About “The Venture Brothers” in a few words:

“The Venture Brothers” is an American adult animated television series created by Jackson Publick and originally aired on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. The show follows the adventures of the hapless yet well-meaning Venture family, which includes the bumbling and insecure scientist Dr. Thaddeus “Rusty” Venture, his two adventurous sons, Hank and Dean, and their bodyguard, the imposing and enigmatic Brock Samson. Along the way, they encounter a host of eccentric and often dangerous characters, including super-villains, secret agents, and rival scientists, as they navigate the treacherous world of the show’s alternate universe.

Meet the characters from The Venture Brothers

Jonas Venture Sr.

Oh man, Jonas Venture Sr. is peak adventurer-dad energy — like a golden-age Indiana Jones who also hosted a TV show and made terrible parenting choices. Charismatic, brilliant, utterly self-centered in the most glorious, tragic way; he wins you over with a smile and then ruins everything with a secret. He’s the kind of guy who invented miracles and then forgot to call his kids about dinner, which is somehow both hilarious and heartbreaking. Also, he probably smelled like motor oil and whiskey and had a pet macaw? Or was that a raccoon — I can’t remember, but definitely iconic.

The Alchemist

The Alchemist is this delightfully creepy, obsessive scientist who treats morality like a vague guideline and transmutation like a hobby. He’s intense, a little theatrical, and very into experiments that make normal people scream — in the best possible way. He’s probably got a cluttered lab full of jars with labels like “Do Not Touch (Seriously)” and a surprising soft spot for bad pop music. Oh, and he’ll give you a riddle before he betrays you, because of course he will.

Dr. Orpheus

Dr. Orpheus is the show’s resident occult dad — equal parts spooky mystic and dryly practical roommate (he uses thrift-store robes, true story). He gives cryptic advice, reads tarot like a barista reads names, and shows up with dramatic incantations that are actually pretty helpful. He’s melodramatic and theatrical but also improbably dependable, and he probably owns three cats and fourteen candles, which he will insist are purely for ambiance. Also, he cries at morning talk shows sometimes? No, wait, that was a vision — maybe.

Brock Samson

Brock is purity of purpose — a walking whirlwind of knives, hair, and absolute devotion to punching problems into submission; he’s the bodyguard you want and also the dad you fear. He’s equal parts lethal and bafflingly domestic: could dismantle a chemical weapon and then, like, bake cupcakes for the kids while humming. Hyper-competent, terrifyingly calm in a crisis, and somehow soft with the people he cares about (especially the kids), which is his whole secret. Also his hair is a national treasure and he probably owns one shirt he wears forever.

Dean Venture

Dean is that weird mix of fragile ego and accidental charm — trying so hard to be cool, sometimes succeeding by total accident. He wants to be a man-of-action but mostly ends up being dramatic, petty, and weirdly philosophical for five minutes at 2 a.m. He’s sullen, nerdy, and insecure but also surprisingly loyal; you can’t help rooting for him even when he’s doing something dumb. He collects obscure memorabilia and cries at commercials but also claims he’s unbothered, which is peak Dean.

Billy Quizboy

Billy is sunshine in a cape — eager, chatty, a little annoying (in the best way), and somehow simultaneously naive and cunning. He’s the classic sidekick who reads every manual and thinks friendship means dramatic loyalty and one-liners. He loves gadgets, pop trivia, and high-fives, but he’s also got a brain for strategy when it counts, which you wouldn’t always expect under that smile. Also he definitely has a secret stash of stickers and a mixtape that he gives everyone, probably.

Dr. Venture

Rusty is such a delicious mess — brilliant, burned-out, vain, and terrible at being a dad yet somehow tragic enough that you feel bad for him (and also kind of furious, honestly). He’s the failed super-scientist archetype who’s stuck in his glory years, addicted to nostalgia and regret, and always about three questionable decisions away from total disaster. He loves acclaim and cigarettes and probably collects trophies he doesn’t deserve, but he’s also occasionally ingenious in ways that make you forget the rest. Also there’s always a lingering smell of motor oil and cheap cologne.

Hank Venture

Hank is pure, chaotic, pogo-stick energy — forever trying to prove he’s brave and heroic and very dramatic about it. He’s optimistic to a fault, a bit reckless, and weirdly adorable when he gets obsessed with something (like villain law or toy swords). He’s loyal to his brother and infuriatingly sure he’s right even when it’s obvious he isn’t, which makes him impossible not to watch. Also he always refuses naps but will hoard blankets like they’re strategic assets.