DVD Review: THE VENTURE BROS.: THE COMPLETE SERIES - NoReruns.net (2024)

The Venture Bros. is an adult animated series that ran for seven seasons as part of Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim programming, from 2003-2018. Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment has brought together all 81 episodes of the series, plus the original pilot episode, 4 specials and a whole host of other bonus features, for the first time in a new Complete Series DVD set.

The action/adventure/comedy series is an homage to/send-up of the classic animated adventure/sci-fi shows of the 1960s, such as Johnny Quest, with a little bit of Austin Powers mixed in. It follows the adventures of the Venture family, led by former boy-adventurer turned mad scientist Dr. Thaddeus “Rusty” Venture (James Urbaniak, Review), who’s the head of Venture Industries. Dr. Venture’s twin teenage sons, Hank (Christopher McCulloch) and Dean (Michael Sinterniklaas, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir), aren’t really the brightest bulbs, but they have a sweetness, naivete and innocence to them, and are always eager to join their father on his latest adventure. They are unaware that they’re actually clones, and have died/been replaced dozens of times due to ill-fated missions. Dr. Venture doesn’t let things like ethics and morals get in the way of a good invention, which has caused him to make many enemies. And so joining the family is burly bodyguard Brock Samson (Patrick Warburton, The Tick), a secret agent working for the OSI (Office of Secret Intelligence) with a license to kill. Later in the series, his role as family bodyguard is replaced by reformed former supervillain Sergeant Hatred.

Speaking of supervillains, the Ventures always seem to have someone out to get them, and none more so than The Monarch (Christopher McCulloch). Dressed like a monarch butterfly, the Monarch runs his operations from a giant cocoon base, where he commands his many butterfly-outfitted henchmen to carry out his elaborate plans. We get a bit of a workplace comedy as we often follow the cowardly, Ray Romano-sounding Henchman No. 24 on the job. The Monarch also often gives the viewer these long monologues about how much he hates the Ventures, and how this time he is going to take them down (which usually doesn’t happen). Helping to keep the Monarch a bit grounded is his deep-voiced love, Dr. Girlfriend (Doc Hammer), who becomes “Dr. Mrs. The Monarch” later in the series. Other recurring enemies include Baron Werner Ünterbheit (T. Ryder Smith), the former dictator of Ünterland who wants payback on Dr. Venture for causing him the loss of the use of his jaw back in college, and the purple-clad Phantom Limb (James Urbaniak), a villain insurance agent and ex-boyfriend of Dr. Girlfriend, who has invisible arms and legs. These and other supervillains are part of organizations such as the Guild of Calamitous Intent and The Revenge Society, where they try to join their forces against a common enemy.

Despite having so many foes, the Ventures do have some friends and allies. Some of the ones we see recurring more often are albino computer scientist Pete White (Christopher McCulloch) and his friend, “boy genius” Billy Quiz-Boy (Doc Hammer), overly dramatic necromancer Dr. Byron Orpheus (Steven Rattazzi), the Blade-like Jefferson Twilight (Charles Parnell, The Last Ship), and the monk-like The Alchemist (Dana Snyder, Aqua Teen Hunger Force).

Over the course of the series, we often flash back to learn more about Dr. Venture’s past as “Rusty”, when he was classmates with some of these friends and foes, and how his own experiences as a boy adventurer with his father has led him to where he is today. While the stories are usually more mission of the week, the series also has an ongoing serialized narrative with the characters, who grow and develop over the course of the series. Alliances and enemies change over the seasons, and most seasons usually end with some big cliffhanger or reveal, to be further explored in the following season or specials. An eighth season of the series was being planned when the show was unfortunately canceled. However, the series will finally get the conclusion it deserves with the upcoming The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart, a direct-to-home video film.

