Animated Superheroes

X-Men: Series 2 Trading Cards

2010-03-10T15:24:00.000-08:00

It's been a slow news week, so I decided to take a look in the Animated Superhero Archives and see what was there!

Who remembers these ten trading cards that were part of the X-Men: Series 2 trading card set? They were released in 1993 by Sky Box, shortly after the cartoon first aired on Fox Kids. All ten of the cards feature stills and briefly relate the plot of Night of the Sentinels.

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Where Strides the Behemoth

2010-03-09T14:54:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 4b
Season Episode Number: 4b
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: Paul Soles (Bruce Banner), Max Ferguson (Hulk), Paul Kligman (General "Thunderbolt" Ross), John Vernon (Major Talbot), Bernard Cowan (Narrator), (Tank Driver), (Kanda Khan), (Bandit), (Hakun Gantu).

Plot: The Hulk escapes his captors and travels a great distance to be alone, but once he calms down and turns back into Bruce Banner, he finds himself kidnapped by bandits!

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): More Hulk smashing action, this time from Tales to Astonish #67, is thrown our way as we get to see the Hulk take one a whole army!

There is not too much to this story, Hulk smashes his way to freedom, reverts to Banner, gets kidnapped again. The constant kidnapping is a familiar story in these early Hulk adventures. Since the Hulk's main character trait is his brute strength, Stan Lee often put Banner in situations that he couldn't escape from in order to make the Hulk necessary.

The pacing of this chapter is really good. While some tend to rush things in order to reach the next cliffhanger by the six minute mark, while others stretch things out due to not enough content.

But this episode took it's time telling the story, which is good because we want to see Hulk smash as much as he can, and didn't waste anytime moving on to the next dilemma.

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The Power of Doctor Banner!

2010-03-09T14:49:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 4a
Season Episode Number: 4a
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: Paul Soles (Bruce Banner), Max Ferguson (Hulk), Peg Dixon (Betty Ross), (Paul Kligman (General "Thunderbolt" Ross), John Vernon (Major Talbot), Bernard Cowan (Narrator), (Communist Military Commander).

Plot: Bruce Banner has been kidnapped and is suspected of treason by General "Thunderbolt" Ross. Bruce must unleash the power of the Hulk in order to escape.

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): Continuing from the last episode, Bruce must face charges of treason. The original issue, Tales to Astonish #66, has Bruce called a communist several times, but those adapting the story for this episode felt that they should leave that out.

Another thing that was left out is a sub-plot about the Leader. In the previous episode, the Leader was pulling the strings and was in contact with the Russian ship's captain. But there is no mention of that anywhere in the episode. He just sort of disappeared.

This storyline wraps up in the third chapter, but the story in the comics continues and the Leader comes back to play a major role in the story once again.

This episode is full of Hulk smashing action, exactly how we love out Hulk cartoons!

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When You Lie Down With Dogs

2010-03-08T22:40:00.001-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 4c
Season Episode Number: 4c
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: Arthur Pierce (Captain America), Bernard Cowan (Bucky Barnes, Narrator), (Dr. Cedric Rawlings), (Celia Rawlings), (Major Uberhart), (Soldier).

Plot: Captain America and Bucky must find a way to stop Dr. Rawlings from setting off his deadly rocket, and save Cap's Ranger Unit who have been ambushed by the enemy!

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): Finishing up this storyarc, Grantray-Lawrence Animation brings us a faithful adaptation of Tales of Suspense #71 with some stellar action sequences that are very welcome after a few ho-hum chapters.

But the highlight of this chapter, and the episode is the death of Cecilia Rawlings. Even with its limited animation, this scene is well-written and full of a whole range of emotions on the part of Celia's brother, Cedric.

It is the dynamic artwork from George Tuska and the solid voice work by people who remain unknown that bring out the passion of this scene. Not as good as something you'd see in today's cartoons, but definitely a highlight of this 1966 series.

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If This Be Treason!

2010-03-08T22:40:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 4b
Season Episode Number: 4b
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: Arthur Pierce (Captain America), Bernard Cowan (Narrator), (Sergeant Duffy), (Dr. Cedric Rawlings), (Celia Rawlings), (Major Uberhart), (Nazi Pilot), (Soldier).

