After crashing a superhero convention in Reno (and blowing the place up in a disastrous attempt to display his "nigh-invulnerability" to the judges), a dim, larger-than-life and possibly insane arachnid-themed superhero called "The Tick" is assigned to protect The City, a... city that is filled to the brim with superheroes (of varying levels of competence). There, he meets Arthur, an accountant recently fired for constantly wearing a moth-themed flying suit (that gets confused for a "bunny outfit") in the office and desires to become a superhero. Together, they quickly begin a partnership when they face off against their first villains, the Idea Men.
Tropes pertaining to The Tick vs. the Idea Men
- Brick Joke: The Human Bullet launches himself in the air to stop the Idea Men at the damn. Only at the end does he make it to the damn and collides with the dam.
- Destructive Saviour: The Tick stops the Idea Men from robbing a bank, but there's not much left of the bank afterward.
- Early-Installment Weirdness: American Maid is as useless as the other non-Tick superheroes, getting distracted from the crisis due to getting into a petty argument with Die Fledermaus. In later episodes she's usually the token competent character.
- Evil Plan: Parodied when the heroes catch one of the Idea Men and demand he tells them his scheme:Idea Man: Well, we thought we'd steal a lot of money, and then we'd be rich, and we wouldn't have to work anymore!
Tick: You cads! - Faceless Goons: The Idea Men wear face-concealing masks. It's a Running Gag that they also muffle their voices enough that no one can understand what they're saying.
- Origins Episode: This episode is about how the Tick winds up at the City, meets his future sidekick Arthur and fights against his first antagonist.
Arthur: I-I guess we saved the City.
Tick: For the moment yes, my friend. But with luck, our future holds still more dire threats. More perilous plots! Wherever villainy rears it's great, big head! Wherever evil sets it's giant, ill-smelling foot, you will find... The Tick! (coughs and places his hands on Arthur, as if getting him to say his part next)
Arthur: Oh! And, and Arthur, his, uh, uh... sidekick!
Tick: Good show! And yes, my sidekick Arthur! Certainly a force to be reckoned with! And so, may evil beware! And... may good dress warmly and eat plenty of fresh vegetables.
Human Bullet: (weakly) I'm okay.
Tick: For the moment yes, my friend. But with luck, our future holds still more dire threats. More perilous plots! Wherever villainy rears it's great, big head! Wherever evil sets it's giant, ill-smelling foot, you will find... The Tick! (coughs and places his hands on Arthur, as if getting him to say his part next)
Arthur: Oh! And, and Arthur, his, uh, uh... sidekick!
Tick: Good show! And yes, my sidekick Arthur! Certainly a force to be reckoned with! And so, may evil beware! And... may good dress warmly and eat plenty of fresh vegetables.
Human Bullet: (weakly) I'm okay.