All 7 seasons of The Venture Bros. had previously been released on DVD (and seasons 3-7 even got Blu-ray releases). Warner Bros.’ new Complete Series box set is a repackaging of the previous DVD releases, giving all of the discs more uniform disc art, but keeping the exact same menus and content from the previous individual season discs. The first two seasons are presented in their original Full Frame format, while the remaining seasons are presented in widescreen format like their original broadcast release. The picture quality is generally quite good, especially on the latter seasons, though I would have loved the option to get this set on Blu-ray instead (especially since the first 2 seasons never got a Blu-ray release). While the first season only includes stereo audio, the remaining seasons offer a 5.1 surround track, which does a nice job of capturing all of the crazy action, while also providing clear dialogue throughout. The audio is a mix between censored and uncensored audio tracks, depending on the season—either way, this show may be animated, but it is not geared towards younger viewers. The discs are loaded with hours of bonus material, including entertaining commentaries on nearly every episode by series creators Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer, as well as deleted scenes, special episodes, and fun featurettes.

The Complete Series release spans 14 discs, 2 per season, which are placed overlapping on plastic trays in a thick DVD case. The case is placed inside a carboard slipcover, and contains a small insert detailing the episodes and contents of each season. No digital copy is included.

For those who already own the previous individual DVD season releases, there is no need to double-dip as the contents are exactly the same—the new set just takes up less shelf space. Missing from the original Blu-ray individual season releases (besides the HD picture and sound) are the digital copies (which have since expired) as well as the CD soundtrack disc that was included with the season 4 Blu-ray release.

What’s Included:

Episodes: (31:20:56)

• All 81 episodes of the TV series spread across 14 discs:
  • Season 1 (2004) – 13 episodes (4:52:54)
    Disc 1 (2:58:59): “Dia de los Dangerous!”, “Careers in Science”, “Mid-life Chrysalis”, “Eeney, Meeney, Miney… Magic!”, “The Incredible Mr. Brisby”, “Tag-Sale – You’re It!”, “Home Insecurity”, “Ghosts of the Sargasso”
    Disc 2 (1:53:55): “Ice Station – Impossible!”, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Dean.”, “Past Tense”, “The Trial of the Monarch”, “Return to Spider-Skull Island”
• Season 2 (2006) – 13 episodes (4:56:20)
  Disc 1 (2:39:31): “Powerless in the Face of Death”, “Hate Floats”, “Love-Bheits”, “Escape to the House of Mummies (Pt. 2)”, “20 Years to Midnight”, “Victor. Echo. November.”, “Assassinanny 911”
  Disc 2 (2:16:49): “Fallen Arches”, “Guess Who’s Coming to State Dinner?”, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Kills”, “¡Viva los Muertos!”, “Showdown at Cremation Creek (Part 1}”, “Showdown at Cremation Creek (Part 2)”
• Season 3 (2008) – 13 episodes (4:56:53)
  Disc 1 (2:40:35): “Shadowman 9: In the Cradle of Destiny”, “The Doctor Is Sin”, “Home Is Where the Hate Is”, “The Invisible Hand of Fate”, “The Buddy System”, “Dr. Quymn, Medicine Woman”, “What Goes Down, Must Come Up”
  Disc 2 (2:16:18): “Tears of a Sea Cow”, “Now Museum – Now You Don’t!”, “The Lepidopterists”, “ORB”, “The Family That Slays Together, Stays Together Pt. 1”, “The Family That Slays Together, Stays Together Pt. 2”
• Season 4 (2009–10) – 16 episodes (6:26:17)
  Disc 1 (3:02:39): “Blood of the Father, Heart of Steel”, “Handsome Ransom”, “Perchance to Dean”, “Return to Malice”, “The Revenge Society”, “Self-Medication”, “The Better Man”, “Pinstripes & Poltergeists”
  Disc 2 (3:23:38): “The Diving Bell vs. The Butter-Glider”, “Pomp and Circuitry”, “Any Which Way But Zeus”, “Everybody Comes to Hank’s”, “Bright Lights, Dean City”, “Assisted Suicide”, “The Silent Partners”, “Operation: P.R.O.M.”
• Season 5 (2013) – 8 episodes (3:22:56)
  Disc 1 (2:15:17): “What Color Is Your Cleansuit?”, “Venture Libre”, “SPHINX Rising”, “Spanakopita!”, “O.S.I. Love You”
  Disc 2 (1:07:39): “Momma’s Boys”, “Bot Seeks Bot”, “The Devil’s Grip”
• Season 6 (2016) – 8 episodes (3:01:25)
  Disc 1 (1:31:16): “Hostile Makeover”, “Maybe No Go”, “Faking Miracles”, “Rapacity in Blue”
  Disc 2 (1:30:09): “Tanks for Nuthin'”, “It Happening One Night”, “A Party for Tarzan”, “Red Means Stop”
• Season 7 (2018) – 10 episodes (3:46:11)
  Disc 1 (1:53:53): “The Venture Bros. & The Curse of the Haunted Problem”, “The Rorqual Affair”, “Arrears in Science”, “The High Cost of Loathing”, “The Inamorata Consequence”
  Disc 2 (1:52:18): “The Bellicose Proxy”, “The Unicorn in Captivity”, “The Terminus Mandate”, “The Forecast Manufacturer”, “The Saphrax Protocol”

