# The Tick (2001)

> A cheerfully oblivious blue superhero and his reluctant sidekick stumble through crime-fighting alongside an odd team of costumed heroes.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/13652

## Facts

- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 9
- Episode runtime: 22 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: comedy, action, animation
- Created by: Ben Edlund
- Network: FOX
- Cast: Patrick Warburton, David Burke, Liz Vassey, Nestor Carbonell, Meadow Sisto, Armin Shimerman, Beth Howland, Jeff Doucette
- TMDB rating: 7.7/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0242949/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: mild
- Tone: breezy, deadpan, goofy, sincere, irreverent

## What critics say

Audiences rate the single season positively as a goofy, affectionate superhero spoof built on Patrick Warburton's earnest performance.

## Synopsis

The Tick (2001-2002) is an American live action superhero sitcom based on Ben Edlund's cult comic and produced for FOX. Patrick Warburton plays the title character, a mysterious blue avenger who is sincere to the point of absurdity, while David Burke plays Arthur, his anxious, reluctant sidekick who has been drawn into the crime-fighting life. The series runs for a single season of nine half-hour episodes, and its engine is simple: the Tick barrels into each case with unwavering confidence, and Arthur tries to keep them both out of trouble. Each episode is a self-contained case of the week, filled with cartoonish villains, goofy team-ups and the odd costumed hero who wanders into the apartment. Liz Vassey, Nestor Carbonell and a rotating roster of eccentric guest players flesh out the team. The tone is breezy, deadpan and gleefully silly, with a comic book exuberance that mocks superhero conventions while still embracing them. Fans of Mystery Men and the sly parody of Greg the Bunny will find a similar delight in its earnest, offbeat heroism.

## Shows like The Tick

- [Earthworm Jim (1995)](https://ember.film/tv/6155)
- [The Super Hero Squad Show (2009)](https://ember.film/tv/20070)
- [Freakazoid! (1995)](https://ember.film/tv/4119)
- [Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000)](https://ember.film/tv/3563)
- [The Mask: Animated Series (1995)](https://ember.film/tv/9243)
- [The Greatest American Hero (1981)](https://ember.film/tv/1801)
- [Doom Patrol (2019)](https://ember.film/tv/68422)
- [The Boys (2019)](https://ember.film/tv/66226)
- [The Venture Bros. (2004)](https://ember.film/tv/2295)
- [Hero Corp (2008)](https://ember.film/tv/20057)

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