The Marvel “formula,” based on the analysis of more than a decade of content, seemingly reads something like this—take one part, attractive lead actor, one part heartfelt, but predictable story, three parts quippy humor, and a pinch of elaborate, sometimes convoluted continuity and mix well until you get an all-ages, inoffensive meal. While most of the output has been solid, the sameness that hangs over most of Marvel’s films and TV projects has led many to grow weary of superhero storytelling in recent years, wondering if there’s still room for discovery or any way to bring something new to the table. While it’s not perfect and it most definitely isn’t for everybody, “Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K.” might be that exact “new” quality fans have been craving.
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“M.O.D.O.K.” takes the tried and true Marvel formula, rips it up, eats it, and vomits it back up in a series that is delightfully over-the-top, incredibly silly, shockingly vulgar, and somehow truly emotional. The 10-episode Hulu series is a much-needed shot in the arm for a genre that has grown stale and a universe that feels entirely too safe. Who knew that all Marvel required to spice things up a bit was Patton Oswalt, some stop-motion animation, and a supervillain with a “womb-wrecking head,” as his mother so lovingly puts it?
“M.O.D.O.K.” follows the story of a C-list Marvel villain that is best known for having one of the most ridiculous designs ever to grace a comic book panel—imagine a can of corn with an oversized face and Mr. Potato-like arms and legs—and a ludicrous name that literally is an acronym for Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing. During the day, the hapless supervillain finds his plans for world domination being thwarted by the likes of his new boss, the douchey tech-billionaire Austin (Beck Bennett in a role he plays oh so well) and rival scientist, Monica (Wendi McLendon-Covey), as well as those pesky Avengers led by Iron Man (Jon Hamm). And at night, M.O.D.O.K. comes home to an unhappy wife, Jodie (Aimee Garcia), who is working on becoming the next big lifestyle influencer, and two kids, Melissa (Melissa Fumero) and Lou (Ben Schwartz), who are straight out of the “Bob’s Burgers” world of quirky, sometimes demented children.
On paper (like in the comics), M.O.D.O.K. doesn’t actually “work” as a concept or a character. But for the purposes of the Hulu animated series, he’s absolutely perfect as the down-on-his-luck, out-of-shape, delusional sitcom father that we’ve seen in so many times before. Voiced by Patton Oswalt, M.O.D.O.K. is just annoying enough to be a believable supervillain you just want to see Iron Man punch in the face, while also having quieter moments that elicit sympathy. And when Jodie decides that she wants to divorce M.O.D.O.K. and fully embrace her new career-woman goals, the villain is sent down a spiral of self-loathing and destructive behaviors that lead to some of the ridiculous premises that are explored over the 10 half-hour episodes.
And there really is no other way to describe the episodes other than ridiculous. One early installment finds M.O.D.O.K. inventing a time machine to take Jodie back to the early-00s so they can go to the Third Eye Blind concert. Later on, M.O.D.O.K. and Lou travel to Asgard and become involved in a bloody, “Lord of the Rings”-style battle that originated because a paper shredder fell out of the sky. Oh and let’s not forget the episode featuring a bunch of turtle-like aliens that party so hard that it leads humans to their deaths.
Right off the bat, it’s quick to see that “M.O.D.O.K.” is far from its all-ages, family-friendly Marvel brethren. While you won’t find a bunch of F-bombs in the series, there’s enough foul language, sexual situations, and gore that would push this Hulu series directly in R-rated territory. Bodies are literally ripped in two multiple times throughout the season. Iron Man is called a “wet bitch.” And at one point, a character shrinks her teen daughter and snorts her like cocaine. Overall, “M.O.D.O.K.” falls somewhere between “Rick and Morty” and “South Park” on the vulgarity spectrum.
Combining the raunch of an Adult Swim-esque cartoon with the beloved Marvel Universe is something that we really haven’t seen in film or TV. Sure, “Deadpool” did it with the ‘X-Men’ universe over at Fox, but “M.O.D.O.K.” exists in a world with locations such as Avengers Tower, Asgard, and Wakanda. This is a variation of the same world that Kevin Feige has made history with in the MCU. Because of this, the series feels recognizable and is able to pull from every dark corner of Marvel Comics history in fun and surprising ways. And if you’re a comic book fan with an encyclopedic knowledge of the Marvel Universe, you’ll have nothing but respect for the deep pulls with folks like Super Adaptoid (a scene-stealer voiced by Jon Daly), Angar the Screamer, Poundcakes, Armadillo, Melter, Arcade, and Master Pandemonium all making appearances.
But raunchy humor, silly premises, and Marvel Easter Eggs can’t sustain an entire season of TV. Thankfully, Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum, who both co-created the series, are able to sneak in a surprising amount of actual human emotion to break up the moments of absurdity. The relationship between Jodie and M.O.D.O.K. isn’t just a device to deliver divorce jokes. It’s an honest situation with consequences that are felt throughout the series, as the characters wrestle with their emotions and come to a thoughtful conclusion by the time the season finale wraps up. In addition, there’s an undercurrent about leaving a legacy and dying without making a mark on the world that is explored in unexpected and moving ways. No, this isn’t drama on the level of “The Crown,” but in the context of an animated Marvel series about M.O.D.O.K. it’s a welcome and impressive addition.
Look, there’s a very real chance that you’re reading this review and rolling your eyes at everything mentioned and scoffing at the idea of ANOTHER superhero TV series. And if that’s you, then this Hulu series isn’t going to do anything that will make you rethink your own interests and desires. However, if you’re a fan of Adult Swim-esque humor and have always wondered what that might look like in the Marvel Universe, “M.O.D.O.K.” is going to make you laugh and maybe make you feel sympathy for a megalomaniacal C-list supervillain. In a world filled with two dozen MCU films that feel roughly the same, “M.O.D.O.K.” shows that there is plenty of room to do something truly unique. [B+]
The entire first season of “M.O.D.O.K.” debuts on Hulu on May 21.