I've just finished nostalgia watching this and this truly is a hidden gem.
I suppose there is a subtle intelligence in developing the characters that balance each other out and generate conflict but what I remember is the rich sense of place and time in which they weave vibrant pastiches of the ancient legend paradigm and also the delightfully absurd humor.
Few shows even attempt to match the freewheeling and bizarre non-sequitur of Spongebob; they often just settle for being loud and brash but Dave the Barbarian takes surreal and disarming humor and applies it like a virtuouso.
"Using a squirrel, some string and a megaphone Dave is able to fashion a megaphone"
And later: "Hi, I bet you'd all like to know why I tied a squirrel to a megaphone. Well, goodnight".
Dave by himself is a simply concept: You'd think he'd be tough but he's really not. But they do not waste the concept. He is a delightful block of joy and makes sensitivity and an appreciation for handicrafts cool.
He juxtaposes with his vicious but puny sister fang and the main villain is so much fun.
The Dark Lord Chuckles the Silly Piggy!
Repetition is lazy writing but it is funny every time and he is a perfect combination of meaningful threat and goofball.
Oh, and Twinkle the Marvel Horse deserves a shout out.
I suppose there is a subtle intelligence in developing the characters that balance each other out and generate conflict but what I remember is the rich sense of place and time in which they weave vibrant pastiches of the ancient legend paradigm and also the delightfully absurd humor.
Few shows even attempt to match the freewheeling and bizarre non-sequitur of Spongebob; they often just settle for being loud and brash but Dave the Barbarian takes surreal and disarming humor and applies it like a virtuouso.
"Using a squirrel, some string and a megaphone Dave is able to fashion a megaphone"
And later: "Hi, I bet you'd all like to know why I tied a squirrel to a megaphone. Well, goodnight".
Dave by himself is a simply concept: You'd think he'd be tough but he's really not. But they do not waste the concept. He is a delightful block of joy and makes sensitivity and an appreciation for handicrafts cool.
He juxtaposes with his vicious but puny sister fang and the main villain is so much fun.
The Dark Lord Chuckles the Silly Piggy!
Repetition is lazy writing but it is funny every time and he is a perfect combination of meaningful threat and goofball.
Oh, and Twinkle the Marvel Horse deserves a shout out.