panels of the comic, and Calender Man uses that to mess with the layout of the comic to fight both superman and batman.
There is also a symmetry to it. Starts off dark (vampire) goes odd (hombre), then campy (west) then stays campy with bat nipples (which they exaggerate), then odd (zebra) then Dark (DKR)
I have always thought that Batman: Brave and the Bold showed that Batman could be fun and light-hearted, yet still be a total bad-ass at the same time.
And in this series he was mostly serious. He had a sense of humour but not too joke-y. Stoic but not emotionless. It was basically the Silver Age but with a splash of the Bronze Age and/or BTAS Batman.
Since you're talking about Bat-mite, I'd love for you to spend an episode talking about "Larry", the Robin-mite from the 2003 Teen Titans series. From everything I can see, Larry was an original character, well as original as you can get, and was literally just a Robin-version of Bat-mite. I remember there being a lot of little interesting meat in this episode, like how unlike Bat-mite, Larry was actually pretty bad at using his powers, how its explained in-canon that Raven's demon magic doesn't play well with 5th dimensions magic, and they even have a little Emperor Joker nod by Larry's powers accidentally being given to some Hot Topic reject villain-of-the-week.
While your description of Johnny Rancid is fairly accurate, I'm pretty sure he appeared in at least one other episode. Also, I agree, Sasha, please talk about that episode of Teen Titans.
Always loved all the deep references to DC lore in Brave and the Bold. Too bad we'll never have Paul Reubens and Gilbert Godfried deliver a chaotic Bat-Mite/Mister Mxyzptlk team-up recording together.
@@Red-Wolf-BenI love that while BnB is a tribute to Silver Age it pulls from ALL of DC lore, even Modern Age. I loved the Captain Marvel episode that featured Mister Mind's butterfly form from 52.
He seems like a self insert character for all of us super obsessive nerdy fans of Batman and every time he shows up it’s just an excuse for us fans to get references to older comics and TV shows
I've very rarely encountered a Batman that was "Not my Batman." I love finding the aspects that each version of Batman has in common, it helps me find the spiritually "definitive" Batman traits. When the character is pulled and twisted in interesting ways, and the concept of Batman still survives, it's the aspects each version has in common that form the truest version of Batman.
You're telling me they figured out how to make Calendar Man a threat while still fun and a bit goofy, and they haven't adapted that into the comics yet?
As an older fan, this episode was right up my alley. A great tribute to Batman's long, checkered history. Good job catching all those references, especially those obscure World's Finest monsters! Another minor easter egg: In the scene where Bat-Mite gives his speech about different interpretations of Batman, the logo on his podium (the square with the big eye in the middle) is a spoof of the real-life San Diego Comicon logo.
The scene feels like constructive criticism of constructive criticism. A respectful rebuttal. Agree to disagree. You do you and I’ll do me. The thing I love about Batman is that both sides are completely right. “That’s not my Batman”. You’re right. It’s not your Batman. But it’s someone’s Batman. It doesn’t have to be my Batman to be Batman. And I believe this meta joke did an excellent job portraying that.
7:16 also like to mention the suit has drawn on looking eye brows on it has well a nose line. So its def the adam west batman costume which had those features.
Great episode! It was also great to see non-serial killer Calendar Man again. I know people prefer the serious take but I love to goofy hood and the paper cape.
How many serial killers does d.c. have/(want)need? Joker...🤦, and Voktor Zazs(or however you write his name) are already here. Let villains stand on their own!
Goofy bollocks calander man is also someone I want in a fighting game he has a gimmick around dates that is a joke but not mean spirited The one I envision is he gets powered up during a holiday but due to his immense knowledge of keys be real pointless holidays he’s always a full strength because wether it be Christmas or international lobster day the holidays give him power
I remember when this show arrived it was at the peak of the Nolan era with The Dark Knight. I was in college at the time and I used to hear “Not my Batman” in nerd circles a lot. I remember one guy on a website retracted that after this episode, as he felt that the series was good fun after actually watching it.
It tickles me to learn that Julius Schwartz, at one time, worked to make DC Comics less silly; as my introduction to Schwartz was as a comedy character in Ambush Bug.
Loved this episode and the way they handle Bat-Mite is brilliant. The con scene is spot on because I think it is fair- one reason Batman has endured is the fact he is malleable, Adam West can exist alongside Christian Bale , Lego Batman and it if handled in the right way they can all work.
The image at 16:13 harkens back to a moment in the WB Daffy Duck cartoon "The Great Piggy Bank Robbery". I don't know why that stuck with me, but it did.
This Bat-Mite episode that comments on fandom being full of deep lore cuts is pretty appropriate. No better way to instantly throw out that you're a huge fan than with some obscure trivia.
The older I get and the more I interact with other fans the more I hear "Not my blank". I don't think there's anything wrong with feeling this way as long as you let others have their favorite versions of a character.
Though sone interpretation are utterly awful like it’s all star Batman and robin the bow wonder or the fact zac snider was trying to get Batman to kill because the studio expressly told him not to
To add to what someone else said.Paul Dini is not just a huge fan of Daffy Duck, he produced the cartoon series Duck Dodgers starring Daffy. That series has also a plethora of references.
