Watch The Tick 2016
- TV-MA
- 2016
- 2 Seasons
-
7.4 (20,204)
The Tick is an Amazon Studios original series based on the classic comic book character created by Ben Edlund. The show premiered in 2016 and ran for two seasons, ending in 2019. It stars Peter Serafinowicz as the titular character, a superhero with unusual abilities and questionable sanity. Griffin Newman plays his sidekick, Arthur, an accountant with a tragic past who becomes entangled in The Tick's bizarre world. Valorie Curry plays Dot, Arthur's sister, who tries to keep him grounded in reality.
The series begins with Arthur, a mild-mannered accountant, discovering evidence of a conspiracy involving a supervillain named The Terror (Jackie Earle Haley). When Arthur's attempts to bring the conspiracy to light are met with ridicule and disbelief, he becomes obsessed with finding proof that The Terror is real. Along the way, he meets The Tick, a blue-suited superhero who claims to be a nigh-invulnerable warrior of justice. At first, Arthur is incredulous, but as he witnesses The Tick's bizarre abilities and heroic deeds, he begins to believe.
Despite his seemingly unlimited strength and durability, The Tick is not the most stable of heroes. He speaks in a deep, booming voice and often babbles incoherently about his purpose and destiny. His backstory is shrouded in mystery, and he seems to have no memory of his past. Nevertheless, he is devoted to fighting evil, even if he is not always sure what that entails.
Arthur, by contrast, is a fragile and traumatized figure. He suffered a tragedy as a child that left him with a deep fear of danger and a compulsion to plan for every contingency. He wears a moth-themed suit of armor that he designed himself, complete with gadgets and weapons, but he is not a fighter by nature. Instead, he uses his intelligence and resourcefulness to try to outthink his enemies.
As the series progresses, The Tick and Arthur become more deeply embroiled in the conspiracy that Arthur uncovered. They encounter a variety of oddball characters, including a humanoid dog named Overkill (Scott Speiser), an alien named Lobstercules (Alan Tudyk), and a government agent named Dangerboat (voiced by Alan Rachins). They also confront threats ranging from cackling supervillains to shadowy government organizations.
One of the most striking aspects of The Tick is its offbeat humor. The show never takes itself too seriously, and it's not afraid to indulge in absurdity or satire. The Tick's dialogue is filled with over-the-top pronouncements and malapropisms, and his fights often involve slapstick and cartoonish violence. The supporting cast is equally quirky, with characters like Dot having their own eccentricities and quirks.
Despite its lighthearted tone, The Tick also has moments of darkness and tragedy. Arthur's past trauma affects him deeply, and the series explores the toll that being a hero can take on one's mental health. The show also touches on social and political issues, such as the dangers of unchecked capitalism and the relationship between power and responsibility.
Overall, The Tick is a fun and inventive take on the superhero genre. It balances humor and action with surprising depth, and it has a cast of characters that are both memorable and endearing. Although it only lasted for two seasons, it has gained a devoted fanbase and is well worth checking out for anyone looking for a fresh and irreverent superhero series.