Fantastic Four: WGH "Zoned Out" Talkback (Spoilers)

[Stu]

The FF enter the Negative Zone!

http://marvel.toonzone.net/fantasticfour/ffwghtalkback.jpg (http://marvel.toonzone.net/fantasticfour/)

Episode #9: Zoned Out
Original Airdate: 28th October, 2006

When Johnny gives an unauthorized tour of Reed’s lab to his friend Frankie, things go bad. Frankie is sucked into another dimension, and Johnny goes after her to try and keep anyone from finding out. But what he didn’t realize is that something came out of the dimensional portal as he went in - a harmless little bug. Now Johnny and Frankie are trapped and on the run while Reed, Ben and Susan are left to deal with that little bug.

Comments?

[J'onn J'onzz]

Anyone else get a Spongebob 24 hour marathon commercial just now?

This episode is fun, like the rest of this series. This is currently my second favorite series airing on Toonami, after Naruto.

[Beat]

I still hate this show. Sorry, but Marvel's animated efforts, with the sole exception of Ultimate Avengers, have been flops as of late.

[Anarky]

so they skipped De-Mole-Ition (next wkd)
hmmm, Zoned Out is probably my least favorite thus far
didn't care for the Johnny-Frankie scenes
curious how many stories they're gonna squeeze from the Negative Zone.

[Caswin]

Do they always play the show's theme at the climax and I've just been missing it until now?

[PickHut]

Not a bad episode, but compared to the various other "mishap" episodes, it was okay. They could've done more with Johnny, it just seemed like after the first couple of minutes, they just forgot about him.

[Arsenal]

This version of Frankie Raye was shrill. I'm not eager to see her return. Herbie, however, is growing on me.

The episode was still funny. (Surprisingly the jokes came from Reed and Sue this time.) But the plot is still a cliche too: a little bug causes a big problem. This was a rehash of the "Silkie" Teen Titans episode or even "Roachie" from Kim Possible.

I laughed a couple times. I even chortled once, but despite the humorous scripts this show lacks the originality needed for it to have any replay value.

[creativerealms]

I still hate this show. Sorry, but Marvel's animated efforts, with the sole exception of Ultimate Avengers, have been flops as of late.

If by as of late you mean since the sixties.

[Beat]

If by as of late you mean since the sixties.

I haven't been around nearly that long.;)

All I know is that the sooner Toonami replaces FF with GaoGaiGar, the better.

[Mugen]

I haven't been around nearly that long.;)

All I know is that the sooner Toonami replaces FF with GaoGaiGar, the better.

Come on, the first season hasn't been great so far, but that doesn't mean it can't improve. Ed, Edd, and Eddy(actually it took two seasons before it got good), X-Men Evolution, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited are examples.

[J'onn J'onzz]

I haven't been around nearly that long.;)

All I know is that the sooner Toonami replaces FF with GaoGaiGar, the better.

Shouldn't we be focussing on getting rid of Yugioh GX and Pokemon before that, though?

[Tempest]

I'm telling ya guys go back and rewatch the second season of the mid 90's FANTASTIC FOUR and you won't be able to lay eyes on this clunky insipid actionless dreck. That second season (along with IRON MAN second season) revamp are THE best single seasons in the history of Marvel animation!

AS close to perfect as super hero animation gets (INCLUDING Justice League).

[Duke]

This episode has several things working for it, and much of it is the same that works for the rest of the season so far:

- The character interaction. I love how the 4 interact with one another (Reed whining to Ben about the roaches eating his stuff and Sue getting pissed about the meeting were great) and it provides a lot of humor.

- The 4's interactions with other people. That general building meeting was just awesome in every way. Loved Sue's interactions with Courtney, the one old lady with the bug spray, and the guy who loved poking Sue's bubble
cages.

- H.E.R.B.I.E. just rocks. Whoever decided to play H.E.R.B.I.E. this way is a freaking genius.

- The sheer fun of it all. Despite all the modern technology, this feels a lot like a 60's or 70's series, except not as crappy.