Extras:

• Season 1 (2004):
  • Audio Commentaries
    Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer provide commentaries on four episodes—”Eeney, Meeney, Miney… Magic!”, “Tag-Sale – You’re It!”, “Ghosts of the Sargasso” & “Return to Spider-Skull Island”
  • Pilot: The Terrible Secret Of Turtle Bay (25:06)
    The original pilot episode from 2002. Dr. Venture heads to the U.N. to show off his latest invention, but he and his family become the target of a ninja and the Monarch. Optional commentary by Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer.
  • Bonus Episode: A Very Venture Christmas (11:27)
    A Christmas celebration at the Venture compound is interrupted when Hank and Dean accidentally unleash the Krampus after reading from Dr. Orpheus’ spell book. Meanwhile, the Monarch has his own bomb planted in the compound.
  • Deleted Scenes (6:18)
    Collection of deleted scenes for 6 episodes, presented in rough sketch format with full audio. Select from:
    • “Dia de los Dangerous” (:34)
      Brock, Doc and some Mexican Hookers.
    • “The Incredible Mr. Brisby” (1:07)
      Mr. Brisby grows increasingly impatient with Doc’s refusal to clone him.
    • “Are You There God? It’s Me, Dean.” (1:17)
      In accordance with Article 47 of the Guild of Calamitous Intent’s Unusual Torture Act, Brock has been handed over to the Monarch’s henchmen in exchange for temporary leniency towards Dean, who is suffering from Acute Testicular Torsion.
    • “Past Tense” (1:44)
      A recently reunited Team Venture gathers outside the castle in which Doc and Brock, among others, are being held prisoner by Professor Sorayama. As Colonel Gentleman and the Action Man hatch their plan to enter the castle, Otto, now a Mormon, expresses distaste towards the life paths his comrades have chosen.
    • “The Trial of the Monarch” (:52)
      The Monarch offers a list of his peers.
    • “Return to Spider-Skull Island” (:44)
      Jonas Jr. explains what he’s been doing inside of Doc all these years.
  • Behind the Scenes of the Venture Bros. Live Action Movie (21:24)
    A fun behind-the-scenes special for a non-existent live action movie, featuring outtakes, and interviews with the live-action versions of the Monarch, Dr. Girlfriend, Dr. Venture, and Henchmen No. 21 & No. 24.
  • Animating Hank and Dean (4:28)
    Pete White and Billy Quiz-Boy narrate this tongue-in-cheek look at how motion capture and computer magic is used to animate Hank and Dean.
• Season 2 (2006):
  • Audio Commentaries
    Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer provide commentaries on all episodes. James Urbaniak (“Dr. Venture”) joins them for “Powerless in the Face of Death”, “Victor. Echo. November.” & “Fallen Arches”. Michael Sinterniklaas (“Dean Venture”) joins them for “Guess Who’s Coming to State Dinner?”, “Showdown at Cremation Creek (Part 1)” & “Showdown at Cremation Creek (Part 2)”.
  • Tour of Astro-Base Go (16:10)
    Billy Quiz-Boy and Pete White narrate this tour deep inside the command center of the animation studio on the moon, where Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer write and animate The Venture Bros.. Also includes footage of SoulBot recording lines for H.E.L.P.eR., and keeping the guys company in the base.
  • Deleted Scenes (21:34)
    Collection of deleted scenes for all but one episode, presented in various stages of completion. Play All, or select from:
    • “Powerless in the Face of Death”
      “Inside The Learning Beds”, “Dream Reunion”, “Support Group”
    • “Hate Floats”
