The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes

[crimsonquill]

I'm surprised that they're going with a storyline like 'Secret Invasion' this early in their version of the Marvel Universe - it's something that doesn't have as much impact when the characters potentially replaced by alien duplicates are ones we've just met, and haven't had time to do much that might be damaging.  Given last week's episode, I think it highly likely this will tie in to the Kree-Skrull War, and the doppleganger elements will be downplayed compared to the comic's version of the storyline.

Pretty much my same theory.. we will get elements of Secret Invasion as far as Skrull spies hiding around us including high ranking people in SHIELD and other key locations and a few sleeper agents that are super-powered enhanced (though probably no Super Skrull since he is tied up with 20th Cen Fox's hold on Fantastic Four - unless they released their animation rights too).

- CQ

[lugaru]

I'm also not so sure about a secret invasion already, but given that I loved the idea but not the execution, I would like to see another crack at that story.

Otherwise this show exceeds my expectations, especially in that I expected Black Panther to show up for 1 episode but he is actually a regular and really cool team member. Also Clint is relentless, Mockingbird (who I really like) is already in the show and there is a lot of plot under the surface.

Also who else expects to maybe see Tigra, Vision or Scarlet Witch showing up before the year is over? War Machine and USAgent are posibilities but dilute Iron Man and Cap if not presented correctly. Maybe War Machine not so much but USAgent is a harder character to explain.

[Talavar]

I'm really hoping a couple of things happen soon - Cap takes over as team leader from Tony, and that at least one more woman gets added permanently to the team, whether it's Miss Marvel, Mockingbird, Tigra, Scarlet Witch or someone else.

If skrulls are fair game for the cartoon, which apparently they are, I think the Super Skrull is too - both were part of the Fantastic Four licensing rights.

[detourne_me]

seriously the only problem i havewith the show so far is the lack of characterizaqtion for Cap, in his episode he was treated really respectfully but it seems like hes been playing second fiddle to panther and tony lately.

also best part of the last episode:

Spoiler

the first person perspective as hawkeye aims at viper and widow.. we see three great female characters in a kickbutt sequence

[Previsionary]

If skrulls are fair game for the cartoon, which apparently they are, I think the Super Skrull is too - both were part of the Fantastic Four licensing rights.

Again, if the characters have appeared in Super Hero Squad, then they're more than likely free to appear in this cartoon. Cosmic characters such as Thanos and the skrulls are a major part of the second season of that show. The Super Skrull and the Fan 4 were used in season 1.

Sidenote: I'm pretty sure the Ironman from this cartoon had a brief cameo in Super Hero Squad just to give you an idea of how close the series are.

[lugaru]

Should I be watching Super Hero Squad btw?

Just curious... is it any good?

[detourne_me]

The few episodes I saw I couldn't really get into although modok and punished were pretty funny

I just read the earths mightiest heroes tie-in comic, and I gotta say it was one of the best avengers comics I've read in a while. A little better than the all ages avengers comic that was out.  I believe it's in continuity with the show, and it had cameos from Batroc's Brigade, which is pretty cool.  Also the backup story had killer artwork.

[Previsionary]

Should I be watching Super Hero Squad btw?

Just curious... is it any good?

No, you should not be watching unless you're really into campy, referential (comics, creators, and some RL stuff) cartoons aimed at kids between 4-8.

[BWPS]

Should I be watching Super Hero Squad btw?

Just curious... is it any good?

No, you should not be watching unless you're really into campy, referential (comics, creators, and some RL stuff) cartoons aimed at kids between 4-8.

You absolutely MUST read the webcomic, it is a thing of genius. It goes from legitimately funny to being a parody (of itself I guess) but is consistently brilliant.
I haven't watched the show.

http://superherosquad.marvel.com/comic_strips/marvel_super_hero_squad.194.don~apos~t_quit_your_day_job

[herodad1]

watched the latest episode this morning of kang attacking and trying to kill Captain America! liked it alot. it also mentions reed richards and shows a picture of the fantastic four. i like how they drew ben grimm. really early Kirby looking. also liked cap giving tony a boxing lesson and hulk/hawkeye watching and horse laughing everytime tony hits the floor. hopefully the FF will turn up in a future episode.  it comes back on tonight so try to catch it!

