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Well, the season premiere of “The Venture Brothers” had everything except … The Venture Brothers.

The dimwitted brothers appeared only as their iconic silhouette, making the “Go, Team Venture!” sign, in the otherwise-altered opening credits. A college-age Dr. Thaddeus Venture appeared for a few seconds in a flashback, and Brock Samson was glimpsed only from afar.

No, this episode was all about The Monarch, and his on-again, off-again consort, Doctor Girlfriend (who has the visage of Jackie Kennedy and the voice of Harvey Fierstein). The Guild of Calamitous Intent held a trial of sorts to determine The Monarch’s status as a supervillain and to determine whether he and Doctor Girlfriend should be united in villainy.

Yes, I realize the second season also seemed to start without Hank and Dean, but at least we got Rusty and Brock.

“Shadowman 9: In The Cradle of Destiny” was the typically off-beat, expect-the-unexpected stunt we’ve come to expect from the “Venture Bros.” team, and wonderfully funny — but I’m hoping we return to Hank, Dean and family next week.

Tags : adult swim | TV | venture bros. | venture brothers