Gotta love Seasons 1 and 2 of that show. Shame Season 3 undid the S2 finale and didn't have the same pizzazz because Paul Dini and co. weren't making it.
I hope you plan on covering the Brave and Bold episode where Bat-Mite decides to end the series, because then we can go down the rabbit hole that is...AMBUSH BUG!
8:51 ...The scene panning out to reveal an audience of "Batmen" gave me a good laugh! I've seen this episode years ago, and that still surprised me! LOL! 10:00 ...I also like that the 'eye' logo of the Comic Con was altered to look like Bat-Mite's eye.
Fun Fact: The part where Bat-Mite is listing off villains before being chased by them is a reference to a classic Daffy Duck cartoon, Duck Tracy. It also features a cartoony character trying to emulate a heroic detective, only to find himself in way over his head when he confronts their rogues gallery.
Ace was brought back with Batman Beyond, but that version was an homage to the Royal Flush Gang's Ace and never wore a mask. The Killer Easter Rabbits feel like a reference to either The Killer Rabbit from The Holy Grail or the card Vizzerdrix from Magic the Gathering. I could swear the Alice in Wonderland duo was in BTAS' Mad Hatter episode.
Batmite and Calendar Man actually have a history in the comics. Can't remember which, but Calendar Man is caught within a bet between Batmite and Mr. Mxy about whether Superman or Batman is the better hero. Our guy gets meta powers, being able to walk between the gutters.
The looming mass of villains over Bat Mite is a great inversion of the Adam West animated opening. When I was expecting him to throw an uppercut, he instead gets jumped by Joker. The assembled villains also called back to the mob crossing the screen.
17:35 Green Arrow: _Looks at Batman and Superman fighting 5th dimensional beings_ "Boy am I glad I don't have an Arrow-Mite or something to deal with!" Bat-Mite:
Holy Loremaster Sasha, super impressive that you caught all those nods to Silver Age monsters in that sequence. I thought they were random scary monsters when I first saw this episode. The creative team put a lot of care into crafting this episode.
5th dimensional imps became a trope of the silver age. I seem to remember the Flash having his own 5th dimensional imp. I think his name was Quisp. Have there ever been any Bat-Mite / Mr Mxyzptlk team-ups?
Sasha, noticed how mongul's episodes heavily allude to darkseid(war world looking exactly like apocalypse,mongal's manly voice and furies as granny goodness,her champion steppenwolf!)?
My one "not my Batman" thing is whenever Batman shows disregard for any human life. Even though the original prototype-era Batman did kill people, I just think the introduction of his unwillingness to allow anyone to die brought more depth and inner conflict to the character and I find myself disappointed when it's tossed aside, as it has in multiple live-action portrayals. I don't care if it's dark and gritty or bright and campy; I just want to see Batman be so obsessive about saving lives that not even his pragmatism can let him ignore it.
I enjoyed this episode, it was funny. Also the Batmite chase was a reference to a daffy duck short from Looney tunes where he goes to find his piggy bank and gets chased by multiple crazy gangsters.
The only time I’ll say “Not my Batman” is when Zack Snyder insists that Batman should just be going around killing villains. It misses the whole point that Batman values life above everything and also believes in second chances.
I prefer Batman in Absolute Batman to just break and slash his enemies than straight up killing them since the bad guys there are way worse than the normal ones. So he's just making sure they don't hurt others without killing them.
As a person that has answered MANY comic book questions, I thank you for sharing and expanding your nerd knowledge for this video. Casually Comics seems like a lie of a channel name considering the work done.
it would have been cool if there was an episode of Batman The Brave And The Bold where Mr Zero transitions into Mr Freeze. i know he wasn't called Mr freeze until the 1960s Adam West series. the name change was adapted into the comics in march 1968 in detective comics 373.
I saw this episode live, and was in comic circles that brought up the show's tone on comic news sites at the time, so when the show brought it up, I thought "Forgot how early the show did this lol" To this day, I'll never forget the super pointy nips when the Schumacher costume appears.
When Batman is in the same universe as a solar powered alien, an immortal from an ancient Greek society, a guy gifted powers by lightening, a space cop with a anything weapon, and so many more, I don't see a problem with Bat-Mite. He's just another inhabitant of that world. Nothing is stopping the even weirder things from coming to Gotham. In fact the idea that Bat-Mite is in the same universe as Two-Face and Zsasz kind of makes it even scarier, IMO.
Thanks Sasha! Looking forward to the Bat-Mite playlist :-) Legends of the Dark Mite was when I knew Brave and the Bold was for me. Its willingness to not take itself too seriously, have fun with the source, make plenty of deep cut references (and I ALWAYS appreciate your research on what the more obscure ones were, as with Emperor Joker, there are tons here I had no idea about), and the show’s justification that - hey, it’s okay for this show to exist. Batman can be interpreted in many different ways, and this is just another. And besides - those Easter Bunnies looked really scary, right?!
For me, anytime a character like Bite Mite shows up or the super pets.... if not done well, it feels like we're seeing the current run starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel and we're due for a reboot.
There seems to be a whole generation of artists and writers that remember both Myx-ie and the Mite with some fondness. I'd recommend the World's Funnist special that Evan Dorkin wrote - if anyone is interested in how Dave Gibbons, Brian Bolland and even Frank Millar (amoungst others) represent the pair.