[Talavar]

Definitely a good episode, and the start of a several episode Kang arc, if episode descriptions are to be believed. 

I still feel the show is having trouble staging action scenes with all or most of the Avengers present though; there's a lot of them seemingly taking turns to attack Kang in this episode.  Like "Wolverine and the X-men," the action scenes are serviceable, but very few of them have any sort of 'wow' factor to them.

[freegentile]

If nothing else, you can sure get some great FX sounds from these shows   The episode where Thor fought the Wrecking Crew delivered some awesome Mjolnir impact sounds!

[gengoro]

Just saw the Kang eps and

Spoiler

looks like Cap is finally stepping up. Made Hulk get the jumping, lol.

[Previsionary]

I enjoyed the Kang trilogy, and I loved the characterization Cap and Ironman got as a result of the arc. I'm still wondering why Black Panther is on the team because he did next to nothing in all 3 episodes. He wasn't in today's episode at all outside of a brief mention. Everyone else, however, seemed to get a moment or two to shine, and that's one of the things I like about the show. And if the ending scene is anything to go by, we're getting closer to having Ultron show up as a big bad.

As an aside, did anyone else hear that the Black Panther movie is coming out of the development abyss and is being pushed forward as an actual movie under the Marvel movie studios?

[Shogunn2517]

I enjoyed the Kang trilogy, and I loved the characterization Cap and Ironman got as a result of the arc. I'm still wondering why Black Panther is on the team because he did next to nothing in all 3 episodes. He wasn't in today's episode at all outside of a brief mention. Everyone else, however, seemed to get a moment or two to shine, and that's one of the things I like about the show. And if the ending scene is anything to go by, we're getting closer to having Ultron show up as a big bad.

As an aside, did anyone else hear that the Black Panther movie is coming out of the development abyss and is being pushed forward as an actual movie under the Marvel movie studios?

I know what you mean about about BP, but Cap did tell him he should go back to Africa(man, that sounds a little racist).  He told him he should go and look after his people, so his absence wasn't unexplained.  Not to mention, he was involved in the battle they had against Kang in the first episode.

But I get your point.  If you ask me, the roster is quite full anyway and I think and believe it should have thinned out by now, dropped a few members and added a few as well.  I'm still not entirely too comfortable with having the Hulk on the team.  He never struck me as a team player.  Beyond that, they already have a uber strong aggressive guy who completely fits on the team with Thor.  We've already seen brief intros of Ms. marvel, Black Knight and I still would like to other mainstays like Falcon, Scarlet Witch and Vision(of course Ultron would have to betray the Avengers and Wonderman would have to betray the Masters of Evil, etc.).  I know it's hard and don't want to keep making reference, but it isn't entirely uncalled for for them to follow the formula set up by the Justice League series and feature 3, 4 or 5 members at a time in each episode.

I do like the dynamic of Cap and Ironman's relationship.  It's one thing to read about it but another to actually see it and how they relate to each other.  One's traditional and relies on his human ability.  The other's more contemporary and relies on technology.  They are seemingly learning off of each other and you can see how Cap's natural leadership and knowledge is asserting itself and how Ironman is bothered by it but how Cap also relies on Ironman as well.

[herodad1]

i like the show also. hulk being on the team is starting to feel better but yeah, they have Thor so theres the power too. liking the little guest appearances also; picture of the FF, mr.fantasic, Herbie and the Human Torch at the end of the kang trilogy. if i could re-do the roster i'd go  Captain America, Ironman, Thor, Vision, Wasp, Hawkeye, and Black Panther. i'd have Tchalla not running along walls and throwing energy blasts but more vibranium claws and utilizing his speed,agility, and senses more. i'd have Dr. Pym as more of a resident scientist/ sometimes hero member. same with Banner/Hulk.

[Talavar]

The Kang Trilogy of episodes has definitely been a highlight of the series so far.  I agree that the roster could use some work - drop Hulk and T'Challa (unless they can find something for him to do) - and add Ms. Marvel.

I had heard that a Black Panther movie is in development at Marvel, for the post-Avengers movie slate.

