James Harvey
06-01-2006, 01:58 PM
Ever wonder what would happen if Marvel characters found themselves in Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim block? Well, they’d undoubtedly come across as mangled versions of themselves, much like the Fantastic Four in the The Venture Bros. episode “Ice Station – Impossible!”. This episode, and the entire first season of The Venture Bros. is now available on a two-disc set DVD.
So, just how do the gang at William’s Street give these classic Marvel characters a twisted animated makeover? How do the Fantast…er…Impossible Four come across? Former professor to Dr. Venture and founder of Impossible Industries, Professor Richard Impossibe is a genius much like Reed Richards. Impossible and his cohorts were doused with the same cosmic radiation, resulting in giving them each strange abilities. Richard can stretch his body like rubber, similar to Mister Fantastic. The other members of the “Four” family have useless parodies of the other members' powers. His wife Sally can turn her skin invisible, but not her whole body. Only Sally’s skin turns invisible, making her power both garish and useless . . . except for Halloween or Biology Class.
Sally's brother Cody bursts into flames when exposed to oxygen. However, unlike the Human Torch, he cannot control nor is immune to this very painful reaction, so he is kept in an air-tight container. When he hits the air, however, things don’t go as smooth for him as they would his Marvel Universe inspiration. Finally, what about The Thing? Their mentally handicapped cousin Ned has an orange-ish, somewhat rocky appearance. Unlike The Thing, he has no enhanced abilities or powers; his appearance is simply that of a "giant (and apparently very painful) callous."
If you have a twisted sense of humor, and can take some of Marvel’s most beloved heroes being skewed quite ruthlessly, then you’d easily enjoy this episode, and possible many more, of The Venture Bros.. It’s probably my favourite episodes in the entire first season of the series. The first season collection of The Venture Bros. is worth it, with thirteen solid episodes, an abundance of extras, and great audio/visual presentation. Much like the entire series, “Ice Station – Impossible!” is a fun parody of these classic Marvel Heroes and classic animation, taking inspiration from the classic 1960’s cartoons up to today. I think Marvel cartoon fans should definitely search this The Venture Bros. episode out! But be warned: This series does contain adult content and mature situations, and is more risque compared to our more kid-friendly Marvel Animation fare!
The Venture Bros.: Season One is now available on a DVD in a two-disc set.
http://marvel.toonzone.net/Stu/venture1.jpg
http://marvel.toonzone.net/Stu/venture2.jpg
Images courtesy of www.chrisis.org
Have any Marvel fans seen this episode of The Venture Bros.? Any thoughts on this skewed take on Marvel's First Family?
So, just how do the gang at William’s Street give these classic Marvel characters a twisted animated makeover? How do the Fantast…er…Impossible Four come across? Former professor to Dr. Venture and founder of Impossible Industries, Professor Richard Impossibe is a genius much like Reed Richards. Impossible and his cohorts were doused with the same cosmic radiation, resulting in giving them each strange abilities. Richard can stretch his body like rubber, similar to Mister Fantastic. The other members of the “Four” family have useless parodies of the other members' powers. His wife Sally can turn her skin invisible, but not her whole body. Only Sally’s skin turns invisible, making her power both garish and useless . . . except for Halloween or Biology Class.
Sally's brother Cody bursts into flames when exposed to oxygen. However, unlike the Human Torch, he cannot control nor is immune to this very painful reaction, so he is kept in an air-tight container. When he hits the air, however, things don’t go as smooth for him as they would his Marvel Universe inspiration. Finally, what about The Thing? Their mentally handicapped cousin Ned has an orange-ish, somewhat rocky appearance. Unlike The Thing, he has no enhanced abilities or powers; his appearance is simply that of a "giant (and apparently very painful) callous."
If you have a twisted sense of humor, and can take some of Marvel’s most beloved heroes being skewed quite ruthlessly, then you’d easily enjoy this episode, and possible many more, of The Venture Bros.. It’s probably my favourite episodes in the entire first season of the series. The first season collection of The Venture Bros. is worth it, with thirteen solid episodes, an abundance of extras, and great audio/visual presentation. Much like the entire series, “Ice Station – Impossible!” is a fun parody of these classic Marvel Heroes and classic animation, taking inspiration from the classic 1960’s cartoons up to today. I think Marvel cartoon fans should definitely search this The Venture Bros. episode out! But be warned: This series does contain adult content and mature situations, and is more risque compared to our more kid-friendly Marvel Animation fare!
The Venture Bros.: Season One is now available on a DVD in a two-disc set.
http://marvel.toonzone.net/Stu/venture1.jpg
http://marvel.toonzone.net/Stu/venture2.jpg
Images courtesy of www.chrisis.org
Have any Marvel fans seen this episode of The Venture Bros.? Any thoughts on this skewed take on Marvel's First Family?