Go Team Venture! As fans eagerly await the upcoming release of an all-new Venture Bros movie, there’s a chance that some newer viewers will jump right in once it releases. If you’ve seen the show, you’d know why this may present a problem. Entire storylines, character relationships, and even running gags can sometimes originate from as far back as the first season. Even something as small as a one-off joke may have dire implications later in the series.
With only so much time to wrap up loose ends, there’s a chance the film will be made more for the fans rather than any newcomers. Keeping this in mind, it would be beneficial to read up on each major character in the show as either a refresher for the film or as a brief introduction to its intricate, comic-inspired world. Here’s a character guide for the most important players in the Venture Bros. universe.
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Thaddeus “Rusty” Venture (James Urbaniak)
Warner Bros. Television Distribution
A former boy adventurer turned super-scientist, Thaddeus “Rusty” Venture, grew up in the shadow of his father, Jonas Venture. After undergoing all kinds of psychological and physical trauma during his death-defying youth, Rusty is now an embittered, stressed, and narcissistic man who remains overwhelmed by the Venture name, despite his father being dead for years.
Despite his flaws and toxic behaviors, however, Rusty is still a good person deep down. Over the course of the show, he gradually matures and makes some of his true feelings known to his few friends and loved ones, regaining some of the confidence he lost in his youth while mending some unhealthy coping mechanisms he’s developed.
Dean Venture (Michael Sinterniklaas)
The more intelligent and subdued of the Venture brothers, Dean is almost a new Rusty Venture in the making. Originally cautious and effeminate, Dean was subtly chosen by Rusty to be his successor, gradually introducing him to the world of super-science.
With this in mind, Dean matures differently as the two brothers age. While Hank takes on the world with go-lucky confidence, Dean is forced to take a more cold, calculated view of his problems. This becomes more prominent as he gets exposed to the same types of horrors that his father witnessed.
Hank Venture (Christopher McCulloch)
Hank Venture is the more independent and naive half of the Venture brothers. Instead of following in Rusty’s footsteps and pursuing science, Hank has frequently walked his own path in life, pursuing his own entrepreneurial endeavors along with reinventing himself in several ways - including emulating the antics of silver-age Batman.
However, this gets him into a lot more trouble than his brother. His headstrong nature often puts him directly in danger, and though he can handle himself in a pinch, he often requires the help of others to get him out of it.
Brock Samson (Patrick Warburton)
The closest thing to a positive father figure in the Venture family, Brock Samson was originally a hardened mercenary tasked with protecting the Ventures from the nefarious Guild of Calamitous Intent. His training – along with a license to kill – grants him the ability to put down just about anything and anyone he deems as a threat to his goals, often accompanied by mild annoyance or gleeful enthusiasm, depending on the severity of the threat.
Though he bears the moniker of “Swedish Murder Machine,” Brock has evolved from the disinterested muscle of the Venture family to someone that genuinely cares for them. Whether it’s indulging in Hank’s independence or aiding Dean in his studies, Brock has gradually developed a softer side to accompany his violent ruthlessness.
The Monarch (Christopher McCulloch)
Fan-favorite villain The Monarch is the primary “arch” for the Venture family – a villain solely devoted to antagonizing a specific entity. While “arching” is subject to the rules and regulations of the Guild, The Monarch differs from his colleagues in that he has a genuine passion for arching. The black-and-yellow butterfly loathes Rusty Venture so much that he’ll often go against the Guild’s wishes just for a chance at making Rusty’s life miserable.
Despite his aggressive, obsessive personality, his unyielding passion for what he does is intoxicating. The man lives and breathes hatred. Even at his lowest point, with his army of henchmen depleted, his mobile fortress grounded, and his funding depleted, it’s ultimately just a setback in his quest to arch Rusty.
Dr. Mrs. The Monarch (Doc Hammer)
Originally named Dr. Girlfriend, she was the devout – if not critical – second-in-command of The Monarch. She would frequently butt heads with him over his undying obsession with the Ventures before ultimately becoming his equal partner. Despite a desire to work closely with him, she has her own set of goals and values that would eventually clash with The Monarch’s fervent obsessions.
Dr. Mrs. The Monarch would eventually rise through the ranks of the Guild on her own accord, eventually becoming The Monarch’s boss. With a new set of responsibilities and growing conflicts in how the Ventures should be handled, she pushes herself further away from her former partner to achieve the goals of the Guild, becoming an independent villain herself.
Henchman 21 (Doc Hammer)
Starting as a comic-relief character that obsessed over geek media like Star Wars, he – along with his friend, Henchman 24 – served The Monarch as one of his many soldiers. 21 and 24 frequently survived the most dangerous of situations, leading them to believe that they were somehow impervious to death. However, tragedy eventually strikes, and 21 finds himself tasked with having to adapt quickly to a brand-new life alone.
He takes his role as a henchman much more seriously once he becomes independent of 24, improving his combat skills while gaining power and influence in The Monarch’s army. Soon enough, he finds himself able to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Brock Samson, all the while forging a new, honest friendship with his boss.
