Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes

"Shell Games" redirects here. For the Bright Eyes song, see The People's Key.
Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes
Genre Action
Adventure
Sci-Fi
Based on Fantastic Four (created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby)
Directed by Franck Michel
Voices of Hiro Kanagawa
Lara Gilchrist
Christopher Jacot
Brian Dobson
Sam Vincent
Composer(s) Noam Kaniel
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 26 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Christophe Di Sabatino
Benoit Di Sabatino
Nicolas Atlan
Avi Arad
Craig Kyle
Eric S. Rollman
Stan Lee (co-executive producer)
Suzanne Berman and Daniel Lennard (for Cartoon Network Europe)
Editor(s) Bertrand Martineu
Benoit Tricot
Valerie Chappellet
Sandrine Mercier
Running time 21–24 minutes
Production company(s) MoonScoop Group
Taffy Entertainment
Marvel Studios
Marvel Animation
M6
Cartoon Network Europe
Distributor Disney-ABC Domestic Television
MoonScoop Group
Cartoon Network
Release
Original network Cartoon Network
Original release September 2, 2006 (2006-09-02) – October 20, 2007 (2007-10-20)
Chronology
Preceded by Fantastic Four (1994 TV series)

Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes is an animated television series based on the Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four comic book series. This is the team's fourth foray into animation. The show combines two-dimensional art as well as three-dimensional computer animation that was produced by the France-based animation company MoonScoop Group. The series is produced by the MoonScoop division of Taffy Entertainment in collaboration with M6 and Cartoon Network Europe.

Airing

In the United States, the show had an erratic airing schedule on Cartoon Network, having premiered as part of Toonami on September 2, 2006. It ran for only eight of the season's 26 episodes before being pulled. It subsequently returned to the network starting June 9, 2007, shortly before the release of the film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. The second launch of the show aired only nine episodes, leaving nine installments not televised in the USA. The show aired on Boomerang for a brief time before moving to Nicktoons in 2009 for the final episodes.[1]

Plot

World's Greatest Heroes is not directly connected to any of the previous iterations of the Fantastic Four, telling its own version of the team's origin and their encounters with their rogues gallery. Unlike its 1990's predecessor, which consisted almost entirely of straight or modified reinterpretations of classic Fantastic Four comic book stories, World's Greatest Heroes features mostly original stories. Nonetheless, elements from various iterations of the Fantastic Four, such as the Stan Lee/Jack Kirby, John Byrne and Mark Waid runs in the original Fantastic Four comic book, as well as the Ultimate Fantastic Four comic and the 2005 live action film, were used as the basis for the series' look and feel.

Cast

Actor Role
Hiro Kanagawa Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic
Lara Gilchrist Susan Storm/Invisible Woman
Christopher Jacot Johnny Storm/The Human Torch
Brian Dobson Ben Grimm/The Thing
Samuel Vincent H.E.R.B.I.E.
Paul Dobson Victor Von Doom/Dr. Doom
Sunita Prasad Alicia Masters

Guest stars

Episodes

No. Title Written by Storyboarded by Original air date Production
code
1"Doomsday"Christopher YostOlivier Poirette and Franck MichelUnited States September 16, 2006 (2006-09-16)101

Reed is accused of intentionally exposing the Fantastic Four to the cosmic rays that gave them their powers. It turns out to be a plot by Dr. Doom, and Ben forgives Reed after they save the world from Doom's plan of opening a dimensional portal which will allow monsters to attack New York and destroy all human life.

Introducing characters: The Fantastic Four (Mister Fantastic / Reed Richards, Invisible Woman / Susan Storm, The Human Torch / Johnny Storm and The Thing / Ben Grimm), H.E.R.B.I.E., Doctor Doom / Victor von Doom, Courtney Bonner-Davis, Mr. Bonner-Davis and Negative Zone bugs
2"Molehattan"Avi Arad (story)
Chris Hicks and Francis Lombard		Olivier PoiretteUnited States September 4, 2009 (2009-09-04)102

After kidnapping Ben, Mole Man attempts to get the Thing to join forces with him to create an underground paradise where appearances don't matter.

Introducing characters: Mole Man / Harvey Elder, The Moloids, Mrs. Monet and Mr. Bartleby
3"Trial by Fire"Bob ForwardYacine Elghorri and Laurent Delion[lower-alpha 1] September 2, 2006 (2006-09-02)103

After destroying a robot, Johnny inexplicably disappears. He finds himself in a stadium filled with aliens, where he has been put on trial for crimes against the Kree Empire, with Ronan the Accuser acting as judge. Meanwhile, Ben attempts to entertain the guests at a charity event. Reed is summoned to act as Johnny's lawyer while Ben and Sue are summoned as witnesses. Unfortunately, Ben and Sue's testimonies fail to help Johnny's case. Johnny is sentenced to immediate execution by robotic creatures. Ben, Sue, and Reed fight the robot executioners, one of which is accidentally thrown into the crowd. Johnny protects a Kree child in the audience from the errant robot, which inspires the crowd to demand that Johnny be exonerated and released. Feeling humiliated at having to appease the crowd, Ronan releases Johnny. The Kree return to their home world whereupon Ronan is banished from the Kree Empire, while the Supreme Intelligence notes that the Fantastic Four may be useful against the Skrull.