[lugaru]

The Kang Trilogy of episodes has definitely been a highlight of the series so far.  I agree that the roster could use some work - drop Hulk and T'Challa (unless they can find something for him to do) - and add Ms. Marvel.

Funny reaction, they are two of my favorite elements in the series. Hulk means you always have a mix of comedic relief and straight up butt kicking. I also love how he interacts with Hawkeye. Black Panther is easily the team warrior, stealthy, going off on his own and getting results. He is by far the most pragmatist member, skeptical about authority and well equiped. I'm actually really happy that he is a regular on the show, since Marvel rarely finds good stuff for him to do outside of his own comic.

[thalaw2]

I agree with Big Lu.  I'm enjoying Hulk and BP. 

I really like the way the Hulk was set up to have a positive relationship with Bruce.

[Talavar]

The Kang Trilogy of episodes has definitely been a highlight of the series so far.  I agree that the roster could use some work - drop Hulk and T'Challa (unless they can find something for him to do) - and add Ms. Marvel.

Funny reaction, they are two of my favorite elements in the series. Hulk means you always have a mix of comedic relief and straight up butt kicking. I also love how he interacts with Hawkeye. Black Panther is easily the team warrior, stealthy, going off on his own and getting results. He is by far the most pragmatist member, skeptical about authority and well equiped. I'm actually really happy that he is a regular on the show, since Marvel rarely finds good stuff for him to do outside of his own comic.

I like Black Panther, but since his addition to the team, how many episodes has he played a major part in?  Two?  He needs more to do if he's going to be a regular team member. 

[herodad1]

i'm starting to warm up to hulk being on the team. kinda like having a super strong wolverine on the team. he'll smash at the drop of a hat! hulks always been a favorite of mine. i really like panther too but i'd rather him just drop in from time to time. i'd rather have vision on the team than ms. marvel.

[Talavar]

Vision's cool, but Ms. Marvel would address the show's major weakness - female heroes.  Their version of the Wasp is a fun character, but she easily has the weakest powers of the team, and she's the only female.  Ms. Marvel would up some of the tanking if Hulk left, and also flies and has blaster powers.

Which brings me to the Hulk - he just doesn't work that well for me.  The personality they've crafted for him to make him work on a team isn't a bad one, but it just doesn't feel like the Hulk.

[Podmark]

I'd be surprised if Hulk left the show ever leaves the show for any length of time. I think tying into the Avengers film and having those four movie characters in the show is a big part of their marketing and premise.

[gengoro]

^Pretty much. If marvel has a movie on its way, expect said character to appear on show or game.

[Talavar]

I'd be surprised if Hulk left the show ever leaves the show for any length of time. I think tying into the Avengers film and having those four movie characters in the show is a big part of their marketing and premise.

True Enough.  With that line of thinking,  I'm surprised Black Widow hasn't played an even bigger part than she already has.

[Shogunn2517]

Her not being on the show actually could be reason enough to say that maybe they're not sticking to the Avengers marketing plan.  But I won't say that is likely.  I agree with you though.  I like the Hulk, I really do.  But, maybe it's just my opinion, but he's not a team player.  He's a loner. And has a people problem.  Making him part of a team is making the character something he's not: nice, agreeable, controlled, etc.  He's not.

At the very least make him re-occuring.

[Previsionary]

Your vision of Hulk contradicts what he became over the years though. Bruce/Hulk are semi-team players right now under Pak and Parker's pen. Banner is also more calculating and jerkish. I think the version they're currently using is a weird mix of old and new. I can't say I disapprove of a slightly different version of Hulk appearing. We've seen raging, non team player Hulk so many times (1960s-2009) that a change up is appealing to me. At least they worked his change of heart into the storyline instead of it just happening. But rest assure, I'm sure the rager you all adore and love will reappear when the new live-action Hulk show premieres.

And yeah, I have to agree that dropping T'challa is not a bad move. He adds nothing to the show right now. Well, I suppose he does help diversify the team from being a bunch of wasps, but other than that...

