Subject: rec.arts.comics: The Tick FAQ v2.1
Date: 9 Apr 1996 19:11:28 -0400
Summary: This is a FAQ about the superhero, The Tick.

Posting-frequency: monthly
URL: http://jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu/~chester/tick.html



                          ***.The Tick FAQ.***
...         VERSION 2.1...       
....  April 1996
....

 ....Compiled by
..    .      James Manchester

AVAILABILITY:  This FAQ is posted regularly to rec.arts.comics.info, 
rec.arts.comics.misc, rec.answers, news.answers, rec.arts.animation, 
and alt.tv.the-tick.  It is archived at the ftp site, 
rtfm.mit.edu:/pub/usenet/rec.answers/comics/tick, and can be found on the 
world wide web at http://jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu/~chester/tick.html.  Permission 
is granted for non-profit distribution of this FAQ, provided it remains 
intact and original authorship is acknowledged.

DISCLAIMER#1:  Ok, so maybe all of these questions aren't frequently asked,
but I thought a FAQ consisting only of "What Tick episodes have aired?" and 
"Where can I find pictures of The Tick?" would be rather small.  All 
information is as accurate as possible as of the date of this document 
(see above); please let me know of any ommissions or mistakes.

NOTATION:  Titles of comic books appear in all capital letters (e.g., THE
TICK), as do titles of episodes of the cartoon when they appear among 
text.  The first appearance of a character is often shown with the
notation (FA: THE TICK #00) which shows which issue (or episode) the 
character first appeared.  THE TICK may be abbreviated "TICK", THE TICK:
KARMA TORNADO as "TORNADO", PAUL the SAMURAI as "PAUL" and THE MAN-EATING
COW as "MEC".

SPOILER NOTICE:  Due to the (semi-) recent nature of Tick comics and the 
recent increase in popularity due to the cartoon, some of the information 
below could be construed to be spoiler material.  Read the contents if you
aren't sure and proceed at your own risk...
 
...     >>>CONTENTS<<<

Version 2 has minor changes throughout the FAQ
"*" represents questions with many modifications since last version
"+" represents new questions since last version

1.0: Who is the Tick?
 .1.1  Who is the Tick? 
.1.2  Who created the Tick?  
.1.3  Where and when was the Tick's first appearance? 
 .1.4  What are the Tick's powers?

2.0: Does the Tick have any friends?
.2.1  Who is Arthur?
.2.2  Who is Oedipus?
.2.3  Who is Paul the Samurai?
.2.4  Who is Man-Eating Cow?
.2.5  Who is American Maid?
.2.6  Who is Die Fledermaus?
.2.7  Who is Caped (or Crusading) Chameleon?
.2.8  Who is Sewer Urchin?
.2.9  Who is the Caped Wonder?
.2.10 Who is Angus McGuire?
.2.11 Who is the Human Bullet?
.2.12 Who is Little Wooden Boy?
.2.13 What is the Decency Squad?
.2.14 Who is Soaring Red Pecker?
.2.15 What other heroes does The Tick know?
.2.16 Does The Tick have any normal friends?

3.0: If the Tick is a superhero, then what super-villains has he fought?
.3.1  Who is...the Tick?
.3.2  Who is Man-Eating Cow?
.3.3  Who is Chairface Chippendale?
.3.4  Who is Chainsaw Vigilante?
.3.5  Who is The Red Eye?
.3.6  Who is El Seed?
.3.7  Who is the Breadmaster?
.3.8  Who is the Terror?
+.3.9  Who is the Brainchild?.
.3.10  What other villains has The Tick fought?

4.0: What is some trivial, but interesting, information about the Tick?
        4.1  Why does the Tick fight crime?
.4.2  Where does the Tick live?
.4.3  What is the Tick's secret identity?
.4.4  Does the Tick suck blood?
.4.5  Does the Tick have 8 legs?
.4.6  What is the significance of "SPOON!"?
.4.7  What do his antennae do?
.4.8  Where can I find an archive of all those witty sayings 
..the Tick has?

5.0: Where can I find the Tick in printed media?
 .5.1  What Tick comics are published regularly?
.5.2  Will Ben Edlund publish any more issues of THE TICK?
.5.3  What other comics has the Tick made appearances in? 
.5.4  How do I subscribe to Tick comics? 
  .5.5  How do I find back issues of Tick comics? 
.5.6  How do I contact New England Comics?
.5.7  Why don't my issues of THE TICK fit in my comics bags?
.5.8  What are the rare issues of THE TICK?
.5.9  Does Ben Edlund make an actual appearance in somewhere in 
..the Tick comics?

6.0: Does the Tick make TV appearances?
.6.1  Does the Tick have his own cartoon series?  How long has it
..been on?
 .6.2  How many episodes are there?  What are they?
 .6.3  Will there be more episodes?
 .6.4  When can I see the cartoon?
.6.5  Have any videos of the cartoon been released?
 .6.6  Is someone different doing Arthur's voice?
.6.7  Who does the voices for the show?
.6.8  Don't I recognize some of those names?
.6.9  How do contact Fox Kids Network?
.6.10  Is there any possibility of an animated or live-action Tick 
..movie?

