The Tick

[Adem]

Sorry if this doesn't go here, but I was checking out some covers of The Tick and wasn't fimilar with the company so I thought here was best. I'd basically just like to know if this comic was any good and any other details that would be important. Thanks for any help and sorry if this is the wrong place.

[RedBaron]

I read the first two volumes of Endlund's superhero spoof. After being familiar with the superbly funny FOX cartoon, I found the first collection a little shaky. The humour isn't as smooth and falls into the too self-pleasing jabs at 80s comic conventions (such as ninjas ala Frank Miller's Daredevil stint), there is a whole plot to spoof superman in teh character of The Caped Wonder that I never really liked.

The second volume is much better and things start to fall in to place and there are some great moments in the script.

[TheHistorian]

That's because you're reading it now. At the time, the spoof of the ninjas was right on target.

Basically, the original 12 issues (and whatever that's been collected into) by Edlund were very funny. After that, it lost steam instantly.

[mgs]

I read the first two volumes of Endlund's superhero spoof. After being familiar with the superbly funny FOX cartoon, I found the first collection a little shaky. The humour isn't as smooth and falls into the too self-pleasing jabs at 80s comic conventions (such as ninjas ala Frank Miller's Daredevil stint),this, is exactly how I felt!

i too saw and loved the toons first, the comics second. and it's a weird transition to deal with.

I think I'll stick with the toon. ;)

[deadend]

The company that distributed the tick, New england comics (nec) was actually just a comic store in massachusets or new jersey or somewhere up around there.

[TheHistorian]

Massachusetts. And the chain of stores is still there - NEC (http://www.newenglandcomics.com). I never felt they were the best stores, but being a chain did give them some decent access to back issues and buying old collections.

[ReptileJK]

That's because you're reading it now. At the time, the spoof of the ninjas was right on target.

Basically, the original 12 issues (and whatever that's been collected into) by Edlund were very funny. After that, it lost steam instantly.

Yeah. Was into the comics from the get-go. I'll take that over the cartoon any day (although the cartoon was funny, I just didn't think it was quite as good at the comic).

BTW, if memory serves me, those original 12 issues were at one time compiled into a TPB called "The Naked City". The ninja story line was entitled "Night of 10,000 ninjas" :)

[nweathington]

I read The Tick from the start and still consider it the funniest comic ever done. You also have to remember that it came out during a time when there weren't really ANY humor titles to speak of (besides the then-current JLA). The post-Dark Knight/Watchmen influence was in full effect and The Tick was a much-needed breath of fresh air. I enjoyed the cartoon very much, but it just wasn't on the same level as those twelve glorious issues of the comic.

(wubba-wubba-wubba)

[Alistair]

Aside from Ben Edlund's original 12 issues, Eli Stone's run (The Tick: Big Blue Destiny and Luny Bin) are also worth getting hold of. Aside from that, it's just faintly silly comics.