Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law is an American adult animated television series created by Michael Ouweleen and Erik Richter for Cartoon Network’s late night programming block, Adult Swim. The series revolves around the law firm Sebben & Sebben and primarily the activities of Harvey T. Birdman, an attorney for the firm who regularly represents various Hanna-Barbera characters. His clients are primarily characters from Hanna-Barbera’s 1960s and 1970s cartoons, most prominently Scooby-Doo, The Jetsons, and The Flintstones.
Who is Harvey Birdman?
Harvey Birdman is the main character and protagonist of the show. He is an attorney working for the law firm Sebben & Sebben who defends various Hanna-Barbera characters in court. Harvey Birdman was originally a superhero character created by Hanna-Barbera in the 1960s named Birdman. He was part of a superhero duo with his eagle sidekick Avenger in the animated series Birdman and the Galaxy Trio. In the 1990s, he was reinvented as a lawyer for the Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law series.
What are Harvey Birdman’s origins?
Harvey Birdman originated in the 1967 Hanna-Barbera animated series Birdman and the Galaxy Trio. He was created by Alex Toth and was voiced by Keith Andes. In this series, Harvey Birdman (going by just Birdman) was a superhero with avian powers who fought crime alongside his eagle sidekick Avenger. Birdman had the power of flight and could shoot energy rays from his fists. He was a member of a superhero trio called the Galaxy Trio, alongside Vapor Man and Meteor Man.
After the 1960s series ended, Harvey Birdman was reimagined as a lawyer for the Adult Swim animated series that debuted in 2000. In this series, written by Michael Ouweleen and Erik Richter, Harvey Birdman works as an attorney for the law firm Sebben & Sebben, defending cases for various classic Hanna-Barbera characters. He is voiced by Gary Cole in the Adult Swim series.
What are some key facts about Harvey Birdman?
- Full name: Harvey T. Birdman
- Occupation: Lawyer at Sebben & Sebben law firm
- Original character: 1960s Hanna-Barbera superhero Birdman
- Voiced by: Gary Cole (Adult Swim series)
- First appearance: Birdman and the Galaxy Trio (1967)
- Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law debut: 2000
- Powers: Flight (formerly), shooting energy beams (formerly)
- Catchphrase: “I’ll take the case!”
What cases does Harvey Birdman take on?
As an attorney, Harvey Birdman defends cases on behalf of various classic Hanna-Barbera characters who have gotten into legal trouble. Some of the cases he has taken on include:
- Defending Scooby-Doo from a lawsuit filed by Blue Falcon
- Defending George Jetson against charges of identity theft
- Defending the Flintstones against charges of defrauding the Bedrock police
- Defending Tony the Tiger against regulation violations and possible deportation
- Defending Fred Flintstone on charges of reckless driving and speeding
- Defending Shaggy Rogers against drug charges
- Defending Baba Looey on theft charges
Harvey Birdman takes on cases both big and small, ranging from petty lawsuits to serious criminal charges. Thanks to his courtroom skills, he is often able to get favorable outcomes for his clients.
What law firm does Harvey Birdman work for?
Harvey Birdman works as an attorney for the prestigious law firm Sebben & Sebben. The firm is headed by co-founders Phil Ken Sebben and Myron Reducto. Other attorneys employed by the firm include Peter Potamus, Judy Ken Sebben, and Birdgirl. The law firm specializes in representing classic Hanna-Barbera characters.
Sebben & Sebben is located in the city of Harvey Birdman and features a unique office layout. Harvey Birdman’s office is located on the building’s top floor, accessible only by his personal eagle-shaped elevator. The firm has represented various characters since the 1960s.
Who are Harvey Birdman’s allies?
As an attorney, Harvey Birdman often works alongside co-counsel while defending his clients. Some of his key allies and associates include:
- Avenger – Harvey’s former eagle sidekick who now works as his legal secretary
- Peter Potamus – A hippo attorney at Sebben & Sebben who sometimes serves as Harvey’s co-counsel
- Peanut – A small creature of unknown origin who serves as Harvey’s legal clerk
- Phil Ken Sebben – The managing partner of Sebben & Sebben who gave Harvey his job
- Birdgirl – Harvey’s adult daughter who is also an attorney at Sebben & Sebben
Harvey often relies on the help of Avenger, Peanut, and his fellow attorneys at the firm while working on cases.