The sequence with the Batman villains is also a reference to the classic Looney Tunes short "The Great Piggy Bank Robbery", where Daffy Duck as a Dick Tracy-like character encounters a bunch of villains, in the same way how Bat-Mite does in the episode.
In the episode, Batman is put in situations where he looks very silly. The one putting him in those situations (within the cartoon and IRL) is a person who really takes Batman very seriously.
You’d think fans (especially of this show) would’ve learned to put away the NOT MUH BATMAN mentality after this episode. Sadly, it resumed the moment Beware the Batman was announced and has continued on since.
I LOVED the episode; also, the ability of 5th Dimensional Imps (Zrffians) to penetrate the Fourth Wall is well-documented (Fun Fact: Porcupine Pete of the Legion of Substitute Heroes got his powers by running afoul of a native from Zrrff.
This episode makes me also giggle because James Tucker before this series pitched a Batman: No Man's Land animated series that was deemed "too dark" and so they went with this direction. Pity cause it would've given us a Cassandra Cain Batgirl and Robin (though I think it was originally pitched with Tim before the second later on went with Damian). Maybe that should be another episode the failed "pitches" that got axed. This, the Nightwing animated series (that was gonna have Raven be his sidekick) and Gotham High.
I absolutely love all the references and Easter Eggs in this episode. Having Bat-Mite as the only reason for them is why they work. The could be just random weird things from the 5th Dimension. But having all of them be references from other Batman comics or TV shows makes them so much better. Also having Diedrich Bader as the fan delivering the "Not my Batman," line is it's own level of animation referencing.
This was legit my childhood show and my 2nd favorite interpretation of Batman in media love it’s getting more coverage! Also I love listening to your videos on my way to school and work! Would be cool if you also cover the final ep of the show
I enjoyed this episode and the subsequent Bat-Mite episodes quite a bit. My GF hates Bat-Mite to death which I find funny because she loves Batman 1966 which is as camp as a Batman story gets. If you could do a video where it's just Brave and the Bold Batman punching Guy Gardner for 5 to 10 minutes, that would be spectacular.
Love Paul Reubans’s version of the character. With Batmite his voice could be slightly annoying, but it also could be funny, energetic and very emotional at times. Addmittingly there were times when Batmite did show his compassion for his hero and when it did come-out, Paul Reubans’s came-out as well. And for those who don’t know, Reubans wasn’t just the voice of Batmite in the Batman franchise. He was also The Penguin’s father in Batman Returns and in the show Gotham.
15:03 the dragon is a reference but not the way your thinking, I recognize him as the snail from Worlds greatest (superfriends intro) 1979 the one with Ghost ship firing on Batman.
It can be very easy for RUclipsrs to just slip into summarizing an episode, but you did an excellent job diving deeper into things like the historical context and purpose of scenes and explaining them.
I've really enjoyed seeing you dive deep into Brave and the Bold. One of my favorite Batman cartoons and this was one of my favorite episodes. I'm really hoping that you'll one day return to Astro City and do an episode on the Issue "Shining Armor." I think it'd be real interesting to see you cover how that comic commented on all of the toxic elements of Silver Age Lois Lane and Superman romance stories while still making the characters in Astro City feel unique in their own right.
I remember watching this episode as a kid, and being completely lost once it went to the 5th dimension. Note this was functionally my introduction show to Batman, and seeing so many deep cuts, and meta references to the overall Batman IP did not compute with kid me. I just remember feeling really weirded out by that episode.
I've never seen the episode, but I really appreciate how the creative team layered on so many delicious sprinkles of Batman lore. I also love the way Batman is used as a hub of grounded reality around which the zany (or terrifying) antics of Bat-Mite can spin its chaos without losing focus. Sasha, I wouldn't have recognized some of the nods to Bat-history on my own, so I want to thank you for being an excellent tour guide on this fun excursion!
This was my intro to Batmite, and is still my favorite version of the character. Also on the What a Cartoon podcast they point out the similarity between this episodes climax and that of the classic Daffy Duck short “The Great Piggy Bank Robbery”
I really loved Brave and Bold. It was a fun take on Batman and introduced me to a lot of things in Batman's history. It's how I learned about Plasticman too. It was from this series I learned about the two Blue Beetles.
Ooooooh! 6:41 thats exactly like a joker shot from the batman vs dracula movie! Its 100% gotta be a reference omg (when vampire Joker is showered in (black) blood andhe lets out his toungue!)
Have actually seen this one, and I love it. To explain: for my 13th Birthday back in 1979 my mother gave my brother and I, among other things, two volumes from British publisher Titan Books. Batman from the 30's to the 70's. Superman from the 30's to the 70's. These reprinted various stories from selected decades. Heavily into British comics at the time especially 2000ad I wasn't reading anything American then. So this was some of my earliest exposure to Batman. I read both of these so many times. I think I still have them somewhere. The 60's section was a bit jarring because you go from a silly science fiction one with the dynamic duo plus Batwoman and Kathy Kane Batgirl exploring an alien world to 'one bullet too many'. A serious story. Such a jump. But among other things, the Batman one did introduce me to Bat-Mite. And I have loved the character since. One story in this volume was that World's finest with the hairy cyclops. Which had slipped my mind till you showed the teaser page of it in here. It's an amazing feeling when a long dormant memory is triggered. Anyway, that love of Bat-Mite means I loved this episode. Not my Batman doesn't apply to me. because as a veteran dc reader I am so used to seeing alternate versions of the characters I always think 'what's one more?' when the latest shows up. I am just happy to see them on the screen. Big or small.
