Fantastic Four (1994 TV series)
Fantastic Four | |
---|---|
Marvel Films | |
Original release | |
Network | Syndication (The Marvel Action Hour/Marvel Action Universe) |
Release | September 24, 1994 February 24, 1996 | –
Related | |
Fantastic Four, also known as Fantastic Four: The Animated Series,
Overview
In the early-to-mid-1990s,
The show has also aired on Fox Kids,[5] and Disney XD in the United States.
Season 1
Most episodes in the first season consisted of fairly accurate re-interpretations of classic 1960s Fantastic Four comic book stories by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. For instance, this series stayed true to the original comic book story that recounted the Silver Surfer and Galactus' coming to Earth in a two-part episode as well as Doctor Doom's theft of the Surfer's powers.[6][7] However, the season's cost-effective animation (provided by Wang Film Productions and Kennedy Cartoons) and attempts to add humor through the inclusion of a fussy British landlady (portrayed by Lee's wife Joan) for the Fantastic Four were generally met with displeasure by fans – to say nothing of then-current Fantastic Four comic book writer Tom DeFalco, who got in trouble for penning a scene in issue #396 of the series that featured Ant-Man watching and lambasting an episode of the cartoon.[8]
It's also the only season to use digital ink and paint in some episodes.
In the two-part premiere "The Origin of the Fantastic Four",
In "The Silver Surfer & the Coming of Galactus", the
In the three-part special episode, "Mask of Doom", Doctor Doom captures the Fantastic Four and forces Mister Fantastic, Human Torch, and the Thing to go back in time and obtain an object for him. In the aforementioned episode "Silver Surfer and the Return of Galactus", Doom steals the Silver Surfer's powers and tries to steal Galactus' powers, only to be thwarted by the planet devourer himself.
Season 2
Both the Fantastic Four and
In the second season's premiere episode "And a Blind Man Shall Lead Them" (guest starring Daredevil), Doctor Doom strikes at a now fully powerless Fantastic Four and has his hand crushed by the Thing. Doom next appears in "Nightmare in Green", where he directs Hulk to attack the team.
Susan Richards as
The
In "To Battle the Living Planet," the Fantastic Four ask Galactus' help in confronting Ego the Living Planet. Thor meanwhile guest stars in two episodes. In "To Battle the Living Planet," the Fantastic Four help him fight Ego the Living Planet even when they enlist Galactus' help. In "When Calls Galactus," he and Ghost Rider (he uses the penance stare, so it is more likely it is the Daniel Ketch version instead of the Johnny Blaze version) both help the Fantastic Four fight Galactus. Also in "When Calls Galactus", Nova volunteers to replace the treacherous Terrax as Galactus' herald. As in the comics, Frankie Raye ends up getting her powers when she is accidentally doused in the chemicals that gave the android Human Torch his powers.
In "Hopelessly Impossible", Lockjaw helps the Human Torch get the Impossible Man to The Great Refuge and away from the Super-Skrull.
In what turned out to be the series finale, "Doomsday", Doctor Doom acquires the almighty
The Incredible Hulk crossover
Simon Templeman reprised his role of Doctor Doom for guest appearances in two episodes, in which Doom held Washington, D.C. captive, only to be defeated by She-Hulk, whom he later attempted to claim revenge upon. With his appearance on this show, it can be assumed that Doom survived the fate he met on the Fantastic Four series, if both shows are to be considered within the same continuity.
Following Doctor Doom's first appearance (he appears again in the second-season episode "Hollywood Rocks"), comes the episode "Fantastic Fortitude" featuring his nemesis, the
Proposed season 3
According to season 2 supervising producer Tom Tataranowicz, had there had been a third season of Fantastic Four, he would have wanted to go into the whole Sue Storm pregnancy story arc. In Tataranowicz's eyes, this would have given the production crew a chance to do their own take on the Sub-Mariner (who only appeared in season 1), as he played into the arc in Fantastic Four issues leading up to and around issue #100. Tataranowicz also wanted to bring Medusa and She-Hulk into the mix as part of the Fantastic Four.