Plot: While attempting to rescue Bucky, Captain America falls into a trap.

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): While Jack Kirby still provides the layouts for Tales of Suspense #70, it's George Tuska who takes over penciling duties. Tuska's artwork really shines through in this episode with many great background and sets and excellent use of shadows. He does people really well too, and I especially like how he draws Dr. Rawlings.

As for the episode, it is a bit ho-hum. There is plot exposition here and there, but most of the episode consists of Cap performing one great feat after the next.

You'd think that would be a recipe for success for any action adventure show, but a lot of the action falls flat due to the very limited animation.

The next chapter, however, is a different story, so keep watching!

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Midnight in Greymoor Castle!

2010-03-08T22:37:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 4a
Season Episode Number: 4a
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: Arthur Pierce (Captain America), Bernard Cowan (Bucky Barnes, Narrator), (Sergeant Duffy), (Dr. Cedric Rawlings), (Celia Rawlings), (Saboteur), (Servant), (Nazi Officer).

Plot: Bucky is kidnapped and taken to Greymoor Castle where he will be experimented on by the evil Dr. Rawlings.

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): This Captain America tale, found in Tales of Suspense #69, takes us back to WWII, another clue that the episode order that I am following is not correct. Last episode, Cap was in the present reminiscing about his dead partner, Bucky Barnes, and now here he is, alive and well!

This is not a real problem. Just be aware that if you are watching these episodes, I think this one should be episode three.

Other than that, we have a fun Captain America adventure with some great art from Jack Kirby. My favourite scene is the dismembered arm (pictured to the left) 'bopping' Bucky on the head! Somehow, I don't think that is exactly what Kirby had in mind when he drew that panel.

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Weekend Round-Up - March 5-7

2010-03-05T18:01:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of new superhero cartoons debuting this weekend in the US:

Sorry, nothing new this week!

Please note:

Batman: The Brave and the Bold will return March 26 with new episodes.

Here is a list of new superhero cartoons debuting this weekend in the Canada:

Sunday, March 7, 2010
Teletoon, 12:00pm (ET/PT)
Iron Man: Armored Adventures - Don't Worry, Be Happy

Tony finally convinces Rhodey to take the Iron Man armor out for a spin, with disastrous results. Rhodey is terrible at flying and abandons the armor, only to have the worst person on Earth find it – Happy Hogan.

Please Note:

Super Hero Squad Show will return soon with new episodes.

Still no word on the second season premiere of Batman: The Brave and the Bold

The End of the Quest

2010-03-05T10:29:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 3c
Season Episode Number: 3c
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: John Vernon (Namor), Peg Dixon (Lady Dorma), Bernard Cowan (Narrator, Lord Vashti), (Krang), (Robot Tank Driver), (Neptune).

Plot: Namor must save Lady Dorma from the Faceless Ones, but that would mean giving up his quest for Neptune's trident and the throne of Atlantis!

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): This chapter moves at an alarmingly quick pace, covering all the material in Tales to Astonish #74, #75 and half of #76! I really don't understand why the first chapter of this episode was so slow, but this one moves at lightning fast speed! Spreading the content out between the three chapter more evenly would have helped a great deal.

I have really enjoyed Namor's quest for Neptune's trident as it has taken him out of his role as ruler and advocate, simply making him an adventurer. I hope that Namor won't get back into his larger-than-life ego and need to rid the surface world of humans too quickly, but some how I doubt it.

I'm also guessing that we haven't seen the end of Lord Krang. I have no idea who is in Namor's rogues gallery, but Krang is a shoe-in to be at the top of the list.

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When Fails the Quest

2010-03-05T10:25:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 3b
Season Episode Number: 3b
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: John Vernon (Namor), Peg Dixon (Lady Dorma), Bernard Cowan (Narrator), (Krang), (Zantor), (Demon of the Diamonds), (Neptune), (Rebels), (Electric Eels).

Plot: Lady Dorma prepares to meet her fate at the hands of the Faceless Ones while Namor tries to resist the enchantment of the Diamonds of Doom.

