I am – Hercules!!

The Venture Bros. 2.1 FAQ

What’s it called?
“Powerless in the Face of Death”

Who’s responsible?
Teleplay is credited to series masterminds Eric “Doc” Hammer and Jackson Publick (a.k.a. “Tick” veteran Christopher McCulloch).

What does TV Guide say?
“Adult Swim’s fabulous Jonny Quest-on-roofies send-up opens its second season with Hank and Dean both presumed dead.”

What is TV Guide not telling us?
Hank and Dean really ARE dead!!!!

Is this a hoax, a dream or an imaginary story?
It is not!

Wait, wait, back up. I still have not purchased for $21.28 the fabulous "Venture Bros: The Complete First Season"! How did Hank and Dean die again?
While Dr. Venture was in the hospital having his deformed brother removed from his abdomen, Brock Samson left the boys in the care of necromancer neighbor Byron Orpheus, unaware that imprisoned archvillain The Monarch had just ordered Hank and Dean’s executions. The last time we saw the youngsters (at least if one excludes the 15-minute 2004 Christmas special), the Monarch’s henchmen 21 and 24 had just shot them off their hoverbikes, “Easy Rider”-style. Hank and Dean's mangled and metal-riddled flesh lay splattered all over the highway.

How – How can one have a show called “The Venture Bros.” without the Venture Bros.?
Ingeniously. There’s a new title sequence, and Hank and Dean are no longer the title characters.

Hank and Dean no longer the title characters?? What else is TV Guide not telling us?
We meet quite a few new characters, two of whom tie the Ventures even more tightly to the lore of “Jonny Quest.”

Which recurring characters return for the season premiere of this All-New Venture Bros.??
You name it. In the (perfectly inspired) teaser alone, we get appearances by Billy Quiz-Boy, Mr. White, Byron and Trianna Orpheus, Dr. Girlfriend, The Phantom Limb, The Monarch, Henchman 21 and Henchman 24 (both in and – for the first time – out of their uniforms).

What of Baron Uberbheit??
No, Uberbheit’s not around this week. Wait, is he even a recurring character?

Any new characters introduced this week likely to go on to recur?
The Monarch, we learn, is imprisoned with a sprawling rogue’s gallery of supervillains. They’re all swell.

Do Brock and Dr. Venture spend the episode grieving?
Actually, Dr. Morpheus, who understandably blames himself for the boys’ deaths, is hardest hit. Brock and Venture spend the bulk of the episode distracted by a grisly teleporter mishap.

How does it end, spoiler-boy?
“Thank God you guys are here. I thought the whole plan got … What?"

Herc’s rating for “The Venture Bros.” 2.1?
****

The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
***** better than we deserve
**** better than most motion pictures
*** actually worth your valuable time
** as horrible as most stuff on TV
* makes you quietly pray for bulletins

10:30 p.m. Sunday. The Cartoon Network.

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