Brak (character)
Encyclopedia
Brak is a supervillain on the 1966 Hanna-Barbera
cartoon Space Ghost
, portrayed as a catlike alien space pirate trying to conquer the galaxy. Brak appeared alongside his twin brother Sisto in such episodes as "The Lure" and "The Looters", and was also a member of the Council of Doom (an organization of Space Ghost villains which originally consisted of Zorak
, Moltar, Metallus, Creature King, Black Widow, and himself). In the 1990s the Brak character re-appeared on Cartoon Network
's adult-oriented talk show Space Ghost Coast to Coast
, and then became the main character in its spin-off The Brak Show
also on Cartoon Network. The last two incarnations of Brak's character changed from an evil genius supervillain into a childlike simpleton.
in the original 1966 animated series and Sisto's voice was provided by Don Messick
. In the premiere episode of Space Ghost Coast to Coast
(in the Beavis & Butt-head parody) Brak and Sisto were both voiced by C. Martin Croker
. In all appearances after that episode, Brak has been voiced by Andy Merrill
.
cartoon Space Ghost
. The two were portrayed as cat-like alien space pirates trying to conquer the galaxy. Brak and Sisto were the main adversaries in the episodes "The Lure" and "The Looters", and the duo were also featured during the six-part Council of Doom storyline. Brak was voiced by Keye Luke
for all of his original Space Ghost appearances.
in 1994, appearing as a parody of Beavis and Butt-Head
. Brak would continue to make frequent appearances on Space Ghost Coast to Coast, often just yelling short phrases like "All hail Brak!!!" or "Hi my name is Brak!!". His character would develop more of a personality (as well as an expanded vocabulary) on the spin-off program, Cartoon Planet
, which premiered on TBS in 1995. Brak was voiced by C. Martin Croker
in his original Space Ghost Coast to Coast, but Andy Merrill
took over the role for all of Brak's subsequent Cartoon Network/Adult Swim appearances.
In response to a viewer's letter read on an episode of Cartoon Planet
, Brak revealed that his current level of stupidity was the after-effect of being thrown into a space dust cloud by Space Ghost at the end of "The Lure." Cartoon Network's writeup for Brak explained: "This toothy, mask-wearing former pirate made his first TV appearance on 'Space Ghost.' It was during this adventure that Brak was irradiated by Pirranamyte, releasing him from the burden of intelligence. Now armed only with his meager wits and the love of a peppy tune, Brak happily entertains fans and annoys his co-stars with equal aplomb. He will continue to do so as long as he receives a steady diet of pineapple and processed meats."
-style variety specials entitled Brak Presents The Brak Show Starring Brak. These specials were intended to test the waters for a Brak spin-off show, but they received only a lukewarm reception from viewers and fans.
A pilot for The Brak Show
premiered unannounced at a very early hour on December 21, 2000. In this new program, a parody of traditional sitcoms such as Leave It To Beaver
, Brak plays a suburban pre-teen living with his parents and brother and hanging out with his friend Zorak
. This version of Brak is even more childlike and friendly than any previous depiction of him. The Brak Show was added to the regular Adult Swim
line-up on September 2, 2001. In addition to Brak's family and Zorak, new characters such as Brak's robot neighbor Thundercleese were added. The Brak Show would run for two seasons on Adult Swim and a third, shorter season of webisodes on the Adult Swim website.
Hanna-Barbera
Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. was an American animation studio that dominated North American television animation during the second half of the 20th century...
cartoon Space Ghost
Space Ghost
Space Ghost is a fictional superhero created by Hanna-Barbera Productions and designed by Alex Toth for CBS in the 1960s. In his original incarnation, he was a superhero who, with his sidekick teen helpers Jan, Jace, and Blip the monkey, fought supervillains in outer space...
, portrayed as a catlike alien space pirate trying to conquer the galaxy. Brak appeared alongside his twin brother Sisto in such episodes as "The Lure" and "The Looters", and was also a member of the Council of Doom (an organization of Space Ghost villains which originally consisted of Zorak
Zorak
Zorak is a fictional character who first appeared in the Hanna-Barbera cartoon Space Ghost. Zorak appeared as a 7 foot tall green mantis and is a foe of the show's titular superhero.-Space Ghost:...
