Sunday, November 15, 2015

Battle of the Super Hero Theme Songs

I need to apologize I think. This battle of the bands, I'm breaking from tradition. This time, (and only this time), I'm doing something a little different. I'm posting several of my favourite Super Hero theme songs and looking to see which one everyone else thinks is best. Unlike other battles, the video along with the song is part of the package.

I'll be honest, I'm doing this for several reasons. First of all, it's a weekend and my time, unfortunately, is limited. I've had to put in some extra time at work. This is also a battle I've been planning on hosting as a special, but since I'm pressed for time, I'm using this one now.

Additionally, I have not been feeling well the past few days and don't feel like putting my all into selecting a musical battle. Finally, whenever I'm feeling down, nostalgia always cheers me up. I'll be back to the regular BOTB format next month. Same blog time, same blog channel. Hope you all have fun with this one.

Since these are so short, I've thrown in a few to enjoy/watch. Please select the one you like the best, or feel is the most nostalgic for you. And since we are having fun this time, I'd like to know which you like the least.

Spiderman


Batman


He-Man


Justice League


Inspector Gadget


X-Men



Which super hero theme song did you enjoy best? Which did yo like least? Don't be shy, vote now.
Polls for this showdown will remain open till 22 November, 2015 at which point I'll cast my own vote and announce the winner in a separate posting.

Additional Questions:
Who is your favourite Super Hero?
Do you have a favourite cartoon?
What is nostalgic to you?
What super power do you wish you had?

Did you enjoy this Battle of the Bands feature? Come back on 1st December when I'll have a new battle. Also, be sure to check out my friends below who have banded together to offer up their own musical battles.

FAR AWAY SERIES
STMcC PRESENTS 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS'
TOSSING IT OUT
WOMEN: WE SHALL OVERCOME
YOUR DAILY DOSE
BOOK LOVER
MIKE'S RAMBLINGS
CURIOUS AS A CATHY
DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS
THE DOGLADY'S DEN
CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE
ANGELS BARK
NOVEL BREWS
QUIET LAUGHTER
HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS
THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING
JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE

60 comments:

  1. I'm going to have to wax nostalgia on this one - Justice League. I watched every single episode.
    And what super power? Invisibility! Come on - what guy hasn't wanted to be invisible, even if only for a day...?

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    1. I have a few of the Justice League seasons on DVD, which I picked up "for the kids" several years ago.

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  2. Hi, Jeffrey!

    Breaking from tradition, are we? Hmmmmm. Duly noted.

    Doing something a little different, are we? Hmmmm. Duly noted. :)

    Not feeling well today? Neither am I, good buddy. For the last few days I had runny nosed kids hanging all over me and using my sleeve as a hanky. Now Mrs. S and I both feel poorly. I hope you feel better soon.

    My vote goes to the Batman theme. It's an exciting instrumental and the animated show open was fun to watch. I'm old and the mid 60s series Batman was the only one of these Super Hero shows that I watched. It was wildly popular, campy and Adam West is just plain cool. 50 years later he continues to entertain on Family Guy. I suppose my least favorite of these entries is He-Man because it's long, there's too much talking and the music is disco style. Me no likey!

    There are additional questions? Help - I'm getting carpal tunnel here! :) My favorite Super Hero is indeed Batman followed by Superman. My favorite cartoon is Family Guy with Adam West. Nostalgic is anything that takes me back to the years when I felt most alive - the mid 60s. For my super power I would choose the ability to fly. I dreamed of flying ever since I can remember and used to run around my yard as fast as I could in hopes of being able to "lift off."

    Hey, thank you for visiting SDMM in my absence, good buddy. I finally got your comment pubbed last night. Thanks again for your support, Jeffrey!

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    1. Sometimes we all need a break from the norm. Keep things interesting.
      A local radio station began featuring a comedian years ago that did a lot of voice impersonations. One of his best is Adam West. He'd call into the radio station as if he were Batman as played by Adam West. I always loved his comedic call in's to the show. He doesn't do so as much any more. If you love Adam West as Batman I encourage you to find Mike Toomey and see if you like his skits. They can be quite hilarious.