7.0: Where can I find the Tick on the Internet?
.7.1  Is The Tick discussed on any newsgroups?
.7.2  Can the Tick be found at any anonymous ftp sites?
 .7.3  Are there any World Wide Web pages devoted to the Tick?

8.0: Are there any clubs or associations devoted to the Tick that I can be a
.member of?

9.0: Are there any Tick toys?
.9.1  Which 3" figures have been released?
.9.2  What about Dinosaur Neil?
.9.3  Will there be any future additions to this line?
 .9.4  What 6" poseable action figures have been released?
.9.5  When were Man-Eating Cow and Die Fledermaus released?
 .9.6  Will there be any upcoming additions to this line?
.9.7  What is "The Box"?
*.9.8  Has Taco Bell released any kid's meals that contain Tick
..toys?
.9.9  What was the Life cereal offer?
 .9.10 Isn't there a Tick video game?
 .9.11 What other Tick toys are there?
.9.12 What about other Tick merchandise?

10.0: Who has contributed to the Tick FAQ?

11.0: Can I help with the Tick FAQ?

[**********************************1.0************************************]
.....
1.0  Who is the Tick?


1.1.Who is The Tick? (See also Q5.1)

.The Tick is a powerful superhero.  He broke out of the Evanston
Hospital, an asylum in Minnesota, and became the self-proclaimed protector 
of The City.  (THE TICK #1)

1.2.Who created the Tick?

.The Tick was created by Ben Edlund.  Mr. Edlund, who is now 27, 
grew up in Massachusetts and created the Tick his senior year in high 
school.

1.3.When and where was the first appearance of the Tick?

.The Tick first appeared in 14th issue of the 
NEC in-house newsletter (July-August 1986).  The first comic book 
appearance of the Tick reprints most of what was originally in issues #14 
and 15 of the newsletter with a longer storyline and was sold as a special 
edition of THE TICK #1.  Only 5000 copies were printed and it was sold only 
through NEC's stores and through mail order.  However, if you would like 
to own a copy, later printings of this fine book can be purchased at the 
cover price.  THE TICK #1 is also reprinted in THE TICK OMNIBUS: SUNDAY 
THROUGH WEDNESDAY.
   
1.4 What are the Tick's Powers?
.
.The Tick is mighty and nigh-invulnerable.


[**********************************2.0************************************]


2.0:  Does the Tick have any friends?

 
2.1.Who is Arthur?

.The Tick's sidekick, Arthur met the Tick early in his superhero
career and they became fast friends.  His moth suit, which he bought at an
auction, enables him to fly.  Arthur's first main appearance was in THE 
TICK #4; however, he can be seen in the background as early as THE 
TICK #1 (page 13).

2.2.Who is Oedipus?

.Oedipus Ashley Stevens is a female ninja who had the honor of 
being the first superhero to fight alongside the Tick.  She first 
appeared in THE TICK #3.  Oedipus has appeared only in the comics.

2.3.Who is Paul the Samurai?

.Another character who met the Tick earlier in his career is Paul
the Samurai, a mighty samurai and baker.  Paul had a limited 3-edition 
miniseries and now stars in his own self-titled ongoing comic 
(FA: THE TICK #4).  Paul has not appeared in the cartoon.

2.4.Who (or what) is the Man-Eating Cow?

.Originally, Man-Eating Cow was one of the cows in the man-
eating alligator and cow pit that Chairface (see Q3.3) lowered the Tick 
and Angus McGuire (see Q2.10) into (FA: THE TICK #7).  Angus and the Tick 
escaped (so did Man-Eating Cow) and Man-Eating Cow later saved the Tick 
from an attack by members of Chairface's gang.  When the Tick decided to 
leave for New York (THE TICK #8) he left The City in the capable hands 
(hooves?) of Man-Eating Cow.  Man-Eating Cow made an appearance as a 
villain siding with the Terror in THE TICK vs. ARTHUR'S BANK ACCOUNT.
She also has a self-titled ongoing comic series.

2.5.Who is American Maid?

.American Maid is a high-heel-shoe-flinging hero with fighting and 
acrobatic expertise who can sometimes be found fighting alongside the 
Tick.  American Maid has to date only appeared in the cartoon.  (FA: THE 
TICK vs. THE IDEA MEN)

2.6  .Who is Die Fledermaus?  How do you pronounce Die Fledermaus?

.Die Fledermaus (pronounced <dee flay' der mous>, but not spelled 
"Deflator Mouse") is the fashion-conscious superhero of The City who got 
into the crimefighting gig more to look good than to fight crime.  He 
dresses like a bat and has also only appeared in the cartoon.  The actual 
term "die fledermaus" is German for "the bat".  (FA: THE TICK vs. THE 
IDEA MEN)

2.7.Who is Caped (or Crusading) Chameleon?

.A friend of the Tick, Crusading Chameleon has the power to climb
walls and to change color to match the color of any surface that he is 
on, except, maybe, the more difficult color schemes ("Can't...do...
plaid.").  Crusading Chameleon has not appeared in the comics.  (FA: THE 
TICK vs. THE IDEA MEN)

2.8 .Who is Sewer Urchin?

.Another friend of the Tick, Sewer Urchin watches the sewers 
for criminal activity and has the ability to emit a noxious gas that can 
paralyze the central nervous system.  Like other heroes of The City, 
Sewer Urchin has not appeared in the comics.

