Cartoon Reviews

Beware the Batman (Cartoon Network)

Alfred is former MI-6? Yes! "Robin" is potentially a girl? Yes! The villains are pure Batman (odd, psychotic, misunderstood monsters, and/or ruthless) and offer ample challenge to Mr. Wayne. The animation is crisp and angular – almost an homage to the art deco styling of the early 90's cartoon.

There's a serial element to the show – A "previously, on Beware the Batman" montage is at the beginning of each episode. Yet thus far, the crime or danger of any given episode is always resolved. They're keeping us satisfied in the short term, and getting us to come back for more. A good addition to the DC Nation.

Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. (Disney XD)

This is the third show in Disney's Marvel Universe, joining Marvel's Avengers Assemble and Ultimate Spiderman (Spiderman works with Nick Fury? Say Whaaat?).

The set up: One of Hulk's friends wants to do a web series to prove to the world that The Hulk is not a monster. In the pilot, we learn how Red Hulk and A-Bomb came to exist, and meet She-Hulk and Skaar. Together, they are. . .see the title of the show

This Hulk is intelligent and aware – Bruce Banner really inhabiting his Hulk form. Though I am a bit surprised at Red Hulk's relative lunk-headedness, given his origin.

Later episodes will likely delve into Skaar's background; I hope they do the same for She-Hulk. From what I could gather, she's Hulk's sister, but the pilot expected us to accept her without any history.

Oh, and S.M.A.S.H. doesn't stand for anything. <sigh + eye roll>.

The web series device provides the opportunity for the characters to express their thoughts (directly to the camera) about the situation at hand. Intercut with the action sequences, it's a nice touch.