Introducing characters: Ronan the Accuser, Supreme Intelligence, The Kree and Kree robots

Note: In this episode, the opening theme music has been pitch-shifted to a noticeably lower key.
4"Doomed"Rob Loos and George TaweelChristophe PittetSeptember 9, 2006 (2006-09-09)104

The four return from extinguishing a fire that Johnny started, with Ben and Sue upset with him. Johnny apologizes, saying that he'll do anything to make it up to them. Doctor Doom switches bodies with Reed by injecting him antething. With Reed stuck in Doom's body, he slowly escapes the confines of Doom's lair. The next day, Johnny wakes up and finds a camera crew in his room. Sue explains that, as payback for yesterday, Johnny must be followed around by 'A Day in the Life' so viewers can find out what a day in the life of the Fantastic Four is like. When Doom, as Reed, tells Sue to cancel his lectures, the three figure out something's up. Reed, as Doom, shows up at the Baxter Building and is greeted by the four. Believing him to be Doom, they trap him. Reed eventually convinces Sue to trust him and together they stop Doom from turning the Baxter Building into a weapon while also switching their bodies back.

Introducing characters: Doombots
5"Puppet Master"Joseph Kelly (story)
Rob Loos and George Taweel		Luc BlanchardJune 16, 2007 (2007-06-16)105

Alicia's stepfather acquires a supply of clay irradiated from a fallen piece of Reed's ill-fated space station that allows him to control others as the Puppet Master.

Introducing characters: Alicia Masters, Puppet Master / Phillip Masters and Ricky Carter
6"Zoned Out"Bob Forward
Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost (story)		Luis RuizOctober 28, 2006 (2006-10-28)106

Things take a turn for the worse when Johnny gives his friend Frankie an unauthorized tour of Reed's lab. When Frankie is sucked into another dimension, Johnny goes in after her to prevent anyone from finding out. But as he does so, a small bug comes through the dimensional portal. Susan, Ben, and Reed now have to deal with the bug as it multiplies and slowly destroys the Baxter Building while Frankie and Johnny are trapped in the other dimension and look like they will be killed by worse versions of the bugs. In the end, Johnny and Frankie get back to Earth and the bugs are all put back to where they belong – except for one who remains in an old lady's fridge.

Introducing characters: Frankie Raye and Mr. Wilson
7"Hard Knocks"Joshua FineRoland BoschiSeptember 23, 2006 (2006-09-23)107

Bruce Banner visits Reed at the Baxter Building. Banner changes into the Hulk and now the Fantastic Four must stop his rampage in NYC and keep him from being captured by Agent Pratt who wants to use the Hulk for his own agenda. In the end, Pratt fails to stop Hulk and the Hulk is loose in the badlands. Otherwise, the Fantastic Four have saved the day again.

Introducing characters: The Hulk / Bruce Banner, Agent Pratt and General "Thunderbolt" Ross

Trivia: This episode marks the only appearances of The Hulk, Agent Pratt and General "Thunderbolt" Ross.
8"My Neighbor Was a Skrull"Joseph Kelly
Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost (story)		Christophe PittetUnited States September 30, 2006 (2006-09-30)108

Skrulls impersonate the Fantastic Four's neighbors in order to collect tissue samples from the Fantastic Four. In the end, Skrull commander Kl'rt tells Ronan the Accuser all samples have been collected for him to begin making the greatest warrior the universe has ever known.

Introducing characters: Commander Kl'rt, The Skrulls and Willie Lumpkin
9"World's Tiniest Heroes"Joshua Fine
Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost (story)		Olivier PoiretteUnited States October 21, 2006 (2006-10-21)109

One of Reed's microverse experiments causes the Fantastic Four to shrink putting them at risk when H.E.R.B.I.E. mistakes them for vermin and tries to exterminate them. The Fantastic Four are assisted by Ant-Man when it comes to getting to the lab and once there their lives are saved with Ant-Man’s help.

Introducing characters: Ant-Man / Henry "Hank" Pym, Rufus the Dog, Rufus' owner and Ant-Man's ants

Trivia: This episode marks the only appearance of Ant-Man (Henry "Hank" Pym) and his ants.
10"De-Mole-Ition"Bob Forward
Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost (story)		Laurent DelionUnited States November 4, 2006 (2006-11-04)110

The Mole Man attacks the Baxter Building in hopes of luring the Fantastic Four to his underground lair.