2.9.Who is the Caped Wonder?

.The Caped Wonder lives in The City and works for The Weekly World
Planet under his secret identity, Clark Oppenheimer.  He is invulnerable, 
can fly, can move fast with his very-quick speed, and has see-through 
vision and really-hot vision, with which he can make things really hot.  
Each proclaiming to be "Protector of The City", The Caped Wonder and the 
Tick never seemed to quite get along.  The Caped Wonder first appeared 
in THE TICK #1 and made a cameo appearance in THE TICK vs. THE IDEA MEN.

2.10.Who is Angus McGuire?

.Angus McGuire is the police detective and member of a government 
criminal investigations bureau (FA: THE TICK #7) who recruited the 
Tick's help in stopping Chairface Chippendale (see Q3.2) from vandalizing 
the moon.  
  
2.11 .Who is the Human Bullet?
.
.With his helmet in the shape of a bullet, the Human Bullet fires 
himself off to the scene of a crime in his giant cannon.  The Human 
Bullet first appeared in THE TICK vs. THE IDEA MEN.

2.12    Who is Little Wooden Boy?

.While Arthur shirked his patrol duties one night, the Tick freed 
this new sidekick from a block of wood.  Little Wooden Boy helped the 
Tick fight off Swiss commandoes when he first appeared in LITTLE WOODEN 
BOY AND THE BELLY OF LOVE.

2.13.What is the Decency Squad?

.In their prime during the Golden Age of Superheroes, the Decency 
Squad fought villains in the WWII era.  Heading up the Decency Squad was 
Captain Decency and his sidekick Johnny Polite.  With the cry, "I vote for 
goodness!" Suffra-jet would fly into battle with the help of a jet 
strapped to her back.  The Living Doll would proclaim "I'm full of tinier 
men!" and could come apart at the torsoe, exposing a smaller version of 
himself who in turn contained more 'tiny men'.  Finally, with a yell, 
"Rockets from the Sockets!" Visual Eyes would spy on evil-doers from 
far away as his eyes flew to the scene of a crime.  Alongside the Tick, 
they met up with their old foe the Terror (see Q3.8) in GRANDPA WORE 
TIGHTS.

2.14.Who is Soaring Red Pecker?

.In his woodpecker guise, Soaring Red Pecker flies about The City 
doing good.  As far as I know, he has never met the Tick, but does know 
Paul the Samurai (see Q2.3). (FA: PAUL THE SAMURAI #3, miniseries)

2.15.What other heroes does the Tick know?

.The Tick has fought next to The Civic-Minded Five, a superhero 
group consisting of Four-legged Man (FA: THE TICK #11); Jungle Janet; 
Feral Boy (FA: THE TICK #9); Carpeted Man, who shuffles around in his 
carpet-suit building up enough static electricity to shock evil-doers; 
and Captain Mucilage (FA: THE TICK #6, as Mucilage Man), who shoots glue 
from high-pressure tanks on his back.  The original appearance of The 
Civic-Minded Five was in THE TICK #9, at which time it consisted of Mr. 
Envelope, Oddman, Feral Boy, Radio King and Fernslinger (who met his 
demise at the hands of Chainsaw Vigilante; see Q3.4).
.The Tick has also met The Running Guy (FA: THE TICK #6), who can 
run faster than ten fast men.  
.He met King Agrippa, Roman God of the Aqueduct (FA: THE TICK #11) 
during an excursion to New York.  Agrippa has the power to teleport water
from anywhere to anywhere in the world.  (Agrippa also appeared in THE 
TICK vs. THE TICK).
.Bigshot (FA: THE TICK#11) is a gun-carrying vigilante who the 
Tick met when he fought Barry at the Comet Club (see Q3.1).  Big Shot's 
first appearance in the cartoon is THE TICK vs. THE IDEA MEN.

2.14.Does the Tick have any normal friends?

.The Tick has made the acquaintance of Dot (FA: THE TICK #8), 
Arthur's sister, and Mayor Blank, mayor of The City.


[**********************************3.0************************************]

3.0  If the Tick is a superhero, what super-villains has he fought?

3.1.Who is...the Tick?

.At one point, a superhero named Barry also called himself "The
Tick".  He attacked the Tick when the Tick would not give up his 
superhero name.  Needless to say, the Tick gave him a sound beating, got 
to keep his superhero name, and also got to keep all of Barry's cool 
superhero gadgets and Barry's Tick Cave (THE TICK #11-12).  Barry also 
appeared in THE TICK vs. THE TICK.

3.2.Who (or what) is the Man-Eating Cow?

.See Q2.4.

3.3.Who is Chairface Chippendale?

.Chairface is a powerful crime boss with a chair for a head (FA: 
THE TICK #7).  The Tick teamed up with Angus McGuire to stop him from 
writing his name on the moon.  In THE TICK vs. CHAIRFACE CHIPPENDALE, the 
Tick teamed up with American Maid to stop him.

3.4.Who is Chainsaw Vigilante?

.Chainsaw Vigilante seems to have a desire to rid the world of 
superheroes (FA: THE TICK #10).  He had a short-lived, self-titled 
comic that ran for three issues.
.
3.5.Who is The Red Eye?

