One of the funniest Saturday morning cartoons from the 90’s was “the Tick”. I would record the episodes they were that funny. Then the 2001 live action Tick came, and it too was hilarious. I will never eat “fondue” the same again. I haven’t seen the new Tick yet – no judgement yet. There are many days that I need laughter. I need laughter every day. A dose of Laughter can help you face your fears.

Dangling Unmentionables

“Arthur listen to me carefully, I believe in you I always have…Destiny dressed you this morning…and now Fear is trying to pull off your pants. If you give up, if you give in – then you’re gonna end up naked with fear…laughing at your dangling unmentionables.” - The Tick*

No one knows how or why The Tick came to the City but the Tick is the protector of justice in the fair town. The Tick is big and muscular with a masculine square-jaw. He is dressed in a skinned tight blue suit with blue antennae. He looks like a big blue bug of justice. The Tick is nigh invulnerable, super strong, and has a “drama power.” This power is a way for The Tick to make situations more dramatic. He is basically absurd, obtuse, high-spirited and using his “drama power” makes really odd inspirational speeches confusing his villains and friends with strange metaphors. But like most superheroes The Tick never gives into fear.

We hear it said often that the opposite of Faith is Fear. But the two go hand in hand. How do we learn faith? We learn faith by going through fear. We can not have faith without having fear. Fear is just the emotions running amok. Fear is just the unknown. Fear is doubt. We all doubt. Isaac Bashevis Singer, 1978 Nobel Prize winner wrote, “Doubt is part of all religions. All religious thinkers were doubters.” We can use the doubt. We can use the fear. When walking down a dark alley we have two choices – continue walking and face the end of the alley, or take the long way around knowing we made a wise decision. The dark alley is not important. Neither decision is wrong our decision in the moment is important. Making the decision takes courage. Making the decision shows faith. Making the decision is facing fear.

The Tick
First Appearance: As a Mascot for New England Comics newsletter, #14 (July/August 1986)

Creators: Ben Edlund (script and art)

* “Pilot” The Tick, Fox Network live action series. 2001, Patrick Warburton, actor