Atomic Puppet

Name: Atomic Puppet
Item: Atomic Puppet
Rating: 3
Author: Emily Ashby

TV review by

Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 7+

(i)

Superhero duo battles villains in quirky animated series.

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

Educational Value

The show intends to entertain rather than educate.

Positive Messages

This buddy comedy centers on an unusual duo, but their friendship and superhero partnering is fun to see nonetheless. Gross-out humor is common, including body odor, gas, and vomit. Villains often trick Joey by playing to his naivety and dishonesty. In the end, though, these heroes always make public safety a priority.

Positive Role Models & Representations

AP's egotism leads to his impulsivity, which often spells trouble for him and his partner. That said, he really does want to do the right thing by the public and shoulders the burden for taking down the villains. Joey gets swept up in the coolness of being a superhero and the sidekick to his idol, causing him to make some questionable choices in the moment, but ultimately he means well.

Violence & Scariness

Some scary and menacing creatures, many oversized. Kicking, punching, electric shocks, and other cartoon violence without consequence.

Sexy Stuff

Language

Some name-calling such as "dimwits." Also "butt."

Consumerism

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

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?