Introducing characters: Giganto / Deviant Mutate
11"Impossible"Rob Loos and George Taweel
Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost (story)		Jeremie BonacheraUnited States June 23, 2007 (2007-06-23)111

The Impossible Man is brought to Earth by one of Reed's space probes and immediately starts causing trouble for everyone. In the end, the Fantastic Four convince Impossible Man that Earth isn't as fun as he is.

Introducing characters: Impossible Man and Poppupians
12"Bait & Switch"Bob Forward
Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost (story)		Luis RuizUnited States June 30, 2007 (2007-06-30)112

Doctor Doom hijacks one of Reed's experiments aimed at restoring Ben Grimm to human form and causes the Fantastic Four to swap powers with one another.

Introducing characters: Lucia von Bardas
13"Annihilation"Christopher Yost
Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost (story)		Roland BoschiUnited States July 14, 2007 (2007-07-14)113

The Fantastic Four are brought to the Negative Zone where they come face to face with Annihilus. As if that wasn't bad enough, Dr. Doom arrives stealing Annihilus' power source and threatening Earth.

Introducing characters: Annihilus
14"Revenge of the Skrulls"Bob Forward
Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost (story)		Luc BlanchardAugust 11, 2007 (2007-08-11)114

Having acquired their tissue samples in My Neighbor Was A Skrull, the Skrulls now have the technology to duplicate the abilities of the Fantastic Four. Unknown to the Skrulls, Commander Kl'rt, the genius behind the breakthrough, is actually getting help from Ronan the Accuser, who is a Kree, the sworn enemies to the Skrull.

Introducing characters: Rupert the Geek

Trivia: The episode marks the second appearance of Commander Kl'rt, who first appeared in My Neighbor Was A Skrull.
15"Strings"Joshua Fine
Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost (story)		Christophe PittetUnited States August 25, 2007 (2007-08-25)115

The Puppet Master gets the city to turn on the Fantastic Four by controlling its public officials. Evicted from their home, with their accounts frozen and their property seized, the Fantastic Four must clear their good names and stop the Puppet Master from taking over the minds of everyone on Earth.

Introducing characters: Code: Blue, The Mayor of New York, The Chief of Police and Federick the prison guard
16"Imperius Rex"Len Uhley
Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost (story)		Olivier PoiretteUnited States June 9, 2007 (2007-06-09)116

Namor the Sub-Mariner arrives with a decree banning humankind from the oceans. Susan and Johnny go underwater to negotiate, but are taken prisoner in Atlantis. Ben and Reed must fight their way through sea monsters, Atlantean soldiers, and Namor to save their teammates.

Introducing characters: Prince Namor, Giganto / Atlantean Beast, Henry Gyrich and Atlanteans
17"Doomsday Plus One"Bob ForwardLaurent DelionApril 27, 2007 (2007-04-27)
United States September 1, 2007 (2007-09-01)		117
Doombots invade the Baxter Building in the middle of the night, but their attack is just a distraction for Doom to launch the Baxter Building into space.
18"The Cure"Christopher Yost, and Dan Slott (story)Jeremie BonacheraJune 9, 2007 (2007-06-09)
United States January 18, 2010 (2010-01-18)		118

Reed finally cures the Thing, but the cure also takes away all of his memories since the formation of the Fantastic Four. When the Mole Man attacks, She-Hulk must fill in for the Thing while the powerless Ben Grimm must find a way to save the day.

Introducing characters: She-Hulk / Jennifer Walters, The Lava Men, Squirrel Girl / Doreen Green, Captain Ultra / Griffin Gogol, Texas Twister / Drew Daniels, Frog-Man / Eugene Patilio and Flatman / Dr. Val Ventura

Trivia: This episode marks the only appearances of She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters), Squirrel Girl, Captain Ultra, Texas Twister, Frog-Man, Flatman and the Lava Men.
19"Frightful"Len UhleyLuis RuizAugust 18, 2007 (2007-08-18)
United States January 27, 2010 (2010-01-27)		119

The Wizard, Klaw, Trapster, and Dragon Man are the new team in town saving New York always one step ahead of the Fantastic Four. Reed begins to suspects that these Frightful Four are not the heroes they appear to be.

Introducing characters: The Frightful Four (The Wizard / Bentley Whitman, Trapster / Peter Petruski, Klaw / Ulysses Klaw and Dragon Man) and Peter Parker

Trivia: This episode marks the only appearances of the Frightful Four and Peter Parker.
20"Out of Time"Joshua FineLuc BlanchardSeptember 15, 2007 (2007-09-15)
United States January 28, 2010 (2010-01-28)		120

After returning from the past to find out what killed the Dinosaurs, the Fantastic Four return to New York to find that the whole city has been conquered by Doom.