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    2. I checked out Toomey's stand-ups on YouTube. He's great! I had the same experience trying to throw away a trash barrel. Thanks, Jeffrey!

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    3. Introducing new things such as different comedians or food is the best thing about friendship. Glad you enjoy his antics.

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  3. Oh I have to give it to Spiderman. I always thought the theme song was cool. I didn't like the cartoon but would always listen to the theme song. 2nd would be Batman and the X-Men. Justice League brings back great memories and I, like Alex, watched every episode. I think it is always aok to bend the rules especially when one is over-worked or ill. I hope you are feeling better soon. As for a superpower? I wish I could just blink and be anywhere I want to be. I think it would be so cool and simply wonderful to blink and then be in Northern Italy to have dinner with my Aunt or visit a great museum.

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    1. Teleportation would be a cool power to have. Years ago, I created my own super hero team, but it wasn't a comic, it was a book format. I didn't do too much with it because I felt people would rather read a comic about super heroes than a book. But times have changed and I wonder if I could pull it off now. Anyway, one of my characters was a teleporter.

      Thanks for the thoughts, I'm hoping to feel better soon too.

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  4. I watched Spiderman, Batman & Robin, and the Justice League. In fact, I remember getting up "early" on Saturday morning so I didn't miss Justice League. As you know, you couldn't record it and watch it later. Plus, cartoons only aired from 8-noon on Saturday and that was it. Done for the week.

    And then we got cable when I was older and they aired more often, though there wasn't a Cartoon Network or anything like that. However, my brother was an avid cartoon watcher and he watched a lot of Spiderman. So, I think I've actually seen more Spiderman (be way of him) than any of the others. I think it has the catchiest opening theme song and it gets my vote (Spiderman).

    However, I liked Batman & Robin best (and not because of my name). I always thought the "Pow" graphics were hilarious.

    My favorite superhero... that's tough. Superman or Wonder Woman. I've always liked Superman (and Christopher Reeve sealed that deal with the first movie). Of course, I loved loved loved Smallville. BUT, as a kid I wanted to BE Wonder Woman. Lynda Carter was da bomb as Wonder Woman. I remember endlessly spinning round my living room sure that the magic would happen and I'd turn into Wonder Woman. Alas, no.

    Flying would be my superpower. I've always wanted to fly.

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    1. I remember cartoons being on as early as six, but I also remember when noon came around. Cartoons were over and we were forced to go outside to play. When I was older, i.e. High School, cartoons were running right after school. We were all probably a bit to old to be watching cartoons, but I recall everyone talking about Inspector Gadget when I was in High School. I think part of the reason I included his theme. The cheesy Batman was always fun to watch. I always pretended to be Spider-Man.

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  5. No real contest for me. Hands down my favorite is "The Batman Theme". I used to have the 45 and it's a nice piece of music. I also do like the theme from Inspector Gadget--classic in a Henry Mancini "Pink Panther" sort of way.

    I like the old cartoons like "Betty Boop" and the original "Popeye" cartoons. Just about anything pre-1960's. Favorite superhero is Batman, but Superman is pretty cool too. I wouldn't mind his powers.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out



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    1. Who doesn't love the Batman theme?
      I remember watching Popeye when I was younger. It was always enjoyable. Then the movie came along. LOL
      Superman's powers would be cool because he has so many.

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  6. Ah Jeff, that was a lot of fun. Brought back fond memories of Saturday morning cartoons when I was a kid. Not sure, but Beast may be my favorite superhero, though I'd like Storm's super powers. I was disappointed with the Beast character in the X-Men movies; he just wasn't beastly enough, ya know? I haven't watch the cartoon superhero's for a long time. The new stuff is too angsty, all about overcoming selfishness and forging romantic relationships. I think the last time I enjoyed superhero's was Teen Titans.

    As for the theme songs, tough choice. Love love Spiderman, Batman, Inspecter Gadget, and X-men. All so visual, catchy. I think I'll vote Spiderman though. Tough choice.