I loved this episode. I remember being so happy with the meta references when it first aired. Now I'm sure edgy teenage me from the 90s would've hated it, but with age comes wisdom.
![Twenty One Pilots - The Line (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Audio]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XCz7WUotXs8/mqdefault.jpg)
What's Your Favorite Batman Costume?
The all black one he wore after taking back the mantle from Dick , following tha Prodigal Son story arc 🖖🏾
Bat-Hombré, comprende? Muy bien senorita sahsa! And that's my daily dose of spanish(🇭🇺).
The full mask cover that Jace Fox wears.
I like the golden age big ear costume
there's a 90's, semi future Gotham finds the sketchbook of Bruce Wayne in the old Wayne Manor ruins or such, comic that has some really good bat suits in it. A couple almost demon Batman designs that I dunno if a favorite but are definitely cool as funk. Some damn good Robin suits too.
Not only does this episode have a lot of deep cut references to Batman comics, the whole Bat Mite as Batman sequence at the end is also one big Looney Tunes reference to a Daffy Duck short called The Great Piggy Bank Robbery where Daffy Duck had a dream he was Dick Tracy.
NEON NOODLE!
I think there’s a little bit of Porky in Wackyland too, with Bat-Mite playing the part of the Dodo.
But not before a little b.t.a.s. reference, he even says"this is awesome sauce"!
Dang you beat me to it.
Yes, the whole villain intro and start of the subsequent chase are nearly identical between the two cartoons.
@CasuallyComics I was the background paint supervisor for B:TB&tB. This is probably the most thorough breakdown of our first Bat-Mite episode I've ever seen. Nicely Done! A couple of things: the background of Bat-Mite doing the BTAS lightning strike pose is actually the same one from BTAS. We were able to track down the original art and had a high res scan made and that is what you saw in the episode. Also, I was able to get original BTAS background artist John Calmette to paint the backgrounds that transitioned to that shot. If you have the "Art of Batman: The Animated Series" book, a lot of John's paintings are in there. Also, the sequence with Polkadot Man, Kite Man, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum was a reference to Bob Clampett's "The Great Piggybank Robbery". I can't find a better quality version on RUclips, but believe me when I say we painted it as close to the original colors as possible: ruclips.net/video/_yay2en74N0/видео.htmlsi=fcMPsUc_Av06qNHP&t=42
That's great. Thanks for the peek behind the curtain.
That's so cool!!! Wait, do you know what that green Dragon with the popped out eyes is referencing?
Love the work that you guys did. Over 10 years later and I can't have enough of it.❤
@@MrEnKaye I’m afraid i don’t. When working on that show either James Tucker or Ben Jones would hand us one of those DC Archive Editions with a ton of little post it notes in them marking all the obscure references we were putting in each episode. I thought I knew a lot about old DC comics, but compared to those guys, I knew nothing.
@@williamjosephdunn5879 Wonderful! I hope the dragon gets ID'd - completing the set would be a delight.
“The Alien Superman” seems redundant.
Alien-looking Superman is better?
@@GabePuratekuta Greenman Superman
@@KittSpiken That's just Martian Manhunter
I love Sasha's emotional arc in this episode. She starts in a slightly restrained, buttoned down fashion, but by the time she gets to all the references, she is beaming with unbridled joy. It's a beauty to behold.
Common Brave and the Bold experience.
Even if I wasn't a weird old nerdlinger like everyone else, I'd still keep coming back, tbh. That borderline giddy joy when someone gets fully into talking about the niche things they're passionate about is such a lovely contact high. It's a breath of fresh air for someone who feels too much in a world that's falling apart.
While Calendar King never becomes a thing in the comics, I am aware of a comic where Mxyzptlk gives Calaendar Man the ability to see and interact with the panels of the comic, and Calender Man uses that to mess with the layout of the comic to fight both superman and batman.
Yep, making it his dawnfall at the end of the comic.
7:31 love the detail where he struggles to turn his neck to look at Bat-Mite lol
😂
Complete with bat nipples!?
Wow nice catch.
the nipple spikes too
I tittered seeing that detail.
Paul Dini, you can't keep referencing Looney Tunes in your DC work!
Paul: "Watch me!"
He worked on Tiny Toon Adventures before working on DCAU. So he clearly had a love for Looney Tunes.
He also did good work in the first two seasons of Duck Dodgers.
7:01 is Clearly Adam West. The pronouched belt. The ill fitting tights, the squared off cowl with short ears
There is also a symmetry to it. Starts off dark (vampire) goes odd (hombre), then campy (west) then stays campy with bat nipples (which they exaggerate), then odd (zebra) then Dark (DKR)
There's also the background music being based on the '66 show.
I have always thought that Batman: Brave and the Bold showed that Batman could be fun and light-hearted, yet still be a total bad-ass at the same time.
And in this series he was mostly serious. He had a sense of humour but not too joke-y. Stoic but not emotionless.
