Ep 22. Robot Chicken, DC Special

Robot Chicken is a recurring sketch comedy show that focuses on popular culture and uses stop-motion animation to create funny and irreverent parodies. In season 5, episode 22, the show takes on DC Comics with the Robot Chicken, DC Special.

In this episode, Robot Chicken revisits some of the iconic characters from the DC Universe and gives them a quirky and humorous spin. The show manages to mix in some fan-favorite characters such as Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, alongside lesser-known characters, like Bane and Aquaman.

The episode starts with the Robot Chicken himself joining a battle between Batman and the Joker. Things take a turn when Batman accidentally kills the Joker, and the Caped Crusader suddenly realizes that he's lost his purpose. In a nod to classic comic book storylines, Batman decides to retire and hands over his mantle to Dick Grayson (a.k.a. Robin). However, Robin quickly gets bored of being the Dark Knight and takes up a new hobby - hosting a daytime talk show.

The rest of the episode features a series of disconnected skits that lampoon various aspects of the DC Universe. There's a hilarious sketch in which Superman becomes addicted to a drug which makes him experience life as a normal human being. Fans of the Man of Steel will get a kick out of seeing Superman's daily struggles, such as dealing with traffic and getting a crappy apartment.

In another segment, we get to see what Batman's life would be like if he weren't a billionaire from Gotham City. The sketch takes Batman and puts him in a small town, working in a convenience store. We get to see him trying to balance his life as a convenience store worker and a superhero, all while dealing with an never-ending stream of customers.

Wonder Woman's segment puts the focus on her love life. The episode follows Diana as she goes on a terrible Tinder date with one of her villains, which leads to some comical results. In fact, many of the skits in this episode play off of the idea of superheroes trying to maintain a normal life, but constantly failing because of their fantastic powers.

One of the highlights of the episode is a sketch in which Bane is trying to break up with his girlfriend. The show takes a funny and relatable angle on the villain by imagining him as a sensitive guy dealing with a difficult break-up. As the episode progresses, we get to see more and more characters, such as the Riddler, Green Lantern, and Swamp Thing all showcasing the ridiculousness of their respective superhero situations.

As always, the animation is top-notch, and the show's sense of humor never lets up. Even if you're not a fan of the DC Universe, Robot Chicken, DC Special is still worth checking out for its witty writing and hilarious interpretations of superheroes. The episode is a fitting tribute to the larger-than-life characters from the DC Comics universe and it's sure to appeal to fans of the show and the comics alike.

Overall, Robot Chicken, DC Special is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys smart and edgy humor that pokes fun at the world of superheroes and the greater pop culture landscape. With its clever writing, great animation, and fantastic cast of characters, the episode proves that Robot Chicken still has plenty of life left in it after five seasons.