# The Tick (1994)

> A bluster-filled, oblivious blue superhero and his moth-costumed sidekick defend a city from a rogue's gallery of ridiculous villains.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/13546

## Facts

- Seasons: 3
- Episodes: 36
- Episode runtime: 22 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: animation, comedy, action, science fiction
- Created by: Ben Edlund
- Network: FOX, Comedy Central, Fox Kids
- Cast: Townsend Coleman, Micky Dolenz, Kay Lenz, Cam Clarke, Jess Harnell, Rob Paulsen, Bobcat Goldthwait, Jim Belushi
- TMDB rating: 7.8/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112196/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: mild
- Tone: campy, irreverent, breezy, whimsical, deadpan

## What critics say

Audiences regard the animated superhero parody as a positively received cult cartoon with a sharp, absurdist sense of humor.

## Synopsis

The Tick (1994-1996) is an American animated superhero parody series created by Ben Edlund, produced by Sunbow Productions and Graz Entertainment, and aired across FOX, Fox Kids and Comedy Central. Townsend Coleman voices The Tick, an oblivious, bombastic hero in blue tights who swats evil with a rolled-up newspaper, while Micky Dolenz voices Arthur, his anxious moth-costumed sidekick who takes the crime-fighting far more seriously than his partner. Together they protect The City from a steady parade of hilariously malevolent villains, including Die Fledermaus, Crusading Chameleon and Sewer Urchin, voiced by Cam Clarke, Rob Paulsen and Jess Harnell. Each standalone episode is built around a fresh absurd threat, with the heroics deflated by broad slapstick and deadpan silliness. The three-season run is light, self-contained and cheerfully campy, a kids-friendly cartoon that rewards adult viewers with genre spoofing. Its breezy tone and playful dialogue recall Batman: The Animated Series and Mystery Men, and fans of Invincible will find kinship in its irreverent take on capes and costumes.

## Shows like The Tick

- [Beavis and Butt-Head (1993)](https://ember.film/tv/12986)
- [The Boys (2019)](https://ember.film/tv/66226)
- [The Tick (2016)](https://ember.film/tv/59366)
- [Freakazoid! (1995)](https://ember.film/tv/4119)
- [Duck Dodgers (2003)](https://ember.film/tv/199)
- [The Tick (2001)](https://ember.film/tv/13652)
- [Teen Titans Go! (2013)](https://ember.film/tv/41005)
- [Hero Corp (2008)](https://ember.film/tv/20057)
- [Axe Cop (2013)](https://ember.film/tv/43991)
- [The Venture Bros. (2004)](https://ember.film/tv/2295)

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