Top 3 Animations by Cartoon Hangover: Drinking in the Toons
Cartoon Hangover is a YouTube channel by Freditor Studios, who are best known for producing cartoons on Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network including Fairly Oddparents and Adventure Time. Cartoon Hangover is still quite new, having only started in February of 2012, but it already displays some fantastic programming as well as some gorgeous art and animation. The shows are the kind you can get away with on the Internet more easily than on TV yet still, for the most part, manage to be more charming than crude. They have a special flare that comes from being animated shows created by kids who grew up loving cartoons. Below are three examples of the current programming on Cartoon Hangover that make the channel worth keeping an eye on as they continue to grow.
3. SuperF *ckers
This one can be pretty crass, but this is the kind of show that can get away with it. The story revolves around a house filled with superheroes who never actually save anything. The plot line that offers the most excitement shows their leader trapped with his sidekick in an alternate toxic dimension, yet this is never explored as one would expect. The two trapped in the dimension mostly sit around watching television and chatting. Meanwhile in their home, the team does not do a thing to save them. They mostly deal with their own selfish issues such as not wanting to clean their own bathrooms. This is truly what a world would be like if superheroes were around- most of them would not be as dedicated to saving the world and would be just as self-centered as anyone else. Many of the characters allude to having powers which are never really seen, which adds to the air of their superhero team being more of a fraternity than anything else.
They represent a reflection on a generation of wasted opportunity. The characters with the most respect are the ones who do the least with their days but maintain a high level of egotism, namely the character Jack Crack or Princess Sunshine. To contrast the very able characters, such as Wonder Kyle, are ostracized for using their power and ability to do good for others. The superhero fortress becomes a high school popularity contest where everyone fits into the roles one may expect, much to the dismay of that universe.
The series is based off a comic of the same name by James Kochalka, and seeing his distinctive art style come to life as fluidly as it does is a treat. The songs can be downright hilarious as well, such as one instance where one characters sings about an erection obtained by a simple hug. Other times can be a bit too focused on the gross- out factor, including a character that is literally feces in a talking suit. For the most part, however, this is one worth watching.
2. Bravest Warriors
This is a show about four young fighters who save the galaxy from many threats. They are heroes-for-hire who are courageous, valiant, and only teenagers. As such, their personal problems come into play quite often. Some episodes find them saving a race of aliens from a destructive threat, whereas others are cozy vignettes of one character building a time machine to beat up bullies who attacked him in his youth. Whatever the conundrum, it is always treated with the same weight, which is the true charm to this series.
It plays with the teenage age group pretty perfectly, as the protagonists try to be independent but still act grossly immature. One particular highlight is the tension and confusion of the characters Beth and Chris, two best friends with one showing a particularly strong interest in the other. In typical teenage boy fashion, the other two characters try to egg Chris on to pursue his romantic interests while he is held back by the fear of crushing an old friendship. They oversimplify as much as he over complicates; a feeling familiar to teenage years that continues to linger longer than anyone would like.
This is probably the best known of the programming on Cartoon Hangover. Within the first couple seconds of the first episode it is easy to tell this series emerged from the mind of Adventure Time creator Pendleton Ward, but it is by no means the same show. His distinctive humor and simple yet beautiful art style are always present, making for an enjoyable and entertaining experience.
1. Bee and Puppycat
This two-part series is one of the newest programs offered on the network. The plot revolves around a young, recently unemployed woman who gets pelted by a creature on the rain on her walk home. Despite being uncertain as to whether it is a cat or a dog, she decides to take it home with her. That is when things take a turn for the bizarre, leaving her teetering on the edge of a mental breakdown. The second episode has not yet aired, but it is looking like a superhero adventure story, in space.
What makes this show particularly delightful, aside from the art style, is how incredibly relatable the protagonist is. The fact of the matter is life is difficult when you’re young, out of school, and not fully aware of your interests. Even harder is trying to find a job without much experience, let alone hold one down. And who wouldn’t want to be whisked away from life by a Puppycat when everything is going wrong?
This particular program is the brainchild of Natasha Allegri, a storyboard artist on Adventure Time. The art is vaguely reminiscent of Adventure Time, but mainly looks influenced by Studio Ghibli. The voice acting is particularly interesting, with the protagonist’s deadpan tone working to fantastic advantage.
The channel is still young so there is not too much to review, but if there is more content similar to what is listed above it is very much worth keeping an eye out. It is also noteworthy that a section of the Cartoon Hangover website has a section specifically inviting pitches for shows that is open to animators and non-animators alike, which should make for some fantastically diversified programming in the future.
What do you think? Leave a comment.
This show is very much like adventure time, in a good way!
Some really good music in these. For anyone ineterested, the music is made by Will Wiesenfeld, AKA Baths so you could check them out. I would love some kind of release of the music from this it’s superb. So pleasant and chill…
The jokes in Superf*ckers seem so forced it can’t even begin to be funny. I’ll give it another episode or two, but this seems like garbage compared to the most of the other cartoons on this channel that are actually witty and interesting.
Awesome article! I never watch animated shows of this type due to their hyper-kinetic and abrasive nature. After reading this, however, I will try to watch SuperF*ckers.
Nice article – I wasn’t aware of Cartoon Hangover, and have only actually heard of one of the cartoons in this list, Bravest Warriors.
One small thing – the studio that produces the ‘toons is called Frederator, not Freditor.
Thanks for posting!
It’s interesting to remember that these shows are more indie than Adult Swim.
Anyways, I do agree with your points. Bravest warriors is my favorite, But the animation and style of Bee and Puppcat are alluring in a way mainstream cartoons aren’t, probably because of the Ghibli influence.
Haven’t. Seen. Any. Of. These.