I’ve been missing out. I remember when the new animated Avengers show started airing. I remember posting the press release and letting folks know it was coming, but I didn’t set my DVR for it at the time so I missed the first couple and then I just never picked it up. Turns out, now that I’ve watched it – it’s better late than never.
There are lots of fans of the show on AFi. They have been posting about it in the TV/Movie forum and asking if Hasbro will ever make figures based on the show.
I didn’t have anything against it… but you just never know with comic-book-based animated series sometimes, especially ones with recent movie tie-ins. For some reason, more often than not, the powers that be try to change the foundation or basic concept of the title/character to distinguish it from other versions. We’ve seen this countless times before, most recently with the teen Iron Man animated series, “The Batman”, there was even a teen version of “The Thing” back in the 80’s.
Now enter the first season of Avenger’s Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. This series is different. These ARE NOT teen avengers, this isn’t the Ultimate universe, these aren’t the movie versions of the characters (though there are a few shades of that in Tony Stark and Nick Fury). What it turns out to be is a love letter to classic Marvel character and stories, and it’s fantastic! Let me say that again- It’s Fantastic.
I haven’t quite finished the first season, but what I have seen so far has really blown me away. Right now, for me, this is the definitive Marvel based animated series. The show is full of Marvel characters from the first episode on, and even if the characters don’t appear in the story line there are nods/Easter eggs for other Marvel characters (look for mentions of The Punisher and Man-Thing early on). This feels like the Marvel UNIVERSE, it’s deeply rooted in years of history and stories. I doubt we’ll ever get to see a team like the X-men cross over on the show, but there are mentions of Mutants and their "menace" so who knows who all they can incorporate in later seasons. It feels just like reading the comics with all of the inter-connectivity that is rare to find in an animated series.
It’s clear that this show is being made by fans. One of my favorite things about the series is that each main character gets their own 30 min origin story. They are taking the time to set each character up, establish their place in the universe before bringing them together as a team. Very few cartoons would take the time to do something like that. More often than not these types of shows have to hit the round running establishing universe shaking threats week in and week out. Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is such a breath of fresh air in that respect.
On top of all of the the show focus’ on the classic heroes in their classic looks which is great for long time Marvel readers. The animation and the voice over work is top notch, with clean styles, great backgrounds and great story telling.
This series originally aired on Disney’s recently launched XD channel and now the first season has been collected on 2 DVDs.
The main line up of heroes in season one are: Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Antman/Giantman, Wasp, Hawkeye, Black Panther, Nick Fury, Black Widow
Some of the villains the the heroes face off against are: Abomination, Baron Zemo, Kang, Ultron, Baron von Strucker, Loki, Whirlwind, Klaw
I really can’t say enough good things about this series. I’m really looking forward to finishing Volume 2 of season 1 and checking out season 2.
Two weeks ago we started a contest to give away 2 sets of DVDs that Disney/Marvel donated to the site. One set to one of our Twitter followers and the other to one of our board members. Our winners are: Randy Wagner and Jason Stewart.
If you didn’e win, don’t worry, you can pick up both volumes right now on Amazon.com for less than $15 each right here.
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