Johnny Saturn

Hi, Folks!

Benita and I had a nice weekend, but I’m completely pooped.  We went to Indianapolis Art Center yesterday, and model was quite good, but I was so tired that I lost my focus and found it hard to draw.  I hate that, because I love going to the Art Center and drawing, and leaving early seems so wasteful.  Ah, well.

I’ve caught the first two episodes of the cartoon “The Brave and the Bold,” and I love it!  I had no use for the weird, anime version of Batman that had been running for some years, with its ape-like, barefoot Joker, so this new take came as a pleasant surprise for me.  By “new,” I guess I should say “retro.”  The art is a mix of Dick Sprang’s Batman, Alex Toth’s “Superfriends” Batman, and the Adam West Batman show from the 60’s.  From what I’ve seen, Batman plays something of a father figure to younger, learning heroes.

In “The Brave and the Bold,” we learn a few things.  For example, Batman can fly whenever he wants, because he has a folding jet pack, and (like the recent movies) he can make his cape solid and use it as a glider.  He also apparently has enough fuel and good enough insulation in the bat-suit to fly from the ground into outer space, and there tackle an incoming asteroid.  Yikes!  Talk about suspension of belief!

Cartoons often take tremendous liberties with physics.  There was that scene in the Batman/Superman animated movie where Batman leaped about 30’ feet straight up while fighting giant battle-bots.  Neat trick.

Well, however you look at it, Warner Brother’s new “Brave and the Bold” cartoon is excellent!

Scott.