.The Red Eye is a mysterious evil man who goes about doing harm to
the unsuspecting.  The Tick read about him in a comic book and 
coincidentally met up with him soon after  (FA: THE TICK #8).  NEC bound 
a mini-comic called THE RED EYE with THE TICK #8.
.
3.6.Who is El Seed?

.A sentient walking plant, El Seed is the champion of vegetation 
everywhere and desires to take over the world in an attempt to stop the 
oppression of the Plant Kingdom by Animals (FA: THE TICK vs. EL SEED).

3.7.Who is the Breadmaster?

.The Breadmaster, with his slippery assistant, Buttery Pat, is an
outcast of the baking community and commits crimes with weapons that he
bakes (FA: THE TICK vs. THE BREADMASTER).

3.8  Who is the Terror?

.The Terror is an evil genius that has been around since even 
before the Golden Age of Superheroes and attempted to take over The City 
in THE TICK vs. ARTHUR'S BANK ACCOUNT</i>.  He met with his old foes, 
the Decency Squad (see Q2.14) in GRANDPA WORE TIGHTS.  (FA: THE TICK #12)

3.9 .Who is the Brainchild?

.The Tick stopped the evil child genius Brainchild from 
smashing the moon into the earth in THE TICK vs. BRAINCHILD.
During his second encounter with the Tick, he turned the Tick 
into a two-headed bluebird that could only speak high school French 
("Je m'appelle le Tick!") and tried to auction him off to a group 
of supervillains in COACH FUSSEL'S LAMENT. 

3.10.What other villains has the Tick fought?

.The Evil Midnight Bomber What Bombs at Midnight appeared in THE 
TICK vs. THE TICK and attempted to blow up The Comet Club while the Tick
and Barry were fighting (see Q3.1).
.The Red Scare is a large, powerful villain who works for Villains, 
Inc.  If you are a superhero, and aren't getting the publicity you 
deserve, Villains, Inc. will, for a fee, send a supervillain to appear in 
public, make a scene delivering his villain soliloquy while committing a 
crime, and pretend to get beaten when you arrive to save the day. 
(FA: THE TICK #6).  
.Dinosaur Neil was a normal man who accidentally ingested some 
dinosaur DNA and turned into a rampaging dinosaur.  (THE TICK VS.
DINOSAUR NEIL).  
.The District Manager, Walt Fujiyama, is a large man who was the 
leader of ninja operations in America.  (FA: THE TICK #3)
.Thrakkorzog is a being from Dimension 14B who attempted to make 
an army of cloned ticks in THE TICK vs. THE UNCOMMON COLD.  (FA: THE 
TICK #11).
.Pineapple Pokopo is the dictator of the small island of 
Pokoponesia (whose sole resources consist of pineapples and sharks) who 
has his sites set on taking over Hawaii.  He was also present at the 
party when Chairface attempted to write his name on the moon.  (FA: THE 
TICK #8)


[**********************************4.0************************************]

4.0  What is some trivial, but interesting, information about the Tick?

4.1  .Why does the Tick fight crime?

.It is his destiny to be protector of The City.

4.2  .Where does the Tick live?

.The Tick lives in Arthur's apartment in The City.  When THE TICK
left off at #12, he was staying near New York in Barry's Tick Cave (see
Q3.1).

4.3  .What is the Tick's secret identity?

.He doesn't have one, but did at one point.  His secret identity 
was Neville Nedd, employed by the Weekly World Planet to make crossword 
puzzles.

4.4.Does the Tick suck blood?

.He has said as much but has never demonstrated this power.

4.5 .Does the Tick have eight legs?

.It's hard to tell under his costume.

4.6.What is the significance of "SPOON!"?

."SPOON!" is the Tick's battle-cry (FA: THE TICK #7).  Arthur also
has his own battle-cry: "Not in the face!  Not in the face!".

4.7.What do his antennae do?
.
.They keep him balanced (as seen in GRANDPA WORE TIGHTS).

4.8.Where can I find an archive of all those witty sayings the Tick 
.has?

.Try Bigshot's web page (see below).
  
[**********************************5.0************************************]

5.0  Where can I find the Tick in printed media?

5.1.What Tick comics are published regularly?

.None :).  Seriously, though, THE TICK is an ongoing comic 
currently stuck at #12.  One day, we may see the long-awaited #13 
(see Q5.2).  TICK: KARMA TORNADO is ongoing at #10.  Many fans express 
displeasure at the fact that the comics come out irregularly rather than 
on a monthly or other periodic basis.  THE CHROMA-TICK reprints the 
original THE TICK comics in color.

5.2 .Will Ben Edlund publish any more issues of THE TICK?

.My best answer to that is, "I don't know".  He is currently
working on the cartoon, which, if I understand correctly, is a rather
large project.  The status of THE TICK is in limbo.  He recently told 
WIZARD (Wizard #50, December 1995) that he doesn't plan to write any 
more issues in the near future. 

5.3.What other comics contain appearances of the Tick?

.Following are the Tick appearances that I know of:

.THE TICK #1-12
.THE TICK: KARMA TORNADO #1-10
.TALES TOO TERRIBLE TO TELL #1, December 1989 
.PAUL THE SAMURAI (miniseries) #1
.TICK'S CIRCUS OF THE MIGHTY #1-3
.PAUL THE SAMURAI #1
.MAN-EATING COW #1
.Special miniseries: PAUL #9-10 and MEC #9-10  
.