- How anti-JLU it is. Thank the Gods this isn't a heaping pile of angst-filled/drama-heavy episodes. I've had more than enough of that, thank you. (Damn B:TAS) I also pray to those same Gods that this show NEVER goes in the same direction Justice League/Unlimited went.

There are only two things really wrong with this series here:

- Trial By Fire.

- Moonscoop. While this is better than their other works, I'd have rather Marvel gone with an actual anime company like Studio Pierrot, Gonzo, Sunrise, or Production I.G. instead.

Well, actually, I'd like it if Johnny cut his sideburns, but that's more of a nitpick.

Here's hoping this series comes out on season sets soon, hopefully before X-Men: TAS, Spider-Man: TAS, etc. It's so nice to have an awesome Marvel cartoon again.

[90'sCartoonMan]

If by as of late you mean since the sixties.

That's a pretty bold statement. Marvel's done good work, and I'm with Tempest on season 2 of the 90's FF being hard to top.

How anti-JLU it is. Thank the Gods this isn't a heaping pile of angst-filled/drama-heavy episodes. I've had more than enough of that, thank you. (Damn B:TAS) I also pray to those same Gods that this show NEVER goes in the same direction Justice League/Unlimited went.

I'm with you on that. Fantastic Four can't go the JLU route because it SHOULDN'T. JLU really was what it means to be a caped hero dealing with global situations and the world in them, but the FF are more about exploration, and their conflicts come from within, they're a tightly-knit family unit.

The FF aren't the Justice League, and they're certainly not the Teen Titans. I'm not trying to harp on this episode in particular, but I'm worried that this show might be more fluff than anything and try to explore the full potential of what they have on their hands.

Anyway, the actual episode. The lady with the bug spray killed me, and it was nice to see Sue in casual wear, but what's up with those huge communicators?

Johnny's plot was okay, it was made funnier when he got back and was grateful to Reed for saving him. This is Frankie Raye? Uh...well...hmm. Interesting.

Reed and Ben were decent. An average episode, I'd say.

[Kagetsu]

Not really thrilled with this series in the beginning much beyond the animation, it has been getting steadily better with the stories.

This is a favorite episode so far. Great use of humour (Reeds jaw drop was a scream) and I felt the very diverse personallities came together to play off each ones strong points. Involving the non-hero characters was a plus. I like how they chose to animate the Negative-zone. It has a little of "Time Sideways" in Sieze the Night by Dean Koontz.

[bigddan11]

I enjoyed Susan's scenes with the other tenants, but the giant bug deal is way overplayed now.

[Anarky]

Not really thrilled with this series in the beginning much beyond the animation, it has been getting steadily better with the stories.

This is a favorite episode so far. Great use of humour (Reeds jaw drop was a scream) and I felt the very diverse personallities came together to play off each ones strong points. Involving the non-hero characters was a plus. I like how they chose to animate the Negative-zone. It has a little of "Time Sideways" in Sieze the Night by Dean Koontz.

yeah, Reed's jaw drop when he saw The Queen was rather funny.

[Wonderwall]

Never really saw to many FF episodes of the second season. But from what I have seen it was no better than what I've seen from this show. Already the designs are better, voices are more tolerable( Especially the Thing, couldnt stand him in the 90s ), the stories arent exactly origianl but somehow the 90s show didnt spark me as creative either. So I like this show better, even though Ive missed the last few episodes, its seems like the news is mostly positive.

[maczero]

Originally Posted by Duke
How anti-JLU it is. Thank the Gods this isn't a heaping pile of angst-filled/drama-heavy episodes. I've had more than enough of that, thank you. (Damn B:TAS) I also pray to those same Gods that this show NEVER goes in the same direction Justice League/Unlimited went.

Ahh, how quickly we forget. I remember in season 1 of JLU hearing complaints of how too many eps were devoted to comedy and silliness. Then in the final season there were complaints about over done fan service and meaningless action episodes.

Anyway, I have to say this episode was probably the weakest one yet. I'm not going to comment on the negatives since they've already been mentioned. Well, I will mention I was annoyed by Johnny's flat out cowardice. It looked like he would have abandoned Frankie if it came down to a choice between his life and hers.