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): The pace picks up quite a bit in this chapter and covers the rest of Tales to Astonish #72 plus all of #73. A lot happens in this chapter, including Lady Dorma trapped in the Dome of Doom and Prince Namor trapped by the Diamonds of Doom! That's a lot of doom in one six-minute chapter!

I have to say that I really enjoy this less angsty, more adventurous Sub-Mariner. One of the main reasons that I have not been a fan of the character is because his brooding, angry, stubborn attitude makes me hate him.

But all throughout this quest Namor has been a lot of fun! He has been a thrill-seeker, a problem solver and a just ruler! I hope this Namor is retained throughout the series.

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Not All My Power Can Save Me!

2010-03-05T10:22:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 3a
Season Episode Number: 3a
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: John Vernon (Namor), Peg Dixon (Lady Dorma), Bernard Cowan (Narrator), (Krang), (Atlantian).

Plot: In his quest for Neptune's trident, Namor must seek the Diamonds of Doom. Meanwhile, Krang attempts to make Lady Dorma his Queen to win over the affection of the Atlantian people.

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): This episode is a continuation of the previous episode, but spends too much of its time talking. This chapter only covers six pages of Tales to Astonish #72, one of which is a splashpage.

Most of the episode is dialogue, mainly revolving around Lady Dorma. This bogged down this chapter quite a bit as most of the images we still for several seconds each save moving lips.

I'm sure they could have found a way to cut down on talking and move forward with the story a bit more. The next two chapters move at a much quicker pace, and spreading out the content between the three chapters shouldn't have been a hard thing to do, and I'm not sure why they didn't.

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Battle of the Gods

2010-03-04T23:08:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 3
Season Episode Number: 3cc
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: Chris Wiggins (Thor), Peg Dixon (Jane Foster), Bernard Cowan (Narrator, Odin), Len Carlson (Loki), (Balder), (Skagg).

Plot: Loki unleashes two ancient monsters to attack Thor and Odin on Earth.

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): Odin is one of those characters that you know is super powerful, but you rarely ever get to see it. Then once in a while there is an event that forces him to get off of his throne and kick some butt, which he usually does no problem. This chapter contains one of those moments.

First order of business, teleport every human being to another dimension so they won't witness the battle of the gods!

Second, have the sea swallow Skagg and take away his evil power using a sword!

Third, place a protective force shield over the city to protect it from Surtur!

Fourth, trap Sutur in a magnetic pull on an asteroid deep in outer space for all eternity!

Pretty amazing stuff! Yet, with all his power, Odin is still not able to make Thor not love Jane Foster. And he is also not able to keep a consistent helmet and costume. The sudden costume changes between scenes were seriously bad in this chapter.

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Giants Walk the Earth

2010-03-04T23:06:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 3b
Season Episode Number: 3b
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: Chris Wiggins (Thor), Peg Dixon (Jane Foster), Len Carlson (Loki), Bernard Cowan (Narrator, Odin), (Enchantress), (Mugger).

Plot: The Executioner demands Thor's hammer for the life of Jane Foster! Plus, Loki tricks Odin into going to Earth and leaving him in charge!

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): Chapter two combines the last half of Journey Into Mystery #103 and the first half of Journey Into Mystery #104 and includes one of the most baffling moments in this history of comic books!

Odin, in all his wisdom, asks Loki for advice, and does what he says! Are you serious, Odin? Wasn't this the guy that you chained to a tree for all eternity? And not only do you follow Loki's advice and take a short vacation to Earth, but YOU LEAVE HIM IN CHARGE OF ASGARD WHILE YOU'RE GONE?!

Something is seriously wrong with this picture, important for the plot of the story, but totally out of character for Odin. But then, this is the 60s and characters had not been fully developed at this point.

Another thing that hadn't been fully developed is the consistency of Odin's helmet. I think I count about three different helmets that Odin wears in this one chapter. The funny thing is, there is even one scene where the artist adds wings to the Jack Kirby drawing to make it look more like one of the other helmets, but they don't do it for every scene. It is very distracting from the episode, but also very amusing.