Cast
Main
- Lori Alan – Susan Storm-Richards / Invisible Woman
- Quinton Flynn – Johnny Storm / Human Torch (season 2)
- Benjamin "Ben" Jacob Grimm / The Thing
- Brian Austin Green – Johnny Storm / Human Torch (season 1)
- Neil Ross – Doctor Doom (season 1[9]), Puppet Master, Warlord Krang, Super-Skrull (season 1)
- Simon Templeman – Doctor Doom (season 2)
- Pauline Arthur Lomas – Alicia Masters
Guest cast
- Edward Albert – Norrin Radd / Silver Surfer (season 2)
- Gregg Berger – Mole Man
- Anelle
- Lady Dorma
- Rocky Carroll – Triton (first voice)
- Dick Clark – Himself
- Jim Cummings – Slash Curtis, Bull Donovan, Skink Lomas, President Bill Clinton, Votan
- Black Panther
- Michael Dorn – Gorgon
- Ron Feinberg – Terrax (season 2)
- Ron Friedman – Blastaar
- Brad Garrett – Hydro-Man
- George Gee – Himself
- Morrat
- Benny Grant – Rick Jones
- Richard Grieco – Danny Ketch / Ghost Rider
- Mark Hamill – Kree Sentry, Maximus the Mad, Triton (second voice)
- Jess Harnell – Impossible Man, Super-Skrull (season 2)
- Jamie Horton – Psycho-Man
- Klaw
- Crystal
- Tony Jay – Galactus, Terrax (season 1)
- Green Jelly – Themselves
- Clyde Kusatsu – Annihilus, Karnak
- Kay E. Kuter – Ego the Living Planet
- Joan Lee– Mrs. Lavinia Forbes
- Stan Lee – Himself
- Seeker
- Leeza Miller McGee – Nova
- Richard McGonagle – Franklin Storm
- Katherine Moffat – Commander Lyja
- Iona Morris – Medusa
- Gary Owens – Himself
- Ron Perlman – Bruce Banner / Hulk, Wizard
- Riff Regan – Melinda
- John Rhys-Davies – Thor
- Skrull Emperor
- Robin Sachs – Norrin Radd / Silver Surfer (season 1)
- Bill Smitrovich – Daredevil
- Gina Tuttle – Female TV Reporter
- James Warwick – Namor, Sam Jaggers
Episodes
Season 1 (1994)
# | Title | Writer(s) | Original airdate | Prod. number |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 2 | "The Origin of the Fantastic Four"[10] | Ron Friedman | September 24, 1994 October 1, 1994 | 101 102 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #1 and #8. | ||||
3 | "Now Comes the Sub-Mariner"[11] | Ron Friedman | October 8, 1994[12] | 103 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #4. | ||||
4 | "Incursion of the Skrulls"[13] | Ron Friedman | October 15, 1994 | 104 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #2. | ||||
5 6 | "The Silver Surfer and the Coming of Galactus"[14] | Ron Friedman | October 22, 1994 October 29, 1994 | 105 106 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #48–49. | ||||
7 | "Super Skrull"[15] | Ron Friedman | November 5, 1994 | 107 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #18. | ||||
8 | "The Mask of Doom, Part I"[16] | Elwin Ransom & Ron Friedman | November 12, 1994 | 108 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #5. | ||||
9 | "The Mask of Doom, Part II"[16] | Elwin Ransom & Ron Friedman | November 19, 1994 | 109 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #5 and Annual #2. | ||||
10 | "The Mask of Doom, Part III"[16] | Elwin Ransom & Ron Friedman | November 26, 1994 | 110 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #5. | ||||
11 | "Mole Man"[17] | Ron Friedman | December 3, 1994 | 111 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #1. | ||||
12 | "Behold the Negative Zone"[18] | Ron Friedman | December 10, 1994 | 112 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four Annual #6 and Fantastic Four #62. Chronologically, this is the last episode of the first season.[citation needed] | ||||
13 | "The Silver Surfer and the Return of Galactus"[19] | Ron Friedman | December 17, 1994 | 113 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #57–60. Although it aired as the season finale, this episode takes place before "Mole Man."[citation needed] |
Season 2 (1995–1996)
# | Title | Director(s) | Writer(s) | Original airdate | Prod. number |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
14 | "And a Blind Man Shall Lead Them"[20] | Thomas Mclaughlin Jr. | Steve Granat & Cydne Clark | September 23, 1995 | 204 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #39–40. | |||||
15 | "Inhumans Saga, Part 1: And the Wind Cries Medusa"[21] | Ernesto Lopez, Graham Morris & Tom Tatatanowicz Thomas Mclaughlin Jr. | Glenn Leopold | September 30, 1995 | 201 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #36 and #41–47. | |||||
16 | "Inhumans Saga, Part 2: The Inhumans Among Us"[21] | Ernesto Lopez, Graham Morris & Tom Tatatanowicz Thomas Mclaughlin Jr. | Glenn Leopold | October 7, 1995 | 202 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #36 and #41–47. | |||||
