Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
There was some amazing, classic animation done for superhero cartoons done as far back as Max & Dave Fleisher's Superman series of the early 1940s (echoes of which can be found in Batman: The Animated Series). Those were done for the big screen; by the mid-1960s, superhero cartoons were being brought to television, and some of Marvel Comics' biggest heroes--Captain America, Spider-Man, Thor, and the Incredible Hulk--were the stars. Unfortunately, television didn't have much in terms of cachet--or production values--at the time, and all four heroes suffer for it.

Captain America comes across fine, if only because he's long suffered from the same wooden boy-scout image that Superman is often given--if nothing else, these cartoons excel at capturing a one-dimensional personality. On the two episodes here--the self explanatory "Origin of Captain America" and "Fantastic Origin of the Red Skull" (why does the Skull's origin rate higher than Cap's?)--the animation is minimal. It looks as if only a couple dozen pictures of the main characters were drawn; for the most part, this is a series of stationary illustrations with voiceovers and plenty of narration. --Randy Silver

I agree with the description of the animation by the previous reviewer. It is simple by today's standards. However, it's based on the original artwork of Jack Kirby - my all-time favorite comic artist! Even in "freeze-frame" more action is conveyed than most current shows.

To be fair, these shows have a special place in my heart. I used to get up at 6:30 am on Saturday mornings to watch re-runs of this series (I was was watching in the 80's). I was absolutely over the moon when they re-released these about the same time my first son was born. Anyway, enough about me.

I disagree that moderns kids won't get into these shows. All three of my kids (ages 7,5,3) LOVE these videos - Captain American, Sub-Mariner, Thor, & Ironman. In fact, the cheesy theme-songs are an often requested sing-alongs in the car. They even like the Stan Lee introductions! My kids watch some of the current animated shows on Saturdays (like Batman and Spiderman) and still enjoy these oldies.

So, I would say no these are not just for die-hard fans or collectors. They still hold up because they are built on stories that literally built the modern comic industry and still grab kids like they 40 years ago.

Average Rating:

Rating: - Still Great
I agree with the description of the animation by the previous reviewer. It is simple by today's standards. However, it's based on the original artwork of Jack Kirby - my all-time favorite comic artist! Even in "freeze-frame" more action is conveyed than most current shows.

To be fair, these shows have a special place in my heart. I used to get up at 6:30 am on Saturday mornings to watch re-runs of this series (I was was watching in the 80's). I was absolutely over the moon when they re-released these about the same time my first son was born. Anyway, enough about me.

I disagree that moderns kids won't get into these shows. All three of my kids (ages 7,5,3) LOVE these videos - Captain American, Sub-Mariner, Thor, & Ironman. In fact, the cheesy theme-songs are an often requested sing-alongs in the car. They even like the Stan Lee introductions! My kids watch some of the current animated shows on Saturdays (like Batman and Spiderman) and still enjoy these oldies.

So, I would say no these are not just for die-hard fans or collectors. They still hold up because they are built on stories that literally built the modern comic industry and still grab kids like they 40 years ago.

Rating: - Kids video or collectors item? Stan Lee/Jack Kirby animated
This video is a "new" release of portions of the 1966 TV series "Marvel Super Heroes" and features portions of two episodes. The first episode on the tape is "Origin of Captain America" which is an animated version of "Tales of Suspense" # 63 & 64 from Mar/Apr 1965. The second episode is "Origin of the Red Skull" which includes material from "Tales of Suspense" # 66-68, June/Aug 1965. Essentially the actual panels from these comic books are crudely animated -- but the original Lee script and Kirby art remains. The voice characterizations and dialogue are top notch, but the animation is just zooms and pans of static panels with lips and limb movements animated. These videos were released twice before by Prism Entertainment in 1985 and Best Film and Video in 1992. I must point out that modern kids don't like these videos, and they are more suitable for purchase by a superhero comic book fan. Fox could have found a broader market had these videos been released in a box set with historical notes. The identities of all the voice actors are not known, but I can recognize Bernard Cowen's and Paul Soles' voices in the mix. The original tv show began with the theme song of the "Merry Marvel Marching Society" and contained a three segment serial format with recaps in parts two and three. The opening M.M.M.S. theme is missing but the Captain America theme remains ("When Captain America throws his mighty shield...") The recaps and title cards of segments two and three are edited out in this release. But at least the print is clearly transferred and the sound is crisp and clean.

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