I just watched the first two episodes of Marvel Super-Hero Squad on Cartoon Network. I had to admit that I was wondering if this kid-friendly show (with cute condensed versions of Hulk, Iron Man, Wolverine, etc) would appeal to a veteran like me. Well, the show had me hooked from the opening scene, which featured Stan Lee as the mayor of Super-Hero City. The second episode had an establishing show with an X-Men pavilion, a SHIELD helicarrier, and the rainbow bridge leading out of the city to a floating Asgard.
If modern comics are know for decompressed storytelling--Marvel Super Hero Squad's episodes are compressed to the nth degree! The second episode had Captain America, Falcon, Iron Man, Hulk, Wolverine, Thor and Hawkeye--tackling Dr. Doom's evil dudes--the Wrecking Crew, Modok, the Abomination, etc. The jokes on this show just keep coming--sometimes in the most bizarre ways! Modok and the Abomination play a video game together. At one point the Hulk jumps off the Helicarrier to join a fight but winds up with a Mexican band--wearing a sombrero. Another scene features the heroes looking for a powerful fractal (the series MacGuffin) in a fountain. The camera pans up and you see the fountain is a statue of Lockjaw, with the water spewing out of his mouth and tongue.
The Hulk provides a lot of comic relief, in his "Hulk smash" persona. One thing I noted in the opening credits--there seems to be a different Hulk joke each time? In the first episode, Hulk changes into baby Hulk. In the second episode credits, he changes into grey Joe Fixit.
The voice talent on this show features well known character actors--check out a list of them here on Valerie's site. The Silver Surfer really sounds like a California beach bum and Thor's dialogue is cornier than ever ("Methinketh that what you thinketh").
Marvel Super-Hero Squad is a must-watch program for Marvel fans, young and old. It's currently on Cartoon Network, Saturdays at 8:30am. Nuff said!
I haven't enjoyed much of Marvel's animation over the years, but they've done a surprisingly good job with adapting their properties for younger audiences. My daughter and I really liked last year's "Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow." When done well, such efforts are great gateway drugs to the joy of comics! We'll have to check out "Marvel Super-Hero Squad."