Saturday morning cartoons. Before the advent of 24-hour cartoon networks and streaming services, this was the only way for kids to get their fill of both animated fare and sugary cereals. It was a Golden Age filled with characters that ran or drove past the same scene several times, animals that talked, and scrappy puppies that saved older cartoon franchises.
In the 1960s and 70s, it was also the place where superheroes came to life. Not only familiar ones like Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, and the Fantastic Four. But also ones created for that precious five hours of time on Saturday's. Some would continue on beyond this era. Others would vanish around the same time they premiered. Yet, they all have a space in our dusty and aging hearts. To honor these pioneers, here are 10 Saturday morning cartoon superheroes that need to be resurrected.
10 Captain Caveman
Many Saturday morning superheroes were created for humorous purposes. Captain Caveman was one example, Frozen for millions of years, the prehistoric hero bumbled about the modern world with a trio of young adult detectives known as the Teen Angels. Think Charlie's Angels, except with a being who can pull pterodactyls from his wooden club.
It's time for Cavey to get some respect. First, it's probably best not to use the nickname Cavey. Second, he needs some solo adventures where he discovers the true meaning of the modern world and how he fits into it. By the end of the comic book or animated series, the captain will probably freeze himself again until the world catches up with his intelligence.
9 Superstretch and Microwoman
In the 1960s, Filmation was known for its superheroes. In fact, it was The Adventures of Batman cartoon that introduced viewers to the voice talents of Olan Soule and Casey Kasem as the dynamic duo. However, when DC Comics moved their properties to Hanna-Barbera, the other big Saturday morning cartoon studio needed a new bunch of heroes. So, they created their own.
One pair was Superstretch and Microwoman. Chris and Christy Cross seemed like a normal suburban couple. That is, until Mr. Cross reached down the other side of the diner counter to get some salt ... without moving from his seat. And, when someone lost their earring in the sink, Mrs. Cross would shrink down to search the drain. Honestly, this would be a nice domestic change for a superhero romantic comedy. Frankly, Mr. Fantastic is too dull.
8 Frankenstein, Jr.
Even before the Transformers and Voltron, giant robots ruled the world in Japan with shows like Gigantor and Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot. To take advantage of this, Hanna-Barbera created a giant robot of their own -- Frankenstein, Jr. Built by the young Buzz Conroy and his father, Frankie was summoned to action through the young Conroy's energy ring.
The Transformers movie franchise made us scratch our heads about robots, so we need a no-nonsense 'bot like Frankenstein, Jr. to have his own television or movie series. And, by the way, he doesn't need to be re-imagined. His bulkiness and ability to stop villains with a sonic boom clap are fine for today's world. We want to go back to basics, not literally create a new spinning device that moves objects forward.
7 Web Woman
One would think this Filmation superhero was a rip-off of Spider-Man and/or Spider-Woman. Quite the contrary. This hero wasn't bitten by anything radioactive. Instead, after she saved an alien from a raging river, she was given a ring that allowed her to control all insects. All that Spider-Man can do is crawl up walls. Feh.
Of course, being a Saturday morning cartoon, most adventures were taken lightly. Particularly when she was joined by her cute alien companion named Spinner. Honestly, Web Woman would be a great addition to the Spider-Verse in the next movie or comic book series. Maybe a team-up with Spider-Gwen as well.
6 The Galaxy Trio
Hanna-Barbera was big on super-teams during the heyday of Saturday morning cartoons. By the late 1960s, they had several groups fighting on Earth and across space. One of those teams was The Galaxy Trio.
Law enforcement officers connected with the uniquely named Galactic Patrol, Vapor Man, Meteor Man, and Gravity Girl halted villainy using their unique powers. Well, at least at that point in superhero history. Though they appeared in the 2016 Future Quest comic book series with other Hanna-Barbera heroes, they need a series of their own. Or, at least a few issues where the Galactic Patrol teams up with the Green Lantern Corps.
5 Freedom Force
Super Friends? Please, they didn't have anything on Filmation's Freedom Force. In fact, you can compare this team of heroes to supergroups like Blind Faith and Asia. Not that they played music. Rather, they were comprised of heroes from other Filmation shows.
For instance, an animated version of Isis brought the team together. Joining her was Hercules, an alumnus from the Space Sentinels. And then there was Super Samurai -- a young Japanese boy who could summon a robot-like samurai who would smash Zan and Jayna with one swipe of his sword. In the end, the Freedom Force would wipe the ground with the Super Friends. Literally, they would use them as floor wipes.
4 Blue Falcon
We last left Mr. Falcon at his funeral while Super Sons Jon Kent and Damian Wayne tried to find his trusty companion Dynomutt. This doesn't mean the Blue one is truly dead, because it took place on an alternate Earth where the DC Comics and Hanna-Barbera characters co-exist. Hence, there's every chance for a Blue Falcon solo book.
Let's be honest, older adults. We liked Dynomutt, but we wanted to see the Blue Knight (again, our nickname) to be the first-string player. More straight-laced than Bruce Wayne, We'd like to see Radley Crown in solo action beyond his and Dog Wonder's appearance in the 2020 film Scoob! It's the right thing to do.
3 Super President
Before the Superman of Earth-23 became Calvin Ellis, President of the United States, the world had another super president. Um, that would be Super President. Given powers by a cosmic storm, perhaps the one the Fantastic Four went through, James Norcross gained super strength, the ability to adjust his molecular structure, and the power to veto any legislation by killing senators with laser vision. All right, we made that last one up. It was molten lava vision.
Super President appeared in 1967, during the heart of cartoon superhero introductions. However, unlike others on this list, he was forgotten. Of course, he's needed more than ever now. Especially due to the resurrection of the evil spy organization S.P.I.D.E.R. (Society for Plunder, International Disorder, Espionage and Racketeering). If anything, Super President needs to confront them to find a shorter name for their organization.
2 Birdman
Okay, this hero was reborn in the highly popular Adult Swim series Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law. However, that's not the version we want. We're looking for the original character -- the one who gained his powers from the sun god Ra.
There were some who thought this hero was an Earth-bound duplicate of Space Ghost. It makes sense -- his show did premiere one year after the Amazing Apparition (we made that nickname up). However, where Mr. Ghost seemed to have unlimited abilities, Birdman's powers seemed more "realistic".
1 Space Ghost
Out of all the Saturday morning cartoon superheroes, Space Ghost should make the biggest comeback. Not simply in cameo appearances where he teams up with Batman or Green Lantern. We want he of the many-button wristbands to be in his own series. Be it comic, animated, or a movie where he's portrayed by ... oh, what the heck ... Dwayne Johnson.
He needs the full treatment -- origin story, arch-nemesis, team-up with other Hanna-Barbera and DC Comics heroes. Maybe a villain who eliminates three-quarters of the galaxy's population with an Infinity Plus One Glove. And, if they do create a live-action version of the character, they can include teen sidekicks Jan and Jayce. But leave the monkey Blip out. Of course, he'll be in the Snyder Cut version of the movie, but that's for later generations to hash out.