What's The Greatest Cartoon Ever?

[Lex Von Doom]

This is a tough question as I think a lot of the choices I've listed can be the greatest but if I had to choose I'd go with The Simpsons. It's the greatest written show in TV history imo and has a lot of entertaining and interesting characters (mainly Homer and Bart)

[The Bat-Man]

The Fleischer Superman series. These are in my opinion the greatest cartoons ever made!

Runners up: Ralph Bakshi's American Pop, Ralph Bakshi and Frank Frazetta's Fire and Ice, Ralph Bakshi's Lord of the Rings, Ralph Bakshi's Wizards, George Dunning's Yellow Submarine, Andy Suriano and Stephen DeStefano's Plastic Man Puddle Trouble, Ralph Bakshi and John K.'s Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures, John K.'s Spümcø cartoons, Fleischer's Betty Boop, Tex Avery and Bob Clampett and Robert McKimson Looney Tunes, Tex Avery's Droopy and Red Hot Ridding Hood series, Robert Zemeckis' Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Fleischer Popeye, Bruce Timm's Batman: The Animated Series, Ted Parmelee and Paul Julian's The Tell-Tale Heart.

[EuphemismForSex]

Wow... That poll...

[BeastieRunner]

Wow... That poll...

I know, right?

[Lex Von Doom]

Wow... That poll...

I don't get it, what about it?

[Ned McDodd]

my favorite cartoon is Darkwing Duck followed by

Batman the animated series
Futurama
Duck Tales
Spider-man and his amazing friends

[Nathan]

southpark is the best on that poll but my fave has to be XMTAS from the early 90s along with BMTAS

[Libaax]

Family Guy on that poll makes me not take it seriously....


The Simpsons at its best is my fav tv show of alltime. Characters,satire,comedy wise it was amazing.

I dont even compare it to other cartoons, its too good.

Other alltime fav are Looney Toons,Tom and Jerry,Batman:TAS.

[Sighphi]

Exo squad!!!

[McFarlane's Green Hulk]

I voted Looney Tunes...but it's so hard to narrow down stuff to an absolute greatest ever.
For example, based off the DVD sets/collections I have on my shelves:

G.I. Joe
Transformers (Generation 1)
Thundercats
Duck Tales
The Simpsons
Batman the Animated Series
X-Men the Animated Series
Spider-Man the Animated Series
1967 Spider-Man
He-Man & the Masters of the Universe
Popeye
1940's Superman (by Fleisher)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
1966 Marvel Super Heroes
1981 Spider-Man/1982 Spider-Man & His Amazing Friends
1982/1996 Incredible Hulk
1967/1978/1994 Fantastic Four
The Real Ghostbusters

Out of all these, it's hard to narrow down the greatest ever.

[Surtur]

Family Guy and South Park sure as hell don't belong on a list of greatest cartoons ever, not even close.

I can't vote for the Simpsons either since it's been on so long it's produced a lot of crappy episodes in the last 10 years. Now if they'd ended the show a lot earlier it'd definitely be a candidate.

[sHayden]

Family Guy and South Park sure as hell don't belong on a list of greatest cartoons ever, not even close.

I can't vote for the Simpsons either since it's been on so long it's produced a lot of crappy episodes in the last 10 years. Now if they'd ended the show a lot earlier it'd definitely be a candidate.

no. south park is about the gutsiest one ever though. I give them credit for not pulling any punches in such a pansy PC nation.

[Toonimator]

Duck Tales
The Simpsons
Batman the Animated Series
1967 Spider-Man
Popeye
1940's Superman (by Fleisher)
1966 Marvel Super Heroes
1967/1978 Fantastic Four
The Real Ghostbusters

Out of all these, it's hard to narrow down the greatest ever.
I helped narrow 'em down. :tongue: I removed nearly everything done in the '80s, since despite a handful of good scripts, the ones I removed are all horribly animated (besides a great title sequence, and possibly a good opening storyline and/or multipart episode here & there). Real Ghostbusters--at least the first few seasons--had much better animation than your average 'boys cartoon' (really, look at any non-pilot episode of Thundercats/He-Man... mostly crap and/or tons of glaringly-obvious-even-to-6-year-olds reused animation).