17 | "Inhumans Saga, Part 3: Beware the Hidden Land"[21] | Ernesto Lopez, Graham Morris & Tom Tatatanowicz Thomas Mclaughlin Jr. | Glenn Leopold | October 14, 1995 | 203 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #36 and #41–47. | |||||
18 | "Worlds Within Worlds"[22] | Myrha Bushman | Steve Granat & Cydne Clark & David Ehrman | October 21, 1995 | 205 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #76–77 and #280–283. | |||||
19 | "To Battle the Living Planet"[23] | Ernesto Lopez | Steve Granat & Cydne Clark & Jan Strnad | November 4, 1995 | 206 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #234–235. | |||||
20 | "Prey of the Black Panther"[24] | Thomas Mclaughlin Jr. | Glenn Leopold | November 11, 1995 | 207 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #52–53. | |||||
21 | "When Calls Galactus"[25] | Richard Trueblood | Jan Strnad | November 18, 1995 | 208 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #242–244. | |||||
22 | "Nightmare in Green"[26] | Thomas Mclaughlin Jr. | Glenn Leopold | November 25, 1995 | 209 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #12. | |||||
23 | "Behold, a Distant Star"[27] | Ernesto Lopez | Steve Granat & Cydne Clark | February 3, 1996 | 210 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #32 and #37. | |||||
24 | "Hopelessly Impossible"[28] | Thomas Mclaughlin Jr. | Greg Johnson | February 10, 1996 | 211 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #11. | |||||
25 | "The Sentry Sinister"[29] | Ernesto Lopez | Glenn Leopold | February 17, 1996 | 212 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #64. | |||||
26 | "Doomsday"[30] | Thomas Mclaughlin Jr. | Cydne Clark | February 24, 1996 | 213 |
Notes: Based on Fantastic Four #57–60. |
Crossovers
The Incredible Hulk
# | Title | Writer(s) | Original AirDate(s) |
---|---|---|---|
8 | "Fantastic Fortitude" | Bob Forward | November 10, 1996 |
Spider-Man
Only
# | Title | Writer(s) | Original AirDate(s) |
---|---|---|---|
61 63 | " Secret Wars" | John Semper Karen Milovich Virginia Roth Ernie Altbacker Mark Hoffmeier | November 7, 1997 November 21, 1997 |
Broadcast and release
Despite the fact that the show ended in 1996, the success of the live-action Fantastic Four film have sparked more interest in new fans, allowing the series to air in reruns on Jetix block on Toon Disney due to its new owners: The Walt Disney Company.
In February 2012,
The entire series is available to purchase on the iTunes Store,[31] Amazon Prime Video,[32] and Google TV.[33]
The series with both seasons combined into one complete season has been shown on Disney's streaming service Disney+ since its launch on November 12, 2019, however, the episode "Incursion of the Skrulls" is omitted for reasons unknown.[34]
Home media
VHS
During the series' run, some episodes were released on
VHS Name | Episode Titles | Release Date | Publisher | Stock Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Origin of the Fantastic Four | "The Origin of the Fantastic Four" Parts 1 & 2 | July 2, 1997[35] | 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment | 4193 |
In the late 1990s, another selection of VHS compilations were released by
VHS Name | Episode Titles | Release Date | Publisher | Stock Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Origin | "The Origin of the Fantastic Four" Parts 1 & 2 | May 19, 1998[36] | Marvel Films/New World Entertainment | 03033 | This Tape Is In SP Mode. |
DVD
Region 1
On July 5, 2005,
Region 2
In July 2005, Buena Vista Home Entertainment released a Region 2 single-release DVD titled Fantastic Four: A Legend Begins. It comprises the first two episodes and the trilogy of the first appearance of Doctor Doom, and includes the same bonus features as the US boxset.[38]
In April 2008, Liberation Entertainment secured the home media rights to select Marvel shows from
Clear Vision later took over UK and German distribution rights, re-releasing the season volumes as separate sets. Season 1 was released on May 4, 2009 and May 13, 2009, while Season 2 was released on June 10, 2009 and June 17, 2009.[41]
Comics
An 8 issues comic-book series based on the show was published by Marvel:
- Marvel Action Hour: Fantastic Four (November 1994 to June 1995)[42]
Merchandising
An action figure line based on the TV show was produced by
References
- ^ "A Bedrock of U.S. Cartoon Production". Los Angeles Times. MANILA. AP. August 28, 1995. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ Fantastic Four: The Animated Series (TV Series 1994–1996) - Release info - IMDb, retrieved 2023-03-06
- ^ a b c "Fantastic Four on TV". IGN. 16 June 2007. Retrieved 2010-09-09.
