Laser Baby's Day Out

Very funny and sweet first episode even if there are a lot of guts. The episode is very nice and entertains a lot while always maintaining a beautiful atmosphere of sweetness and fun.

'Laser Baby's Day Out (2022)' is a pastiche of 'Looney Tunes (1930 - 1969)' and other similar cartoons, with a rubbery aesthetic packed full of visual flair. It takes the often-seen 'baby going walkabout' premise and imbues it with a gleefully gory energy, making sure its slapstick violence always comes with a splash of blood. It's a surprisingly warm-hearted piece, thankfully devoid of any cruel subversions. It's also a fair bit of irreverent fun, which is its primary purpose. It pushes its style pretty much to the max and is enjoyable right the way through. 7/10.

The Boys has kind of relished in cynical parodies of pop-culture, corporate culture and celebrity status too. And this episode's no different.

In the 1990s, shows like Animaniacs thrived off of its energetic visuals and music basically being its own actor from time to time. Laser Baby's Day Out is no different and is appropriately more vulgar with seeping into The Boys' grittiness, adding to the visual comedy. This episode isn't everyone's cup-of-tea exactly, but it does work on its own two feet just fine.

The Boys: Diabolical may be cashing in on stuff like The Animatrix, Batman: Gotham Knight, Halo Legends and Star Wars: Visions a little too close for some to look past, but it works to its advantage thanks to the show's multi-styles episodes.

This episode is definitely on the sillier side of things, though that's kind of the point here: it's the traditionally 'toony' one of the bunch.

Definitely thought it was great for it's concept and we'll executed, set the stage for the blood and gore you'd expect from this concept. I'd say it's not completely original though, it's definitely been done before.

I've decided to review these animated spin offs from "The Boys" as individual episodes, rather than as a season as they appear like they'll be different in tone and style from each other.

A baby (Jenny Yokobori) is being tested within the Vought by mild mannered scientist Simon (Ben Schwartz). As the baby shows no sign of superhuman powers, Simon discovers that she is due to be terminated. Unable to live with this he tries to rescue her, at which point her lethal laser beam eyes first manifest. She is unable though to control the power and carnage ensues as she gets loose into the city.

There are two big references for this episode. One is rather obviously the film "Baby's Day Out" (it's right there in the title!). Scenes from that film, such as the construction site and zoo visit are homaged here, though with a gorier outcome than the original film has. The second refernce is more in the style of the animation. It's a loving tribute to Tex Avery and the Looney Tunes style. The colours are bright and vibrant, the lines are heavy, and the movements are exaggerated. The violence though is turned up, in line with what you might expect from "The Boys".

Though there are vocal credits, the short is entirely without dialogue and only has the odd noise to help tell the story - but it's clear what's happening throughout, and the story is just about amusing enough to keep you entertained.