Fantastic Four (Cartoon Network)

FANTASTIC FOUR follows the superheroic efforts of four friends and family members to rid the world of evil. When scientist Richard Reed flew his inadequately shielded space ship through cosmic rays, he had no idea of the lasting effects that were in store for him and his wife, brother-in-law, and friend. In no time, the four developed extraordinary abilities, adopted new names, and took it upon themselves to protect Earth from enemies of all kinds. Richard's new abilities allow him to stretch to great lengths, so he dubs himself Mr. Fantastic (voiced by Hiro Kanagawa). His wife, Susan Storm -- The Invisible Woman (Lara Gilchrist) -- can disappear and create protective shields around her friends. Her brother, Johnny, is known as The Human Torch (Christopher Jacot) and uses his body to generate flames that propel him into the air. But it's Richard's buddy, Ben Grimm, who suffers the most noticeable changes from the accident, which leaves him massive, muscular, and covered with the rough, orange skin that inspires his alias -- The Thing (Brian Dobson).

Fantastic Four -- which is based on comic book characters originally introduced in the 1960s by Marvel -- follows the well-cut groove of most superhero cartoons: There's a rotating cast of enemies, the good guys always win, and although the teammates' personality differences often lead to bickering, viewers get (repetitive) lessons in teamwork and responsibility.

The show's relatively high level of violence puts it on the older end of the superhero spectrum. Parents may want to preview a few episodes before deciding whether their kids are ready for the violence, frightening characters, and sometimes-questionable behavior that make Fantastic Four an iffy choice for the littlest viewers.