It was basically the Silver Age but with a splash of the Bronze Age and/or BTAS Batman.
It was a very brave direction to take the character. Bold, some might even say.
@@scratch2086Cue the drums!
Since you're talking about Bat-mite, I'd love for you to spend an episode talking about "Larry", the Robin-mite from the 2003 Teen Titans series. From everything I can see, Larry was an original character, well as original as you can get, and was literally just a Robin-version of Bat-mite. I remember there being a lot of little interesting meat in this episode, like how unlike Bat-mite, Larry was actually pretty bad at using his powers, how its explained in-canon that Raven's demon magic doesn't play well with 5th dimensions magic, and they even have a little Emperor Joker nod by Larry's powers accidentally being given to some Hot Topic reject villain-of-the-week.
Also the fact that his real name is just Dick Grayson spelled backwards.
While your description of Johnny Rancid is fairly accurate, I'm pretty sure he appeared in at least one other episode. Also, I agree, Sasha, please talk about that episode of Teen Titans.
Always loved all the deep references to DC lore in Brave and the Bold. Too bad we'll never have Paul Reubens and Gilbert Godfried deliver a chaotic Bat-Mite/Mister Mxyzptlk team-up recording together.
I still can't get over the fact that this show referenced both Giant Turtle Jimmy Olsen and the Dark Knight Returns in the SAME FREAKING EPISODE!
@@Red-Wolf-Ben. How about the bath robe burning?😂
@@erikbihari3625Superman was acting like a real d-
@@Red-Wolf-BenI love that while BnB is a tribute to Silver Age it pulls from ALL of DC lore, even Modern Age. I loved the Captain Marvel episode that featured Mister Mind's butterfly form from 52.
@Red-Wolf-Ben or Superman wearing the Giant a** King Crown in that same episode, too.
He seems like a self insert character for all of us super obsessive nerdy fans of Batman and every time he shows up it’s just an excuse for us fans to get references to older comics and TV shows
Not just Batman. But every obsessive nerdy fanboy... they're the bane of everyone.
I've very rarely encountered a Batman that was "Not my Batman." I love finding the aspects that each version of Batman has in common, it helps me find the spiritually "definitive" Batman traits. When the character is pulled and twisted in interesting ways, and the concept of Batman still survives, it's the aspects each version has in common that form the truest version of Batman.
You're telling me they figured out how to make Calendar Man a threat while still fun and a bit goofy, and they haven't adapted that into the comics yet?
He'd probably be too OP and come off as another Emperor Joker. One reality-warping Batman character is enough.
As an older fan, this episode was right up my alley. A great tribute to Batman's long, checkered history. Good job catching all those references, especially those obscure World's Finest monsters! Another minor easter egg: In the scene where Bat-Mite gives his speech about different interpretations of Batman, the logo on his podium (the square with the big eye in the middle) is a spoof of the real-life San Diego Comicon logo.
Good catch. I thought it was referencing San Diego Comic-Con based on the font of the panel banner but I missed that they had the con logo too.
The scene feels like constructive criticism of constructive criticism. A respectful rebuttal. Agree to disagree. You do you and I’ll do me. The thing I love about Batman is that both sides are completely right. “That’s not my Batman”. You’re right. It’s not your Batman. But it’s someone’s Batman. It doesn’t have to be my Batman to be Batman. And I believe this meta joke did an excellent job portraying that.
And besides, at least the scene is more kinder than whatever those Control Freak scenes are in Teen Titans go.
7:16 also like to mention the suit has drawn on looking eye brows on it has well a nose line. So its def the adam west batman costume which had those features.
Great episode! It was also great to see non-serial killer Calendar Man again. I know people prefer the serious take but I love to goofy hood and the paper cape.
How many serial killers does d.c. have/(want)need? Joker...🤦, and Voktor Zazs(or however you write his name) are already here. Let villains stand on their own!
Today is National Kick Batman's Ass Day!
And also National Almonds Day!
Goofy bollocks calander man is also someone I want in a fighting game he has a gimmick around dates that is a joke but not mean spirited
The one I envision is he gets powered up during a holiday but due to his immense knowledge of keys be real pointless holidays he’s always a full strength because wether it be Christmas or international lobster day the holidays give him power
Damn! Sasha going full detective mode. Identifying "The Alien Who Doomed Robin!" just from it's legs
I have my problems with the silver age, but stuff like this isn't one of them. God does that stuff tickle my fancy
7:01 That's clearly the Adam West Batman costume. There's even a pow sound effect that pops up when he transforms.
I remember when this show arrived it was at the peak of the Nolan era with The Dark Knight. I was in college at the time and I used to hear “Not my Batman” in nerd circles a lot. I remember one guy on a website retracted that after this episode, as he felt that the series was good fun after actually watching it.
5:00 How about ninjas with tommyguns?
More BTBATB! Just came upon "Mayhem of the Music Meister!" for the first time...Neil Patrick Harris should play musical villains in every franchise! 😆
You can also purchase the soundtrack for that episode.
It tickles me to learn that Julius Schwartz, at one time, worked to make DC Comics less silly; as my introduction to Schwartz was as a comedy character in Ambush Bug.
Batman became “not my Batman” after he messed with Jason’s brain and gave him a panic attack when his adrenaline was high.
