Netflix’s Kid Cosmic

Netflix’s Kid Cosmic

In Feb 2, 2021 Netflix released a new entry to join the ranks of their roster of original animated shows. Netflix’s Kid Cosmic follows a young boy named Kid who discovers five stones that can grant unique powers. Kid Cosmic is the latest creation of cartoon legend Craig McCracken, creator of the Powerpuff Girls, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, and Wander Over Yonder. The show is based on a comic strip that Craig had made, and the show retains that classic comic strip art style. Having grown up with comics like Calvin and Hobbes that greatly pleased me. Check out the trailer.

Netflix's Kid Cosmic
Property of Netflix

Summary 

The show is about Kid discovering five stones that come from a space ship that crash landed on Earth. Kid immediately assumes that they have power, which he’s correct, and goes telling everyone that he’s going to become a superhero. He ends up forming a team and gives everyone a ring. The team consists of Kid who can fly, Jo who can make portals, Rosa who can become giant, Papa G who can multiply, and Tuna Sandwich, a cat that can see the future. As the series progresses Kid struggles with being and feeling like a real hero while he faces alien invaders who desire the stones.

The Characters

The main characters are likeable and the story structure was alright. However, I did have a problem with Kid. In the beginning he is obsessed with being a hero. He wasn’t very likeable in most of the show but that was to set up the growth that he would go through. There were times when he was selfish and annoying, but I never hated him for it. Without spoiling too much, Kid goes through the series worrying about being a hero and how things never go his way. At the end he understands that he doesn’t have to be the leader or even a great hero. Although I didn’t love him, Kid was not an irritating protagonist and I’m sure that this growth was needed seeing as the show is planned to have 2 more seasons. Unfortunately, Kid is the only character that was developed in the show. Jo gets a bit of setup early on with the desire to travel but it’s not explored much. Her character is defined as the responsible one who watches over Kid, more so really than his actual guardian. His guardian, Papa G, doesn’t get much focus. He is an open minded individual who really cares for Kid. Rosa, the little 4 year old, doesn’t get much attention and Tuna Sandwich the cat gets roughly an episode to show case his bond with Kid. The characters aren’t flat and I do love Rosa, she’s adorable, but the season does focus mostly on Kid. You can argue that there is a focus on some characters and that it is spaced out, but they feel more like learning moments than actual development.

The Art Style

As mentioned above the show has a nice comic art style. The style resembles a combination of different comics that you might see on the Sunday newspaper. The style isn’t jarring and a good portion of the combination is seen from the aliens to distinguish what is from earth and what isn’t. The characters from earth are rather simplistic but the backgrounds can be quite detailed. Another aspect I love is how fluid the show is in art direction. It’s not inconsistent but rather it isn’t afraid to change things up to express their location and mood.

The References

There are a lot of references that people can draw from this show. The first and most obvious are the power rings. Very likely a reference to Captain Planet and the five power rings that summon him. One aspect of the five rings does change near the end of the season, but the fact that they start at five very likely references Captain Planet. Kid’s comics look just like classic Marvel comics and so are the panels in them. Later in the season we are introduced to a team called the Earth Force Enforcement Force, a team of armoured heroes from different countries from around the world. The heroes are red, blue, green, yellow, and pink. The team are clearly a reference to the power rangers and many of their actions are clear references to them.

Netflix’s Kid Cosmic Review Conclusion

The show is great with a lot of entertaining and funny moments and I definitely encourage people to check it out. It’s not a masterpiece but is definitely getting a rewatch or two from me. I look forward to the next season titled Kid Cosmic and the Intergalactic Truckstop.

 

 

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