Good Stuff:
1) Character interactions and dialogue. This is the show's real strength. I loved Sue meeting with the tenants (Why haven't they been evicted BTW). Also, liked Sue nagging Reed about being on time for the meeting. She's not portrayed as the most supportive girlfriend or how I imagined comic Sue would react but the characterization works.
2) Liked Sue in casual wear. Really liked the heels.:D Now, if we can only do something about that chin.

Anyone think it's weird that Sue and Reed sleep in separate rooms? I know they're not married yet and it's a kids' show but it seems strange. I didn't expect to see them in bed together, but I don't think alluding that they share a bedroom would bother censors.

[ShadowGUN]

Good episode but a bit dissapointed. I was hoping to see an appearance or at least a cameo by Annihilus since Johnny was trapped in the N-Zone. I wonder if he appear later in the series.

[William C. Maune]

Anyone think it's weird that Sue and Reed sleep in separate rooms? I know they're not married yet and it's a kids' show but it seems strange. I didn't expect to see them in bed together, but I don't think alluding that they share a bedroom would bother censors.

Not only are they not married, but (although I haven't seen this episode yet), I haven't really seen anything to indicate they are even a couple. Until they develop that, they probably should have separate beds for continuities sake.

[Duke]

Ahh, how quickly we forget. I remember in season 1 of JLU hearing complaints of how too many eps were devoted to comedy and silliness. Then in the final season there were complaints about over done fan service and meaningless action episodes.
Well, I wasn't one of the ones complaining about Season 1 of JLU for those reasons. "This Little Piggy" was OK, but I loved "Kids Stuff." Season 3, however, was just unnecessary overall.

[Kagetsu]

Well, I will mention I was annoyed by Johnny's flat out cowardice. It looked like he would have abandoned Frankie if it came down to a choice between his life and hers. At least in this series, I know nothing of the originals, Johnny doesn't seem very bright. I like this weakness. flaws in superhero's are rare and this makes for a more human feeling. Since his poweres are all he relys on, his "falling apart" when they weren't much of an asset, made the show better. But, he never seemed ready to abandon Frankie when she was in danger. So I liked that part. This show does have a habit of showing the girls as mentally stronger than the guys. Even Reed seem a bit absent minded when he gets obsessed with an idea.

[Duke]

Even Reed seem a bit absent minded when he gets obsessed with an idea.
A bit? He blew off the building meeting to analyze a bug skeleton! Granted, he was looking for an excuse not to go in the first place, which lead to the great line "I'm taking a shortcut...through the lab."

[Beat]

Not only are they not married, but (although I haven't seen this episode yet), I haven't really seen anything to indicate they are even a couple. Until they develop that, they probably should have separate beds for continuities sake.

So at this point, they're nothing more than friends?

Well, if they keep going for the comedic approach, explaining how they get together (and Doom's obsession with Sue if they choose to play that angle) could have the potential to be rather humurous.

[Caswin]

I'm telling ya guys go back and rewatch the second season of the mid 90's FANTASTIC FOUR and you won't be able to lay eyes on this clunky insipid actionless dreck. That second season (along with IRON MAN second season) revamp are THE best single seasons in the history of Marvel animation!Try waiting for season two of this one, then?

[90'sCartoonMan]

Never really saw to many FF episodes of the second season. But from what I have seen it was no better than what I've seen from this show. Already the designs are better, voices are more tolerable( Especially the Thing, couldnt stand him in the 90s ), the stories arent exactly origianl but somehow the 90s show didnt spark me as creative either.

Well, to each his own, but I prefer the 90's designs and voice cast (although I'm digging the current computer generated effects on this show).

As for creative stories, the 90's show made better use of Fantastic Four villains, allies, and key moments from the history of the comic book. I realize we're only a few episodes in to this new series, but the past two episodes took place almost entirely inside the Baxter Building. There's still a LOT this series can explore that it hasn't been doing much of. I'm not trying to be down on the show, though, it's got potential.

Not only are they not married, but (although I haven't seen this episode yet), I haven't really seen anything to indicate they are even a couple.

