Earthworm Jim (TV series)

Earthworm Jim is an American animated television series based on the video game series of the same name and created by series creator, Doug TenNapel. The series aired on the Kids' WB for two seasons from September 9, 1995, to December 13, 1996. It follows the adventures of the titular character who battles the forces of evil using a robotic suit.
Premise.
Most episodes involve the series' numerous villains attempting to reclaim the super suit, conquer the universe, or otherwise causing mayhem throughout the galaxy. Other problems facing Jim include returning his neighbor's eggbeater and finding a new power source after his suit's battery runs out. Also, the show breaks the fourth wall with characters often talking to the audience and the narrator.
Episodes begin with a cold opening of Earthworm Jim and Peter Puppy in some peril that has nothing to do with the main plot or the previous episodes, with little explanation of how they got into the mess. In between parts (generally before or after the commercial break), there is a short side-story, generally featuring one of the villains doing a more natural part of life, usually without any involvement from Jim. These can range anywhere from Psy-Crow going through a career change, Evil the Cat disguising himself as a movie star in order to make his evil plans known to the world, or Professor Monkey-For-A-Head attending group therapy and always ending with the line: "and now, back to Earthworm Jim." The end of every episode involves Jim or any other character being crushed by a cow, a homage to the original game's ending.
Characters.
Most of the main characters from the show originated from characters introduced in the video game series. Peter Puppy becomes Jim's sidekick and friend and Princess What's-Her-Name is featured as his love interest. Several antagonists from the games such as Evil the Cat, Psy-Crow, Bob the Killer Goldfish, Queen Slug-for-a-Butt, and Professor Monkey-For-A-Head also appear in the series.
Additionally, some original characters were also created for the series, and were then in turn integrated into future games in the series. For example, Evil Jim, an evil doppelgänger of Jim created for the series, went on to be the main antagonist in "".
Voice cast.
The voice director for the series was Ginny McSwain.
Production.
The series was created by Doug TenNapel and produced by Universal Cartoon Studios along with AKOM, Flextech Television Limited, and Shiny Entertainment.
Episodes.
Two seasons of the series were produced, for a total of 23 episodes.
Series overview.
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Broadcast history.
In the United States, the show was aired on Kids' WB on WB Television Network. In the UK, it was shown on Children 4 and TCC (The Children's Channel) in the 1990s, and in the 2000s, the show has seen occasional reruns on Nickelodeon. The cartoon was broadcast in the Republic of Ireland on RTÉ Two from 12 September 1996 to 1997.
Media.
The show was released in the UK onto 3 VHS tapes in 3 volumes covering 2 episodes on each video in the 90s but these are now out of print and considered rare.
On June 1, 2011, Via Vision Entertainment released the complete series as a 5-disc set in Australia and New Zealand.
The complete series was intended to receive a U.S. DVD release from Visual Entertainment on , but was delayed right before release to late October. The set includes all 23 episodes on 3 discs, and is currently available on Amazon.com.
Digitally, the complete series is currently available through a streaming service called Tubi. 
Reception.
The "Earthworm Jim" television series received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences, for being one of Doug TenNapel's best creations, and having the originality of the 1994 video game of the same name.
Legacy.
Aspects of the show, such as newly created characters, or art style, were later implemented in future video games "Earthworm Jim 3D" and "". Two Earthworm Jim comic book series, in the US and UK, were also created to tie into the animated series.
A line of action figures based on the show was released by Playmates Toys. The series included several variants of Earthworm Jim, as well as Peter Puppy, Princess Whats-Her-Name, Bob the Killer Goldfish, #4, Evil the Cat, Henchrat, Major Mucus and Psy-Crow. A mountable "pocket rocket" was also available as well as a rare mail-in repainted figure of Earthworm Jim in a green suit.