8. Shadowman 9: In The Cradle of DestinyÂ
In “Shadowman 9” we get an episode devoted entirely to Doctor Venture’s never-explained Arch-nemesis, as the crucible–or tribunal, or trial– by the Guild of Calamitous Intent’s silhouetted Council of Thirteen probes the origins of the Monarch and Dr. Girlfriend’s super-villain careers.
In true Venture Bros. fashion, we are never actually shown what caused the Monarch to hate Dr. Venture so passionately, but we do see how the Monarch got his start as a Phantom Limb henchman, complete with two or three hilarious prototype Monarch uniforms, and technically the origins of Henchman 24, I guess.
The true beauty of the episode lies in The Council of Thirteen however, as essentially Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer had to fill the council with as many striking silhouettes as possible. The commentary explaining the inspiration behind the voices is some of the most obscure and impressive browsing of pop culture, making you actually want to sit through the abominable The Eiger Sanction, if only to hear the inspiration behind Dragoon’s raspy perpetually-death-rattling voice.
Not a line is given to a member of the Venture Family, as in the remnants of the Monarch’s ruined cocoon, the seemingly endless number of henchmen have their authority questioned by Dr. Girlfriend’s Malevolent Murder Moppets, achondroplastic dwarves Tim-Tom and Kevin who put their names to the test in cockney accents.
Complete with a butterfly-themed opening credits, “Shadowman 9” is an excellent salute to the antagonistic side of the Venture Universe, giving us a greater idea of the machinations that keep the Monarch Engine of Butterfly-themed-hate pumping.
You have no idea how hard I resisted placing this episode in the number 9 position.
