When Amazon released the pilot episode of its TV series The Tick on August 18th last year, audiences seemed to respond very positively – so much so that the series was commissioned. The next nine instalments are set to stream in their entirety on the digital platform next month – just over a year later – and we now have the first full-length trailer to whet our appetites.
The Tick is a comic character created by Ben Edlund in 1986, as a spoof of American comic book superheroes. The property has been adapted into other media many times, including an animated TV series and one in live-action – both of which were also created by Edlund. The Amazon adaptation is Edlund’s third time out of the gate, and the second live-action version – but if the pilot and this trailer are any indication, the creator has absolutely nailed it this time around.
As is evident from this promotional footage, Peter Serafinowicz is perfectly cast as the mysterious Tick – the giant blue superhero who teams with a timid accountant to fight his various nemeses. Serafinowicz certainly has the physical presence for the role, but it’s his voice that truly makes the character. He’s able to deliver his dialogue with just the right pitch of satirical vigour, hitting the spoof nature of the property time and again.
The supporting cast – including Griffin Newman, Valorie Curry, and Ryan Woodle – are clearly all bringing their best to the show too, with Newman in particular showing great talent in facing off with The Tick as Arthur Everest. Wally Pfister (cinematographer for the Dark Knight Trilogy) returns to direct the opening episode, having made such a success of helming the pilot, and he’s joined on the director’s roster by a host of seasoned filmmakers – including Romeo Tirone (Taken), Sheree Folkson (The Decoy Bride) and Thor Freudenthal (Diary Of A Wimpy Kid).
All in all, the future is looking very bright for The Tick, which will be available on Amazon from August 25th.