5.4 .How can I subscribe to Tick comics?

.Many comic book retailers have what is called a "subscription
service" where they will hold incoming comics for customers.  
Subscriptions can be ordered directly from NEC; however, the irregularity 
of production of Tick comics can be a source of extreme displeasure to 
subscribers.  To contact NEC, see question 5.6.

5.5.How do I find back issues of Tick comics?

.Many comic book retailers carry back issues of a variety of
titles.  Also, retailers can special order many back issues of Tick comics
at the current printing.  Sometimes back issues can also be found at comic
book conventions.  Back issues can be ordered directly from NEC at the 
current print run, and often, in earlier print runs.  
.NEC has also compiled THE TICK #1-6 into THE TICK OMNIBUS: 
SUNDAY-WEDNESDAY and THE TICK #7-10 into THE TICK OMNIBUS vol II: THURSDAY 
AD INFINITUM.  There is also a trade paperback which collects the first 
five issues of KARMA TORNADO.  The entire miniseries PAUL THE SAMURAI has 
also been collected in trade paperback form.  NEC and Marlowe & Company 
plan to publish CHROMA-TICK #1-6 in a trade paperback in late May, 1996.  
.For ordering information, the address for NEC is listed below.

5.6.How do I contact New England Comics?
.
.The snail-mail address for NEC is:

..New England Comics
..P.O. Box 310
..Quincy, MA  02269

.Phone: (617) 774-0140
.Fax:   (617) 774-1747
.
.These numbers are the current numbers.  I believe that in the 
.number printed in some of the earlier issues now belongs to 
.someone else.

.To contact NEC via e-mail, send mail to:

..necp@necomics.com.

.They can also be found on their web page (see below)

5.7  .Why don't my issues of THE TICK fit in my comic bags?

.Because your bags are too small.  Try golden age bags and boards 
if you want to keep your issues of THE TICK.

5.8.What are the rare printings of THE TICK?

.Following are the some of the rare (or scarce-enough-to-be-rare) 
printings of THE TICK:

.THE TICK Special Edition #1 (See Q1.3)
.THE TICK Special Edition #1, unnumbered variety (3 in known 
..existance)
.THE TICK Special Edition #2 (3000 printed)
.THE TICK #2, uncut cover (original #2 has a die-cut)
 
5.9 .Doesn't Ben Edlund make an appearance somewhere in the Tick 
.comics?

.Yes; he appears in THE TICK #9, page 10, second panel.  He is the
man in black, standing next to the guy in the Delta House t-shirt.


[**********************************6.0************************************]

6.0  Does the Tick make TV appearances?

6.1.Does the Tick have his own cartoon series?  How long has it been
on?

.Yes, The Tick Animated Series has aired since the Fall '94 season.

6.2.How many episodes are there?  What are they?

.So far, there are 26 episodes, all of which have aired,
listed below, by season, some with original air dates:

    First season:

.1.  The Tick vs. The Idea Men
.2.  The Tick vs. The Bread Master
.3.  The Tick vs. The Uncommon Cold
.4.  The Tick vs. The Tick
.5.  The Tick vs. Proto-Clown
.6.  The Tick vs. El Seed
.7.  The Tick vs. Chairface Chippendale
.8.  The Tick vs. Brainchild
.9.  The Tick vs. The Mole Men
.10. The Tick vs. Pineapple Pokopo
.11. The Tick vs. Mr. Mental
.12. The Tick vs. Dinosaur Neil
.13. The Tick vs. Arthur's Bank Account


   Second season:

.14. The Little Wooden Boy and the Belly of Love (9/9/95)
.15. Alone Together (9/16/95)
.16. Armless but not Harmless (9/23/95)
.17. Coach Fussel's Lament
.18. Leonardo DaVinci and his Fightin' Genius Time Commandos!
.19. Bloomsday
.20. Evil Sits Down for a Moment
.21. Heroes
.22. Ants in Pants
.23. The Tick Loves Santa
.24. Tick vs. The Big Nothing (2/3/96)
.25. Tick vs. Reno, Nevada (2/10/96)
.26. Grandpa Wore Tights (2/17/96)

See the www pages below for a good episode guide for *both* seasons.

6.3  .Will there be more episodes?

.There shouldn't be any more episodes this season (all 13 
having been shown already).  According to Doug Katsaros, writer 
of the music from the Tick, the cartoon 
has been signed on for two more seasons.

6.4.When can I see the cartoon?

.The cartoon airs on Saturday mornings on the Fox network.
It is currently on after X-Men.  The actual time, I believe, is 
often area-specific and is often subject to change.  At the date of
this FAQ, it airs Baltimore at 11:00 a.m. 
.Bigshot's Tick page (below) lists times in different areas.

6.5.Have any videos of the cartoon been released?

.So far, THE TICK vs. THE IDEA MEN and THE TICK vs. 
CHAIRFACE CHIPPENDALE have appeared in stores on one video, 
selling for around $10-$12.

6.6.Is someone different doing Arthur's voice?

.Mickey Dolenz, who did the voice for the first season, was 
unavailable during the second season, due to other commitments.  
Rob Paulsen currently does Arthur's voice.