    Thanks for bringing such nostalgic fun to my day. And I hope you feel better and work slows down now that the holidays are coming :)

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    1. I actually liked the Justice League series they were doing several years back. Justice League Unlimited was great fun to watch.
      Thanks for the votes.

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  7. Inspector Gadget is the favorite for me. He-man was last place. Rocky and Bullwinkle were my Saturday go-to, along with Fractured Fairy Tales.

    Interesting battle!

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    1. I'm glad to see Inspector Gadget get a vote. Not sure if its my favourite but I certainly used to sing it around the house when I was younger and the episodes were fresh.

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  8. JEFFREY, this was a fantabulous BOTB installment. No reason whatsoever to sound the least bit apologetic. I wish I'd thought of this one.

    I'm 56, so the only two that I knew were SPIDERMAN and BATMAN. This was a total no-brainer, piece o' cake vote for me: Duh-Duh-Duh-Duh-Duh-Duh-Duh-Duh-DUH! BATMAN!!!

    Man, when I was a child I drank, ate and breathed Batman. I would do anything my Ma told me to at the threat "there'll be no Batman tonight..." Anything she said. Done!

    I still love the show, but just the first 2 seasons. They lost their way and the magic was gone by the 3rd season. And, hey, Julie Newmar as Catwoman. I remember thinking: Ya know, Stephen, there's something kind of... different... about girls.

    Yep, Catwoman (Julie Newmar ONLY) awakened something in me. Hokey-Smoke! What a BODY!

    My friend the cartoonist Lonnie Millsap (Google his arse), whom I met at UCLA in 1986, was also a big Batman fan as a kid, and he named his dog "BIFF" after the "BIFF!" fight cards they used for scenes in Batman. Ha!-Ha! True story. Lonnie liked the "BIffs!" best, so he named his dog that. I loved "ZAP!" and "POW!"

    I dig the Spiderman theme too, but The Caped Crusader, The Dynamic Duo - they RULE! I'd never heard the theme for 'Inspector Gadget' but that was really pretty good. Like Lee said, kind of a Mancini "Pink Panther" feel to it. Good stuffs. The others were just kind of... eh. And the 'He-Man' one was even less than... eh.

    Additional Questions:
    Who is your favourite Super Hero?
    Adam West as Batman. No one else matters to me.

    Do you have a favourite cartoon?
    Sure! I own every episode of 'THE ROCKY & BULLWINKLE SHOW' on DVD. My second favorite is 'DEPUTY DAWG'.

    What is nostalgic to you?
    Anything that reminds me of great, fun times now long past.

    What super power do you wish you had?
    The same as Birgit. I've given this much thought over the decades, and I've decided that my power should also allow anything I'm touching or anyone who's touching me to also be able to travel anywhere I wanna go in a single instant. What could be better'n that? I mean, why fly when you can be there in a moment? Why be invisible when you can simply be gone and elsewhere in the blink of an eye?

    This is my favorite BOTB you've ever put together. Loved it! Kudos and mo' kudos. And I hope you feel better soon, Bro!

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. Like Daffy Duck said, "I can only do this once." Well, we'll see what I come up with on my April BOTB. Perhaps in another six - twelve months I'll do something else off the rails. It's only interesting, I think, when you do it rarely.
      And everyone probably thought his dog was named after Back to the Future. Especially if it were a bulldog.
      They have Rocky and Bullwinkle on DVD? Really? I'm going to have to look into that.

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    2. I agree that it's fun to think-outside-the-BOTB-box once in awhile. I've done it a few times in my 56 BOTB installments. But it's not something that should be done often. Once in a great while, on rare occasions, it can add a breath of fresh air. But if it were done too often, BOTB would begin to feel chaotic, rudderless, noncohesive.

      I have too much respect for the traditional BOTB format to tamper with it often.

      But this was a really fun change-o'-pace you put together here. A clever, unique idea.

      ~ D-FensDogG

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    3. Thanks for saying so. Glad you agree. :)

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  9. Wow, this is fantastic! So much for traditon - I love the way you're thinking outside of the box (which is a television from the 70s, by the way).

