Not much to say today, other than I’ve been spending some of my minimal amounts of free time rewatching my DVD set of The Tick, the 2001 live action series starring Patrick Warburton in the big blue title role.
There he is, pictured above with David Burke as Arthur. Warburtpon struck the absolute perfect note with his portrayal, a relentlessly positive and often single-minded outlook on the world needing the justice only he could deliver, whether the world wanted it or not.
Accompanying them are, of course, their stalwart pals Captain Liberty (played by Liz Vassey) and the frankly amazing Batmanuel (played by Nestor Carbonell)
The series only ran 9 episodes, which is far too few, and each of them a genuine gem. The Tick’s creator, Ben Edlund, was heavily involved, and resulted in a short run series that was too beautiful for this world.
Edlund would, years later, work on a second live action Tick series, a little grittier and more complex and still very funny, which managed to get two seasons before the powers that be at Amazon put their collective foot down. But I find myself more a fan of the 2001 series, with its shorter, punchier episodes and sitcom feel.
And yes, there’s the 1990s cartoon, which many folks love, and rightfully so. It just never grabbed me, what can I tell you. Even when it comes to the Tick comics themselves, I’m a little picky, which I discuss in this Final ’80s Countdown entry on the franchise.
But 2001 live-action Tick series, I’m glad you got even this brief chance at life, and a DVD release to boot. And a DVD of the series is still available for sale, for those of you who are interested! (Yes, purchases from that link give me a piece of the action, just so I’m up front about it.)
One supposes the limited runs of the television shows would preclude some kind of theatrical adaptation…by which I mean “a movie” not like “a Broadway musical” but boy wouldn’t that be the greatest? But a Tick film would be glorious to behold. Especially if they get Patrick Warburton back in the role.
I actually liked the cartoon and live action show about the same!
never saw the newer one.
Jackson Publick, of Venture Brothers fame, was the writer of the first four issues of Karma Tornado, and then he also wrote for the animated series AND the live action series! Quality, talented folks on those shows.
Mike: I agree that Nestor Carbonell was great in both cartoon and the live-action.