6.7.Who does the voices for the show?

.Following is a list of people who do voices of the characters on 
The Tick Animated Series (listed by character):

...Recurring Characters

.The Tick..........................Townsend Coleman
.Arthur............................Rob Paulsen
.Arthur (1st season)............................Mickey Dolenz
.Crusading Chameleon...............Rob Paulsen
.The Human Bullet..................Jess Harnell
.Sewer Urchin......................Jess Harnell
.Die Fledermaus....................Cam Clarke
.American Maid.....................Kay Lenz
.Dot...............................Kim Robertson

...Guests and Villains

  The Tick vs. The Tick

.Barry.............................Jim Cummings
.The Evil Midnight Bomber What Bombs at Midnight 
.....  Rob Paulsen
.Orangatan sidekick................Jim Cummings

  The Tick vs. Mr. Mental

.Mr. Mental........................Jim Cummings
.Minda.............................Kim Robertson

  The Tick vs. Brainchild

.Brainchild........................Rob Paulsen

  The Tick vs. The Uncommon Cold

.Thrakkorzog.......................Jim Cummings

  The Little Wooden Boy and the Belly of Love

 .Jennifer Hale..Kevin Schon
.Steve Susskind..Pat Musick
 
Following is the remainder of the list of voices during the first season: 

.Pat Fraley..Pat Musick
.Roger Rose..Kevin Schon
.Dorian Harewood..Susan Silo
.Maurice LaMarche.Gail Matthius
.Debi Derryberry..Dan Castellanetta
.Miriam Flynn..Phil Proctor.
  
6.8.Don't I recognize some of those names?

.Probably.  Mickey Dolenz is a member of the band, The Monkees.
Dan Castellanetta does voices for The Simpsons, including Homer, Grampa 
Simpson, Homer's friend Barney and Krusty the Clown.  Kim Robertson 
played Lucy, Sheriff Truman's secretary on Twin Peaks.  Rob Paulsen does 
the voice of Yakko, Dr. Scratchensniff, and Pinky on Animaniacs; the Mask 
on The Mask; and P.J. on Goof Troop.  Jess Harnell does the voice of Wakko
on Animaniacs.  Maurice LaMarche voices the Brain on Animaniacs.  Kay Lenz 
has been in some low-budget movies since the 70's, including Death Wish IV. 
Jim Cummings voices Goofy on Goof Troop.

6.9.How do I contact FOX Kids Network?

.As far as I know, this is still Fox's address:

.FOX Kids Network
.5746 Sunset Blvd.  6th Floor
.Los Angeles, CA  90028

.phone: (213) 856-1000
.fax:   (213) 461-8240

.e-mail the execs at Fox Kids:
.Dan Dubelman
.foxkids@metawire.com

.They can also be contacted at their web page (below).

6.10 .Is there any possibility for an animated or live-action Tick movie?

.Yes; in a conversation with Bigshot (see the web page, above) 
Ben Edlund mentioned that there is an *outside* chance of an animated or 
live-action movie featuring The Tick.


[**********************************7.0************************************]
 
7.0  Where can I find the Tick on the Internet?


7.1.Do any newsgroups discuss the Tick?

.There is one newsgroup completely devoted to the Tick: 
alt.tv.the-tick.
  .Discussion about the Tick can sometimes be found on 
rec.arts.comics.misc.  Rarely, Tick action figures are made mention of on
rec.toys.misc.  The cartoon is sometimes discussed on rec.arts.animation.  
The cartoon series and toys have been discussed on 
rec.arts.comics.other-media.  Also, there is an almost constant request to 
post pictures of the Tick on alt.binaries.pictures.cartoons.  The Tick FAQ 
is regularly posted to rec.arts.comics.info, rec.arts.comics.misc, 
rec.answers, news.answers and rec.arts.animation.

7.2.Can the Tick be found at any anonymous ftp sites?

.*Tick jpegs are available via anonymous ftp at: 
   .Host Name:  ftp.sunet.se...     
   .Directory:  ftp.sunet.se/pub/pictures/comics/Tick 

.*Tick wav's can be found at:
.Host Name:  www.blackcat.org
.Directory:  www.blackcat.org/tick

.*A text version of this faq can be found at:
.Host Name:  rtfm.mit.edu
.Directory:  rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/rec.answers/comics/tick

7.3.Are there any World Wide Web pages devoted to the Tick?

.Yes; following are some of the most prominent Tick pages:

.Page Name:  New England Comics, Inc.
.Site:  http://www.necomics.com/
.*The official NEC page

.Page Name:  (Fox Kid's Network's) The Tick 
.Site:  http://www.foxnetwork.com/Kids/Lineup/Tick/index.html
.*A pretty decent page dedicated to The Tick Animated Series

.Page Name:  (Bigshot's) The Tick Page
.Site:  http://www.cipsinc.com/TICK/tickpage.html
.*Television airing information is located here, along with a good
..episode guide, merchandise info and Tick quotes

.Page Name:  Duh Dwee Da Da Da Dwee Dow (The ROMAD Tick Page)
.Site:  http://www.cen.uiuc.edu/~mb9530/tick.html
.*Has a few pictures

.Page Name:  (Soren's) The TICK
.Site:  http://www.emerald.net/soren/thetick.html
.*Summary of The Tick #1-12, and a couple movies