    Which super hero theme song did you enjoy best?: Batman and Spiderman are a toss up. I loved Batman and had a best buddy who had a Batcave in his basement (no kidding). I wanted to live there. But the Spiderman tune is just too dang catchy - Spidey wins this one.

    Which did yo like least?: Justice League...bleh.

    Additional Questions:

    Who is your favourite Super Hero?: Drawn? Batman. Movies? Iron Man

    Do you have a favourite cartoon?: Johnny Quest, Mighty Mouse, Batman, Spiderman...

    What is nostalgic to you?: Anything from the late 60s and 70s generally causes my nostalgia tingling to start. Dark Shadows, anyone? Monkees? Beatles...when they were together?

    What super power do you wish you had? Flight or invisibility. It's a toss up. Sadly, I've thought about this one a lot. What a geek I am.

    Well done, well done. I love this one.


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    1. Why does it seem like theme songs were so much catchier back in the day?
      I think it'll come down to either Batman or Spiderman in this battle. Same thing with super power, who wouldn't want to fly? To be honest, of all super powers, I think this is the one we dream of the most.

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  10. These are classic my vote would be for Spiderman. I am actually enjoying all the super hero remakes now days. Hard to pin point one super power, I guess that's what made the Justice League work together.

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    1. It is difficult to pick just one power. Many years ago when I was younger, I used to play a game with myself where every day I'd pick a new super power and during the course of the day, I'd try to figure out how I would use it to the best of it's ability.

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  11. Batman is the most memorable for me, but I was a huge Inspector Gadget fan so that's my vote.

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    1. Gotta love the IG theme song. One of those cornball shows you just HAVE to love.
      Even the movie wasn't really that bad. I enjoyed it, anyway.

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  12. Spiderman...who can forget that song? It gets stuck in your head and won't go away!

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    1. Just curious. Were you singing it the rest of the day? :)

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  13. Hi Jeffrey - I hope your eyes aren't hurting ... lots to read here - but do hope you feel better soon. I'm hopeless with music - but it does get our emotions going ... cheers and take care - Hilary

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    1. I'm not worried about lots of reading. I encourage long comments as long as they are worthwhile. I.E., not spammy.

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  14. What a fun battle Jeffrey!! Hands down for me, it's Batman. It's such a great theme song. And the video opening is a blast to watch. The other ones I like are Spiderman and Inspector Gadget, but they are both a far cry from Batman. Batman is just so classic and it's the most nostalgic to me. As for what superpower I'd like to have: to be invisible, like the Invisible Man. That always intrigued me.
    Really fun battle. Now I'm going to go listen to the Batman theme again. I could listen to that all day. It definitely takes me back...

    Michele at Angels Bark

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    1. Don't forget to check the results, though I have a feeling I see what the outcome will be.
      I think you nailed my top three songs as well.
      PS - Don't forget your shark repellent.

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  15. Good Ol Spidey gets my vote. Awesome BOTB selection, Jeff.I always wanted to fly free like Superman but you know what? When I came back down from the clouds and realised I hadn't any real super powers, I took to climbing trees and buildings. It sure was fun pretending to be Spiderman and when your that age you're just not afraid to jump! Aggghhhh!

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    1. I remember jumping from the roof of the garage on several occasions. How I never broke my foot I can only wonder.

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  16. What a neat idea! I'm going to give my vote to Batman. :)

    I think, as more my fave superhero... it's a bit of a tie between Deadpool and Batman. For two entirely different reasons, but still. I've got Deadpool posters alongside Batman figurenes. Batman DVDs by Deadpool comics. Good stuff.

    Superpower? Super intelligence. Or rather, the ability to learn anything instantly and recall anything instantly. I think that'd be most helpful in life.

    Hey, but hope you get to feeling better!

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    1. The Legion of Super Heroes member, Brainiac 5, pretty much had those super powers. He's has always been one of my favourite Super Heroes.