The '60s Marvel cartoons weren't stunning in animation, but given the time period they get a pass. I haven't seen 1978's FF, so that gets a pass from me... but '94 looked so god-awful it was dumped, along with all the '90s Marvel shows. Too ugly, too many terrible voices; yeah, '90s Spidey & X-Men were ambitious in trying to work in as many actual comic stories as possible, but overall they were terrible adaptations of the stories, especially X-Men where many of those stories suffer from having such a limited cast. Even if Spidey's adaptations were a bit better, Spidey's all-too-prevalent Angry Voice and MJ's yellow sweater is enough to keep it off any 'best ever' list :biggrin:

None of this is to say I don't LOVE a lot of the cartoons I removed. Generation 1 is Transformers to me. But man, there were some goofy-ass episodes, and any time you had more than a couple robots on-screen you knew the animation was gonna stink (especially if those robots were engaged in hand-to-hand combat). It's tempting to leave it on there, but it's really nowhere near the level of 'best'.

Spider-Man & His Amazing Friends is still my favorite Spidey series, but that's not because the stories were excellent or animation super... it's just cuz that's what I grew up with! Angelica Jones should always look like MJ's twin with less brilliant hair, Bobby should always transform by busting out of an iceblock, Spidey's voice is perfect to my ears, and there should always be a secret superhero base in the Parker home's rumpus room (along with a picture of the Hulk). But when it comes to 'best' among the Spidey 'toons, Spectacular Spider-Man wins hands down. Anyone who puts '90s Spidey ahead of that doesn't know a lick about good animation or storytelling. Anyone who puts Spider-Man Unlimited ahead of that, well, they should be committed to the nearest hospital since something is clearly wrong with them. :wink:

B:TAS had its share of terribly-animated episodes. It was great listening to the commentary on some, where Timm & Co. point out the parts that were embarrassing to watch when they came back from one of the 'lesser' overseas studios (one example in an early ep was the Batmobile driving from background to foreground over a bunch of hills, and BENDING as it topped each hill, like it was a snake hugging the curves of the hills, or straight outta some nutty non-Superman Fleischer cartoon or something trippy from the '60s/'70s. But those were the exceptions to the rule, and the rule (at the time) was "B:TAS is the best-animated superhero show on TV right now with the best stories". Even today it holds up very, very well.

That said, I cast my own vote for Looney Tunes. Since... well, there's really nothing better. It ain't drama, it ain't superhero action, it's comedy through & through... but it's brilliant.

[Surtur]

no. south park is about the gutsiest one ever though. I give them credit for not pulling any punches in such a pansy PC nation.

Ok, but gutsy doesn't equal good, which is what the thread is about.

I like South Park, but it just doesn't belong on a list of greatest cartoons ever. Unless it's like..a list of the 100 greatest cartoons ever, then it could find a place. But on a top 10-15 list? Nope.

Not to say people can't have an opinion that it is one of the greatest, but I guarantee you that if you polled America right now about the top 10 greatest cartoons ever South Park wouldn't make the cut.

[Lex Von Doom]

I put shows like South Park, that may not be considered good on the list because it's popular so I figured it may be the favorite of a lot of people.

[kalorama]

Once again, Superman the Animated Series gets no love.

[kalorama]

Double Post

[Lex Von Doom]

^I knew I forgot something, you're right though it does deserve to be mentioned it is very underrated.

[40footwolf]

Looney Tunes, simply because it was not only completely influential to every cartoon but also to most comedy and it was the funniest series of all time, cartoon or otherwise, to boot.

[Weapon Ick]

Space Ghost Coast to Coast

[sHayden]

I liked Ducktales and Chip and Dale's Rescue Rangers. But that may do with the fact that they also translated into good NES games.

[shadowsetaq28]

For laugh: South Park, Simpson and Family Guy (like Stewie and Brian).

