The Awesomes

The Awesomes
Title	The Awesomes
Genre	Superhero, Animated sitcom
Creator	Seth Meyers, Michael Shoemaker
Voices	Seth Meyers, Kenan Thompson, Rashida Jones, Taran Killam, Ike Barinholtz, Emily Spivey
Composer	Jeff Richmond
Country	United States
Language	English
Num episodes	30
Network	Hulu
First aired	August 1, 2013
Last aired	October 8, 2015

The Awesomes. This American animated streaming television series, created by Seth Meyers and Michael Shoemaker, premiered on Hulu in 2013. A comedic deconstruction of the superhero genre, it follows the son of the world's greatest champion as he attempts to lead a dysfunctional team of second-rate heroes. The series features a voice cast including Saturday Night Live alumni like Kenan Thompson and Taran Killam, alongside Rashida Jones and Ike Barinholtz.

Premise and setting

The series is set in a world where superhero teams are common institutions, with the premier group being the original Awesomes, led by the legendary Mr. Awesome. Following his retirement, his intellectually gifted but physically unimpressive son, Prock, must assume leadership of a hastily assembled new roster. This new team operates from Awesome Tower, a high-tech headquarters in a stylized version of a major metropolitan city, facing threats ranging from alien invasions to rival super-groups. The setting parodies classic DC Comics and Marvel Comics tropes, with the narrative often focusing on the bureaucratic and personal challenges of heroism rather than epic battles. The universe includes established lore such as the Superhero Hall of Fame and recurring villainous organizations like The Evil Brigade.

Characters

The core team consists of Prock, a strategic genius with no innate powers, and his recruits: Muscleman, a naive strongman voiced by Kenan Thompson; Impresario, a gadgeteer and former child star; Gadget Gal, a tech expert and Prock's love interest, voiced by Rashida Jones; Frantic, a speedster with anxiety issues; Hotwire, an electrical being; and Sumo, a hero who can grow to giant size. Key supporting characters include the original Mr. Awesome, voiced by Steve Higgins; the villainous Dr. Malocchio; and the bureaucratic Commissioner. Recurring guest voices included notable figures like Bill Hader, Paula Pell, and Amy Poehler, who often played parodies of classic archetypes like mad scientists and alien warlords.

Production and development

The series was developed by Seth Meyers and Michael Shoemaker, producers and writers for Saturday Night Live, during Meyers' tenure as head writer for the late-night show. Inspired by a love of classic comic book narratives and the desire to satirize their conventions, the project was greenlit by Hulu as part of its early foray into original programming. Broadway Video, the production company founded by Lorne Michaels, served as a producer, with Jeff Richmond (known for his work on 30 Rock) composing the score. Animation services were provided by Bento Box Entertainment, the studio behind Bob's Burgers. The writers' room blended veterans of sketch comedy with writers knowledgeable in genre fiction.

Episodes

Across its three seasons, the series produced thirty episodes, with each season comprising ten installments. Notable episodes include the pilot, "The Last Awesome," which establishes the team's formation, and "The Return of Jet Radium," which deals with a legacy hero's comeback. Multi-part stories include the two-part "The Ballad of B.A.D...I.E.S." and the season two finale, "The Day the Earth Stood Stupid." Story arcs explored Prock's relationship with his father, Gadget Gal's secret origins, and the team's conflicts with major antagonists like The Malocchio Corporation and an interdimensional being named Timelock. The series finale, "The Last Last Awesome," concluded the overarching narrative.

Reception

Upon its release, the series received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with praise directed at its voice performances and clever parody of superhero clichés. Reviewers from The A.V. Club and IGN noted its sharp writing and successful blend of satire with genuine affection for the source material. Some criticism focused on the animation style and inconsistent joke density across episodes. The show developed a dedicated cult following during its run on Hulu, benefiting from the growing popularity of adult-oriented animated series on streaming platforms. It was often compared to other genre deconstructions like The Venture Bros. and The Tick.

Legacy and cultural impact

Though not a mainstream hit, *The Awesomes* is recognized as an early successful original series for Hulu, helping pave the way for later adult animation on the platform. It remains a notable entry in the filmography of Seth Meyers, created just prior to his transition to hosting Late Night with Seth Meyers. The series is frequently cited in discussions about superhero satire and the expansion of adult animation beyond traditional network television. Its ensemble cast of Saturday Night Live performers and alumni created a bridge between sketch comedy and serialized animated storytelling, influencing later projects that blend these formats.

Category:2013 American television series debuts Category:2015 American television series endings Category:American adult animated television series Category:American superhero television series Category:English-language television series Category:Hulu original programming Category:Television series by Broadway Video