Television Pick: The Venture Bros. (2003-?)
When most people think of Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim block of programming, they usually have one of two thoughts: “Isn’t this nothing but Fox leftovers?” or “Why do all of these shows look like they were made for $15?” However, dedicated viewers of the block know that there are both non-Fox shows and productions with actual budgets. In particular, Jackson Publick’s The Venture Bros.
A riff on the classic cartoon series Johnny Quest, The Venture Bros. follows around Dr. Thaddeus “Rusty” Venture, a former boy adventurer who has seen better days. Largely considered a failure who could only claim the title of doctor via a Tijuana Community College, Venture has had to deal with living in his father’s large footsteps since he came of age. Joining in the adventures are Hank and Dean Venture, Rusty’s incompetent children, and the muscular family bodyguard, Brock Samson. Together the group has to deal with the various antagonists that come after the Venture family, specifically The Monarch, a butterfly-themed villain whose bumbling failures make him a perfect fit for the dysfunctional family.
What separates The Venture Bros. from other animated shows is the fact that over its current five-season run, series co-writers Publick and Doc Hammer have managed to build an engaging and deep world. With only the first two seasons of the show currently on Netflix, though, you’ll just have to take my word on it, but the duo have deftly introduced new characters and built up existing ones in such a fashion that other acclaimed dramas could learn a thing or two.
If you’re like me and grew up watching the old-school Johnny Quest, or even the more recent The Real Adventures Of Johnny Quest, then you’ll immediately understand what makes The Venture Bros. such a treat to watch. It’s not just a blatant parody of an old show, like former Adult Swim riot Sealab 2021, but rather a more cynical take on the outlandishness of older cartoon shows. It’s a shame that Netflix doesn’t have more seasons available, but at least you have plenty of time to catch up?
