TVSquad

Last month, I reported on the Venture Bros. panel at the New York Comic-Con. One of the highlights of the evening was the fantastic Season Two DVD teaser -- disguised as a film that used "hypnotic suggestion through overt sexuality" -- that kicked off the discussion, but I felt like I was missing out on some great lines because of all the cheering and laughter. I have already watched online audience videos of the panel multiple times, trying to hear better, but, alas, it all sounded the same as it did in the room.

Now, thanks to Quick Stop Entertainment, the teaser is online! And there is no hooting, no cheering... only quiet whimpers as I cry with joy. Was that a bit much? Sorry.

In my Comic-Con post, I briefly mentioned The Sound of Young America's interview with the Venture Bros.' Jackson Publick, but I suppose I might as well devote a full post to it, since at least five different people have urged me to do so since then.

This twenty-some minute chat provides a very interesting look into the life of Jackson Publick, covering topics like his educational career (he very briefly attended cartooning school before attending community college and Rutgers University), the loss of his mother and this event's effect on the Venture brothers' own mommy-less world, and the show's prevailing themes of disappointment and failure. I always love hearing from the creative forces behind my favorite shows, so this was a real treat for me.

I also enjoyed Jackson's great Brock Samson impression at the very end of the program. I suppose this means that Jackson can also do fantastic impressions of Kronk (The Emperor's New Groove), Joe Swanson (Family Guy), and Puddy (Seinfeld).

(S02E11) This was, without a doubt, the bloodiest, sickest episode of The Venture Bros. yet. Even the bit before the title sequence was distinctly dark, but it wasn't until the very end that I realized the cause behind this dramatic shift in tone... This episode was penned by the one an only Ben Edlund (from The Tick fame). He contributed that shitty "Guess Who's Coming to State Dinner?" story (sorry, that was such a downer on the season) but I think he really redeemed himself here.

Personally, I prefer the pop culture reference-laden episodes by Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer, but Edlund did a fair enough job here, offering his own take on the Venture world. Very enjoyable (and gross) indeed.

(S02E10) The main men behind The Venture Bros., Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer, attended Georgia's DragonCon a few weeks ago and they graciously gave a special screening of this episode. A bunch of my luckier online buddies caught it and jumped back on the Internet to blab about how great it was, refuse to give spoilers, and squeal, "OMG. All your speculation has been wrong!" It kind of pissed off everyone else that didn't get to see the episode (the fact that we had to go through a Venture-less Sunday last week was insult to injury), but... oh, man... it was really worth the wait.

And this episode was jumping all over the place, so this post is pretty much going to do the same. Damn Venture Bros. and their multiple storylines.

As Venture Bros. motors on through season two, Adult Swim took some time to sit down and interview creators Jackson Publick and Doc Venture. These are not just any questions though, they are the questions of the viewers. And aren't those the best kind?

Some of the topics hit on include when they decided to kill Dean and Hank, Dr. Girlfriend's first name, Turk 182, how long it takes to make an episode, and whether or not Dr. Venture got busy with Sky. Definitely a fun read for all Venture Bros. fans. And best of all, this is only part one. The second installment of the interview will be up next week. You can count on it... well, as much as you can count on any adult swim scheduling.

[ thanks Bryce! ]

(S02E04) Reason #528 to love Doc Hammer: He wrote the most bizarre Venture Bros. episode ever. Oh, man. I think I have a new favorite episode. The weirdness of the priorities in storyline and all the adventure show clichés were totally hysterical. Plus, what other television show can beautifully weave in appearances by Edgar Allan Poe, Sigmund Freud, and Caligula in the same episode? None. None, I say!

There were a hell of a lot of memorable moments in this particular episode, so my review is pretty much stuffed to the rafters. Just a warning. We also have to wait a few weeks for a new episode, so maybe reading this review very, very slowly can help fill the void.