Animation fanboys rejoice! As shows on the big networks are wrapping up, leaving us hanging until the new seasons begins in the fall, it’s nice to have other shows on cable fire off some new episodes for summer. The Venture Bros. (Sunday nights on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim programming block), a laugh-out-loud synthesis of Jonny Quest cartoons, 70’s era comic books, a bit of James Bond, some classic rock, and a healthy dose of absurdity, just started it’s third season and did so with the humor, action, and general wackiness that we’ve come to know and love since it’s pilot premiered in early ‘03 and the first season started in ‘04.

Season 3: Episode 01 -Shadowman 9: In The Cradle Of Destiny. We pick up with the Monarch and his second in command/girlfriend Dr. Girlfriend facing a tribunal (or interrigation, trial, or crucible - the inquisitors can’t decide which word to use) of his peers - the evil Guild of Calamitous Intent. We learn some of the couple’s backstory, finding out how they met, see some early costumes, and even get a glimpse of the Monarch when he was just a lowly henchman for the uppity Phantom Limb. I love the care that goes in to what could be throwaway bits of the show. A fellow evil doer is named Truckules. He’s a big hulking strongman whose torso just so happens to be a diesel cab. The show is rich with details and characters.

It’s also rife with oddball pop-culture references (Young Frankenstein, Markie Post and Night Court, Adobe Premiere, and David Bowie) which should come as no surprise when show runners Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer worked on both the cartoon and live-action versions of The Tick. Tick creator Ben Edlund and Hammer were college roommates and Edlund has helped out with writing chores on a few episodes of Venture Bros.

The tribunal ends with Monarch and Dr. Girlfriend being given “Duo” status, setting up some fun for upcoming episodes. Missing from all fun are the members of the Venture family. Scientist/Father Thaddeus, twin sons Dean and Hank, and my personal favorite, strong-man Brock Samson. We can only assume (and darn well expect) to see the rest of the gang next week. I know I’ll be watching to see if they make it.