I wonder why they chose to not only keep Reed and Sue single but to not show any signs of romantic interest between them. Will this be the status quo of the series or do they plan on going somewhere with it? It'd be pretty cool if Namor showed up, Sue got interested in him, and then Reed suddenly realizes he has feelings for her.

[thanos28542]

I'm telling ya guys go back and rewatch the second season of the mid 90's FANTASTIC FOUR and you won't be able to lay eyes on this clunky insipid actionless dreck. That second season (along with IRON MAN second season) revamp are THE best single seasons in the history of Marvel animation!

AS close to perfect as super hero animation gets (INCLUDING Justice League).

I agree with you 100%! The 2nd season of the 90s FF show blows away this new FF series! The animation was based on John Byrne's art as were some of the stories ( "When calls Galactus"), the other stories were based on early "Lee/Kirby" stories such as the one where they fought the Black Panther.

I'm really trying to like this new FF cartoon, but they are basing it more on the live action movie. They are trying too much to be cute/funny & not doing enough action or good fight scenes. I have yet to see one fight that rivals any of the battles the 90s FF 2nd season episodes showed.

I sure hope the new IM cartoon will be better than this FF cartoon, but I won't hold my breath.

[maczero]

Not only are they not married, but (although I haven't seen this episode yet), I haven't really seen anything to indicate they are even a couple. Until they develop that, they probably should have separate beds for continuities sake.Maybe I'm projecting my own experiences on these two, but their banter sounds like a couple that's been together for years.


A bit? He blew off the building meeting to analyze a bug skeleton! Granted, he was looking for an excuse not to go in the first place, which lead to the great line "I'm taking a shortcut...through the lab."
In Reed's defense, that seemed more important than the meeting. I mean think about it. If you found a foot long skeleton of an alien creature in your house wouldn't you put off a tenant's meeting?

[RAINMAN]

This version of the 4 is very different from the ones of the past But I think before it all over they will become the fantastic team...however reed has to start acting more like a leader casue right now sue seem to be the one in charge. Johnny action no more different then a teenage boy trying to do anything to impressed some hot chick. Which of course lead to the guy fauileing badly as johnny did in this ep`s. So y`all think we gonna see frankie again?

[The Overlord]

Good episode but a bit dissapointed. I was hoping to see an appearance or at least a cameo by Annihilus since Johnny was trapped in the N-Zone. I wonder if he appear later in the series.

He will appear later:

Episode #14: Annihilation
Original Airdate: ?

The FANTASTIC FOUR fall into a trap and are taken to the NEGATIVE ZONE, where they’re attacked by ANNIHILUS and his warriors. But all is not as it seems - something in the Zone is affecting the Four’s powers. Things go from bad to worse when DOCTOR DOOM arrives, apparently in league with Annihilus! But Doom isn’t one to share power, and he takes Annihilus’ energy source back to Earth with him. But even if the Four can escape Annihilus, how can they defeat Doom, who now has the power to destroy the world?

Episode #24: Contest of Champions
Original Airdate: ?

The Contest of Champions has begun! Forced to compete by a powerful Elder of the Universe, the FF now must face four of their greatest foes in a series of alien events. It’s no holds barred competition against Ronan the Accuser, Impossible Man, Annihilus and Super Skrull! But even if the FF survive the events, they still have to deal with the Grandmaster. The stakes are high in the Contest of Champions – because if they lose, so does the human race.

[Sage Shinigami]

Not only are they not married, but (although I haven't seen this episode yet), I haven't really seen anything to indicate they are even a couple. Until they develop that, they probably should have separate beds for continuities sake.

What? That's not cool.


If by as of late you mean since the sixties.


Someone's a little picky, methinks. I loved the 60's FF (moreso than any other incarnation I've seen), Iron Man to an extent (his darn armor ran out of power wayyyyyy too often), and both Spider-Man and X-Men:TAS from the 90's. Spider-Man Unlimited was good (would have been better with a real ending), and X-Men Evolution was average. If nothing else, I think Marvel's list of good cartoons is far longer than DC's.

[D.A.V.E.]

Did anybody else find Frankie annoying? I did.

