Before The Boys and Invincible, This 2-Part Prime Video Superhero Thriller Was a Better Watch
Arthur and Tick investigate
Created by Ben Edlund and based on his comics, The Tick follows Arthur Everest, played by Griffin Newman. Arthur encounters Tick, played by Peter Serafinowicz, a boisterous superhero who wants him as a sidekick.
The pair investigate a mysterious conspiracy involving The Terror, a criminal mastermind played by Jackie Earle Haley. The series lasted two seasons, but its satire of superhero stories remains central to its appeal.
A world full of parodies
The show spoofs different kinds of superhero media through a world filled with heroes. They include Superian, played by Brendan Hines, and the trigger-happy Overkill, played by Scott Speiser.
Overkill takes aim at lethal comic-book vigilantes such as the Punisher and Ghost Rider. Superian’s fall from grace came before darker portrayals of Superman’s legacy in The Boys and Invincible, including Homelander and Omni-Man.
Comedy sets it apart
The Boys uses superheroes to comment on current events, sometimes in crude ways, while Invincible examines the mental and physical toll of being a hero. Both series have taken darker approaches to the genre.
The Tick generally plays its parodies for laughs. The Boys concluded its five-season run in May 2026, while Invincible continues; The Tick had already satirized superheroes before either show completed its story.
Key points
- The Tick is based on comics created by Ben Edlund.
- Arthur and Tick investigate a conspiracy involving The Terror.
- The series ran for two seasons and mostly plays its superhero parodies for laughs.
- The Boys ended its five-season run in May 2026, while Invincible continues.