Who are Harvey Birdman’s enemies?
As an attorney, Harvey Birdman has made some adversaries among those who oppose his clients. Some of his key enemies and rivals include:
- Mentok the Mindtaker – An opposing attorney with psychic powers who serves as Harvey’s courtroom rival
- X the Eliminator – A mysterious vigilante who holds a grudge against Harvey and the Sebben & Sebben firm
- Vulturo – Harvey’s former archnemesis from his superhero days who continues to antagonize him
- Myron Reducto – A small attorney at Sebben & Sebben who dislikes Harvey and tries to undermine him
- The Deadly Duplicator – A shapeshifting villain who impersonates Harvey and frames him for crimes
These enemies and rivals often try to obstruct Harvey’s legal work and threaten him or his clients. But Harvey is usually able to overcome the obstacles they present.
What were some key cases for Harvey Birdman?
Throughout Harvey Birdman’s legal career, he has taken on many important and memorable cases. Some of his key cases include:
- State of Rhode Island v. Jabberjaw – Harvey defended the shark character Jabberjaw who was accused of being a mob boss.
- Azaria v. Mentok – Harvey opposed Mentok the Mindtaker in a dispute over syndication rights.
- Sebben v. Sebben – Harvey became head of the law firm after Phil Ken Sebben disappeared.
- Rogers v. The State – Harvey defended Shaggy Rogers against serious drug charges.
- Baba Looey v. The State of Texas – Harvey defended Quick Draw’s sidekick Baba Looey against theft allegations.
These key cases helped establish Harvey Birdman as a skilled attorney and highlighted his abilities in unusual and complex cases.
What is Harvey Birdman’s personality like?
Harvey Birdman has an earnest, guileless personality despite working as a lawyer. He is known for taking his job very seriously and strives to provide the best defense for his clients. Harvey has a habit of mindlessly repeating phrases, which sometimes annoys his colleagues. He uses outdated slang terms like “groovy” and “radical” since he is behind on modern lingo.
In general, Harvey is laidback, kindhearted, and eager to help others in need. He does have moments of intensity when in the courtroom passionately arguing cases. But overall he maintains a calm, friendly demeanor while taking on even the strangest cases.
What are Harvey Birdman’s notable quotes?
Throughout the series, Harvey Birdman utters funny, memorable quotes that demonstrate his unique personality:
- “Back off! I’m a lawyer and I’m not afraid to use legal jargon.”
- “The defense rests…very tired, Your Honor.”
- “I’ll take the case!”
- “Did you get that thing I sent ya?”
- “My doctor says I have a malformed public-duty gland.”
- “Can I offer you half a bedsheet in these trying times?”
- “Bawk! Dead bird! I’ve got no case!”
What is the legacy of Harvey Birdman?
Harvey Birdman leaves behind an important legacy as an early Adult Swim original character:
- He reinvented an obscure 1960s Hanna-Barbera superhero as a humorous lawyer character.
- He paved the way for more surreal, subversive Adult Swim series.
- He spawned a long-running series that became a cult classic.
- He created a template for reimagining vintage animated characters in absurd, comic ways.
- He helped establish Adult Swim’s irreverent, ironic style of humor and retro aesthetic.
Harvey Birdman creatively revived interest in classic Hanna-Barbera characters among adult audiences. His unique persona and the show’s surreal comedy helped set Adult Swim apart and resonated with its late night audience.
Conclusion
Harvey Birdman remains one of the most beloved and iconic characters from the early years of Adult Swim. His earnest, bumbling lawyer persona added surprising depth and humor to a formerly obscure superhero character. Along with the creative team behind Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, the character helped pioneer Adult Swim’s offbeat style of animated comedy. Harvey Birdman’s memorable catchphrases, bizarre court cases, and sweetly eccentric personality will continue to endear him to fans of surreal, retro animation.
