On Saturday, before my regular lineup of 1980s cartoons kicked in, there was a strange early-morning period when older 1960s cartoons would appear on TV. They felt different from the bright, fast-paced cartoons I was used to of the 80’s. The animation was old, and the stories felt strange, and sometimes a little unsettling.
Yet there was a charm to them, a different kind of hero, cosmic villains, and dark adventures that pulled me in every time. These 1960s cartoons may have been weird, rough around the edges, and very much of their time, but they left a lasting impression on 1980’s me. Here are some of my favorites.
The Mighty Hercules (1963)
The Mighty Hercules follows the legendary strongman from Greek mythology as he battles monsters, gods, and a variety of villains. What was different from the mythology and this cartoon was that Hercules would get his super strength from a magic ring given to him by Zeus. He also had two companions: Newton, a stuttering Centaur, and Toot, a mute Satyr who communicated through his flutes. The episodes were short and light hearted that would feature a different villain and challenge. What also has stayed with me was the theme song. Those that remember this series will definitely know what I am talking about!
Rocket Robin Hood (1966)
One of the strangest and most memorable retellings ever, this series places Robin Hood in the far future, fighting injustice in space. Using a bow, high-tech gadgets, and his “merry Men,” Rocket Robin Hood is a weirdly charming mix of camp and action.
Space Angel (1962)
Space Angel is a secret agent for the EBI (Earth Bureau of Investigation), travelling the galaxy on his ship, Starduster. I remember this show mostly for its “limited animation” style where real mouths were used in the animation, much like a rotoscope. It would sometimes creep me out; there was something about the dark stories and deep-space themes that really kept me interested.
The Herculoids (1967)
This was one of my favorites, and it was also the hardest for me to find on TV! The Herculoids features a family of powerful creatures defending their planet from invaders. The series felt dark and primal and was always filled with unique stories and adventures. My favorite character was “Igoo” the giant rocke ape! Maybe it was due to my fandom for King Kong?
Space Ghost (1966)
This was another one that was hard for me to find, but the mix of the space adventure and superhero style is what really interested me. Serious in tone and full of dramatic confrontations, the series would later, in 1993, shift to a more comedic tone in “Space Ghost Coast to Coast,” where the retired hero now acts as a talk-show host.
Spider-Man (1967)
The iconic theme song alone makes this series legendary, and I guarentee appeared instantly in your mind! This series is likely everyone’s first Spider-Man (if you’re old like me), which featured Peter Parker’s struggles, classic villains, and comic-style storytelling, making it the definitive Marvel comic cartoon. This was my favorite well into the 80’s.
The New Adventures of Superman (1966)
A classic Superman cartoon in short and action-filled episodes. Featuring villains and action from the comics, the shows are simple and have a golden-age feel in both style and story. This was very hard for me to find as a kid, but it is readily available to stream.
Was there an old 1960s cartoon that you remember and love? LEAVE A COMMENT!