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Enchantress and the Executioner

2010-03-04T22:53:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 3a
Season Episode Number: 3a
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: Chris Wiggins (Thor), Bernard Cowan (Narrator, Odin), Len Carlson (Loki), Peg Dixon (Jane Foster), (Enchantress), (Executioner), (Commissioner).

Plot: Loki enlists the Enchantress to seduce Thor, but when she fails, the Enchantress enlists the Executioner to kill Jane Foster!

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): Paul Soles, the voice of Bruce Banner in this series and Spider-Man in his 1967 series has said that Peg Dixon voices almost all of the females in this series. While I would like some firm confirmation that Dixon is the voice of Enchantress, I believe that it is her. Although, you could swear you are listening to two different people when Enchantress and Jane Foster are in the same scene!

This story is taken from Journey Into Mystery #103 in which Odin wears a stupefying helmet that causes him to do stupid things, like asking Loki for way to get Thor's mind off of Jane Foster.

Loki jumps at the chance to try to destroy Thor and enlists the help of the Enchantress who enlists the help of the Executioner. This is the comic book and animation debut for both of these characters.

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Avengers Coming to Disney XD This Fall!

2010-03-03T22:44:00.000-08:00

Disney Channels Worldwide has released some information about its 2010-2011 slate of programming for Disney Channel and Disney XD. While most of it is stuff we don't care about at Animated Superheroes, here is one item that is definitely worth mentioning:

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (52 episodes) - a new Tween 9-14-targeted series produced by Marvel Animation for Disney XD and DisneyXD.com that will premiere fall 2010. The series stars Marvel heroes Iron Man, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, Giant Man and Wasp, who together form the Avengers. The series will be supported by a 20-part "micro-series" that will explore the back-story of each character and will rollout this fall followed by the series. After its US debut the series will then makes its way around the world.

The 20-part "micro series" intrigues me the most (hence the bolding)! Not only do we get 52 episodes of Avengers but we also get more content leading up to the series premiere! I like the way this is going!

Iron Man: Armored Adventures Second Season is Now Official!

2010-03-03T22:35:00.000-08:00

DQE [DQ Entertainment (International) Limited("DQE")], the animation, gaming, live-action entertainment Production and Distribution Company, in collaboration with their co-production partners Marvel Animation and Method Animation, are pleased to announce they will co-produce 26 all-new episodes for a second season of the popular animated series Iron Man: Armored Adventures.

Wow, that is quite the run-on sentence! But it speaks the truth! A press release has been issued, formally announcing the second season of Iron Man: Armored Adventures!

Tapaas Chakravarti, Chairman & CEO of DQE said, "This Marvel Super Hero - Iron Man - has emerged as one of the most popular Super Heroes of our time. Season 2 of this animated TV series will take Iron Man fans on a very different visual trip of high-action sequences produced in high-end CGI. We're extremely proud of this project, and look forward to adding further momentum to our relationship with Marvel Animation and Method Animation."

Aton Soumache, Chairman & CEO of Method Animation stated, "We are very proud to renew our fruitful collaboration with Marvel Animation and DQE for Iron Man: Armored Adventures season 2. These new adventures will provide even more stunning visual effects and entertainment for the delight of all Iron Man fans."

In other Iron Man: Armored Adventures news, a press release announcing the The Complete Season One on DVD has also been issued. The four-disc set will include all 26 episode as well as storyboards, original sketches of characters, vehicles and more! The box set will be released on May 4.

Crescendo

2010-03-03T15:04:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 3c
Season Episode Number: 3c
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: John Vernon (Iron Man), Bernard Cowan (Mandarin, Narrator), (Senator), (Chinese Guard 1), (Chinese Guard 2).

Plot: Iron Man must figure out a way to destroy the seemingly indestructible Ultimo before the Mandarin uses him to take over the entire planet!

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): For Tales of Suspense #78, Gene Colan drops his Adam Austin alter ego and allows himself to be credited under his own name. Colan's art is remarkable. Full of detail, dynamic staging and composition, it is no wonder he is considered a master of comic art. His style is not what you would usually see in the 60s, but rather similar to comic book art of the 70s. Colan was ahead of his time.