Otherwise, great episode. Haven't been dissapointed.

[RAINMAN]

I didn`t find her annoying. After all,it was all johnny fault....again.:sweat:

[Bones Justice]

Another episode without a real villain? Lame. Another episode that takes place mainly in the Baxter Building? Lame! Another episode where Thing doesn’t punch anybody out? Lame!!!

The humor in this episode was extremely weak. How long will Johnny acting stupid be funny? How long does the absent-minded-professor routine by Reed get laughs? ‘Cuz it’s not funny enough to carry the entire episode by itself. They need to have some action and stuff in the mix, too. You know, danger, excitement, and humor would make for a great Fantastic Four episode. This episode just tried to act stupid for laughs.

I’m starting to think they should have titled this show: Fantastic Four “World’s Greatest Heroes” (note the quotation marks) so that we would know up-front that the title is a joke. They spend more time being silly than adventuring! My patience with this show is wearing thin.

I really thought the Doom episodes showed potential. I don’t want Doom every week but the Four have lots of great villains and stories in the comic-books to base episodes on instead of goofy stories like this one.

If I wasn’t a fan of the comics, I would have given up on this show already. A few more like this episode and I’m done. One star.

[J'onn J'onzz]

Another episode without a real villain? Lame. Another episode that takes place mainly in the Baxter Building? Lame! Another episode where Thing doesn’t punch anybody out? Lame!!!

The humor in this episode was extremely weak. How long will Johnny acting stupid be funny? How long does the absent-minded-professor routine by Reed get laughs? ‘Cuz it’s not funny enough to carry the entire episode by itself. They need to have some action and stuff in the mix, too. You know, danger, excitement, and humor would make for a great Fantastic Four episode. This episode just tried to act stupid for laughs.

I’m starting to think they should have titled this show: Fantastic Four “World’s Greatest Heroes” (note the quotation marks) so that we would know up-front that the title is a joke. They spend more time being silly than adventuring! My patience with this show is wearing thin.

I really thought the Doom episodes showed potential. I don’t want Doom every week but the Four have lots of great villains and stories in the comic-books to base episodes on instead of goofy stories like this one.

If I wasn’t a fan of the comics, I would have given up on this show already. A few more like this episode and I’m done. One star.

The show is off Toonami for the time being, so you won't get "a few more like this episode" until it returns. IF it returns.

[rhino9]

Another episode without a real villain? Lame. Another episode that takes place mainly in the Baxter Building? Lame! Another episode where Thing doesn’t punch anybody out? Lame!!!

The humor in this episode was extremely weak. How long will Johnny acting stupid be funny? How long does the absent-minded-professor routine by Reed get laughs? ‘Cuz it’s not funny enough to carry the entire episode by itself. They need to have some action and stuff in the mix, too. You know, danger, excitement, and humor would make for a great Fantastic Four episode. This episode just tried to act stupid for laughs.

I’m starting to think they should have titled this show: Fantastic Four “World’s Greatest Heroes” (note the quotation marks) so that we would know up-front that the title is a joke. They spend more time being silly than adventuring! My patience with this show is wearing thin.

I really thought the Doom episodes showed potential. I don’t want Doom every week but the Four have lots of great villains and stories in the comic-books to base episodes on instead of goofy stories like this one.

If I wasn’t a fan of the comics, I would have given up on this show already. A few more like this episode and I’m done. One star.

I liked the first few episodes and found them pretty entertaining, but after this really botched one I'm left just shaking my head. Johnny started out as a loudmouth but now has even become a coward. Terrible characterization. And does every show have to take place in the Baxter building with the bad sitcom neighbors?? I don't know who Marvel and CN think they are making this show for. An action/adventure show needs to have some action/adventure actually in it sometimes. No wonder CN has pulled it. Marvel needs to get some real fan input into their animation program. Between what they are doing to the characters in the comics and now with this show, Marvel must have almost no respect or love for the FF anymore. Such a shame.

[Wonderwall]

Marvel needs to get some real fan input into their animation program.

That would kill anything Marvel would ever dare try in media...no joke.

[rhino9]

That would kill anything Marvel would ever dare try in media...no joke.