      “3 Way”, “Careers in Henching”, “Fat Jokes”
    • “Love-Bheits”
      “Hank’s Battle Plan”
    • “20 Years to Midnight”
      “Spring Cleaning”, “Colonel Gentleman’s Diary”, “Stop Yer Sourpuss*n'”
    • “Victor. Echo. November.”
      “Hideouts For The Hmeless”, “What Are the Venture Bros. Like?”, “Diet of Henchmen”, “Ladies’ Room Porposition”
    • “Assassinanny 911”
      “Limo Briefing”
    • “Fallen Arches”
      “Torrid Need To Go”, “Where Do You Stand On Gay Rights?”
    • “Guess Who’s Coming to State Dinner?”
      “Manstrong in the News”, “Lucky Mick P-Houn, “Grandmas and Birthday Cards”, “Alternate Ending”
    • “I Know Why the Caged Bird Kills”
      “Catherine The Great’s Horse”, “A Cheap Motel”
    • “¡Viva los Muertos!”
      “Super-Impressive ‘Kill Everybody’ Speech”, “Think of Me As a God”
    • “Showdown at Cremation Creek (Part 1)”
      “Phantom Limb’s Hunting Party”, “Charlene”
    • “Showdown at Cremation Creek (Part 2)”
      “Giant Boy Detective”, “Number 2 Seat”, “The Re-Seduction of Dr. Girlfriend”
• Season 3 (2008):
  • Audio Commentaries
    Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer provide commentaries on all episodes.
  • Deleted Scenes (21:34)
    Collection of deleted scenes for all but two episodes, presented in various stages of completion. Select from:
    • “Shadowman 9: In the Cradle of Destiny” (1:42) – 3 scenes
    • “The Doctor Is Sin” (:16)
    • “Home Is Where the Hate Is” (1:38) – 3 scenes
    • “The Invisible Hand of Fate” (3:44) – 8 scenes
    • “The Buddy System” (3:07) – 8 scenes
    • “Dr. Quymn, Medicine Woman” (:38)
    • “What Goes Down, Must Come Up” (2:02) – 3 scenes
    • “Now Museum – Now You Don’t!” (1:50) – 6 scenes
    • “ORB” (1:30) – 2 scenes
    • “The Family That Slays Together, Stays Together Pt. 1” (:39) – 2 scenes
    • “The Family That Slays Together, Stays Together Pt. 2” (2:32) – 5 scenes
• Season 4 (2009-10):
  • Audio Commentaries
    Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer provide commentaries on all episodes.
  • Deleted Scenes (Vol. 1) (12:47)
    Collection of deleted scenes from the first half of the season (“Blood of the Father, Heart of Steel”, “Handsome Ransom”, “The Revenge Society”, “Self-Medication” & “The Better Man”) play back-to-back, presented in various stages of completion.
  • Comic-Con Promo (3:36)
    Long trailer for the season. Originally presented at San Diego Comic-Con
  • “Lost” Open (2:15)
    Alternate episode opening with The Monarch capturing Dr. Venture in a simulation.
  • Deleted Scenes (Vol. 2) (15:39)
    Collection of deleted scenes from the second half of the season, presented in various stages of completion. Select from:
    • “The Diving Bell vs. the Butter-Glider” (1:32)
    • “Pomp and Circuitry” (3:15)
    • “Any Which Way But Zeus” (1:52)
    • “Bright Lights, Dean City” (4:07)
    • “Assisted Suicide” (:27)
    • “The Silent Partners” (:57)
    • “Operation: P.R.O.M.” (3:29)
  • So This is Captain… (2:06)
    Many different line reads of the line “So This is Captain…” by Toby Huss (“General Timothy Treister”).
  • Finale On-Air Promos (2:30)
    Several Adult Swim promotional spots for the season finale featuring Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer play back-to-back.
  • Alternate Audio for “Operation: P.R.O.M.” (45:26)
    Both Uncensored and Censored audio track options are offered for the season finale episode.
• Season 5 (2013):
  • Audio Commentaries
    Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer provide commentaries on all episodes.
  • Deleted Scenes (5:52)
