Parents' Guide to

The Tick

By KJ Dell Antonia, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Superhero spoof works for kids and adults.

TV Toon Disney Kids' Animation 2001
The Tick Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • The Tick TV Show: Scene #1
  • The Tick TV Show: Scene #2
  • The Tick TV Show: Scene #3
  • The Tick TV Show: Scene #4

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Tom C.
Tom C. Adult
August 20, 2016
age 7+

Spoooooon. The Tick Review

The tick is a comedy action pack super hero show that spoof old comic books and there shows e.g. Batman 1960s show. there's a lot of comedy on the show in all types of forms too, from visionally, tongue in cheek and a bit of slap stick in places, plus great thing about this show is that if your a adult too you can find a lot of fun in the show and a lot more if you have read comic books before too.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much violence
Al Jackson
Al Jackson Adult
April 26, 2012
age 11+

2nd best Disney cartoon next to Kim Possible.

I remember seeing this years ago.It was really funny and had GREAT animation!
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

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.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (6 ):

It's the quirky, offbeat humor that makes this show 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 in The Tick and may find the action frightening -- although in the end everyone walks, parachutes, or swims away unhurt.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the normal superhero conventions that The Tick mocks and how those conventions have created a genre that the series can so easily subvert.

  • Families can also discuss the perils of being a superhero -- or having one around the house -- as well as the moral quandaries that superhero-dom can raise. If you break a wall trying to save the day, do you have to rebuild it afterward? When is it OK to use your X-ray vision? Are there times when it would be nice just to be normal instead?

  • How do the characters on The Tick demonstrate courage and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?

TV Details

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