And they are doing so well right now...

[Wonderwall]

Actually the numbers say they are.

[Master Moron]

Actually the numbers say they are.

Then why did Fantastic Four get kicked off of Toonami?

[Wonderwall]

Then why did Fantastic Four get kicked off of Toonami?

Outside of that, and were not even sure if thats the case( CN has done this to even successful shows ), almost everything marvel has done in the last few years is a success whether it pisses off the minority comic fans or not.

[Master Moron]

Outside of that, and were not even sure if thats the case( CN has done this to even successful shows ), almost everything marvel has done in the last few years is a success whether it pisses off the minority comic fans or not.

When has CN done this to successful shows?

[Stu]

Well, this certainly took me a long time to do! Click on the image below to be taken to the review/media for this episode on MAA.

http://marvel.toonzone.net/fantasticfour/media/cards/07.jpg (http://marvel.toonzone.net/fantasticfour/reviews/zoned//)

Any further comments about this episode?

[Bones Justice]

Any further comments about this episode?


Well, maybe not about this particular episode but I do have a few for the show in general.

I really want to like this show. I haven’t read the comic book for a few years but I used to be a regular reader for many years. I’ve also read and enjoyed the re-prints of their early adventures.

I’ve seen some good things with this show. I like the character designs for the most part. I like the voice actors, especially Doom’s and the Thing’s. At times, the characterizations have been perfect, like in World’s Tiniest Heroes. In general, I really like this version of Doctor Doom.

So how come I don’t like this show? There’s no action. There’s little to no adventure. As someone else stated, the show seems more like an attempt at a sitcom with the Four than it does an action show.

I’d really rather see this show improve than get cancelled. They just need to stop trying so hard to be funny and base more stories on the history of the comics. They need to send the team out on more adventures and use more real villains, too.

[Caswin]

I’d really rather see this show improve than get cancelled.It's like I keep saying: naysayers continually cite the 90s Iron Man season two and of course Fantastic Four season two as being leaps and bounds better. No one ever talks about season one (for good reason).

So... see what happens season two?

[ROBOTRON]

:sad: - wow, what a terrible episode...a waste of celluloid. I'm too embarrassed to even discuss it.

[toneloak]

Another episode without a real villain? Lame. Another episode that takes place mainly in the Baxter Building? Lame! Another episode where Thing doesn’t punch anybody out? Lame!!!

The humor in this episode was extremely weak. How long will Johnny acting stupid be funny? How long does the absent-minded-professor routine by Reed get laughs? ‘Cuz it’s not funny enough to carry the entire episode by itself. They need to have some action and stuff in the mix, too. You know, danger, excitement, and humor would make for a great Fantastic Four episode. This episode just tried to act stupid for laughs.

I’m starting to think they should have titled this show: Fantastic Four “World’s Greatest Heroes” (note the quotation marks) so that we would know up-front that the title is a joke. They spend more time being silly than adventuring! My patience with this show is wearing thin.

I really thought the Doom episodes showed potential. I don’t want Doom every week but the Four have lots of great villains and stories in the comic-books to base episodes on instead of goofy stories like this one.

If I wasn’t a fan of the comics, I would have given up on this show already. A few more like this episode and I’m done. One star.



Well, maybe not about this particular episode but I do have a few for the show in general.

I really want to like this show. I haven’t read the comic book for a few years but I used to be a regular reader for many years. I’ve also read and enjoyed the re-prints of their early adventures.

I’ve seen some good things with this show. I like the character designs for the most part. I like the voice actors, especially Doom’s and the Thing’s. At times, the characterizations have been perfect, like in World’s Tiniest Heroes. In general, I really like this version of Doctor Doom.

So how come I don’t like this show? There’s no action. There’s little to no adventure. As someone else stated, the show seems more like an attempt at a sitcom with the Four than it does an action show.

I’d really rather see this show improve than get cancelled. They just need to stop trying so hard to be funny and base more stories on the history of the comics. They need to send the team out on more adventures and use more real villains, too.
I could only add character growth atleast a little. Is it me, does the writer not want you to repect these characters?