The Tick (Toon Disney)

THE TICK is an irreverent, spoofy take on superhero-dom -- something along the lines of the '60s' live-action Batman. Kids will take the action seriously and may just see The Tick (voiced by Townsend Coleman) as a bumbling superhero, but a hero all the same. Unless they're both sophisticated and unusually versed in superhero lore, much of the humor will sail right over their heads. The Tick, who provides his own narration, is a bit of a problem to have around, thanks to his superhuman strength, general obliviousness, and propensity for crashing through buildings. His sidekick, Arthur (Micky Dolenz) -- a plump former accountant who looks like Harvey Pekar in a skintight moth costume -- puts up with it all in the name of being part of the action and frequently enjoys his own triumphs.

Its quirky, offbeat humor is what makes The Tick such a pleasure (and something of a cult favorite) for teens and adults. It's fun viewing for early grade-schoolers and up. Kids younger than that won't get the large majority of the jokes and may find the action frightening -- although in the end everyone walks, parachutes, or swims away unhurt.