For Story, action and drama: Batman all of them, Spiderman all, Hulk, X-men, JLU, Iron Man, Popeye, Duck Dodgers, Dark Water, Superman all, Sheep In the Big City...

[darkwolf]

My top ten
Transformers ( Generation1 )
Thundercats
Family Guy
X-Men Evolution
SpIder Man and his amazing friends
Looney Toons
Once upon a time ... Space
Darkwing Duck
A Pup named scooby doo
Flintstones

[shadowsetaq28]

Forgot:

Time Squad.
I learned so much about history from that show.

[JuggaSiC]

Only one on the list was bad was disney.

I picked South Park though, its one of the greatest shows in general just for the risks its takes and not being afraid to take shot at anyone. I don't think I've disliked an episode of it.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Looney Tunes for sure, followed closely by the Flintstones, IMO.

[dumbstruck]

Looney Tunes for the win. Though I'd rate Jonny Quest a close second.

[Tobias March]

I do love the suggestion of Fleischer's Superman, but I'm going to plumb for Ulysses 31 (yet again!)

I loved it in the mid-80s when I was a kid and the dvd re-releases have confirmed that it was something special. Yes the dubbed dialogue, tracking over the original French script is poor. Yes the cribbing of beats from Star Wars seems excessive.

But it was the strangest, most thrilling and mysterious show I had ever seen. Even today it stands as a stronger cartoon show than a lot of contemporary series.

[shades of eternity]

Assuming good storytelling, the modern era and a western cartoon.
the Timverse
disney's Gargoyles
Spectacular Spiderman
Avatar - the last airbender


for western lol
loony toons
animaniacs
Darkwing Duck

edit: cgi
reboot
beastwars

adding to the lists.

[insidemyhead]

Duck Tales was the first show to come to mind (though I voted for The Simpsons)

[Agent Helix]

Either Duck Amok or What's Opera, Doc? is the greatest cartoon ever.

[Libaax]

What no love for Tom and Jerry ? Not the most subtle stuff but for laughs as a kid and an adult its great.

[Slam_Bradley]

Either Duck Amok or What's Opera, Doc? is the greatest cartoon ever.

This is the correct answer.

[Black Atom]

Assuming good storytelling, the modern era and a western cartoon.
the Timverse
disney's Gargoyles
Spectacular Spiderman
Avatar - the last airbender



Shouldn't have taken this long for Avatar to be mentioned. It's one of the greatest American cartoon shows ever.

For cartoons (i.e. not cartoon shows, although I think that's what the OP meant) "A Hare Grows in Manhattan" is one of my favorites.

[Karl O'Neill]

Hey Arnold! Move it football head:biggrin:

[Lex Von Doom]

Ed, Edd n Eddy is good too, and Dragon Ball Z (not GT though I hated that)

[Slam_Bradley]

Ed, Edd n Eddy is good too, and Dragon Ball Z (not GT though I hated that)

Wow. Just...wow.

[Karl Cook]

I do love the suggestion of Fleischer's Superman, but I'm going to plumb for Ulysses 31 (yet again!)

I loved it in the mid-80s when I was a kid and the dvd re-releases have confirmed that it was something special. Yes the dubbed dialogue, tracking over the original French script is poor. Yes the cribbing of beats from Star Wars seems excessive.

But it was the strangest, most thrilling and mysterious show I had ever seen. Even today it stands as a stronger cartoon show than a lot of contemporary series.

Beat me to it! I love Ulysses 31!:biggrin:
I found my old VHS recordings from when I was a kid (yes, I kept them...), just last month at my mum's house.
I really must vind time to rewatch them all again, even though it means getting the video set up again.

[Pól Rua]

Either Duck Amok or What's Opera, Doc? is the greatest cartoon ever.


This is the correct answer.

Yes indeed. Chuck Jones and Michael Maltese are unstoppable.
Seriously, everything else on this list just pales in comparison.

[StoneGold]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAVYYe87b9w

[Toonimator]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAVYYe87b9w
Okay, yes... honorable mention. :)

[Black Atom]

Yes indeed. Chuck Jones and Michael Maltese are unstoppable.
Seriously, everything else on this list just pales in comparison.

