Atomic Puppet
Parents say
Based on 1 review
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Atomic Puppet
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Atomic Puppet is a quirky story of a boy and his favorite superhero. They've been best buds since "AP" was transformed into a sock puppet and needed help to reassume his original identity. There's not much surprise to the plot -- various menacing villains take aim at a city and its surroundings and the protagonists must step up to restore peace -- or to the cartoon-style violence that's there. Happily, though, injuries are rare, and language is generally playground talk (calling people "dimwits," for instance). Aware kids will notice the trouble AP's ego invites when he's not cautious, and themes of friendship are subtle but do exist. Note that the show gets plenty of mileage out of body odor and other gross-out topics.
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What's the Story?
ATOMIC PUPPET follows the misadventures of 12-year-old Joey Felt (voiced by Eric Bauza) and his superhero idol, one Captain Atomic (Bauza again), who's now relegated to life as a sock puppet thanks to one of his nemeses. When trouble befalls Mega City, Joey slips Atomic Puppet -- aka AP -- on his hand and the two "power up," assuming super strength and other powers that help them battle the day's visiting villain.
Is It Any Good?
This lighthearted buddy comedy is filled with fast-paced action and humor that's just right for grade-schoolers' liking. AP's larger-than-life personality stands in contradiction to his unremarkable physique. Only Joey sees his true potential in spite of his puppet persona; similarly, AP can only become his true self with Joey's help. Despite their differences, they make a great team for saving their city and have some good things to show about friendship that bridges gaps.
Even so, what will stand out to kids aren't these kinds of messages so much as the kind of exaggerated humor that keeps Atomic Puppet rolling. Much of it is physical -- lots of crashes, smashes, and bumps here -- and there's always the promise of something stinky or otherwise gross on the horizon. In other words, it's probably not one you'll want to take in with your kids, but it's a mostly innocuous pick for the pre-tween crowd.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Joey and AP's friendship in Atomic Puppet. Does each need the other equally, or is one more reliant? How does their friendship benefit both of them?
Why does AP think so highly of himself? Does it cloud his judgment when he's up against an adversary? Where is the line between confidence and vanity? Is an ego necessarily a bad thing?
As superheroes go, how do AP and Joey rank? Would they fare well against a big hitter like Superman or Captain America? What superpower would you most like to have? What makes superheroes good role models?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 1, 2016
- Cast: Eric Bauza, Katie Griffin, Carlos Diaz
- Network: Disney XD
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Superheroes, Adventures, Friendship
- TV rating: TV-Y7
- Last updated: February 26, 2022
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