- ^ "New mice on the block. (Genesis Entertainment to add 'Biker Mice from Mars' animated children's program to its Marvel Action Hour syndicated television block) (Brief Article)." Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media LLC. 1994.
- ^ Fantastic Four (1994) Season 1 End Credits (video). 1994. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
- ^ "Coming of Galactus episode on the 1994 Fantastic animated series". Archived from the original on 2012-05-11. Retrieved 2007-03-05.
- ^ "Return of Galactus episode on the 1994 Fantastic Four animated series". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-03-05.
- ^ "The Fantastic Four Comic Book Ridicules The Show". DRG4 Wario Company. Archived from the original on 2012-02-07. Retrieved 2008-12-21.
- ^ Actor John Vernon is mistakenly credited with performing Doom in the on-screen credits to "The Mask of Doom, Part 1" only, but it is Ross's voice that is heard in the episode itself
- ^ Stu (1994-09-24). "The Origin of the Fantastic Four (Pt. 1)". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ Stu (1994-10-08). "Now Comes the Sub-Mariner". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ "Marvel Action Hour – FF episode". rec.arts.comics.misc (Google Groups). 1994. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ^ Stu (1994-10-15). "Incursion of the Skrulls". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ Stu (1994-10-22). "The Silver Surfer & the Coming of Galactus, Part 1". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ Stu (1994-11-05). "Superskrulls". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ a b c Stu (1994-11-12). "The Mask of Doom, Part 1". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ Stu (1994-12-03). "Mole Man". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ Stu (1994-12-10). "Behold the Negative Zone". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
- ^ Stu (1994-12-17). "The Silver Surfer & the Return of Galactus". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ Stu (1995-09-23). "And a Blind Man Shall Lead Them". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ a b c Stu (1995-09-30). "The Inhumans Saga". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ Stu (1995-10-21). "Worlds Within Worlds". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ Stu (1995-11-04). "To Battle the Living Planet". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ Stu (1995-11-11). "Prey of the Black Panther". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ Stu (1995-11-18). "When Calls Galactus". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ Stu (1995-11-25). "Nightmare in Green". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ Stu (1996-02-03). "Behold, a Distant Star". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ Stu. "Hopelessly Impossible". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ Stu (1996-02-17). "The Sentry Sinister". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ Stu (1996-02-24). "Doomsday". PopGeeks. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ "The Marvel Action Hour: Fantastic Four, Season 1" – via iTunes Store.
- ^ The Marvel Action Hour: Fantastic Four, Amazon Prime Video
- ^ "Fantastic Four - TV". Google TV.
- ^ Fantastic Four on Disney+
- ISBN 978-0793941933.
- ^ Fantastic Four: Origin of Fantastic Four VHS]: Movies & TV. ASIN 0793941938.
- ^ ""Fantastic Four": The Complete 1994-95 Animated Television Series DVD Review".
- better source needed]
- ^ "Liberation Entertainment to Bring Classic Marvel Cartoons to DVD". 24 April 2008.
- ^ "Liberation Ent. Closes U.K. Division". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2008-10-25.
- ^ Clear Vision[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Marvel Action Hour: Fantastic Four (Volume)". Comic Vine.
External links
- DRG4's Fantastic Four: The Animated Series page
- Marvel Animation Age - Fantastic Four Archived 2015-07-14 at the Wayback Machine
- International Catalogue of Superheroes
- Fantastic Four (1996) - Pazsaz Entertainment Network
- Fantastic Four at IMDb
- Reading Guide – marvel.com
- "Fantastic Four: The Complete 1994-95 Animated Series" – Animated Views