Amazon Resurrects The Tick!!!

The first, live-action series based on Ben Edlund's beloved, bumbling superhero, the Tick, was short-lived, but that didn't stop it from gaining a cult following and now a promising reboot.

Amazon's pilot (available on Prime) features Peter Serafinowicz in the role that Patrick Warburton made famous.

In the new incarnation, the Tick returns to a world populated by superheroes, but chooses favor on a conspiracy-theory accountant, Arthur Everest (Griffin Newman), who wishes to uncover the deeds of a legendary villain, otherwise believed defunct. The cretin inadvertently killed Arthur's father, while combating the celebrated superhero team, Flag Five. (As Tick fans know, Arthur is destined to become the big, blue guy's trusty, moth-outfitted sidekick, so his backstory is most significant and well fleshed out in the opener: much being essayed by Kyle Catlett, who plays Arthur as a boy.) 

On the additional, character side, Valorie Curry, of "Veronica Mars" fame, plays Dot, Arthur's sister; and Brendan Hindes, a recurring presence on "Scorpion", portrays Superian, a cocky knock-off of Kal-El, whose actions and intent give the story a "Mystery Man" feel. 

The villain, The Terror (once Superian's prime nemesis), is played by genre favorite, Jackie Earle Haley, who adds great relish to the spicy role. He also wears a super-cool, X-Men type costume and facial make-up: intimidating, even within the show's comical context. 

Fans who wished Warburton to return were disheartened to learn that his screen involvement was snuffed, due to an obligation to another series, though he does act (along with Serafinowicz) as one of the producers. Serafinowicz at least has the right wry humor to bring Edlund's character to life and perhaps if enough episodes are produced, he might very well make the hapless hero his own.

That Edlund is writing and co-producing the blueprinted series is a good sign; and let's face it: Amazon has been producing some mighty fine programs as of late, including the tense, legal drama, "Goliath" and the grim, alternate-reality adventure, "Man in the High Castle". On this basis alone, fans should be confident that a respectful (and possibly long-haul) handling of their old favorite is in the making.