Atom Ant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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
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[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 another episode of the Simpsons, where 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.
- 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.
[edit] See also
- Cartoon Network Studios
- Funny Animal
- List of television programs
- List of fictional animals (other)
- List of programs broadcast by Cartoon Network
- Secret Squirrel
