Reflections: What happened to the good cartoons?

Pokemon, Digimon, Yu-Gi-0h. . .Gimme a break! You call those cartoons!? Kids today are seriously deprived when it comes to cartoons. Heckle and Jeckle, Tom and Jerry, Woody Woodpecker, Mighty Mouse, Speed Racer (the original). . .Those were cartoons. The Smurfs, He-man and Alvin & The Chipmunks, were cartoons. I know what you’re thinking. . .Get to the REAL cartoons, right? The cool ones, huh? Okay, what about G-Force, Robotech, The ThunderCats, Transformers, The Legion of Super Friends, yeah, remember them? Remember waking up Saturday morning!? Wow!? I lived for Saturday morning cartoons! There was nothing better. Cartoonists and animators today are lazy, and put little to no effort in their work, perhaps with the exception of the truly talented Manga artists such as those that create Yu-Gi-Oh. Though the concept of the animation creation is completely ridiculous to me, the artistry is well up to par. Pokemon on the other hand, is horrible! It looks like a 5 year old drew the characters, and maybe that was the intent of its creators, who knows, but maybe they should’ve intended on putting forth a better effort. Furthermore, the cartoon doesn’t even make sense! What is it about!? These kids travel all over looking for these weird, supposedly untamed “creatures” to train and compete against each other? For what? Cartoons today lack creativity, originality, and the ability to measure up to the cartoons of yester-year.

Disagree? Name one, just one cartoon today that’s better than Voltron. Which one of us didn’t like the 5 Space Lions, and the underground passageways that lead to each one; The stone passage to Black Lion, the water passage to Blue Lion, the lava passage to Red Lion, the forest passage to Green Lion, and the sand passage to Yellow Lion. What about the size of the Lions and the weaponry they possessed? How many of us couldn’t wait for them to form Voltron after going several rounds with one of Witch Hagar’s new “RoBeasts”? And we all knew it was curtains when we heard what 3 words? “Form, Blazing Sword!” His hands pounded together, and magically created an illuminated sword from nowhere, as they spread apart. Cartoons like that don’t exist anymore. What about Justice League? Seeing all your favorite superheroes under one roof; Batman (and Robin), Superman, Supergirl, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and more! Who couldn’t wait to hear these words. . .”Go, Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer Gooo!”? Everyone loved that song, and waited anxiously to see what kind of trouble Sprittle and Chim-Chim would get into after hiding in the trunk of the Mach 5 for the un-teenth time! Do I even have to mention G.I. Joe? Remember the safety tips at the end of each episode. . .”And knowing is half the battle”.

Cartoons today and their creators have some big shoes to fill, if they intend to follow in the footprints of their predecessors. Over the years, and more recently, there’s been various attempts to re-create animated greats and classics like; G.I. Joe, Speed Racer, Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Justice League; but none of them has the same feeling of authenticity as the originals, and they fail to pay proper homage to the originals as well. My suggestion is that cartoon creators and animators today review yesterday’s cartoons and use them as blueprints to introduce fun and quality animated creations for today’s youth, because all they’ve done so far is simply televise garbage.

Remembering the 80s cartoons – Part 4

I couldn’t sleep the other night and was flipping through the television channels. When I came across Boomerang, Thundarr the Barbarian was showing. I could not believe how excited I was to see it on television, I stayed up to watch it. Cartoons in the ’80s were great, before Sailor Moon there was Jem and the Holograms. We had Transformers and GoBots, the same cartoon really, but you loved one and hated the other. Smurfs and Snorks, Gummi Bears and Dungeons & Dragons filled our Saturday mornings. He-Man had the power of Grayskull and a really cool cousin named She-Ra. The Superfriends kept the universe safe from the Hall of Justice. Is there anyone out there over thirty and under forty who doesn’t know the statement, “Wonder Twins, Activate”?, and who hasn’t wondered all these years why Zan always had to take on forms of water? Did we ever really care why, in all the battle-centric cartoons, there was usually only one girl, like in Voltron and Thundercats? Cartoons were just fun to watch, they still are.

Saturday morning cartoons, on the major networks, are part of the Gen X past, but DVD releases are bringing the fun back. I have been able to share that part of my childhood with my niece, much to her dismay. Cartoons all had their tie-ins, that started with Star Wars, but how many kids did you know who didn’t have at least ten Smurfs, five Star Wars figures, and a Transformer or two? We played outside in groups of two or more, GI Joe versus Cobra, and sometimes Cobra won. Cartoons were just great silly diversions, we didn’t worry about political correctness or which social group might be offended. Where else, but the ’80s, could you have a skit on the Muppet Show about “Lydia, the Tattooed Lady”?

