Death Battle Explained

Image Alt:A black grunge-style text logo of the words "DEATH BATTLE!" in capital letters.
Genre:Battleboarding
Creator:Ben Singer
Chad James
Theme Music Composer:Brandon Yates
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:10
Last Aired:present

Death Battle (stylized as DEATH BATTLE!) is an American independent animated battleboarding web series. Originally published by the website ScrewAttack in 2010, the show has changed considerably over its history.[1] It is the oldest running web series in the battleboarding genre, and has gained a cult following.[2]

Format

The show is narrated by fictional hosts named Wiz and Boomstick, respectively voiced by series creators Ben Singer and Chad James.[3] These characters were originally disembodied voices, but as the show progressed they became animated characters. Wiz is a genius scientist who presents scientific information and mathematical calculations, while Boomstick is a street-smart redneck that discusses weapons, armor, and feats.[4]

Each episode of Death Battle features a matchup between fictional characters from different media that have similar powers, skills, or backstories. The majority of each episode showcases background information about each character while analyzing their abilities and feats, and ends with a fully-animated battle scene that decides the winner of the matchup, taking into account the prior analysis.[5] The show's formula is inspired by shows such as Animal Face-Off and Deadliest Warrior, but uses fictional characters in place of animals or historical warriors.[6] Notable episodes of Death Battle include Goku VS Superman,[7] [8] Galactus VS Unicron,[9] and Gojo VS Makima.

Death Battle has featured multiple styles of animation across different episodes, including 2D pixelated animations and 3D animations integrating motion capture technology.[10] [1] The show's battle animations typically feature high levels of graphic violence.

Spin-off shows

Death Battle has had multiple spin-off series. ScrewAttack created the series Desk of Death Battle, which showcased pop-culture trivia that the ScrewAttack team found interesting while researching and writing the main show,[11] presented by Death Battle supporting character Jocelyn the Intern, who is voiced by Lisa Foiles.[12] [13] [14] Additionally, DBX is a spin-off series that, like Death Battle, features both 2D and 3D animated battles,[15] but with winners decided by a poll among fans rather than research.[16]

History

ScrewAttack (2010–2019)

Death Battle debuted in 2010 as a web series published by the website ScrewAttack. Death Battle became ScrewAttack's most popular show and the website began to shift its focus towards the show. In 2019 ScrewAttack rebranded to focus exclusively on Death Battle.[17] [18] The show was acquired by Rooster Teeth,[19] and all of ScrewAttack's existing content was moved to the Rooster Teeth website.[20]

Rooster Teeth (2019–2024)

Death Battle was published by Rooster Teeth from 2019 until 2024, at which point Rooster Teeth was shut down by its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.[1] [21] [22] In 2020, Amazon Prime Video sponsored a promotional episode of Death Battle to advertise the second season of The Boys.[23]

Rooster Teeth created a spin-off card game based on the show, titled Death Battle: The Game.[24]

Independent (2024–present)

Following the closure of Rooster Teeth, fans of Death Battle speculated about the show's future, and the hashtag "#SaveDeathBattle" trended on Twitter. The rights to the show were acquired by series creator Ben Singer,[25] and in July 2024, the staff of the show announced a Kickstarter fundraising campaign to fund future episodes.[26] The Kickstarter campaign surpassed its original goal of $75,000 within the first twenty minutes of launching.[27] [28]

Episodes

Season 1 (2010–2013)

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Season 2 (2013–2015)

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Season 3 (2016)

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Season 4 (2017)

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Season 5 (2018)

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Season 6 (2019)

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Season 7 (2020)

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Season 8 (2021)

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Season 9 (2022)

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Season 10 (2023)

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Season 11 (2024)

During the #SaveDEATHBATTLE live stream, the crew confirmed that the show will return in the fall of 2024, they plan on releasing the episodes once a month, and they will no longer continue the "seasonal" format the show took in the past. Based on the Kickstarter stretch goals, they have confirmed at least 20 episodes will be produced from the campaign alone and have revealed some of the matchups included with them, which include the winner of 2023's Tournament of Champions and a rematch of a previous fight they've done that the contributors will vote upon.[29]