Loved this episode and the way they handle Bat-Mite is brilliant. The con scene is spot on because I think it is fair- one reason Batman has endured is the fact he is malleable, Adam West can exist alongside Christian Bale , Lego Batman and it if handled in the right way they can all work.
The image at 16:13 harkens back to a moment in the WB Daffy Duck cartoon "The Great Piggy Bank Robbery". I don't know why that stuck with me, but it did.
I was about to post the same thing. Classic Looney Tunes definitely were part of the inspiration for this episode.
This Bat-Mite episode that comments on fandom being full of deep lore cuts is pretty appropriate. No better way to instantly throw out that you're a huge fan than with some obscure trivia.
The older I get and the more I interact with other fans the more I hear "Not my blank". I don't think there's anything wrong with feeling this way as long as you let others have their favorite versions of a character.
But they never do..."
Though sone interpretation are utterly awful like it’s all star Batman and robin the bow wonder or the fact zac snider was trying to get Batman to kill because the studio expressly told him not to
To add to what someone else said.Paul Dini is not just a huge fan of Daffy Duck, he produced the cartoon series Duck Dodgers starring Daffy. That series has also a plethora of references.
Great series based on easily the best Daffy Duck classic cartoon.
Gotta love Seasons 1 and 2 of that show. Shame Season 3 undid the S2 finale and didn't have the same pizzazz because Paul Dini and co. weren't making it.
This was not only my favorite episode of the series, but one of the greatest half hours of television ever.
I just love 14:30 "The Alien Superman." Isn't that redundant or something? Be like the Alien Alien...
Sasha's search for the ultimate deep cut treasure trove continues ...
I hope you plan on covering the Brave and Bold episode where Bat-Mite decides to end the series, because then we can go down the rabbit hole that is...AMBUSH BUG!
Pretty much agree with you Sasha on this episode… Batman: The Brave & The Bold was a fun show & I revisit it often
I wish I could...
This whole series was a love letter to everything Batman.
a love letter to everything dc comics.
8:51 ...The scene panning out to reveal an audience of "Batmen" gave me a good laugh!
I've seen this episode years ago, and that still surprised me! LOL!
10:00 ...I also like that the 'eye' logo of the Comic Con was altered to look like Bat-Mite's eye.
I think one of those "Batmen" was Hank Venture.
Also the one talking supposedly was Kevin Smith! @@GabePuratekuta
Fun Fact: The part where Bat-Mite is listing off villains before being chased by them is a reference to a classic Daffy Duck cartoon, Duck Tracy.
It also features a cartoony character trying to emulate a heroic detective, only to find himself in way over his head when he confronts their rogues gallery.
I thought Bat-Hombre was a deep cut until we got to the World's Finest monsters lol
After Az-Bat after Dick Grayson-Batman. He had a cool outfit. It was dark and not black. He did have trunks.
I liked the "Joe Chill" episode with Spectre a Phantom Stranger.
Ace was brought back with Batman Beyond, but that version was an homage to the Royal Flush Gang's Ace and never wore a mask.
The Killer Easter Rabbits feel like a reference to either The Killer Rabbit from The Holy Grail or the card Vizzerdrix from Magic the Gathering.
I could swear the Alice in Wonderland duo was in BTAS' Mad Hatter episode.
Batmite and Calendar Man actually have a history in the comics.
Can't remember which, but Calendar Man is caught within a bet between Batmite and Mr. Mxy about whether Superman or Batman is the better hero.
Our guy gets meta powers, being able to walk between the gutters.
The looming mass of villains over Bat Mite is a great inversion of the Adam West animated opening. When I was expecting him to throw an uppercut, he instead gets jumped by Joker. The assembled villains also called back to the mob crossing the screen.
17:35
Green Arrow: _Looks at Batman and Superman fighting 5th dimensional beings_
"Boy am I glad I don't have an Arrow-Mite or something to deal with!"
Bat-Mite:
Ninjas are neat. But gangsters with tommy guns are always a fun classic
How about"skiing ninjas with lasers!"?
What about ninjas with tommy guns?
@@ianfinrir8724 Or katana wielding Yakuzas?
@@southanime No, Depression era gangsters with swords.
Do they have yellow gloves?
Holy Loremaster Sasha, super impressive that you caught all those nods to Silver Age monsters in that sequence. I thought they were random scary monsters when I first saw this episode. The creative team put a lot of care into crafting this episode.
5th dimensional imps became a trope of the silver age. I seem to remember the Flash having his own 5th dimensional imp. I think his name was Quisp.
Have there ever been any Bat-Mite / Mr Mxyzptlk team-ups?
@Timepilot94 thanks for the correction. I knew another hero had an imp too. I just combined the two.
Batmite the lesser known member of the 70’s group the Fifth Dimension.
I would want a retrospective or best off of world's finest. Feels like its fertile ground for a great video.
Maybe someday.
After we get the Music Mister episode
The batmite episodes are so good. Thanks a million for covering one of my all time favorite shows
Sasha, noticed how mongul's episodes heavily allude to darkseid(war world looking exactly like apocalypse,mongal's manly voice and furies as granny goodness,her champion steppenwolf!)?
