The Tick (1994 TV series)

Did You Know?

• The Tick was also shown on Teletoon in Canada and on Fox Kids/Jetix in the United States, Europe, and Middle East.
• During its original run, The Tick won two Annie Awards in 1995.
• IGN ranked The Tick No. 6 on its Top 100 Animated Series list in January 2009.

Plot

The Tick, a superhero, undergoes tryouts at the National Super Institute in Reno, Nevada, where passing superheroes are assigned to protect cities. After passing, he is assigned to the City and befriends former accountant Arthur, taking him as a sidekick. With other heroes like Die Fledermaus, American Maid, and Sewer Urchin, they protect the City from villains such as Chairface Chippendale, Breadmaster, El Seed, and the Terror.

Development and production

Tick creator Ben Edlund was producing his independent comic book series when Kiscom, a New Jersey toy licensing company, approached him about merchandising. Major networks were reluctant to adapt the absurd character, but Sunbow Entertainment paired Edlund with writer Richard Liebmann-Smith, neither having animation or television experience. They worked for two months on the first episode, but Fox turned down their initial pitch. Given five days to refine it, they worked over a weekend with little sleep and satisfied Fox. Edlund later said they defined the show's first season direction in that weekend. Some darker characters and sexual innuendo from the comics were removed, but the series held to its satirical roots. Edlund remained hands-on as co-producer, causing production delays.

Home media

The first two episodes and season three's "The Tick vs Arthur" were released on VHS in 1995 and 1998 by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment under the Fox Kids Video label. Buena Vista Home Entertainment released season one on DVD as The Tick vs. Season One on August 29, 2006, containing 12 of 13 episodes; Disney stated the missing episode, "The Tick vs. The Mole Men," was omitted due to licensing problems. The UK edition released the following year included all 13 episodes. Season two, The Tick vs. Season Two, was released on August 7, 2007, missing the episode "Alone Together," which features Omnipotus. In the UK, Liberation Entertainment released all three seasons uncut on DVD: season one on August 20, 2007, season two on October 8, 2007, and season three on January 21, 2008, with a box set on March 17, 2008.

Merchandising

Merchandising increased dramatically with the animated series, including action figures, pogs, T-shirts, hats, party favors, costumes, and a board game. Fast food chains Carl's Jr. and Taco Bell offered Tick-related give-aways. Fox Interactive published a beat 'em up video game for Super NES and Sega Genesis, criticized for long stages and a nonsensical ending. In 1997, Greg Hyland's The Tick: Mighty Blue Justice! was published as a tie-in.