, Moltar, Metallus, Creature King, Black Widow, and himself). In the 1990s the Brak character re-appeared on Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network (United States)
Cartoon Network is an American cable television network owned by Turner Broadcasting which primarily airs animated programming. The channel was launched on October 1, 1992 after Turner purchased the animation studio Hanna-Barbera Productions in 1991...
's adult-oriented talk show Space Ghost Coast to Coast
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
Space Ghost Coast to Coast is an American animated parody talk show hosted by the 60s Hanna-Barbera cartoon character Space Ghost. The show premiered on April 15, 1994 on Cartoon Network...
, and then became the main character in its spin-off The Brak Show
The Brak Show
The Brak Show is an animated television series that aired on Cartoon Network's late night programming block, Adult Swim. The Brak Show is a spin-off of the animated television series, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, and featured recurring characters from Space Ghost Coast to Coast and Cartoon Planet...
also on Cartoon Network. The last two incarnations of Brak's character changed from an evil genius supervillain into a childlike simpleton.
Voice actors
Brak's voice was provided by Keye LukeKeye Luke
Keye Luke was a Chinese-born American actor. He was the first Chinese-American contract player signed with RKO, Universal and, later, MGM and is generally acknowledged as the leading Asian-American actor of this era of American cinema.-Background:...
in the original 1966 animated series and Sisto's voice was provided by Don Messick
Don Messick
Donald Earl "Don" Messick was an American voice actor best known for his work for Hanna-Barbera. Perhaps his most well-known voice creations include Scooby-Doo, Papa Smurf, and Dr. Benton Quest....
. In the premiere episode of Space Ghost Coast to Coast
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
Space Ghost Coast to Coast is an American animated parody talk show hosted by the 60s Hanna-Barbera cartoon character Space Ghost. The show premiered on April 15, 1994 on Cartoon Network...
(in the Beavis & Butt-head parody) Brak and Sisto were both voiced by C. Martin Croker
C. Martin Croker
Clay Martin Croker is an animator and voice actor on various Adult Swim programs. He's best known for voicing the Space Ghost characters Zorak and Moltar on Space Ghost Coast to Coast. It was his idea to have Zorak and Moltar to be Space Ghost's sidekicks-Voice Acting:-External links:...
. In all appearances after that episode, Brak has been voiced by Andy Merrill
Andy Merrill
Andy Merrill is a television writer, producer, and voice actor best known for his comedy voice portrayal of the character Brak on Space Ghost: Coast To Coast and Cartoon Planet and other related productions from Cartoon Network utilizing characters from the Space Ghost series...
.
Space Ghost (1966)
Brak first appeared along with his brother Sisto as villains on the 1966 Hanna-BarberaHanna-Barbera
Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. was an American animation studio that dominated North American television animation during the second half of the 20th century...
cartoon Space Ghost
Space Ghost
Space Ghost is a fictional superhero created by Hanna-Barbera Productions and designed by Alex Toth for CBS in the 1960s. In his original incarnation, he was a superhero who, with his sidekick teen helpers Jan, Jace, and Blip the monkey, fought supervillains in outer space...
. The two were portrayed as cat-like alien space pirates trying to conquer the galaxy. Brak and Sisto were the main adversaries in the episodes "The Lure" and "The Looters", and the duo were also featured during the six-part Council of Doom storyline. Brak was voiced by Keye Luke
Keye Luke
Keye Luke was a Chinese-born American actor. He was the first Chinese-American contract player signed with RKO, Universal and, later, MGM and is generally acknowledged as the leading Asian-American actor of this era of American cinema.-Background:...
for all of his original Space Ghost appearances.
Space Ghost Coast to Coast and Cartoon Planet
Brak and his brother Sisto returned in the premiere episode of Space Ghost Coast to CoastSpace Ghost Coast to Coast
Space Ghost Coast to Coast is an American animated parody talk show hosted by the 60s Hanna-Barbera cartoon character Space Ghost. The show premiered on April 15, 1994 on Cartoon Network...
in 1994, appearing as a parody of Beavis and Butt-Head
Beavis and Butt-Head
Beavis and Butt-head is an American animated television series created by Mike Judge. The series originated from Frog Baseball, a 1992 short film by Judge. After seeing the short, MTV signed Judge to develop the concept. Beavis and Butt-head originally aired from March 8, 1993 to November 28, 1997...