    Collection of deleted and extended scenes from the fifth season play back-to-back, presented in various stages of completion.
  • Fax My Grandson (3:15)
    In this animated sequence titled “The Further Audio Adventures of Diamond Backdraft!”, Diamond (Larry Murphy) experiences some issues with technology.
  • Bonus Specials
    • A Very Venture Halloween (22:30)
      It’s Halloween, and Dr. Orpheus is hosting a magical gathering at the Venture compound, but it doesn’t go as planned. Meanwhile, Dr. Venture, Hatred, Pete White and Billy Quiz-Boy bet on whether or not trick-or-treaters are going to make it through the compound’s security defenses; Dermott leads Hank in some Halloween mayhem when they are attacked by zombies; and Dean makes a shocking discovery inside a haunted house. Optional commentary by Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer.
    • From the Ladle to the Grave: The Shallow Gravy Story (11:46)
      Rockumentary about the rise and fall of rock band Shallow Gravy and its members, Hank Venture & Dermott Fictel. Includes interviews with the band and their family members and friends.
• Season 6 (2016):
  • Audio Commentaries
    Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer provide commentaries on all episodes.
  • Season 5 Recap (5:24)
    Henchman 21 provides a recap of the events of season 5.
  • All This And Gargantua-2 + Epilogue (50:57)
    As the Ventures and their friends head to space to visit Jonas’ new space station, Gargantua-2, Brock secretly tags along to provide security. Meanwhile, The Revenge Society is getting ready to show itself to the world, while the Guild plots to take control of the space station. Optional commentary by Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer.
  • ID Tags
    Short Adult Swim promo tags for the series. Select from:
    • Brock (:17)
    • Falling (:08)
    • Poster (:17)
    • Vertigo (:17)
    • Zoom (:16)
  • Deleted Scenes (17:01)
    Collection of deleted scenes from the sixth season play back-to-back, presented in various stages of completion.
• Season 7 (2018):
  • Audio Commentaries
    Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer provide commentaries on all episodes.
  • Deleted Scenes (5:40)
    Collection of deleted scenes from the seventh season play back-to-back, presented in various stages of completion.
  • Ghost in the Pro-BLEM (:33)
    Full computer glitch segment from “The Curse of the Haunted Problem”
  • Sirena Goes Off… (5:35)
    Extended takes of Sirena (Cristin Milioti) going off on Wide Wale, Hank, Rocco, The Monarch, and Henchman 21.
  • Promo (2:21)
    Promo/trailer for the season

Final Thoughts:

The Venture Bros. is a highly creative and entertaining series with a high level of rewatchability. I had forgotten how much I used to enjoy this series until I started revisiting it on this DVD set. The discs look and sound very good, and come loaded with hours of enjoyable bonus material. This is an easy recommendation for any fan of the series or of these adult animated shows. However, for fans who already own the individual DVD (or Blu-ray) sets, there’s no reason to double-dip as this is just a re-packaging of the previous DVD discs with new disc art and packaging. The content on the discs is exactly the same as the previous season releases. This is a wonderful set for those who don’t already own the series. Though I wish they had offered this on Blu-ray as well—but since the first 2 seasons never got a Blu-ray release, and this is just a repackaging without authoring new discs, that’s probably why.