# The Venture Bros. (2004)

> Two adolescent brothers and their washed-up scientist father stumble through absurd adventures, guarded by a stoic bodyguard, in a send-up of pulp heroics.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/2295

## Facts

- Seasons: 7
- Episodes: 81
- Episode runtime: 22 min
- Status: Canceled
- Genres: animation, comedy, action, adventure
- Created by: Doc Hammer, Christopher McCulloch
- Network: Adult Swim
- Cast: Doc Hammer, Christopher McCulloch, Patrick Warburton, James Urbaniak, Michael Sinterniklaas, Misha Collins, Patton Oswalt, H. Jon Benjamin
- TMDB rating: 8.6/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417373/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: moderate
- Complexity: layered
- Violence: moderate
- Tone: irreverent, deadpan, cynical, absurd, sincere, darkly comic

## What critics say

Acclaimed by audiences as a sharp, densely referential adult animated parody of 1960s action adventure cartoons, with a loyal cult following.

## Synopsis

The Venture Bros. (2004-2018) is an American adult animated parody series created by Doc Hammer and Christopher McCulloch for Adult Swim. Hank and Dean Venture, the two sons of washed-up scientist Doctor Venture (James Urbaniak), are dragged along on wild expeditions by their father and their stoic bodyguard Brock Samson (Patrick Warburton). The engine of the show is the brothers' attempt to escape the shadow of a famous father while facing megalomaniacal villains, zombies, and suspicious ninjas. Each episode is a self-contained caper, but the seasons build a long, continuing web of grudges, rivalries and mythology, across seven seasons and 81 episodes. Set in a retro-futurist version of present-day America, the series is an Adult Swim production that spoofs pulp adventure serials and superhero comics with deadpan wit and bursts of gleeful violence. The tone mixes cynical irreverence with unexpected sincerity, and its dense in-jokes reward close attention. Fans of Archer, Rick and Morty and Metalocalypse will find resonance in its blend of adult animation, sharp satire and dysfunctional family dynamics.

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- [Codename: Kids Next Door (2002)](https://ember.film/tv/2527)
- [The Super Hero Squad Show (2009)](https://ember.film/tv/20070)
- [Villainous (2021)](https://ember.film/tv/114104)
- [Q-Force (2021)](https://ember.film/tv/106018)
- [American Dad! (2005)](https://ember.film/tv/1349)
- [Time Squad (2001)](https://ember.film/tv/4099)
- [Freakazoid! (1995)](https://ember.film/tv/4119)
- [Dexter's Laboratory (1996)](https://ember.film/tv/4018)
- [The Tick (2001)](https://ember.film/tv/13652)
- [Teen Titans Go! (2013)](https://ember.film/tv/41005)

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