The Aquabats! Super Show!

I liked it! Fun, joyful, and imaginative! I adore Parker Jacobs and his artwork and cartoons contributions done for The Aquabats! Super Show!

The Aquabats were a small pop-punk band with ska influences who started back in the mid-90's. Their shows were one part music and one part stage show where they fought monsters and villains in a rather comedic fashion. It brought comparisons to the old Adam West Batman series for good reason namely it was silly, campy fun with some solid music.

For years they toured and even shot a pilot for a TV series with the help of Bobcat Goldthwait playing up their superhero personas as well as featuring their music. To this date only the opening exists out there for the public to see and the pilot itself didn't attract any attention.

Fast forward to 2012 and they finally have their TV show. Members came and went but M.C. Bat Commander and Crash McLarson are still there. They're joined by Jimmy the Robot, Ricky Fitness and Eagle "Bones" Falconhawk. Each of them, with the exception of Bat Commander, have some kind of super power. For example Ricky Fitness is in great shape and can perform feats of strength and speed for a short period of time, Jimmy the Robot is a literal robot and Eagle Falconhawk can summon the spirit of a bird and fly using mystical wings. They use these powers to help them defeat the villain of the week or for comedic purposes.

This is all done very tongue in cheek but played straight like the old Batman series was. It's not a great show and some people might not get it, but if you have a sense of the absurd and don't take things too seriously you should enjoy it.

I watched it some back when it was new, not fully understanding/comprehending the insane humor I was witnessing. Now, as someone with significantly more sentience, I have come to appreciate and laugh at the complicated idiocy of this show. The action and props heavily remind me of Power Rangers, and it is incredibly low quality, but, you see, that's the charm. It's so stupid I can't help but love it. It's not sophisticated, it's not perfect, but it sure is incredible. I haven't seen many other, or any other, shows have live action parts along with animated parts. And oh boy, were the animated parts extremely entertaining. I think even adults can watch this show and have a great time. Just wish it was more recognized.

When you watch the action packed opening of this show you think you are in for the greatest show ever but it's a bit misleading. The episodes tend to be lacking in action with an abundance of bad jokes but the bad guys are always great. This was supposed to be for kids but I doubt most kids would get it. If you can find it, give it a chance.

This is one of those shows that at first, you gotta wonder, "How on Earth did they get the money and backing for this?", but when you sit down and watch it, it all makes sense. As a fan of The Aquabats (the band) since I first saw them on an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba, where they played their toddler oriented "Pool Party", and about 2 years ago I got more serious, listening to all of their music and I am not ashamed to say that I know the lyrics to over two thirds their songs by heart. Now to the show. As a fan of the old Adam West Batman series, as well as a person who values aspects of childhood, I have to say that I love this show. For one thing, the Batman references are all too obvious and cool, especially when they had John Heder as a guest star, which is doubtlessly a more subtle shout out to the guest stars on the old Batman series. The real value of this show, and their music, has to do with a deeper message that these 5 crazily dressed musicians convey. They show the value of all the simple childhood interests that we all had. People today are so bent up about growing up, becoming adults, and "maturing", but in that, they lose desire of what is actually defines "maturity". Don't deny the fact that if you could go back to watching cartoons on Saturday mornings and playing with action figures, that you could. To get to the show, I feel that this show does that. It reminds me of the simple things that made me happy as a child, and it is a 30 minute escape from the responsibilities and stress of the "grown-up" world. As far as the show's content is concerned, it is totally awesome. They have all kinds of funky and unique villains to fight, and there are some really cool songs that they also have during the show. I still get the "brother" song from the John Heder episode in my head every now and again. Another really neat thing that they threw in that I feel is so cool, and totally supports my views of why this show kicks butt, is the "cartoons" that they show. These little clips of the team watching a cartoon during the show is very in tune with the messages of their songs and the show, and the values that Christian Jacobs seems to have in the whole "superhero" persona, in that it shows that even adults and people who are socially viewed as "mature" can still sit down and spend some time as a child. Overall, I love this show, and I really hope that they start to incorporate some of the stories and characters from their songs into the show.

Dear Aquabats, make an after school special depicting some cool story behind your "The Wild Sea" song.