Lucky for us his art gets translated to the animated world of The Invincible Iron Man!

This chapter wraps up a very exciting episode, better than the two that proceeded it. This may be that Stan Lee has found his groove and now knows how to write Iron Man, or it could be that it was better because that Mandarin wasn't as in your face as he was in the last episode. Either way, this episode was a lot of fun.

The ending is a bit different. The whole Senator sub-plot in this episode actually carries on in future issues of the comic book, but the cartoon puts an end to it right away, so that the characters end the episode exactly how they began. This means that there will be no continuity problems should these episodes ever be aired out of order.

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Ultimo Lives!

2010-03-03T15:03:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 3b
Season Episode Number: 3b
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: John Vernon (Iron Man), Bernard Cowan (Mandarin, Narrator), (Senator), (Reporter).

Plot: Tony attempts to retrieve his Iron Man armour in order to stop the gigantic Ultimo who is being controlled by the Mandarin!

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): This chapter is one of my favourites so far. The animators at Grantray-Lawrence found many creative ways to use make the comic panels move with very limited animation. But this is mostly due to the excellent layouts and script work by Adam Austin (aka Gene Colan) and Stan Lee. The story is just plain fun.

The use of Tony's chest plate as a shield against Mandarin's rings was a good move. I was wondering how Tony was going to get out of that!

This chapter contains the first bit of 'real' animation in the series. The animators created a walk cycle for Ultimo that they use a couple of times in this chapter and the next. It's simple and a bit crude, but I applaud them for stepping it up and fully animating it, even if it is only one little scene.

This episode is taken from Tales of Suspense #77.

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Ultimo

2010-03-03T14:37:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 3a
Season Episode Number: 3a
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: John Vernon (Iron Man), Peg Dixon (Pepper Potts), Bernard Cowan (Narrator), (Mandarin), (Senator), (General Yen),

Plot: Unable to locate Iron Man, the Mandarin kidnaps Tony Stark and uses him as bait to draw out the Golden Avenger. The Mandarin uses his rings to free Ultimo from his volcano prison.

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): This episode is taken from Tales of Suspense #76 and it features the Mandarin (again) and the first appearance of Ultimo! By this time, Don Heck had move onto penciling Avengers, and Adam Austin (also known as Gene Colan) took over the Iron Man segment of Tales of Suspense.

Colan's art is very different from Heck and Kirby. His use of shadows and dramatic staging bring out a much darker tone for the comics, which has been translated into this episode.

The story remains intact, but Pepper Potts' internal monologue in the first part of the story has been removed. In this dialogue, Pepper questions why she every loved Tony Stark. The Marvel Super Heroes is pretty light on character development, so it is no surprise that they didn't include this dialogue.

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On the Rampage!

2010-03-02T18:03:00.001-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 3
Season Episode Number: 3
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: Paul Soles (Bruce Banner), Max Ferguson (Hulk), John Vernon (Major Talbot), Gillie Fenwick (The Leader), Bernard Cowan (Narrator), (Soldier), (Russian Pilot), (Russian Sailor), (Russian Colonel).

Plot: The battle between the Hulk and the Humanoids goes under water. The Hulk transforms back into Bruce Banner and he is picked up by a passing Russian ship.

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): We've already seen references to Nazi Germany erased from the Captain America segments, and now the references to Russians being the 'enemy' have been removed from this one (although their accents are still there). The original comic book title to this story is On the Rampage Against the Reds!

There is one scene in this chapter that is fully animated. It is of the Hulk swimming through the ocean. This is the first completely new, fully animated scene in this series. While the animation is a bit crude, I hope to see the animation team getting a little more bold with their animation in future episode.

The Hulk's rogues gallery isn't very large, but the Leader is definitely in there. He is the first legitimate villain we have seen in this series and he'll be back in a future episode, but we won't see very many of the Hulk's other foes. Keep in mind that this is the 60s. Many of the Hulk's villains hadn't been created yet!

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The Horde of the Humanoids!

