It’s hard to pry yourself away from ‘The Tick’
The Tick is neither the hero we need nor the one we deserve. But isn’t it fun to have him around?
Amazon’s The Tick (streaming Friday, eeeE out of four) is the latest adaptation of Ben Edlund’s satirical ’80s comicbook series, which sends up common superhero tropes. The series, created by Edlund, follows Arthur (Griffin Newman), a neurotic accountant thrust into the world of villains and heroes by his troubled past and the sudden appearance of The Tick (Peter Serafinowicz). The pair set out to fight The Terror (Jackie Earle Haley).
Only the first six of 12 episodes are being unveiled; the rest are arriving sometime next year.
The series is both a smart parody of our superhero obsession and a worthy entry into the genre. Its action sequences are better directed than some of its more serious peers’, and its CGI effects are polished and judiciously deployed. It’s a genuine- ly funny series, with sharp dialogue, especially coming from the blue bug himself. And while comics fans may find more humor in the in-jokes, overall, it’s accessible and funny enough for the casual viewer.
Serafinowicz is a delight in the title role. The British actor has a long comedic résumé, but you can see the seeds of his annoyingbut-endearing Tick in his performances in films such as 2015’s Spy, where he relentlessly pursued Melissa McCarthy. He deftly balances making The Tick absurd without coming off unhinged.
But the true hero grounding the series is Newman’s Arthur. The actor adds a bit more dimen- sion to the “lovable loser” archetype. On the villainous side, Haley is almost unrecognizable behind the makeup that turns him into the comically evil Terror, but you can see how much he enjoys chewing scenery in the get-up. Yara Martinez ( Jane the Virgin) adds verve and icy glares as his henchwoman, Ms. Lint.
The series’ biggest flaw lies in its structure. Its half-hour episodes merely pause the story at their conclusion, not unlike many other streaming series that present as more a long movie than a series. It does little to support the comedic potential of The Tick. While the long arc of Arthur and The Tick pursuing The Terror still mostly works, a version of the series with a more episodic focus might have helped sharpen its focus. The story sometimes drags, and some elements feel like padding.
But though it’s not perfect, The Tick is a giddy and enjoyable romp. It’s at its best when it focuses on the interplay between Arthur and The Tick.
You can almost believe those two could save the world.