The Tick (1994)
The animated superhero comedy that turned Saturday morning cartoons upside down, one absurd villain at a time.
The Tick - Series Information
- Original Title: The Tick
- First Air Year: 1994
- Last Air Year: 1996
- Created by: Ben Edlund
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Comedy, Kids
- Content Rating (US): TV-Y7
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (22 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 36
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 10, 1994 (United States - TV-Y7)
- Networks: FOX, Comedy Central, Fox Kids
- Production Companies: Sunbow Productions, Graz Entertainment
The Tick - Plot
Attention Evil-doers! The Tick is here, and he's wearing the blue tights of justice! Together with his trusty moth-costumed sidekick Arthur, The Tick keeps the streets of The City safe from a rogue's gallery of hilariously malevolent villains. So grab a snack, put your feet up and get ready to laugh and cheer as everyone's favorite brawny hero swats evil on the snout with the rolled-up newspaper of goodness!
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The Tick - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Ben Edlund
Main Cast
- Townsend Coleman
- Kay Lenz
- Cam Clarke
- Jess Harnell
- Rob Paulsen
- Micky Dolenz
- Bobcat Goldthwait
- Jim Belushi
- Laraine Newman
- Charlie Adler
Writers
- Ben Edlund
- Richard Liebmann-Smith
- Christopher McCulloch
- Randolph Heard
- Pippin Parker
The Tick - FAQs
Who voices The Tick in the animated series?
Townsend Coleman brings The Tick to life with his booming, gloriously over-the-top vocal performance. Coleman perfectly captures the character's dim-witted heroism and boundless enthusiasm, delivering iconic battle cries and nonsensical proclamations that became a defining part of the show's enduring charm.
Is The Tick animated series based on a comic book?
Yes, the animated series is based on Ben Edlund's self-published comic book character, which debuted in 1986 as a mascot for a New England comic shop newsletter. Edlund created the animated adaptation himself, translating the comic's sharp superhero parody humor into a Saturday morning cartoon format.
What makes The Tick different from other superhero cartoons?
The Tick is a loving parody of superhero conventions rather than a straightforward action show. Its humor comes from absurdist villains, the Tick's hilariously misguided logic, and sharp satire of comic book tropes. It treats its ridiculous premise with complete sincerity, which makes the comedy land all the more brilliantly.
Where can you stream The Tick animated series?
Streaming availability for The Tick animated series varies by region and platform. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options in your area, including any subscription streaming, rental, or purchase options currently available.
How many seasons does The Tick animated series have?
The animated series ran for three seasons between 1994 and 1996, totaling 36 episodes across Season 1 (13 episodes), Season 2 (13 episodes), and Season 3 (10 episodes), plus 4 special episodes. It aired on Fox Kids before later episodes moved to Comedy Central.
Did The Tick animated series inspire other adaptations?
The animated series' success helped launch two further adaptations: a short-lived live-action Fox sitcom in 2001 starring Patrick Warburton, and a well-received Amazon Prime Video live-action series (2016–2019) starring Peter Serafinowicz. All three versions were developed with Ben Edlund's involvement, keeping the character's spirit consistent.
How was The Tick animated series received by audiences and critics?
The series earned a devoted cult following and strong critical appreciation for its clever writing and willingness to subvert Saturday morning cartoon conventions. It stood out sharply from its contemporaries by delivering genuinely witty humor aimed at older viewers while remaining accessible to children, and it is fondly remembered as one of the era's most inventive animated shows.
What are similar animated shows to The Tick?
Fans of The Tick often enjoy other superhero parody and action-comedy animations such as The Maxx (1995), Static Shock (2000), Justice League (2001), and The Awesomes (2013). For more classic 1990s animated comedy, I Am Weasel (1997) and The Weekenders (2000) share a similarly irreverent, character-driven sense of humor.
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