Part of the Adult Swim programs, Harvey Birdman is an attorney working for a law firm. But this is not just a normal cartoon. It is based around popular cartoon stars from the Hanna-Barbera cartoon series in the 1960s and 1970s! Often with the Birdman defending the characters who have gone bad.

Now the 3rd season has been released in the UK on DVD and is available to buy from Amazon and of course, other good retailers and some rubbish ones. I’ve had the pleasure of watching the entire season and well recommend it, here are my thoguhts.

The Cartoon Characters
There are so many Hanna-Barbera cartoons, I don’t know exactly how many, but hundreds, many of whom appear at some point in the show. Whilst watching you often find yourself recognising a character, slightly unsure to who it is but you’ve definitely see it before. I think they had real guts to go to such an extent to bring in so many loved characters. And this is certainly what makes it a stand out show.

Funny One Liners
The series is full of funny one-liners, often just coming out of nowhere! Here are a few quotes as examples:

• Potamus: You can sign whatever papers you want, over pork rinds and boobies what do you say?
• Phil: Tell me I’m pretty. I’m a pretty little girl… you didn’t hear that.
• Potamus: I warn you mister ape guy, you wouldn’t like me when I’m parched (then turns into incredible hulk!)
• Phil: Ha ha! Last laugh (very last line of series)

Peter Potamus
The best character in the show for me is Peter Potamus. He has the funniest lines, best scenes and definitely overshadows others including Birdman himself. A close second best is Phil (the boss) who has plenty of funnies.

Extras
There are some nice little extras on the DVD, including deleted scenes, a cool 5 page comic book of the origins of X The Eliminator, as well as clips of the actors performing the various character voices. There is also a nifty ‘joke timeline’ which shows you the jokes which get repeated in many episodes.

Overall
This is definitely a stand out show because of the old cartoon characters, this alone makes it well worth a watch. It is well written with some very funny lines throughout. And the production is slick. For me it does miss a touch of magic though which is perhaps why programs like South Park and Family Guy are far better known despite appealing to a similar audience. But nonetheless a recommended watch, I give it 8/10.

The series is available to buy now on Region 2 (europe) DVD.