2010-03-02T17:58:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 3b
Season Episode Number: 3b
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: Paul Soles (Bruce Banner), Max Ferguson (Hulk), Paul Kilgman (General "Thunderbolt" Ross), John Vernon (Major Talbot), Gillie Fenwick (The Leader), Bernard Cowan (Narrator), (Soldier), (Chameleon).

Plot: In another attempt to steal the nuclear absorbatron designed by Bruce Banner, the Leader sends a horde of Humanoids to do the job. Can the Hulk defeat an army of enemies that cannot be hurt?

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): The Chameleon, normally a Spider-Man villain, makes a one scene cameo appearance in this chapter! This chapter is an adaptation of Tales to Astonish #64, but what viewers don't know is that in TTA #62 the Chameleon tries to defeat the Hulk but fails. At the end of that issue, the Chameleon is revealed to be the first agent sent by the Leader to destroy the Hulk, the Humanoids seen in this episode are the second agents. This explains the Chameleon's blink-or-you'll-miss-it cameo.

There is a subplot in this issue about Rick Jones explaining everything about the Hulk and Bruce Banner to the President that was left out of this chapter, probably for time constraints.

Rick told the President everything about the gamma bomb and the Hulk, but the President tells Rick to keep it a secret because it would alarm the public. It's sort of a funny scene, but not necessary.

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A Titan Rides a Train!

2010-03-02T17:34:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 3a
Season Episode Number: 3a
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: Paul Soles (Bruce Banner), Max Ferguson (Hulk), Paul Kilgman (General "Thunderbolt" Ross), John Vernon (Major Talbot), Gillie Fenwick (The Leader), Bernard Cowan (Narrator).

Plot: The Leader sends a Humanoid to retrieve a nuclear absorbatron that is on a train also carrying Bruce Banner.

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): Rather than carrying on adapting issues of Incredible Hulk, the team at Grantray-Lawrence Animation decide to take on the story from Tales to Astonish #63, featuring the first appearance of The Leader, one the Hulk's many gamma-irradiated arch-enemies!

This episode features the art of Steve Ditko who was penciling the Hulk stories in Tales to Astonish at the time.

There is a continuity problem in this episode as the Hulk clearly transforms during the day, and Bruce Banner clearly told us in the last episode that he turns into the Hulk at night! Oh well, I like that Bruce can turn into the Hulk at any given moment.

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So Dies a Villain

2010-03-01T08:24:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 3c
Season Episode Number: 3c
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: Arthur Pierce (Captain America), Bernard Cowan (Narrator), Paul Soles (Rick Jones), Gillie Fenwick (Baron Zemo).

Plot: In the jungles of South America, Captain America must find a way to rescue Rick Jones and take down Baron Zemo!

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): The Baron Zemo seen in this episode is the original Baron Heinrich Zemo, first seen in Avengers #4 and who dies in Avengers #15, an event that happens in this chapter. Baron Zemo will reappear in a future episode of Captain America, so it will be interesting to see how they bring him back to life.

Just like they did with the Red Skull, Grantray-Lawrence Animation has erased all ties that Zemo had with the Nazis in WWII. Yes, he still has a German accent, but he is simply a super-villain and nothing more.

The chapter really doesn't have much a plot, it is just on big gun battle. In fact, there is a lot of this 'padding' throughout the three chapters that make up this story. While this is a cheap way to stretch out a story that isn't long enough, it does force the studio to animate more characters. You may be surprised to see some actual animation in this episode that is more than just moving an arm or lips. Rick Jones jumps up and swings on a tree bough in a fully animated scene. I wonder how much that one scene cost?

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The Trap is Sprung

2010-03-01T08:23:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 3b
Season Episode Number: 3b
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: Arthur Pierce (Captain America), Bernard Cowan (Narrator), Paul Soles (Rick Jones), Gillie Fenwick (Baron Zemo), (Pilot), (Zemo's Agent).

Plot: Captain America attempts to rescue Rick Jones from the clutches of the evil Baron Zemo.

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): Rather than directly adapting one issue of a comic for this episode, Grantray-Lawrence Animation has cobbled together their own, all-new story, made up of scenes from Avengers #7 and Avengers #15.