Introducing characters: Doctor Doom's Spider-robot and Dinosaurs
21"Atlantis Attacks!"Bob Forward
Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost (story)		Olivier PoiretteUnited States September 1, 2007 (2007-09-01)121

Namor the Sub-Mariner returns, but this time he needs help to defeat Attuma, who has taken over Atlantis. While Reed, Susan, and Ben head off to help free Atlantis, Johnny stays behind and faces an attack on the city from a giant mutant whale.

Introducing characters: Attuma

Trivia: This episode marks the second appearance of Prince Namor, who first appeared in Imperius Rex, and the only appearance of Attuma.
22"Shell Games"Rob HoegeeRoland BoschiOctober 6, 2007 (2007-10-06)
United States February 8, 2010 (2010-02-08)		122

After several attacks from Iron Man armors, the Fantastic Four track down Tony Stark. It turns out Doom was behind the attacks, and now the Four have to face both Iron Doom and Iron Man under Doom's control.

Introducing characters: Iron Man / Anthony "Tony" Stark

Trivia: This episode marks the only appearance of Iron Man.
23"Johnny Storm and the Potion of Fire"Len Uhley
Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost (story)		Luc BlanchardOctober 13, 2007 (2007-10-13)
United States February 22, 2010 (2010-02-22)		123

During a confrontation with Diablo, Johnny is accidentally exposed to one of Diablo's potions he planned to use to gain control of all the elements.

Introducing characters: Diablo / Esteban Corazón de Ablo and Fire sprites
24"Contest of Champions"Joshua FineJeremie BonacheraOctober 20, 2007 (2007-10-20)
United States February 23, 2010 (2010-02-23)		124

On request from Ronan the Accuser, The Grandmaster forces the Fantastic Four to battle Ronan the Accuser, Impossible Man, Annihilus, and Super Skrull. The fate of all humanity hangs in the balance as the species of the losers are wiped out.

Introducing characters: The Grandmaster / En Dwi Gast

Trivia: This episode marks the only appearance of the Grandmaster.
25"Doom's Word Is Law"Paul Giacoppo, and Craig Kyle (story)Luis RuizUnited States February 24, 2010 (2010-02-24)125

Doctor Doom creates a super Doombot to face the Fantastic Four. The Four try and retrain this robot to be one of the good guys. In the end, Ben becomes the super Doombots friend and names him "Bruiser", but then Doom's control is too strong and the super Doombot captures Susan and Reed. Johnny and Ben must save Susan and Reed, and fight Doom. But when Johnny is captured, Ben is left to fight Bruiser.

Introducing characters: Bruiser

Trivia: This episode marks the only appearance of Bruiser.
26"Scavenger Hunt"Christopher Yost and Craig KyleOlivier PoiretteUnited States February 25, 2010 (2010-02-25)126

Terminus, an alien scavenger, comes to steal all of Earth's resources. While the Fantastic Four try to stop him, they realize he may be unbeatable.

Introducing characters: Terminus

Trivia: This episode marks the only appearance of Terminus.

Home releases

DVD Name Region 1 Episodes DVD Name Region 4 Episodes
Volume One March 27, 2007
  • "Doomed"
  • "Hard Knocks"
  • "World's Tiniest Heroes"
  • "De-Mole-Ition"
 Volume One October 10, 2007
  • "Trial by Fire"
  • "Doomed"
  • "Doomsday"
  • "Hard Knocks"
Volume Two September 11, 2007
  • "Trial by Fire"
  • "My Neighbor Was a Skrull"
  • "Impossible"
  • "Revenge of the Skrulls"
 Volume Two October 10, 2007
  • "My Neighbor Was a Skrull"
  • "World's Tiniest Heroes"
  • "Zoned Out"
  • "Puppet Master"
Volume Three March 11, 2008
  • "Annihilation"
  • "Doomsday Plus One"
  • "Out of Time"
  • "Shell Games"
 Volume Three February 6, 2008
  • "De-Mole-ition"
  • "Impossible"
  • "Bait and Switch"
  • "Revenge of the Skrulls"
The Complete First Season June 10, 2008
  • All 26 episodes of the first season
 Volume Four June 4, 2008
  • "Doomsday Plus One"
  • "Annihilation"
  • "Strings"
  • "Imperious Rex"
Volume Five September 3, 2008
  • "The Cure"
  • "Frightful"
  • "Atlantis Attack"
  • "Out of Time"
  • "Shell Games"

Notes

  1. ↑ Airdates without the US flag in front of them may have originally aired outside the US.

References

  1. ↑ "Marvel Animation Age". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on July 16, 2009. Retrieved 2015-08-09.

External links

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