Friday 22nd we saw episode 18 of Brave and the Bold titled "The Color of Revenge!". This episode was the first introduction of Robin the boy wonder and the villain Crazy Quilt.

Synopsis:
Batman and Robin team up again, but it's not like it always was--there was a reason Robin left to go work on his own. As Crazy Quilt comes after Robin for revenge, all the dirty laundry comes out between the dynamic duo!

The episode was written by Todd Casey directed by Michael Chang.

Review by Bob Tilley

Another great character introduction and one of the most important in regards to relationship between the dynamic duo. The teaser (or intro), to this episode just screamed Batman 1966 TV series starting of with Bruce Wayne and his ward Dick Grayson cloaked in shadow (we've still yet to see Batman as Bruce), receiving a call from Commissioner Gordon. The Shakespeare bust-head is lifted to reveal the button that opens the Batcave!!!

At this point I was expecting to see the obligatory Bruce and Dick names attached to the pole's but I think the production team made a good choice to leave this out. We see both Batman and Robin appear in costume as they slide down the pole (another 1966 TV series homage), and they both leap into the a 1950's version of the Batmobile.

Now this teaser is the set-up for the show were we see Batman and Robin going up against one of the worst Batman villains ever to be created... Crazy Quilt! Voiced by Jeffrey Tambor who some people might remember him as as Tom Manning in the recent Hellboy movies.

So many great moments in this segment, first we see Batman and Robin scaling the side of a building on the Batropes and Robin again playing homage to the 1966 TV series by saying "Holy delusions of grandeur Batman", which I loved. We see Crazy Quilt trying to steal a "Stimulation light amplifier" which is mounted on-top of a tank?... yes I thought that as well. There is a showdown between the dynamic duo, Crazy Quilt and his three henchmen Red, Blue and Green ending with Robin blinding Quilt, which maddens him further.

Now the episode begins, switching to possibly 10-15 years later in Bludhaven with a bank robbery in progress. The robber is Solomon Grundy who is obviously to much for the local police to handle, upon calling for back-up we see a now older Robin riding to the rescue on his Robin cycle dressed in what was the Earth 2 costume in the DCU.

After taking down Grundy and getting the thanks and recognition for this efforts from the police we first get to hear of a rift between Batman and Robin. Suddenly a blinking eye appears in the sky, Robin is about to deduce the blinking as Morse code when Batman appears out of no where and plucks the answer away from Robin...

Batman explains that Crazy Quilt has escaped Arkham Asylum and is plotting revenge on Robin after he blinded him. The tension between Batman and Robin continues to elevate and the explanation of Robin leaving Gotham to become his own man, we quickly see that Batman (also through the entire episode), is not able to see past Robin as his child side-kick, something Robin continues to resent.

Once the duo reach Quilts lair a rash decision by Robin running head first into a trap designed to flatten them both is sprung. Batman come to Robins rescue but the tension between them still grows and especially after Quilt trashes the Robin cycle forcing Robin to ride along side Batman on the Batcycle in the side car. Great line here when Batman says "I thought you liked the side car", and Robin responds "Yeah when I was eight".

The next clue leads Batman and Robin to S.T.A.R. Labs were Quilt is trying to steal the light amplifier again. During the fight Quilt ends up getting the upper hand and destroys part of the building burying Robin and kidnapping Batman.

Robin figures out another of Quilts clues and come to Batman's rescue, where we finally see the confrontation between the pair, while Batman is attached to a giant carpet weaving machine.

Quilt come crashing into the building with the giant light amplifier tank, but this time he's wired the devise into his head and is hellbent on destroying Robin. This is where the relationship switches and Batman says to Robin "Your villain, your call".

The final showdown finally sees Robin take charge and knocks out Crazy Quilt proving to Batman he is his own man now and is just as good as Bataman. After Quilts arrest Batman receives another call about a money train robbery and asks is Robin wants to help ending with another hilarious moment showing a not amused Robin in the sidecar.

Overall a great intro to Robin, loads of references to the golden age comic books and Batman 1966 TV series. The Crazy Quilt is still a lame villain but voiced by Jeffrey Tambor made up for that.

SCORE: 3/5