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The Marvel Animated Universe

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I know we have a thread dedicated to the MCU, but I have some interest and questions about the MAU. I must admit that when I was a kid way back in the late 60's / early 70's, I did not get much into comics. The way I became familiar with the popular Super Heroes was via cartoon shows. I fondly remember Spider Man and HULK, with their catchy theme songs. Now I have not seen any of these in like 45 years, so I have no idea how they held up over time.  I also seem to remember a decent X-Men animated show in the 1990's, but beyond that I am clueless as to what is what in the MAU.

What I would like to know is what do you guys feel are the best and worst representations of the Marvel Super Heroes and Villains in the animated Films and T.V. shows. that are listed below. What order would you say is your own personal choice for the best viewing? What would you avoid? This would be a list for someone that knows nothing at all about the Marvel universe.

Here is a list I compiled of all the Animated Television shows and feature length films from 1966 - present featuring "Marvel" Superheros and villains.

Note: Feature length films are marked with an *

1966            The Marvel Super Heroes

1967 - 1970 Fantastic Four

1967 - 1970 Spider-Man    

1978            Fantastic Four    

1979            Spider-Woman   

1981 - 1982 Spider-Man    

1981 - 1983 Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends    

1982 - 1983 The Incredible Hulk    

1989            X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men

1989            Solarman (Pilot Only)

1992 - 1997 X-Men 

1994 - 1996 Fantastic Four    

1994 - 1996 Iron Man    

1994 - 1998 Spider-Man    

1996 - 1997 The Incredible Hulk    

1998            Silver Surfer    

1999 - 2001 Spider-Man Unlimited       

1999 - 2000 The Avengers: United They Stand         

2000 - 2003 X-Men: Evolution         

2003            Spider-Man: The New Animated Series         

2006 - 2010 Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes         

2006            Ultimate Avengers*
                    Ultimate Avengers 2*

2007             The Invincible Iron Man*

2007             Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme*

2008 - 2010  The Spectacular Spider-Man         

2008 - 2009  Wolverine and the X-Men     

2008             Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow*

   
2009 - 2012 Iron Man: Armored Adventures         

2009 - 2011 The Super Hero Squad Show         

2009             Hulk Vs Wolverine*

2010             Planet Hulk*

2010             Black Panther         

2010 - 2013 The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes         

2010 - 2011 Marvel Anime (Japan)

2011            Thor: Tales of Asgard*


2011–2012 Four 12-episode series, based on Iron Man, Wolverine, X-Men,  and Blade

2012 - ?     Ultimate Spider-Man

2013 - ?     Avengers Assemble

2013 - ?    Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.

2013         Iron Man: Rise of Technovore*

2013         Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United*


2014         Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher*


2014 - ?    Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers

“First feel fear, then get angry. Then go with your life into the fight.” - Bill Mollison

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Here's my list. I haven't watched every series but I've seen a good portion of them:

Fantastic Four (1967-1970)

Every episode is a direct adaptation of an issue of the comic. They're pretty faithful and it has a great cast.

Spider-man (1967-1970)

This is my favorite Marvel series hands down. Again, it directly adapts actual issues but they take some hilarious liberties with the animation. Great cast and the perfect voice for Spider-man.

X-Men (1992-1997)

Iconic opening theme to a fun series. This show is what really launched the X-Men into the mind of popular culture.

Spider-man (1994-1998)

Fun series with another catchy intro. Again helped introduce a new generation to the iconic character.

Iron Man (1994-1996)

Avoid.

Spider-man Unlimited (1999-2001)

An interesting take on the character though due to low ratings never really got to anywhere.

X-Men: Evolution (2000-2003)

A fresh take on the characters that still has its fans to this day.

Ultimate Avengers, Ultimate Avengers 2 (2006)

Incredibly dull.

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (2010-2013)

Just plain awful opening theme but the show itself was fantastic. It's a crime that it was cut short. The show that replaced it was...

Avengers Assemble (2013- )

Awful, lifeless cartoon adaptation of the MCU. Earth's Mightiest Heroes was full of character and charm, whereas this was just...dull.

Ultimate Spider-man (2012- )

I'm currently going through this series on Netflix. It's a fun take on what introducing Spider-man to the MCU would be like since Marvel still had television rights to the character. Now that they actually have the film rights, I hope the new movies can live up to this show.

Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers (2014- )

Bizarre concept for a series that basically turns the Avengers into Pokemon. I was able to watch the first episode and was surprised by the decent writing and depiction of the characters.

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Tobar said:

Here's my list. I haven't watched every series but I've seen a good portion of them:

 Incredible list! Thanks for taking the time to type that out. I'll seek the ones you like out first.

“First feel fear, then get angry. Then go with your life into the fight.” - Bill Mollison