The Tick: The Entire Series!

There are 2 releases of this show on DVD. One release has 1 disc and the other contains 2 discs. The 2 disc release (which I have) has commentary with Ben Edlund on some episodes. Both releases are fine, but I would spend the extra money and get the 2 disc version if you can and it's not too expensive.

I really liked the show and have watched the dvd a lot. I am disappointed the show didn't last longer. I'd buy ALL the episodes if they had more.

I loved this TV series and miss it . Although it was crazy different it made you laugh and think sometimes at the same time.

This is a show for lovers of absurd humor. Take note Monty Python fans, listen up followers of Red Dwarf, etc. It is in no way meant to be taken seriously. Which is unfortunately what probably led to it's short life. The network just couldn't take it seriously. And you have to understand, really. Any program that goes around airing lines like, "Destiny dressed you this morning, Arthur, and now FEAR is trying to take off your pants!" doesn't really cut it in the "for your serious consideration" category.Which is a cryin' shame, because we could ALL use a LOT more absurd humor in our lives! The comic character of the Tick was created by Ben Edlund. He established a theme of absurdity and ludicrous irreverence that makes you want to quote the comic, cartoon and tv show with a repetiveness that would annoy a three year old! The television show stayed true to the themes, even if some of the characters had to be changed. I thought nothing could be funnier than the pretentiousness of Die Fledermaus, until I saw Batmanuel (played with absolute perfection by Nestor Carbonell).Basically, it comes down to: is this your kind of thing? If it is, and you're holding out because you're afraid it won't compare to the comic book or cartoon, GET IT! It's another incarnation of this hilarious group of characters and does NOT fail to deliver! C'mon, the moist hand of Destiny is at your back, and she's pushing!

I can't think of one good reason why this show was cancelled ... I guess it was just too funny and clever for mainstream viewers or stuffy advertisers. I can't compare this to the Tick cartoon, as I never saw it, but this version with live actors is very smart and very funny. Whoever was in charge of casting did a 100% right-on job with their choices. Patrick Warburton (you may remember him as David Putty on Seinfeld) is PERFECT -- he delivers some of the wackiest, off-the-wall remarks in his deep, dead-pan voice. It's worth the price of the DVD just to see him deliver the eulogy at another super hero's funeral, where he talks about how death happens to everybody, not just dead people; death even happens to horses and potatoes (episode "The Funeral" on disk two). It's so sad that there are only 9 episodes, but I'm thankful they're available on DVD. "The Tick" is one of a handful of smart, funny shows that got axed way too soon (Andy Richter Controls the Universe, and The Job are two other such shows) ... at least The Tick is out on DVD, unlike Andy and The Job. I recommend The Tick to anyone who likes off-the-wall humor. Why crap like Friends and Raymond can be on the air season after season, and true gems like The Tick get cancelled after less than one season, I will never understand!

You probably don't have to be a fan of comics or comic books to enjoy "The Tick" but it probably wouldn't hurt. A great deal of the Tick's dialog is very cleverly written parody of standard superhero talk from the 1950s through the 1970s (when superheroes were more earnest and genuine rather than dark and "cool").The basic premise of the Tick is a parody of the Justice League and other groups of superheroes who seem to work together in the same location. After protecting a bus stop and concluding (with a little help from those who work at the bus stop) that his work there is done, the Tick heads for "the City" where a variety of other superheroes live and work. He soon meets Arthur, a former accountant destined to be his sidekick.Patrick Warburton plays the Tick perfectly as big, dumb and wholesomely dedicated to exterminating all evil. He's beyond clueless but is able to deliver stirring monologues on the pursuit of justice - well, they are stirring to him, confusing to his cohorts and funny for the viewer. It's the delivery and juxtaposition of these monologues that is often the root of the most effective humor in the show.David Burke takes on the task of playing the straight man (Arthur) who functions not only as a sidekick but also as a psuedo-guardian of the homeless, penniless, and almost amnesiac (at times) Tick. While he physically doesn't suit the role (they obviously padded him to make him resemble the pudgy comic book Arthur), he plays the part well.Very little actual crime fighting is done in the show but that's okay because the dynamic between the Tick and his crime fighting buddies is where the fun is, particularly when focussing on everyday requirements and functions (like tossing a salad or getting a license). I never read the Tick comics (thought I did watch all of the animated series - which I'd love to get on DVD as well) but I would guess that the basis of them must have been how superheroes live in their daily life.It's likely that The Tick didn't last because it defied easy pigeon-holing. While obviously a comedy, it was probably confusing as to whether it targeted kids or adults and the characters are so square in their delivery and outlook that you could miss that the show was a parody if you had a very short attention span and weren't really listening to the dialog. The show was definitely for adults.As for the DVD itself, the commentary is sporadic and hard to find but what is even more disgraceful is that the episode listing on the booklet inside is one side of a double-sided advertisement for other DVDs. Since this isn't an especially cheap package, this is inexcusably chintzy. On the other hand, the plastic case itself seemed to have been carefully chosen as it's a Tick-style deep blue with a more expensive double-sided disc design than most standard cases.It's truly a shame only 9 episodes of this show were made. It's also unfortunate that some other network didn't run with it after it was cancelled by Fox. The comedy is fresh and well-written and anyone who is keen for something unique and funny should buy the DVDs and savor what little there is.