Atom Ant
Atom Ant is a cartoon ant and superhero, created by Hanna-Barbera in 1965. His name may have been derived from adamant, which gives indication towards his great strength (exceeding the "50 times his own weight" lifting capacity ants are often said to have). Atom costarred in The Atom Ant/Secret Squirrel Show (sharing top billing with Secret Squirrel).
Atom operated out of an anthill in the countryside, where he possessed such things as a mainframe computer and exercise equipment. His powers mostly consisted of the ability to fly, superspeed, and amazing strength.
He was often contacted by the police, who sent him out on assignment. Some of these missions parodied those of Batman. In one episode, the police force was shown to be underfunded and inept, as they relied on Atom Ant to do all their police work. The only two police officers were the chief and deputy chief. The department only possessed one rusted patrol car.
Atom's catchphrase and battle cry was: "Up and At 'em, Atom Ant!".
Atom Ant later appeared in the early 1970s series Yogi's Gang, and in the early 1990s series Yo Yogi!
Today, Atom Ant airs in Cartoon Network's Boomerang
Hi-Tech Software released a budget labelled computer game for the Commodore 64 in 1990 called Atom Ant: Up and Atom. The idea of the game was to fly and collect a certain amount of bombs scattered around high rise buildings and 'atomise' them in a special bubble-like device at the top of each area (a game design influenced by Tehkan's Bomb Jack). Hi-Tech Software also released several other games around the same time featuring other Hanna-Barbera charaters such as Yogi Bear and Hong Kong Phooey.
Episode Listing
- 01, Up And Atom
- 02, Crankenshafts Monster
- 03, Gem A Go, Go
- 04, Ferocious Flea
- 05, Rambling Robot
- 06, Nobody's Fool
- 07, Atom Ant Meets Karate Ant
- 08, Fastest Ant In The West
- 09, Mistaken Identity
- 10, How Now Bow Wow
- 11, Dragon Master
- 12, The Big Gimmick
- 13, Super Blooper
- 14, Wild, Wild Ants
- 15, Dina Sore
- 16, Amusement Park Amazement
- 17, Bully For Atom Ant
- 18, Termighty Mean
- 19, Nine Strikes Your Out
- 20, Go West Young Ant
- 21, Knight Fight
- 22, Pteraducktyl Soup
- 23, Up In The Air Squares
- 24, Mouse Rouser
- 25, Killer Diller Gorilla
- 26, Rock A Bye Boo, Boo
Voice talent
The part of Atom Ant was read by Howard Morris for the first 20 episodes; after Morris left the Hanna-Barbera studio, Don Messick took over the voice for the final 6 episodes. Morris went on to work for Filmation Studios, voicing Jughead on "The Archie Show" and other characters. (Messick took over other characters formerly voiced by Morris, including Mr. Peebles in the "Magilla Gorilla" cartoons.
On Yo Yogi, Atom was voiced by Russi Taylor who gives him a squeaky voice.
Cultural references
- On an episode of The Simpsons, Bart referred to his favorite superhero Radioactive Man's catch phrase as being "up and atom!" This is referenced later in the episode, when Rainier Wolfcastle is taught to say "up and atom!"
- Some speculate that the character might have been an indirect influence on Brit punk-rocker Stuart Goddard to take the stage name Adam Ant[citation needed].
- Cartoon Network produced an Atom Ant "Groovies" music video that interspersed lines from Duck and Cover with a remix of Atom Ant's theme music.
- Atom Ant also appeared in an episode of Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, taking legal action after being evicted from his home, which had elevated radiation levels.
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