In both issues, Cap goes off on his own adventure, apart from his Avenger buddies, which makes it much simpler for the studio to create their own Cap solo adventure.

The art in Avengers #7 is by Jack Kirby, but Avengers #15 is provided by Don Heck, so there is a bit of inconsistency in the drawings, but this is mostly unnoticeable since the characters of off-model a lot of the time anyway.

I would have loved to see Grantray-Lawrence create some more of their own stories for this series. The adventures they created in Spider-Man were excellent and I can only image what they would have done with these character had they only been given a bigger budget.

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The Revenge of Captain America

2010-03-01T08:17:00.000-08:00

Season: 1
Episode Number: 3a
Season Episode Number: 3a
Production Number:
Airdate:

Writer:
Director:

Voices: Arthur Pierce (Captain America), Bernard Cowan (Narrator), Paul Soles (Rick Jones), Gillie Fenwick (Baron Zemo), (Sparring Partners), (Zemo's Agent).

Plot: Baron Zemo, Captain America's old WWII enemy, has revealed himself to be alive And has kidnapped Rick Jones to use as bait.

Review (Warning! Spoilers!): According to many episode guides found around the internet, this is episode three. But it feels like it should be more like episode five as there are some glaring continuity problems. The events in this chapter are taken from Avengers #7 when Captain America has been revived in the present day and has joined the Avengers. While this writer of this chapter takes only the Cap storyline and forgets about the Avengers, Cap still makes reference to his long dead partner, Bucky, whom we saw in the last episode!

Also, Rick Jones, who never existed in the WWII days, is lobbying to be Cap's modern day sidekick, and Baron Zemo, thought to have died in WWI, reveals himself to be alive.

The episode sort of makes up its own story, forgetting the other villains that appear in Avengers #7, Enchantress and Executioner. In fact, Zemo's unnamed "agent" is actually Executioner in disguise in the comics, but this was ignored for the sake of making this episode a Zemo-only story.

Keep and eye on the Agent's monocle. It switches eyes often due to the artists simply flipping the image rather than redrawing it.

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Thor Concept Art Mix-Up

2010-02-26T15:37:00.000-08:00

Some of you may have seen this image floating around the internet over the last few days. Thought to be some concept art for the upcoming live-action Thor movie, it is actually some art unknowingly created for a Thor animated production.

Comic book artist Dan Panosian posted this story along with the picture on this DeviantArt page:

Want to a funny story that will bring a tear to your eye?

Of course you do. You're still reading this. So I get a call from an Art Director friend of mine on Saturday as I was preparing to get my place ready for the Fedor/Arlovski fight. He asked me if I could submit a last minute design for the Thor movie that Marvel is doing.

Over course I was thrilled. They needed it Monday morning. Fine, whatever! They could of needed it in a few hours and I would of complied. It's Thor! Hell, I did design work for [link] Superhero, the Movie - I was waiting for a REAL superhero movie to come along!

Anyway, I factored in a few things. Like creating a suit that could successfully pad an actor and give him some heroic bulk, etc. I also knew that the colors had to be a bit more subdued than the Kirby comic book. And sadly, I had to come up with something that wouldn't look ridiculous on. A tall order.

So, I did what I could and enjoyed every minute of it. I managed about 65% of what I envisioned. Generally that's a decent success when it comes to applying your vision to paper.

I even incorporated the marks on Thor's plates into his logo...

Here's the sad part. I turned it in and that's when the AD mentioned it was a design for the ANIMATED movie. I just assumed it was for the Live Action film I've heard buzz about... Clearly I need to learn to ask more questions...! Assumption is the mother of all... what's the word I'm looking for? ;)

Hell, at least I got to design a Thor costume, right?

Does this mean there is a new animated Thor project in the works? I'd say probably not. According to the DeviantArt page, this picture was posted in January 2009. Based on that timing, the animated movie that was mentioned is probably Thor: Tales of Asgard which was early in production at the time.

If you want to have a look at some actual Tales of Asgard concept art, check out the DeviantArt page of Phil Bourassa. Along with these character designs, Bourassa also worked on Planet Hulk and designed the cover for Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths.