The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes

Disney DX premiered The Avengers last fall with a series of vignettes that aired during commercial breaks between other shows. These vignettes, 3-5 minute scenes, were sliced from actual half hour episodes that focus on the individual heroes who comprise the Avengers, the super hero group who fight the Earth’s worst super villains.  The vignettes were teasers in the build up to the series launch. On Volume 1, those vignettes have been reassembled into the actual episodes. Thus, there is a half hour devoted to Iron Man, a half hour to Thor, the Hulk, Ant Man and Wasp, and finally, a rousing 1940′s adventure that stars Captain America. In case you’re wondering, Cap is frozen in suspended animation and reawakened in the 21st Century, just in time to join the Avengers.

By episode 5 on Volume 1, in which secret prisons that hold the worst super villains in the world break open, we know who the players are and anticipate them coming together to form the Avengers. The series takes it time bringing those principals together, allowing for an epic approach to the series. Characters cross paths, have misconceptions about each other, team up for the greater good, and ultimately realize that their combined super powers can help maintain peace and order in a chaotic world.  In addition to the previously mentioned heroes, two other members eventually round out the group. There is Hawkeye, a cocky master archer who is a former member of the government agency S.H.I.E.L.D, and there is the Black Panther, an African prince, who comes to America because he believes joining the Avengers will help mankind.

Disney/Marvel made a conscious decision to link the portrayal of Iron Man/Tony Stark to the smash films starring Robert Downey, Jr. In fact, Eric Loomis’ performance as Iron Man uses the same cocky cadence and flippant line reads as Downey in the movies.  It will be interesting to see how close the animated Thor and Captain America sound and act to their live action counterparts, coming to theaters this summer.

An intersting choice was made in the characterization of the Hulk. Instead of the monosyllabic mass of fury (“Hulk smash!”) that the general public knows him as, the Hulk in this Avengers is more intelligent (he can actually have qa conversation with his teammates) and has an understanding between good and evil. Early on, the Hulk hallucinates seeing his alter ego, the mild mannered Dr. Bruce Banner. The two halves of the Hulk’s personality converse and come to an understanding. If the Hulk will act as a hero, then he can maintain control of the body. Banner will be pushed in to the subconscious. This is a bold storytelling technique for a show aimed at kids. I think that makes The Avengers cooler than your typical action cartoon; it credits its young viewers with being bright enough to figure out some of the complex themes being dealt with in the show.

The Avengers is a fun, lively show that I would consider safe for any child familiar with the many other super hero series that populate the airwaves and DVD racks. It’s rated Y7 for violence, so if your child is sensitive to bone crunching punches and stylized action sequences, it might be better to check out the DVD’s yourself before letting them watch. For any parent that actually likes comic books, there’s plenty to keep you interested and entertained. Unlike some of the crappy animation that Marvel churned out in the 90′s, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is one of the best.

Volume 1 Episodes: 1. Iron man is Born 2. Thor the Mighty 3. Hulk vs. the World 4. Meet Captain America 5. The Man in the Ant Hill 6. Breakout, Pt. One 7. Breakout Pt. Two

Volume 2 Episodes: 8. Some Assembly Required 9. Living Legend 10. Everything is Wonderful 11. Panther’s Quest 12. Gamma World: Part One 13. Gamma World: Part Two

What I always liked about this particular X-Men series was the way it adhered to the mythology from the long-running comic books. Even though some of the characters were changed, the story lines about the Savage Land and  in particularly the Phoenix saga (in which telepath Jean Grey is gradually transformed into a God with unlimited power) were played out over a series of episodes that treated this show more like a continuing drama you’d find on prime time instead of a Saturday morning cartoon aimed at kids seven years and older.

Volume 3 contains the “Dark Phoenix Saga,” the conclusion to the Phoenix storyline. This four-episode story arc covers the point in time when Jean Grey’s brain is manipulated by Mastermind and she begins to lose touch with reality. Again, the animated series kept pretty close to the comic book story, although the outcome and fate of Jean Grey was radically changed. Other exciting episodes from the third volume include “Obsession,” in which Arcangel tries to destroy thee ultimate mutant villain, Apocalypse; “Nightcrawler,” featuring an appearance by the lovable, blue skinned furry mutant, Kurt Wagner; and “Orphan’s End,” a story involving Cyclops piecing together the fragments of his youth and learning who his father may be.

Volume 4 features the two-part Magneto episode, “Sanctuary.” In it, the X-Men’s arch nemesis invites all mutants who wish to flee Earth to  join him on his orbiting  asteroid, Asteroid M, to live free of the hatred and ridicule of humanity. Also included is the epic “Beyond Good and Evil”  a four-parter which features appearances by the then popular Cable and Bishop in a battle through time to save humanity from Apocalypse, and “The Lotus and The Steel,” a classic Wolverine episode that finds him leaving the X-Men and returning to Japan, where he spent his youth.

Full of drama, action, and a little bit of romance, these volumes do have some clunkers. “Have Yourself A Morlock Little X-Mas” is so sugary sweet you may have to vistt the dentist afterward. Trust me when I tell you it is sickening.  Moreover, some of the episodes were a little more heavy handed than I recalled. “Nightcrawler,” in particular, was really laying on the Christianity message. By the end of it I think everyone in the show was worshiping God. It felt a little too preachy for me.

Technically, the animation is still blocky, and the sound a little overbearing at times. Furthermore, some of the voice actors were a little weak. Still, with such great stories to tell, the misteps in animation and voice acting are easily overlooked.

For any child who is a fan of the X-Men movies, or who catches the Nickelodeon hit, Wolverine and the X-men, these two volumes (along with the previously released two) are a fine addition to their library. They ain’t too bad for the fan boy fathers, either.

Marvel DVD Comic Book Collection: X-Men Volume 3 (2009, Buena Vista)
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Marvel DVD Comic Book Collection: X-Men Volume 4 (2009, Buena Vista)
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