My one "not my Batman" thing is whenever Batman shows disregard for any human life. Even though the original prototype-era Batman did kill people, I just think the introduction of his unwillingness to allow anyone to die brought more depth and inner conflict to the character and I find myself disappointed when it's tossed aside, as it has in multiple live-action portrayals. I don't care if it's dark and gritty or bright and campy; I just want to see Batman be so obsessive about saving lives that not even his pragmatism can let him ignore it.
I enjoyed this episode, it was funny.
Also the Batmite chase was a reference to a daffy duck short from Looney tunes where he goes to find his piggy bank and gets chased by multiple crazy gangsters.
The only time I’ll say “Not my Batman” is when Zack Snyder insists that Batman should just be going around killing villains. It misses the whole point that Batman values life above everything and also believes in second chances.
I prefer Batman in Absolute Batman to just break and slash his enemies than straight up killing them since the bad guys there are way worse than the normal ones. So he's just making sure they don't hurt others without killing them.
I was hoping for a Hank Venture version of "The Bat."
Probably died off screen.
As a person that has answered MANY comic book questions, I thank you for sharing and expanding your nerd knowledge for this video. Casually Comics seems like a lie of a channel name considering the work done.
it would have been cool if there was an episode of Batman The Brave And The Bold where Mr Zero transitions into Mr Freeze. i know he wasn't called Mr freeze until the 1960s Adam West series. the name change was adapted into the comics in march 1968 in detective comics 373.
I saw this episode live, and was in comic circles that brought up the show's tone on comic news sites at the time, so when the show brought it up, I thought "Forgot how early the show did this lol"
To this day, I'll never forget the super pointy nips when the Schumacher costume appears.
When Batman is in the same universe as a solar powered alien, an immortal from an ancient Greek society, a guy gifted powers by lightening, a space cop with a anything weapon, and so many more, I don't see a problem with Bat-Mite. He's just another inhabitant of that world. Nothing is stopping the even weirder things from coming to Gotham. In fact the idea that Bat-Mite is in the same universe as Two-Face and Zsasz kind of makes it even scarier, IMO.
I love the Nightwing mite Nite Mite… and they gave him a mite back in Teen Titans cartoon in the 90s
7:13 to me that looks like the Adam West costume. Mainly because of the belt and the bluish gray.
"Edgeify Batmite...." Yes! Pouches and belts galore. :)
Mullets! As many "Xs" as you can fit!!
Leather jacket; shades; and Bat-stubble.
The Guy that Bat Mite was talking to in this episode reminds me of Chet Albertson a.k.a Comic Book Guy.
"Worst. Batman. Ever."
Thanks Sasha! Looking forward to the Bat-Mite playlist :-)
Legends of the Dark Mite was when I knew Brave and the Bold was for me. Its willingness to not take itself too seriously, have fun with the source, make plenty of deep cut references (and I ALWAYS appreciate your research on what the more obscure ones were, as with Emperor Joker, there are tons here I had no idea about), and the show’s justification that - hey, it’s okay for this show to exist. Batman can be interpreted in many different ways, and this is just another.
And besides - those Easter Bunnies looked really scary, right?!
this episode referenced the Daffy Duck cartoon Duck Tracy where Daffy imagines he's in his fave comic and gets carried away with his imagination.
For me, anytime a character like Bite Mite shows up or the super pets.... if not done well, it feels like we're seeing the current run starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel and we're due for a reboot.
7:03 That is clearly the 1960s Adam West Batman, you can tell because it has eyebrows.
Batman's "I think I believe you" was cute. This one's voice actor needs more recognition lol
HE SAID TAKE A DIVE LOL
There seems to be a whole generation of artists and writers that remember both Myx-ie and the Mite with some fondness. I'd recommend the World's Funnist special that Evan Dorkin wrote - if anyone is interested in how Dave Gibbons, Brian Bolland and even Frank Millar (amoungst others) represent the pair.
The sequence with the Batman villains is also a reference to the classic Looney Tunes short "The Great Piggy Bank Robbery", where Daffy Duck as a Dick Tracy-like character encounters a bunch of villains, in the same way how Bat-Mite does in the episode.
In the episode, Batman is put in situations where he looks very silly. The one putting him in those situations (within the cartoon and IRL) is a person who really takes Batman very seriously.
You’d think fans (especially of this show) would’ve learned to put away the NOT MUH BATMAN mentality after this episode. Sadly, it resumed the moment Beware the Batman was announced and has continued on since.
I LOVED the episode; also, the ability of 5th Dimensional Imps (Zrffians) to penetrate the Fourth Wall is well-documented (Fun Fact: Porcupine Pete of the Legion of Substitute Heroes got his powers by running afoul of a native from Zrrff.
The Green creature is like a wyvern take on the Jabberwocky, which ia fitting with yhe imagination and 5th dimension thing
This episode makes me also giggle because James Tucker before this series pitched a Batman: No Man's Land animated series that was deemed "too dark" and so they went with this direction. Pity cause it would've given us a Cassandra Cain Batgirl and Robin (though I think it was originally pitched with Tim before the second later on went with Damian). Maybe that should be another episode the failed "pitches" that got axed. This, the Nightwing animated series (that was gonna have Raven be his sidekick) and Gotham High.
Mitefall, the series finale of B:TB&TB, is my favorite finale ever.
