by Jack Grimme, Contributing Writer
It is no secret that Marvel Studios is in a bit of a slump at the moment. Recent out have been so universally maligned that the studio opted to substantially roll back their releases. Deadpool and Wolverine releases next week, which, barring any disasters, should win back some good will. They also have Agatha All Along releasing later this year, but two releases, compared to their usual five to 10, shows that the studio is reconsidering their strategy. However, that pivot specifically relates to the MCU. In recent years, Marvel has had some random, unrelated property appearing on various streaming platforms to make a little extra cash. One such show which seems to lack much popularity is Hulu’s Hit-Monkey. The second season of the adult animated series released in full earlier this week to very little fanfare. Learning of this show’s existence was quite shocking, because it seemed like a recipe for success. A non-MCU animated series, developed by the animation studio behind Archer,led by Jason Sudeikis has a lot going for it.
On paper, this show sounds like a blast. A monkey befriends a suave assassin and seeks vengeance on the evil organization who attacked his tribe. With a voice cast including the incredibly prolific Fred Tatasciore, Sudeikis, Olivia Munn, and a slew of guest stars, it really had everything going its way. And the studio manages to capitalize on that promise in a truly special way. I sat down for the first episode and finished the initial season in an afternoon. Not only because the episodes are relatively brief — it was largely due to the lovely dynamic cast, clever world building, and striking humor. This show immediately carves out a unique style in the saturated field of adult animation and hones it over the first 10 episodes.
The first binge had me going into this year’s season with a brand-new perspective. Initially, I had little expectations, but after the first outing, I couldn’t wait to see where they took these characters. Fortunately, the new crop of episodes carries that momentum and is another shockingly heartfelt yet violent season of television.
One of the main reasons this show succeeds is the humor. It shows that this is the same creative team behind the long-running, fan-favorite, Archer. Although the fingerprints are there, the quirky cast of characters and different perspective still allow for a fresh voice and distinct sense of humor. Hit-Monkey does not let up on the laughs, and it helps to quickly endear the viewer to the characters. Even the jokes that fall flat tend to work because of the way the heroes are written.
This series also shines due to its style. Again, it is not hard to tell that it was made by the crew of the aforementioned FX series. But yet again, the crew manages to stylize the action and set pieces in a way that sets it apart from Archer and every other series in the genre. The first season takes place in Japan and has some truly inspired art that brings Tokyo to life. The move to New York City could’ve resulted in muted grays and bland buildings, but they deftly avoid that pitfall. The striking art, quick wit, and nonstop pace leads to one of the most binge-able seasons of television this year.
And those elements are only enhanced by the impressive heart at the center of the series. The characters are lovable and incredibly unique. They come together to form dynamic, complicated relationships which are still relatable despite the absurd comic book world they exist in. The series is not afraid to make bold creative turns that challenge the heroes and the expectations of the audience.
Hit-Monkey was a complete shock that engaged from front to back. However, there are a handful of hangups that may deter some viewers. First and foremost, the show is often grotesquely violent. Although the violence is cartoonish, I would still advise people with weak stomachs to proceed with caution. One of the key components of the show is the titular hero’s complicated relationship with violence. Monkey is constantly debating whether his methods do more harm than good. Generally, the show airs on the fact that violence is a necessary evil. This theme is quickly undercut by the flashy, appealing action sequences, or even the occasional grisly death that is purely played for laughs. I understand that this program is first and foremost comedic adult animation in the same vein as Rick and Morty or Bojack Horseman. There are just a handful of moments that could be punchier if the perspective was not muddied by a quick laugh.
If you are not bothered by cartoon gore, and are looking for a quick binge on your weekend off, Hit-Monkey is a great choice. It spotlights a niche character from Marvel history, without requiring hundreds of hours of prior MCU knowledge. It will almost certainly make you laugh and keep you guessing as the beloved crew tackles foe after foe. Hopefully, the show continues to find fans, because the Season Two finale ends on a compelling cliffhanger that deserves to be tied up. If Hit-Monkey fully fills the hole left by Archer and earns another eight seasons, I will be there until the very end.
Rating: Loved It
Hit-Monkey is currently streaming on Hulu
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