The Tick and Arthur discover that the City has been evacuated due to the rampage of a massive Monster Clown known as "Proto Clown." The Tick gets into a fight with it but gets himself punched into orbit, where he has a weird vision of exploring a desert that's his own soul. Meanwhile, Arthur and a number of other superheroes have to try to deal with Proto Clown themselves.
Tropes pertaining to The Tick vs. Proto Clown
- Attention Deficit... Ooh, Shiny!: Implied. The Tick's mind apologises for not being around much due to having been distracted by something shiny.
- Berserk Button: Do not laugh at Proto Clown!
- Flying Face: The Tick's mind takes the form of his own disembodied head that's flying with the help of six small wings.
- Insane Troll Logic: Bud figured that since clowns are funny, giant clowns must be even funnier, and a whole race of giant clowns would be so funny that it'd make the whole world happy.
- Jerkass Has a Point: Die Fledermaus disdainfully asks American Maid what she plans to do against Proto Clown, throw her shoes at him? Turns out, that was precisely what she ended up doing, and it was as ineffectual as it sounds. In fairness, 1) we have seen that American Maid can use her shoes as highly effective weapons, she was just out of her league against Proto Clown, and 2) she was still more useful in that fight than Die Fledermaus, since he fainted and she had to carry him to safety.
- Journey to the Center of the Mind: When floating in outer space, the Tick has to explore his own mind and discover the answer to his great existential question: "Why am I here?" Turns out the answer that lets him wake up is, "I'm here because a big clown hit me!"
- Not Actually the Ultimate Question: When Tick wakes up in orbit and asks himself "What am I doing here?", the manifestation of his subconscious assumes he means in an existential sense and sends him into his own mind. Eventually, Tick realizes that the real answer is "Because a big clown hit me!" He then comes to and returns to Earth to go after Proto Clown.
- Pet the Dog: The normally hyper-selfish Die Fledermaus refuses to let American Maid face Proto Clown alone and goes with her. Of course, he promptly faints from fear when the fight starts, but it's the thought that counts.
- Tragic Monster: It eventually turns out that Proto Clown's rampage is due to the fact that he can't stand being laughed at. Which is unfortunately the exact purpose of his existance. Bud ultimately resolves to take him back to the lab and try to make him less funny.
Tick: Don't take it so hard, mister. There are many mysteries in this universe, big and small. Like "why do clowns make us laugh?" "Why do we love puppy dogs?" And "why... why do little blue midgets hit me with fish?"
Everyone else: What?
Tick: See what I mean? Mysteries abound!