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Reception

Death Battle is one of the most popular web series dedicated to battleboarding, and the show's YouTube channel has been described as a "central hub" for fans of the genre.[30] The show has a cult following, and several online communities exist both for discussing the show and writing fan-made episodes. It also inspired similar shows such as Super Power Beat Down and Grudge Match. Death Battle helped popularize the use of mathematical calculations to determine the strength of fictional characters; in the battleboarding fandom, such calculations are called "calcs".

The show has faced occasional controversy and backlash online surrounding the chosen winners of some episodes.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Polvin, James . 3 January 2022 . Death Battle!: The 10 Best Fights Ever . Screen Rant.
  2. Web site: Versus Sites and Battle Boards . 2024-07-29 . Geeks . en.
  3. Web site: Death Battle! . 2024-07-29 . Plugged In . en-US.
  4. Web site: ‘Reach’ culture: The online malaise on media literacy. The Michigan Daily. Johri, Saarthak. September 28, 2022
  5. Web site: Beckwith . Michael . 12 March 2024 . #SaveDeathBattle trends as fans fear for Rooster Teeth show following closure announcement . Dot Esports . 29 July 2024 . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522105922/https://dotesports.com/general/news/savedeathbattle-trends-as-fans-fear-for-rooster-teeth-show-following-closure-announcement . live .
  6. Web site: Mountain . John . 2023-08-21 . The 5 Best Battle Boards Online . 2024-07-29 . . 2023-09-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230904131435/https://allthingsgeek.substack.com/p/the-5-best-battle-boards-online . live .
  7. Web site: 2023-12-05 . Goku Fights Superman Once More as Death Battle Decides the Ultimate Winner . 2024-07-29 . fandomwire.com . en-US.
  8. Web site: Gordon . Justin . 2023-12-06 . Goku finally gets his second Death Battle rematch against Superman after eight years . 2024-07-29 . EventHubs . en . 2024-01-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118221015/https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2023/dec/06/goku-superman-death-battle-rematch/ . live .
  9. Web site: 2023-12-18 . Death Battle Gives The People What They Want Via Galactus vs Unicron . 2024-07-29 . www.theouterhaven.net . en-US.
  10. Web site: iPi Motion Capture Key Creative Weapon for YouTube’s ‘Death Battle’ . 2024-07-29 . Animation World Network . en.
  11. Web site: Gutelle . Sam . 2014-12-12 . Gaming Channel ScrewAttack Announces Five New Web Series For 2015 . 2024-07-29 . Tubefilter . en-US.
  12. Web site: 2018-05-19 . Meet The Real Jocelyn . 2018-05-19 . Death Battle Cast . en-US . The cast is joined by Lisa Foiles to talk about the Desk of Death Battle, the new show Thundercats Roar, and determine who would win between R2-D2 and a Dalek. This episode is sponsored by Dollar Shave Club..
  13. BLpJADAjZ-B . lisafoiles . Jocelyn's back with a new episode of Desk of DEATH BATTLE!! Head over to ScrewAttack's YouTube page to see it! #deskofdeathbattle #dodb #deathbattle #screwattack #comicbooks #stupidvillains . Lisa . Foiles . Lisa Foiles . October 17, 2016 . October 17, 2016.
  14. Web site: Longwell . Todd . December 16, 2014 . StreamDaily » Archive » ScrewAttack readies for battle with new series . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190112150211/http://streamdaily.tv/2014/12/16/screwattack-readies-for-battle-with-new-series/ . January 12, 2019 . January 11, 2019 . StreamDaily . Brunico Communications.
  15. Web site: Trumbore . Dave . 2018-01-17 . Rooster Teeth's 2018 Shows Include RWBY Vol. 6, gen:LOCK and More! . 2024-08-04 . Collider . en.
