Martin Mystery

I should like to register my opinion that this cartoon is an absolute bloody delight. It is consistently well written, with exquisite animation (I notice there is frequent use of purple). The distinctive voice acting is also charismatic. In some respects, the cartoon seems to me somewhat like an animated version of Doctor Who; there is even a line of dialogue "You will be exterminated" which I think may be a deliberate allusion to the Daleks. From what little I know of the Italian comic from which this is derived, this seems to be pretty loosely based on it, but it has a distinct, definitive feel to it all of its own. There also apparent references to various films, such as Ghostbusters (particularly with the incidental music), The Exorcist, and The Thing. Probably several more as well. For some reason, I can see a bit of a resemblance to the old Tintin cartoons as well, with the wide range of superbly animated location settings. Like Doctor Who, a lot of the programme has a strong scary quality to it. I personally don't find it frightening, but I might have done as a wee'un. If it gets released on DVD in Britain, I suspect it will get at least a PG. Well done to all involved in the creation of this programme. Yaaaaay!!

Monsters and sympathy in a cartoon that is very distantly inspired by an Italian comic of a completely different kind. Although the episodes are totally self-contained and there is no evolution of the characters, this cartoon manages to stand perfectly on its own legs. It is interesting and manages to scare you when you work hard. Martin is a silly, funny but likeable protagonist while Diana and Java are shoulders that work perfectly with their interactions and reactions.

I used to watch this show, and I am personally very happy that the people at the Nicktoons Studio decided to stick it on Nick Toons Network. I think that it has all the makings of the classic Scooby-Doo episodes, except the monsters aren't guys, in rubber masks messing with people.

This show invokes creativity and tickles almost any cartoon lover's fancy. Unless of course it isn't your thing.

So watch Martin Mystery and give it a chance. Unless of course, narrow-minded-ness is your thing...

Then I'm gonna be wondering why you're even WATCHING cartoons.

I'm not exactly a fan of Martin Mystery, but I think this show is really nice. Only for the exception of too much slime. I understand that it's one of the 'highlights' of the show, just like the stereotypical teenage girls and gadgets of Totally Spies, but I can't get it why it always has to be green and opaque...It's like they don't know that there are other colors of slime and other forms of liquid. Not to mention slime is always in EVERY SINGE Episode of MM...

I also noticed that they don't change clothes. I mean, yeah, cartoons don't usually change clothes and have 23 pairs of each shirt and stuff (Dexter?) but this is like, a 'newish' cartoon made anime-style, so I was thinking add a little wardrobe in it, eh??

Bottomline: Good 6.9/10

The animation is a bit like anime meets the old Spiderman but somehow it works. Sometimes simpler is better. My teenage son and daughter get a big laugh out of every episode and the Martin/Diana relationship is so much like my kids it is creepy! Martin is all teenage boy with girls on the mind and an overactive imagination (er.. think "sock gnomes" being responsible for missing socks). He jumps to conclusions based on limited knowledge and has an unshakable faith in his own opinions; he also has absolutely no clue about acceptable social interaction. He can be a total pain but when it counts he stands up for his step-sister and his friends. Diana is all about doing the right thing and making sure the rules are followed... but the teenage girl in her manages to get out anyways.

Martin and Diana often act like 2 year olds when fighting with each other, and to emphasize the point they get redrawn as immature kids. The effect can be hilarious and my kids love their childish arguments. I don't point out to them how much it matches reality around our place.

The comment someone made about Martin/Diana being incestuous is just totally out to lunch. There really is nothing offensive about this show. Just fun with slime, aliens, weird monsters attacking quiet rural towns, and cursed objects that are found by innocent people. No one is hurt in the end, and Martin usually saves the day despite being such a doofus. And sometimes his bizarre theories ARE correct.

Not sophisticated but provides surprisingly satisfactory entertainment.

BTW: Martin's closet contains several outfits that all look the same. He changes his clothes but not his look.