Tex Avery's Droopy shorts are awesome, too. I also love Disney Goofy "How to..." shorts.

[keilthetarheel]

Looney Tunes - far and away the best


Some other great ones that come to mind:
Bullwinkle
The Hannah Barbara ones (Quickdraw McGraw, Yogi Bear)
Tom and Jerry
Popeye
GI Joe

[Lex Von Doom]

Tex Avery's Droopy shorts are awesome, too. I also love Disney Goofy "How to..." shorts.

Oh yeah I liked those "How to..." Goofy cartoons too, those are easily my favorite disney cartoons. Goofy was much funnier than Mickey and was my 2nd favorite Disney character after Donald.

[hugh45]

Looney Tunes, simply because it was not only completely influential to every cartoon but also to most comedy and it was the funniest series of all time, cartoon or otherwise, to boot.

Along w/Rocky&Bullwinkle,Astro Boy,Powerpuff Girls,Beavis& Butt-head,Daria,Dungeons&Dragons,Æon Flux,Boondocks.(and some other japanese cartoons)

[J. Robb]

Fantasia

.

[Highlife]

Great poll. I went with other, 'cause my fave toon has always been "the Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle"- maybe not the greatest ever, but still damn funny.:biggrin:

[alf_to_the_rescue]

Too many to narrow it down. But...

Thunder Thunder Thunder ThunderCats!!!!!!

[Ilash]

Probably the peak-period Simpsons followed by Justice League Unlimited.

[Slam_Bradley]

"Greatest." It doesn't mean what I liked when I was 8.

[nieman]

Greatest Cartoon ever is hard for me to decide on one. There are so many.

Looney Tunes - All-Time Great, so many characters, so many gags
Scooby Doo - classic
Charlie Brown specials - EVERY ONE is tuned in come holiday time

My favorite cartoon currently is Gargoyles. It's been off the air for over 15 years, but it has some of the best characterization for toons I have ever seen, multi-Multilayered characters, in fact. It was just as dark as Batman, even darker because characters died on screen. Every person also had their own backstory.

[dumbstruck]

Greatest Cartoon ever is hard for me to decide on one. There are so many.

Looney Tunes - All-Time Great, so many characters, so many gags
Scooby Doo - classic
Charlie Brown specials - EVERY ONE is tuned in come holiday time

My favorite cartoon currently is Gargoyles. It's been off the air for over 15 years, but it has some of the best characterization for toons I have ever seen, multi-Multilayered characters, in fact. It was just as dark as Batman, even darker because characters died on screen. Every person also had their own backstory.


I forgot about Charlie Brown. I could watch A Charlie Brown Christmas 365 days a year.

[jesse_custer]

Fantasia. Humor, horror, adventure, love--it's all there and brilliantly interwined with some of the greatest music of all time.

[Ottmeister X]

Looney Tunes, simply because it was not only completely influential to every cartoon but also to most comedy and it was the funniest series of all time, cartoon or otherwise, to boot.

The Simpsons was a close second for me, but I concur with the statement above as would probably most animators, my guess.

[AdamYJ]

The answer is and forever shall be "Popeye". And I don't feel like explaining my reasoning.

[gorosaurus]

Beany and Cecil
Fleischer studios Popeye
Looney Tunes
Top Cat
JLU

[Nightstar1441]

Some tough choices but I've always found myself giving the props to JLU though I do enjoy the Simpsons, Family Guy and South Park

[hugh45]

Anybody remember these cartoons?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTN0VW86jyA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDpEp5JFrZA&feature=fvst

[Darrell D.]

I'm a huge fan of the Bob Clampett Merry Melodies/Loony Tunes.
And the Tex Avery MGM toons were great as well.

[voltron]

Transformers (G1), Voltron, M.A.S.K

honourable mentions to
Simpons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (the one during the early 90s), Batman TAS

[creep]

The correct answer is Samurai Jack. He "jumps good"!