Cartoons from the ’80s are alive and well. With the release of DVD box sets and in modern cartoons like Family Guy, where you have to have knowledge of the ’80s toons to get some of the jokes, we can continue to enjoy them for years to come and share them with the next generation of cartoon watchers.

Comic book recommendations for people who dont like comic books

Comics have come a long way in the last few decades.

Most especially in the last two it has become respectable for adults to be seen reading the collected editions, or, as they are now more maturely titled “Graphic Novel”. This change from kids stuff to art-form can seem sudden in many ways, one day you’ve got Superman fighting aliens while trying to gain Lois’ Heart, in his milder alter ego, Spiderman fighting The Bad Men, while Peter Parker competes with whoever the most recent competition for Mary Jane’s Love is.

This formula had worked or years, forever really, in the history of comics at least. But it was set to radically change in many ways. Things like Anime, Manga, and the formation of company’s like Image would all see to it that the face of comics would alter radically, but these are well known, and for me, don’t provide an interesting avenue to introduce comics to someone who isn’t really interested.

Like many of those who’ve written pieces on this I would hold up Alan Moore as the archetype for what can be done with, and in, comics. “Watchmen” is a stunning piece of plotting, “V for Vendetta” a thought provoking tale in the Orwellian mode, and “The Killing Joke” possibly the single greatest Batman story ever, and certainly the one which forever removed the campier elements left from the days of Adam West and co.

However Alan Moore, is essentially an exception, certainly not your run-of-the-mill, well, anything really, maybe he’s not such a good example.

Which brings me to Neil Gaiman, and The Sandman, a best seller and huge success, but again, Mr.Gaiman has given up writing comics, and moved on to purely text novels. So in spite of the sheer depth of Sandman, despite that it is often described as Real Literature… perhaps it’s not the best example either.

Luckily, I didn’t grow up just reading Batman, Superman, Spiderman and all.

I did read them, but, except for some Batman, they seemed, even then, too simplistic. I grew up, as I’m sure did many others, watching cartoons, which developed into an interest in comics as I grew older. I still have some Transformers.

However by the time I was old enough to buy comics on a regular enough basis to consider myself a fan, I discovered a problem.

I didn’t live in America, I lived in Ireland. There was no such thing as a comic shop.

Newsagents stocked Marvel and DC titles sporadically, Transformers was actually available, but, everyone got that, why spend money on something I’d

Anime films everyone should see

I remember when l was younger, we used to watch the cartoons on tv, and thought they were great, and now even in my fifties, they have just got better and better.

The films l have sat and watched, and thourghly enjoyed,and l think so would alot of people are, first happy feet, the dancing singing penquins, it was really enjoyable, l thought the caracters was well picked and the story line was good too, got hubby laughing,(good for the men ladies) so did the grand children.

The next was Surfs Up, oh my what a film, well done, graphics were great, the story line was very good, we all sat and enjoyed it very much.

Then shrek 3 was outstanding, well all the shreks really, yes we watched them all, visually they are great, the storries are good and the main caracters were very good.

Monsters inc, was another great film, they have taken cartoons to another level in this great film, then polar express wow very stimulating graphically, it was outstanding.

there is toy story, pig in the city, the simpsons movie, and the good old classic jungle book, plus some new ones we have not seen yet, transformers, bridge to terabithia, and the next harry potter film, we love watching all these films, and so will you, go on give it a go, you will be laughing too.

Top five movies of all time

I think in order to make a movie it needs a little bit of everything in it. It needs humor,action,drama,good actors, and a good storyline. Even if the actor or actors aren’t good the person or persons should play that character very well,so here are my top 5 movies:

1.Transformers-this movie besides X-men III was the coolest movie I’ve ever seen. It had the perfect actors in it. It also had a great storyline, and the perfect amount of humor,drama,and action. I really think that Shia Labeouf is a good actor, and on Transformers he really brought it.

2.Batman Begins- at first I thought “well its probably like all the other Batman movies or like the cartoon”. I was wrong this movie actually made sense and wasn’t boring. I really hope they come out with a sequel.

3.The Titanic- this is a classic, because it really happened and true story are

always the best to watch, just like Transformers it had everything humor, less action, a lot of drama, but the actors were great in that movie.

4.King Kong- the modern movie is way better then the old movie. At first I was surprised that Jack Black was one of the main characters because he is a comedian and King Kong it does have comedy in it, but it’s mostly horror and drama, but he was really good in that movie, and everything about that movie was good.

5.Spiderman- this movie was big talk when was in the sixth grade this was awesome

I am speechless when it comes to this movie and on every sequel it gets better.

