The Venture Brothers

Author: Christopher Mcculloch

In the 1960s and 70s, a lot of kids first encountered science fiction through cartoons like Johnny Quest or The Jetsons, so it makes sense that when they grew up, they'd need to see the end result of those stories, right? That's basically the premise of The Venture Brothers, where the son of a former famed adventurer, Dr. Thaddeus Venture, his bodyguard Brock Sampson, and his twins Hank and Dean, are all in over their heads dealing with criminals in the Guild of Calamitous Intent, and various other arch-nemesises.This is the kind of show that's great if you are coming in blind, but if you remember Scooby-Doo you'll find even more in every weird little episode. Brock Sampson, one of the most incredibly brutal characters ever created, is the kind of hero we can all get behind... even when he goes a little enhanced interegation on those that attempt to stand against the Ventures. The show is full of under-powered heroes facing off with high-concept villains, in insane situations. It feels like one of those Saturday Morning cartoon shows from 1975, only written by a certifiable maniac with an encyclopedic pop culture knowledge base.Why it's on the list: It's just so funny, and an absolute blast for those who know their Pop Culture.