.Page Name:  The Tick Headquarters
.Site:  http://www.cs.rose-hulman.edu/~stinerkt/Tick.html
.*A good site, with character descriptions and pictures from the
..show

.Page Name:  (Grendel's) The Tick
.Site:  http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/users/c/crlaffer/lair/tick
../tick.html
.*Contains sound bytes from the show

.Page Name:  Jeff's Tick Picts & Audio Clips
.Site:  http://mist.cit.cornell.edu/pictures/tick.html
.*Pictures and audio clips from the show (obviously)

.Page Name:  Brandon's Tribute to the Tick
.Site:  http://tardis.pacificu.edu/%7Ebrowninb/tick.html
.*What Brandon calls "the most extensive Tick info on the web"

.Page Name:  Solex's Tick Home Page
.Site:  http://windvane.umd.edu/~solex/tick.html
.*A rather extensive archive of .wav, .au and .zipped Tick 
..audio files

.Page Name:  Maggi's Incredibly Complete Tick Links Page
.Site:  http://kira.intranet.org/~maggi/tick.html
.*A probably exhaustive list of Tick WWW pages

.Page Name:  The TCC24Seven Tick Page
.Site:  http://www.tcc.co.uk/inside/tick/index.html
.*This British TV station has a great Tick page

.Page Name:  Gavin Suntop's: TICK HOMEPAGE!
.Site:  http://www.prairienet.org/~phyber/tickpage.html
.*A whole page of the Tick...character descriptions, etc.

.Page Name:  Darren Fallis - Home Page 
.Site:  http://hpserv.keh.utulsa.edu/~dmf/home.html
.*The pictures from ftp.sunet.se are shown as thumbnails here and
..can be downloaded directly from this page
.
.Page Name:  The Tick's Dart Game
.Site:  http://www.math.unh.edu/~black/cgi-bin/dartMap
.*A new and different Tick page

.Page Name:  The Action Figure Web Page
.Site:  http://www.aloha.com/~randym/action_figures
.*Find information about the new figures coming out in November 
..and see pictures of the old figures

.Page Name: The Ultimate TV List: The Tick
.Site:  http://tvnet.com/cgi-bin/utl?card+1336
.*The Tick Page on the Ultimate TV Page

.Page Name:  Movie Madness Merchandise
.Site:  http://www.moviemadness.com/
.*Get your Tick merchandise here

.Page Name:  The Tick FAQ
.Site:  http://jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu/~chester/tick.html
.*This very document, hypertexted

.Page Name:  (The Tick talks about final exams)
.Site:  http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~blah/tick.html

.Page Name: Little Wooden Boy's Home Page
.Site:  http://www.unc.edu/~bds1404

Due to the large number of Tick pages (which seems to be increasing 
exponentially), I don't have room to put all of them here...try Maggi's
page (above).
.
 [**********************************8.0************************************]

8.0.Are there any clubs/associations devoted to the Tick that I can be
a member of?

.Yes: The Tick Society, the Mystic Order of Arachnid Vigilance.  The 
Tick Society can be joined for $12.00 by sending in a coupon from the back
of Tick comics (or from the NEC catalog).  Members receive a field kit 
containing the Tick Society Handbook, a glossy photo of the Tick, a Cypher-
Matic Decoder Wheel, a certificate of membership, a membership card, an 
Official MOAV Implement of Menace (a straw) and a Spoon!  Contact NEC  
(see Q5.6) for membership information.
.

[**********************************9.0************************************]

9.0.Are there any Tick toys or other types of merchandise?

9.1.Which 3" figures have been produced?

.BanDai has produced a line of 3" molded figures that include the 
Tick, Arthur, American Maid, Sewer Urchin, Crusading Chameleon, the Human 
Bullet, Dyna-Mole, Dean, El Seed and Chairface.

9.2.What about Dinosaur Neil?

.The 3" figure was not produced due to "production problems".  I 
have no knowledge of the possibility of future release.

9.3.Will there be any future additions to this line?

.Yes; supposedly, BanDai will add the Evil Midnight Bomber What 
Bombs at Midnight, Die Fledermaus, Barry, Leaping Tick, Tick in a Tuxedo, 
Mole King, Tuun-La, Pineapple Pokopo, Lava Man and Captain Mucilage. 

9.4.What 6" poseable action figures have been released?

.The first line of 6" figures included the Tick, Arthur, Sewer 
Urchin, the Human Bullet, Dean, Dinosaur Neil, Dyna-Mole, El Seed, 
Man-Eating Cow, Die Fledermaus.  These came out spring, 1995.
.Series II came out November, 1995, and include Stop Sign-Hurling 
Tick, Mucus Tick, American Maid, Crusading Chameleon, Thrakkorzog and 
Skippy the Flying Dog.

9.5.When were Man-Eating Cow and Die Fledermaus released?

.First sitings of these figures occured in late July/early August, 
1995.

9.6.Will there be any upcoming additions to this line?

.There will be a series of four 6" action figure talking Ticks.

9.7 .What is "The Box"?

.In the first cartoon, THE TICK vs. THE IDEA MEN, the Tick won 
the superhero convention by surving "The Box", a large mean-looking box 
that contains all sorts of painful tortures.  BanDai plans to release 
The Box for use with the 6" figures.