Trends in science fiction movies

Science fiction movies are the same as every other movie out now. Every film of every genre is the same. When was the last time any one went to a movie and said “wow that was different”.My guess is sometime in the 90’s. It has gotten so pathetic that movies are copying movies that have already been released. These days you see a movie someone else remakes it then in a year there is a parody of that movie. As far as the sci-fi genre goes transformers is the best film out in my opinion and it was remade from a cartoon i watched when i was a little boy. I cant wait to see the makers of Scary Movie, Date Movie, and Epic Movie to put out Sci-Fi Movie and put a parody against Transformers and throw in Aliens, Starwars, and Battlestar Galactica. I will leave you with this thought “If aliens in the movies can fly through space blow up planets and program VCRs how do we always find a way to defeat them.” I want to see a movie where visitors from outerspace come and take over our world with no regard for the human race or any animals on the planet, and just go around hacking and shooting and blowing stuff up. When that movie gets made I will go see it. By the way to all production companies “Please fund HALO the movie”. That’s my opinion take it or leave it.

Rediscover Bugs Bunny, Superman, Batman, Dexter And Other Cartoon Characters

Turner Broadcasting’ Cartoon Network Channel is perhaps one of the most appreciated cable television for children. It was launched in 1992 in United States. This channel has gained the audience with its considerable library of animations. Here are some of the most popular cartoons, many of them as reviewed on Cartoon-secrets.com – some of them inherited from generation to generation and the other newer: Tom and Jerry, Scooby-Doo, The Flintstones, Dexter’s Laboratory, Power Puff Girls, Codename: Kids Next Door, Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Grim Adventure of Billy & Mandy, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, Camp Lazlo.

Tom and Jerry are the legendary cat-mouse pair, responsible for some of the most funny and unforgettable scenes of animation. They have delighted and gained more and more fans along time and won seven awards.

Scooby-Doo’s shows are numerous. They evolved along time through more and more inspired series on the stream with the latest scientific conquests in the field of computers. However, they have preserved their ace, the mistery waiting to be revealed, the creepy atmosphere, suspense, thrills and harrowing adventures; this is what gave the charms to this cartoon and gained its fans forever.

The Flintstones, Fred and Wilma, and their neighbours the Rubbles, Barney and Betty, the town of Bedrock, vehicles propelled by the driver’s feet, Dino, the dog-dinosaur and the adventures of the Stone Age transformed into a modern atmosphere. Nothing new and still, so fresh every time you see them.

Dexter’s Laboratory. This cartoon series is about a boy genius, a junior scientist called Dexter, his passion for scientific discoveries and disgust for “girly” feelings, weaknesses; Dexter’s older sister Dee Dee is exactly the opposite, but together they form an A team that gives delightful moments to the audience.

Johnny Bravo with his Elvis-like appearance, his bulging biceps, and overflowing ego are only a few of the qualities this mama’s boy has. He makes you laugh and you somehow adore him although you hate everything that he does. In fact he is his own worst nightmare wherever he goes.

The Powerpuff Girls. Three supernatural superhero girls created with a secret ingredient by Professor Plutonium in a laboratory near Townsville fight against bad guys. A mayor, too small to be good and candies as fuel for super-heroines, and this is just part of the story.

Codename: Kids Next Door. Five 10-year-old tenacious kids fight to preserve the innocence of the childhood which is permanently endangered by the world of adults which is always ruled by implacable rules. Besides the drama you can easily laugh and enjoy their mustard or sweets based weapons.

Courage the Cowardly Dog describes the isolated life of a very timid, timorous and scared dog which has to fight against horrifying monsters to protect himself and his owners, especially Muriel who is very devoted to her dog, while her husband Eustace scares the poor dog all the time and enjoys it.

Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends. Children create imaginary friends which give them the needed help to pass over the obstacles and misfortunes of life. However there is a time when that created hero is no longer wanted so he has to retire somewhere, and that’s what Foster’s home is for.

Camp Lazlo. The camp where the Bean Scouts spend their summer is a place where rules are observed and the nature is a temple. Everything was in an orderly fashion until Lazlo appeared. For more cartoons and information please see our other resources on Cartoon-secrets.com

Spiderman Comics

Spiderman comics have always been on high demand because they are not only bought by children but also by adults who probably read them when they were kids as well.  Spiderman comics are a Marvel Comic original that made its debut in 1962 and was written and created by Stan lee and Steve Dikto.

In his first appearance in Marvel Comics Spiderman made his debut in a guest appearance spot, but would later have his own comic line. The Spiderman character real name is Peter Parker a quite and unsure fellow, who after he is bitten by a spider which had been used for experiments, which means basically the spider had been given different gene’s that made it stronger, faster and could sense danger when it was near and this what transferred into the young Peter Parker and transformed him to his alter ego the wise cracking, web sling Spiderman.