[BentonGrey]

So, I have been meaning to post here for the last month or so.  I finally tracked down the bulk of these episodes (I haven't seen the last three or so yet), and I have absolutely loved this show so far.  I was really excited about it, and I've loved every minute of it.  They've succeeded in doing at least some of the same things that JLU did, taking the best versions of these characters and telling fun, interesting stories with them.  The show isn't really as deep or compelling (though it has its moments), but it is so well animated and action-packed, that I can pretty much live with that.  

My only complaints so far are their using the Ultimate version of Captain Marvel and Nick Fury, plus the inclusion of the Secret Invasion stuff.  Y'all know I hate the Ultimates as a concept on general principle, and I generally find their designs pretty boring and ugly.  The Captain Marvel design is better than most, but the original is one of my all-time favorite costumes, and I've always really liked the classic character.  For Fury, it's more of a purist thing, and his appearance doesn't bother me that much.  It's just a minor annoyance that keeps the show from being perfect in my book.  As for the Secret Invasion hints they've dropped, I've got no problem with what they've done so far, but I'm concerned by this move to include stuff from the modern storylines.  I'm hopeful that their handling will be good, but I am a bit wary.  If they keep it as part of the Kree-Skrull War, I imagine it will be cool.

With those exceptions though, everything they've done has been fantastic.  I've been especially fond of seeing Thor, Cap, and Ant-Man in action.  I'm holding out the incredibly unlikely hope that we'll see a reformed Swordsman join the team at some point in the future, but until then I'm very happy with the line-up.  All in all, I am unabahsedly loving this show, and I hope it runs for years to come.  Heaven knows there is a wealth of truly excellent Avengers stories (in concept, if not in execution) to adapt, and their policy of doing so is one of my favorite things about the show.

Your vision of Hulk contradicts what he became over the years though. Bruce/Hulk are semi-team players right now under Pak and Parker's pen. Banner is also more calculating and jerkish. I think the version they're currently using is a weird mix of old and new. I can't say I disapprove of a slightly different version of Hulk appearing. We've seen raging, non team player Hulk so many times (1960s-2009) that a change up is appealing to me. At least they worked his change of heart into the storyline instead of it just happening. But rest assure, I'm sure the rager you all adore and love will reappear when the new live-action Hulk show premieres.

And yeah, I have to agree that dropping T'challa is not a bad move. He adds nothing to the show right now. Well, I suppose he does help diversify the team from being a bunch of wasps, but other than that...

I'm in agreement with the majority that find Hulk someone who doesn't quite fit.  I'm waiting on him to be written out or become a recurring character instead of a team member.  That being said, I've been very happy with how he's been written.  Banner is a good guy, and he's turning his monster into a force for good.  That's the character that I know and love, whether there are other interpretations on top of that or not.  

Prev., I haven't read too much of the new stuff, but I don't care for the changes they've made to Banner in what I have read.  I like this fellow more, but I would like to see more of him.  Hulk without the conflict of the two personalities isn't as interesting to me.  

How exactly does Thor count as protestant, Prev?  Ha, seriously though, I'm in agreement with the guys who like the Panther.  He hasn't had a ton to do lately, but he offers plenty of possibilities.  He doesn't take anything away by being on the team, and his presence gives the writers some options.  While I've never been a particular fan of the Panther (though, like MANY of the characters of the big two, I like him and his concept but just haven't followed him individually), I like his portrayal here.  

[Talavar]

Nick Fury isn't really Ultimate Nick Fury though - he's more a weird hybrid of Ultimate and traditional Nick Fury.  He's black, but he doesn't look like Samuel Jackson, and he's got traditional-Nick's greying temples.

[Podmark]

Nick Fury isn't really Ultimate Nick Fury though - he's more a weird hybrid of Ultimate and traditional Nick Fury.  He's black, but he doesn't look like Samuel Jackson, and he's got traditional-Nick's greying temples.

Yeah they used the same thing in Wolverine in the X-Men, and it bugs me. I'd rather they choose one or the other. I prefer Ultimate Fury, never been much of a fan of the 616 version.

My only complaints so far are their using the Ultimate version of Captain Marvel and Nick Fury

I was just reading an interview the other day with show runner Chris Yost and he said that he loves the classic design too but they felt there was already too many blond males in the cast. He likes the Ultimate design, particularly how it make him seem more alien.