9.8 .Did Taco Bell release Tick kid's meals that contained toys?

.In 1995, Taco Bell had a Tick promotion with Tick kid's
meals that contained toys.  These toys included a Tick finger puppet, 
a wall-crawling Arthur, a Tick on roller-skates that smashes through a 
wall, a Thrakkorzog water squirter and a few vinyl decals.
.Beginning February 1996, TB released a new set of toys with Tick 
kid's meals.  These toys were larger and nicer than the first set.  They 
included a balancing Tick, a gliding Arthur, a submersible Sewer 
Urchin and a Brainchild.

9.9.What was the Life cereal offer?

.Recently, Life cereal has had an offer in which you could send 
away for a set of 4 Tick pogs and a slammer with two UPC symbols from 
Life cereal.  This offer is good until July 31, 1996, or until 
supplies last.

9.10.Are those the same pogs I saw at Toys R Us?

.Supposedly, they are supposed to be limited edition.  I'd know 
for sure if I would have received the ones I sent a way for :(.  There 
is also a set of  60 pogs that are available at various stores 
that sell pogs, such as Toys R Us.

9.11.Isn't there a Tick video game?

.Yes; at least out for Super Nintendo and the Sega Genesis.  
Fortunately, someone did their homework on the cartoon and the comic 
books.  Unfortunately, they didn't develop the game itself, but it's 
worth a look.

9.12.What other Tick toys are there?

.There is a 15" Talking Tick.
.There will supposedly be a line of Micro Machines that star 
characters from the Tick.
.There is a line of wind-up toys featuring the 
Tick; these figures include the Tick, Arthur, El Seed, the Human Bullet, 
Dyna-Mole and Sewer Urchin. 
.Finally, there is a board game featuring the Tick and the villains 
that he has fought, The Tick: Hip Deep in Evil.

9.13.What about other Tick merchandise?

.New t-shirts, caps and posters have popped up in stores that 
sell movie, tv or comic book related merchandise.  NEC will send a 
catalog of the merchandise that they carry to anyone that writes them 
at the snail mail or e-mail addresses above.  NEC also has a catalog 
on the web page above.
.Recently, Fox Kids Network has produced a set of trading cards 
for their Saturday morning cartoons. Of these cards, the Tick and the 
cast of the show make up a 62 card subset.
.A Tick CD will be coming out that contains music from the show.



[*********************************10.0************************************]

10.0.Who has contributed to this FAQ?

.I would like to thank the following people for assistance (direct
.and indirect) with this FAQ:

.David T. Chappell (davidc@leland.stanford.edu), whose Superman FAQ 
inspired this one and acted as a model for it.
."Roxy" Meinhold (khleyr@leland.stanford.edu), who was the first 
person to really help out with the FAQ.
."Bigshot" (bigshot@cipsinc.com) and _The Tick Page_ (see WWW pages 
above) for providing up-to-date information on certain aspects of the 
television show and merchandising.
.Randy Matthews (randym@aloha.com) and _The Action Figure Web Page_ 
(see WWW pages above) for providing info about the action figures.
.Kenneth Willey, who gave some good comments and suggestions.
.Eric Benchimol (ericben@io.org) and _The Hype! Comic Cafe_ 
(http://www.hype.com/comics/cafe/comicafe.htm) for current information.
.Also contributing:
. Dane Johnson .      (klaatu@halcyon.com)
. David Filip  .      (grimlock@u.washington.edu).
. Alex Hart            (alhart@ucdavis.edu)
. David Llewellyn      (dwbl@ix.netcom.com)
. Jeffrey Kreth        (jkreth@ConnectI.com)
. Matthew Hubbard      (leofosse@crl.com)
. Scott Purdy.      (spurdy@pomona.edu)
. Jonathan Steckelberg (cujs7@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu)

Also thank you to all the people who have helped out by writing and by  
asking questions.  If I have neglected to mention your name, please let me 
know.  Thanks.

[*********************************11.0************************************]

11.0.Can I help with the Tick FAQ?

.Yes!  Please let me know if you have any questions needing answers 
or if you have any suggestions/corrections/flames.  I can be reached at
chester@ren.psy.jhu.edu.


{**********************************fin************************************}

DISCLAIMER#2:  The Tick and related characters are copyrighted and are
registered trademarks of Ben Edlund.  Related materials are copyrighted by 
New England Comics.  The Tick Animated Series is copyrighted by Fox Kid's
Network, Inc.  Mention of the characters and materials in this document is 
without permission of Ben Edlund, NEC or Fox Kids Network, but this use 
is not intended to challenge Mr. Edlund's, NEC's or Fox Kids Network's 
trademark rights or copyrights.  Readers who want to learn more about The 
Tick are encouraged to purchase the comic books and watch the animated 
series.  Permission is granted for non-profit distribution of this 
document, provided it remains intact and the original authorship is 
acknowledged.  Any other use requires the written permission of the author.
Copyright 1995,1996 by James Manchester




-- 
James Manchester."Eating kittens is just plain, plain wrong!"
Department of Psychology..-The Tick
Johns Hopkins University
chester@ren.psy.jhu.edu <URL:http://www.psy.jhu.edu/~chester>