  16. Web site: 2020-06-24 . DBX Brings Epic Clash Of Pokemon . 2024-08-04 . www.theouterhaven.net . en-US.
  17. Web site: Cooper . Dalton . 2019-02-05 . ScrewAttack Officially Changes Its Name to Death Battle . 2024-07-29 . Game Rant . en . 2022-10-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014073357/https://gamerant.com/screwattack-death-battle/ . live .
  18. Web site: Comments . Gavin Sheehan Last updated . 2019-02-05 . ScrewAttack Has Now Re-Branded Itself as Death Battle . 2024-07-29 . bleedingcool.com . en . 2024-07-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240729210737/https://bleedingcool.com/games/screwattack-has-now-re-branded-itself-as-death-battle/ . live .
  19. Web site: Dominguez . Noah . 2024-03-07 . Rooster Teeth Shutting Down, WB to Sell RWBY and Other IPs . 2024-08-04 . SuperHeroHype . en-US.
  20. Web site: Glagowski . Peter . 2019-02-05 . ScrewAttack may be gone, but it will never be forgotten . 2024-07-29 . Destructoid . en-US . 2024-07-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240729210737/https://www.destructoid.com/screwattack-may-be-gone-but-it-will-never-be-forgotten/ . live .
  21. Web site: Rooster Teeth Is Shutting Down For Good . 2024-07-29 . Paste Magazine . en-US.
  22. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . 2024-03-06 . Rooster Teeth Shut Down By Warner Bros. Discovery, The Roost Podcast Network To Continue . 2024-07-29 . Deadline . en-US.
  23. Spangler. Todd. Rooster Teeth Hires Amazon Studios' Adam Bersin as Head of Marketing (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. March 16, 2022. March 16, 2022. [Amazon Studios Head of Marketing, Adam] Bersin said he was attracted to Rooster Teeth after working with the company on custom-content partnerships for several of Amazon Studios['] launches, like the Death Battle for The Boys” Season 2.. March 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220316140125/https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/rooster-teeth-adam-bersin-marketing-amazon-studios-1235205824/. live.
  24. Web site: 2019-10-15 . Rooster Teeth Releases New Death Battle Tabletop Card and Dice Game - Gameindustry.com . 2024-07-29 . Game Industry News . en-US . 2024-07-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240729210744/https://www.gameindustry.com/news-industry-happenings/rooster-teeth-releases-new-death-battle-tabletop-card-and-dice-game/ . live .
  25. Web site: Schwarz . John . 2024-07-26 . Rooster Teeth’s Death Battle To Continue On With New Owners . 2024-08-04 . Bubbleblabber . en-US.
  26. Web site: 2024-07-25 . Death Battle Is Coming Back! Will Do Kickstarter To Make New Episodes . 2024-07-29 . www.theouterhaven.net . en-US . 2024-07-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240729210745/https://www.theouterhaven.net/2024/07/death-battle-is-coming-back-will-do-kickstarter-to-make-new-episodes/ . live .
  27. Web site: 2024-07-30 . Death Battle Kickstarter Launches, Already Almost At 250K Raised! . 2024-07-30 . www.theouterhaven.net . en-US.
  28. Web site: 2024-07-31 . Death Battle Kickstarter smashes expectations, raises over $250,000 in just 20 minutes . 2024-08-04 . The Express Tribune . en.
  29. Web site: #SaveDEATHBATTLE Kickstarter Livestream . Youtube.com . Death Battle . 30 July 2024.
  30. Web site: Barua . Anupam . 10 October 2023 . Gojo vs Makima death battle: Everything to know about the Ultimate Jujutsu Kaisen Vs. Chainsaw Man clash . sportskeeda.com . 29 July 2024 . 29 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240729210745/https://www.sportskeeda.com/anime/gojo-vs-makima-death-battle-everything-know-ultimate-jujutsu-kaisen-vs-chainsaw-man-clash . live .