Spiderman comics became a big hit with the kids as well as with adults and this spun into two cartoons. One cartoon was about Spidey on his own and the other was him and iceman and was called the double duo, which actually was also a comic book. The cartoons then lead to a Spiderman movie which would later be remade in early 2000 into the Spiderman movies which we have come to love. Spiderman also shares the scene with other characters like Mary Jane Watson who is Peter Parkers love interest, then there his Aunt and off course the bad guys like the green goblin and Dr. Doom as well as Doc Octopus. The suit of Spiderman has always been red and blue but there was a time the suit changed to black in 1984 when an alien material or matter attached itself to Spiderman’s suit.

Remembering the 80s cartoons – Part 2

There was a time when I never thought I’d be saying things like: ‘Remember the time. . . ” but here I am, looking back on all of those hoary cartoons I watched and loved as a kid. Some of these properties are making a big comeback, like Transformers.

When I was a kid there was both a weekly line up and a Saturday morning line up of cartoons that I loved to watch. Over the years these line ups changed and there were so many cartoons that it can be hard to remember them all. But whatever the change, there was always something good to watch. My favorites:

1. Thunder Cats – my all time favorite! Even now, I still love the theme song!

2. He-man

3. The Littles

4. Star Brite

5. Alf Tales

6. Transformers

7. The Go-Bots

8. The Get Along Gang

9. Alf

10. Alvin and the Chipmunks

11. Foofur

12. The Adventures of Johnny Quest

13. Captain Caveman

14. Danger Mouse

15. Curious George

16. The Care Bears

17. Ducktails

18. Rubiks the Amazing Cube

19. Fat Albert

20. The Flintstones

21. Galaxy High – Also still a favorite!

22. Inspector Gadget

23. Hulk Hogan’s Rockin’ Wrestlin’

24. The Jetsons

25. Rude Dog and the Dweebs

26. Pacman

27. Muppet Babies

Yes, I know. A lot of these are pretty bad. When I look back now at some of those cartoons, many were nothing but cheaply made junk and I wonder why me and my friends were even entertained by them, especially the cartoons created from toy properties like Rude Dog and the Dweebs, Rubiks the Amazing Cube, Pacman or the Monchi-chiis! I even had some of these toys, such as the Rubiks cube (which I still can’t figure out to this day) and two monchi-chi figurines.

Cheap as they were, when you’re a child you can be easily entertained by simple fare. I would have slumber parties and my friends would come over Friday night and then on Saturday morning we would all get up and watch Alvin and the chipmunks, Pacman, The Littles, and all of that. I have to admit that the appeal partly comes from the catchy opening scene tunes. I still love the song for The Littles and Maya the Bee. During the week my sister and I would race home to watch Transformers, Go-Bots and Thundercats. It’s amazing what you’ll tolerate for entertainment as a kid. They can throw anything on TV and if it’s animated kids will watch it. That was certainly true back in the 80’s. When you look at the quality of the cartoons back then as far as content and execution they thrown together but they were fun to watch. As badly drawn and corny as 80’s cartoons are there was an innocence in those cartoons that I miss and don’t see in today’s cartoons. There wasn’t as much violence and cynicism. Back then cartoons were essentially made for children, not adults and I remember that just about all of the cartoons I named taught children about the value of cooperation, accepting others, friendship, loyalty and working together to achieve goals. That doesn’t mean that there weren’t violent cartoons. In fact, I think violence in cartoons got their start in the 1980’s but it has progressed since then dramatically.

If you were an 80’s child and you are looking to relive your childhood, YouTube has many of these old cartoons posted and it’s really fun watching them, noticing how dated and corny they were. But even so, they gave me so many good memories.

More than meets the eye: Anticipating the release of the Transformers movie – Part 12

Well to those that watch television you will know that Transformers already got an award and the movie isn’t even out yet. I think that this movie will be a ten and nothing else. Just by looking at the animation and graphics, it has me sold. Besides this is the Transformers that we’re talking about here. Remember when you were young and woke up every Saturday morning just to watch the next episode just to go to school on Monday and tell your friends how your favorite Transformer did his thing. Well, I think the movie will be just like that. Hopefully they’ll have a lot of different Transformers that we can compare to and if the story boards the same we’ll be in for a hell of a treat. I myself think that this might be even better than X-Men. Transformer comes out next month and trust me I will be there as soon as it opens. And when I’m done I’m taking my son to Toy R Us to get us some Transformer toys. I think this a great way for me and my son to spend some good quality time together. I’m very excited and I hope that all of you are to. By the way my favorite Transformers are the Dino-bots. But I guess they will take on the big screen in the next chapters, feel me?

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