. Brak would continue to make frequent appearances on Space Ghost Coast to Coast, often just yelling short phrases like "All hail Brak!!!" or "Hi my name is Brak!!". His character would develop more of a personality (as well as an expanded vocabulary) on the spin-off program, Cartoon Planet
Cartoon Planet
Cartoon Planet is an animated variety show that premiered in 1995 on Superstation TBS, and ran afterward from 1996 to 1997 on Cartoon Network....
, which premiered on TBS in 1995. Brak was voiced by C. Martin Croker
C. Martin Croker
Clay Martin Croker is an animator and voice actor on various Adult Swim programs. He's best known for voicing the Space Ghost characters Zorak and Moltar on Space Ghost Coast to Coast. It was his idea to have Zorak and Moltar to be Space Ghost's sidekicks-Voice Acting:-External links:...
in his original Space Ghost Coast to Coast, but Andy Merrill
Andy Merrill
Andy Merrill is a television writer, producer, and voice actor best known for his comedy voice portrayal of the character Brak on Space Ghost: Coast To Coast and Cartoon Planet and other related productions from Cartoon Network utilizing characters from the Space Ghost series...
took over the role for all of Brak's subsequent Cartoon Network/Adult Swim appearances.
In response to a viewer's letter read on an episode of Cartoon Planet
Cartoon Planet
Cartoon Planet is an animated variety show that premiered in 1995 on Superstation TBS, and ran afterward from 1996 to 1997 on Cartoon Network....
, Brak revealed that his current level of stupidity was the after-effect of being thrown into a space dust cloud by Space Ghost at the end of "The Lure." Cartoon Network's writeup for Brak explained: "This toothy, mask-wearing former pirate made his first TV appearance on 'Space Ghost.' It was during this adventure that Brak was irradiated by Pirranamyte, releasing him from the burden of intelligence. Now armed only with his meager wits and the love of a peppy tune, Brak happily entertains fans and annoys his co-stars with equal aplomb. He will continue to do so as long as he receives a steady diet of pineapple and processed meats."
The Brak Show
In 2000, Brak hosted two hour-long Sonny & CherThe Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour is an American variety show based on the married couple of American pop-singer Cher and her husband, Sonny Bono. The show ran on CBS in the United States, when it premiered in August 1971...
-style variety specials entitled Brak Presents The Brak Show Starring Brak. These specials were intended to test the waters for a Brak spin-off show, but they received only a lukewarm reception from viewers and fans.
A pilot for The Brak Show
The Brak Show
The Brak Show is an animated television series that aired on Cartoon Network's late night programming block, Adult Swim. The Brak Show is a spin-off of the animated television series, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, and featured recurring characters from Space Ghost Coast to Coast and Cartoon Planet...
premiered unannounced at a very early hour on December 21, 2000. In this new program, a parody of traditional sitcoms such as Leave It To Beaver
Leave It to Beaver
Leave It to Beaver is an American television situation comedy about an inquisitive but often naïve boy named Theodore "The Beaver" Cleaver and his adventures at home, in school, and around his suburban neighborhood...
, Brak plays a suburban pre-teen living with his parents and brother and hanging out with his friend Zorak
Zorak
Zorak is a fictional character who first appeared in the Hanna-Barbera cartoon Space Ghost. Zorak appeared as a 7 foot tall green mantis and is a foe of the show's titular superhero.-Space Ghost:...
. This version of Brak is even more childlike and friendly than any previous depiction of him. The Brak Show was added to the regular Adult Swim
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...
line-up on September 2, 2001. In addition to Brak's family and Zorak, new characters such as Brak's robot neighbor Thundercleese were added. The Brak Show would run for two seasons on Adult Swim and a third, shorter season of webisodes on the Adult Swim website.
See also
- List of Space Ghost Coast to Coast characters
- The Brak ShowThe Brak ShowThe Brak Show is an animated television series that aired on Cartoon Network's late night programming block, Adult Swim. The Brak Show is a spin-off of the animated television series, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, and featured recurring characters from Space Ghost Coast to Coast and Cartoon Planet...