I absolutely love all the references and Easter Eggs in this episode. Having Bat-Mite as the only reason for them is why they work.
The could be just random weird things from the 5th Dimension. But having all of them be references from other Batman comics or TV shows makes them so much better.
Also having Diedrich Bader as the fan delivering the "Not my Batman," line is it's own level of animation referencing.
This was legit my childhood show and my 2nd favorite interpretation of Batman in media love it’s getting more coverage! Also I love listening to your videos on my way to school and work! Would be cool if you also cover the final ep of the show
I enjoyed this episode and the subsequent Bat-Mite episodes quite a bit. My GF hates Bat-Mite to death which I find funny because she loves Batman 1966 which is as camp as a Batman story gets. If you could do a video where it's just Brave and the Bold Batman punching Guy Gardner for 5 to 10 minutes, that would be spectacular.
It was the chemicals from the river... lol... I love that line
Love Paul Reubans’s version of the character. With Batmite his voice could be slightly annoying, but it also could be funny, energetic and very emotional at times. Addmittingly there were times when Batmite did show his compassion for his hero and when it did come-out, Paul Reubans’s came-out as well. And for those who don’t know, Reubans wasn’t just the voice of Batmite in the Batman franchise. He was also The Penguin’s father in Batman Returns and in the show Gotham.
Ninjas with swords are more fun to watch, but gangsters with Tommy guns are more fun to listen to: "I'm gonna pump ya full of lead, SEE?!"
How about Gangster Ninjas now that's something.
15:03 the dragon is a reference but not the way your thinking, I recognize him as the snail from Worlds greatest (superfriends intro) 1979 the one with Ghost ship firing on Batman.
It can be very easy for RUclipsrs to just slip into summarizing an episode, but you did an excellent job diving deeper into things like the historical context and purpose of scenes and explaining them.
We need an episode about Larry (Nosyarg Kcid) from The Teen Titans show.
I've really enjoyed seeing you dive deep into Brave and the Bold. One of my favorite Batman cartoons and this was one of my favorite episodes.
I'm really hoping that you'll one day return to Astro City and do an episode on the Issue "Shining Armor." I think it'd be real interesting to see you cover how that comic commented on all of the toxic elements of Silver Age Lois Lane and Superman romance stories while still making the characters in Astro City feel unique in their own right.
I remember watching this episode as a kid, and being completely lost once it went to the 5th dimension. Note this was functionally my introduction show to Batman, and seeing so many deep cuts, and meta references to the overall Batman IP did not compute with kid me. I just remember feeling really weirded out by that episode.
I've never seen the episode, but I really appreciate how the creative team layered on so many delicious sprinkles of Batman lore. I also love the way Batman is used as a hub of grounded reality around which the zany (or terrifying) antics of Bat-Mite can spin its chaos without losing focus. Sasha, I wouldn't have recognized some of the nods to Bat-history on my own, so I want to thank you for being an excellent tour guide on this fun excursion!
Highly recommend you to watch the entire show. It's so good. I have come to this channel because of her great coverage of many of the episodes.
I love the Batmite episodes of BatB and this one is at the top of the tree for me. I loved the meta humour and deep cut references throughout.
This was my intro to Batmite, and is still my favorite version of the character. Also on the What a Cartoon podcast they point out the similarity between this episodes climax and that of the classic Daffy Duck short “The Great Piggy Bank Robbery”
I really loved Brave and Bold. It was a fun take on Batman and introduced me to a lot of things in Batman's history. It's how I learned about Plasticman too. It was from this series I learned about the two Blue Beetles.
Ooooooh! 6:41 thats exactly like a joker shot from the batman vs dracula movie! Its 100% gotta be a reference omg
(when vampire Joker is showered in (black) blood andhe lets out his toungue!)
Have actually seen this one, and I love it.
To explain: for my 13th Birthday back in 1979 my mother gave my brother and I, among other things, two volumes from British publisher Titan Books. Batman from the 30's to the 70's. Superman from the 30's to the 70's. These reprinted various stories from selected decades. Heavily into British comics at the time especially 2000ad I wasn't reading anything American then. So this was some of my earliest exposure to Batman. I read both of these so many times. I think I still have them somewhere. The 60's section was a bit jarring because you go from a silly science fiction one with the dynamic duo plus Batwoman and Kathy Kane Batgirl exploring an alien world to 'one bullet too many'. A serious story. Such a jump.
But among other things, the Batman one did introduce me to Bat-Mite. And I have loved the character since. One story in this volume was that World's finest with the hairy cyclops. Which had slipped my mind till you showed the teaser page of it in here. It's an amazing feeling when a long dormant memory is triggered.
Anyway, that love of Bat-Mite means I loved this episode. Not my Batman doesn't apply to me. because as a veteran dc reader I am so used to seeing alternate versions of the characters I always think 'what's one more?' when the latest shows up. I am just happy to see them on the screen. Big or small.
Damn, you smashed this episodes, found so many easter eggs.
Oo im reading those dracula-batman books right now
I’m surprised that you haven’t talked about Aquaman’s 5th dimensional imp friend Qwsp.
I loved this episode. I remember being so happy with the meta references when it first aired. Now I'm sure edgy teenage me from the 90s would've hated it, but with age comes wisdom.
You should talk about the episode of Teen Titans where the team meets Larry