The Tick, cartoon version (1 Viewer)

I loved this cartoon when it was on but don't understand why it hasnt been released on DVD.
Anyone know why?

Man I'd love The Tick on DVD.

Unfortunately, I think a release of The Tick will hinge on the success of Buena Vista's (i.e., Disney's) two other cartoon box set releases this year (the 1967 Spider-Man and Gargoyles). I really wish Disney didn't own this series.

De

I posted the answer to this exact question back in July 2003, and again addressed it a couple of weeks ago in an other thread. Here's a repost:



Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the animated series will appear anytime soon.

I specifically checked into this possibility during this year's San Diego Comic Con, and received some disappointing news — Disney just purchased the rights to the series, and it is now officially part of their "archives." And it looks like it will be staying there for the time being, as Disney has no current plans to release the show on DVD. It is also very doubtful that The Tick will appear on DVD in any foreign territories, as I was told that Disney apparently purchased the worldwide rights. However, the one bit of good news was that creator Ben Edlund still owns the rights to the characters (and other unspecified rights to the series), therefore Disney cannot alter the series in any way for future broadcast or video releases (i.e., no re-editing OR re-dubbing.)

Does this mean that we'll never see a DVD release of The Tick? No... anything is possible. However, it is very unlikely that it will make an appearance anytime soon. (I was specifically told that if I wanted the animated series, that I should... *ahem* ... obtain it through "other means," which I did).

Disney acquired The Tick as part of a package deal that included several other shows (sorry, I don't know what those other shows are). I was told that Disney isn't really aware of what the show is about, it's appeal, it's huge following, etc. — it was simply part of an acquisition deal. Sure, we all know that The Tick is a viable properly, both for DVD release and TV re-broadcast. I believe that any The Tick DVDs would sell just as well as Fox's Family Guy, Futurama or The Simpsons DVD sets. But the problem here is that it's Disney — they need to be made aware of the value of this show, and somehow convinced that it's absolutely worth their time and effort to produce a DVD series (3 seasons, 36 eps. total). I was told that some of the folks who worked on the show already attempted to interest Disney in a video release, but had no success whatsoever. (Actually, aside from something like Davy Crockett, I can't think of any TV series owned by Disney that has received a DVD release.)

I can only dream that some shrewd folks over at Disney ARE aware of the show, and are waiting to see what the sales-numbers are for Columbia TriStar's live-action TV series before jumping on the DVD bandwagon with their animated version. Hopefully.

In any event, there is no TV series I'd like more on DVD than a complete, authorized The Tick animated set (following closely by Invader Zim, Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot and, um, Quark). Hmmm, maybe this should be the next big candidate for a letter-writing campaign or petition of some sort...

[c]* * * * *[/c]

Just for completeness, here's the most recent blurb I posted here on the HTF:

The Tick (Animated) (1994-1996, 36 eps.) — Buena Vista
Yup… this is a Disney property now. When I talked with the Tick guys last year, they told me that Disney has just finished a full acquisition of ALL of Akom Productions properties. Unfortunately, they say the chances of The Tick getting a DVD release is likely slim to none, since Disney apparently isn't even aware of the fact that they own the show now, since it was simply a small drop in a large aquisition bucket. Very sad indeed! Disney needs to somehow be made aware of their ownership of this title and convinced to release it!

[c]* * * * *[/c]
That should answer your questions. Just as an FYI, the last information I heard (a few short weeks ago) was still exactly the same as my posts above — Disney still has absolutely no plans to release this outstanding show. Which is not surprising considering that the home video division is apparently not even aware that this show exists, or that the studio owns it. Sad to say, but the way things are right now, there really is no chance whatsoever of The Tick getting a DVD release (either in the US or any other country).

What consumers can do to help is to contact Disney, inform them of their recent acquisition and ownership of this show, and request a full DVD release. If they start getting a lot of requests for this, it will definitely get their attention — they'd know that the show exists, that they own it, and that there is a demand for it on DVD. As with any other product, the studio look at the potential sales when determining releases — the more requests they get, the better the chance is that a DVD release might someday happen.

Thanks for the update, Jeff. Too bad for us.

Ric

Pity - I have never seen the animated series, but I adored the live-action series, and would really like to see the original version.

Damn Disney/Eisner!

I'm too furious for eloquence so..just...DAMN.

Anyone have a good address to start writing to?

I believe that when Disney bought Fox Family Channel from News Corporation (and thus renamed it ABC Family), that deal also included the programs that were designated as "Fox Family Productions", a lot of which were Haim Saban properties, like POWER RANGERS, but did also include THE TICK animated series.

"So he says, so he says, youve got legs baby, your everywhere. Yea baby...The Mad Bomber, what Bombs at midnight!"

I loved this show.