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  17. These were fabulous, Jeffrey! So glad you went outside the box and brought us this escape down memory lane... I was sure I'd be voting for either Spiderman or Batman — I grew up with those — but, alas, the one that gave me chills was He-Man, hahahahahaha. I was *not* expecting that. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I watched Spiderman and Batman mostly in Spanish (growing up in Mexico), and the songs were also translated. But He-Man was one of those Saturday morning cartoons I watched a lot during the 2 years I spent in the US — and, obviously, in English. So listening to it now really brought back an entire era. Thank you!
    Guilie @ Quiet Laughter

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    1. I love your reasoning. It's so true. I had a feeling song selections were going to be picked by whatever was most nostalgic for the listeners. There were so many other themes I wanted to include, but I felt I had the two most people would vote for, and a few others I grew to love as a child. Isn't nostalgia wonderful?

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  18. ♫BATMAN!♫ Theme song AND super hero preference. ☺
    Who is your favourite Super Hero? As above
    Do you have a favourite cartoon? The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show
    What is nostalgic to you? Music, mostly, but any reminders of younger days
    What super power do you wish you had? Flight. I'd travel the world.
    That was different and fun. Thanks, Jeffrey. Hope you're feeling better now.

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    1. I'm getting there. Every comment helps me feel just a little better. ;)
      So many people love the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. Gotta admit, that was one of my favourites growing up too.

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    2. There were so many fun bits there. ☺ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65t-OzhlmvE
      Boris & Natasha, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, Dudley DoRight....

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    3. Love those crazy antics. Boris was always one of my favourite villains.

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  19. Jeffrey, no apologies necessary here, this was really a good idea and a lot of fun. I probably shouldn't admit this, but at times I find BOTB tedious; listening to all those match-up. It's fun once in awhile to run across something different and fun.

    I vote Inspector Gadget. Loved the show, loved the theme and Hey, I even know all the words. Ha, ha, ha!

    The one I liked least was that He-Man Masters of the Universe.

    Favorite cartoon, I have several; Mighty Mouse, Mr. Peabody and Sherman, Tom and Jerry, and Rocky and Bulwinkle.

    Super Power I would like to have - Time Travel, yes definitely time travel.

    Hope you feel better and get back into the swing of things by the Holidays. Believe me, I know what it's like when life overtakes you. This was a fantastic idea. Can't wait to see what you come up with in April

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    1. I love to do something fun once in a while. The only times I really find BOTB tedious is when it's a song I really don't care for, or I'm visiting someone who rarely or never stops by here for a visit. I feel obligated to visit their battles, but sometimes do so grudgingly as I know I'm visiting them and would like a return visit, though know it'll be unlikely.
      As for your favourite super power. I love that one. You're my Hiro. (A little Heroes humour if you watch that show).

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  20. Really? REALLY? I'm supposed to just pick one? ... How about 3? Spiderman, Batman and Heman for the win! =)

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    1. He-Man could use a vote. Perhaps I'll throw your vote that way. ;)
      Yes, I know it's hard to pick. You should see some of the the ones I didn't use.

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  21. I have to go with Inspector Gadget because that song gets stuck in my head so easily. And randomly.

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  22. Batman, for sure. That's the quintessential superhero theme.

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  23. Jeffrey, this is a fun battle. Batman definitely gets my vote. After all, I'm married to Boy Wonder and going with anything else would get this Catwoman in trouble. :D

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  24. Tough one this time, for sure! But ultimately inspector gadget won out for me. So much nostalgia there.

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  25. Spiderman! That song is stuck in my head now, it brings back the strongest memories of my childhood. Closely followed by Inspector gadget. For a super power I'd love to be able to hear what people are thinking so I could understand them better. I'm always so confused! lol Otherwise invisibility would be cool.

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    1. Almost any older theme song has a lot of nostalgia for me. I like those choice of super powers.

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  26. Hello there.
    My superhero is Jesus...does he count? ;-) I must say, I had forgotten about some of these. If I had to choose, it would be Inspector Gadget. Certainly a nostalgia trip! Hope you're feeling better...a bowl of homemade mac 'n' cheese should cheer you up! (lol). Thanks for popping over to my blog the other day.

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    1. Jesus works for your own personal hero any time. As for theme songs, Inspector Gadget is a good choice. Such fun and zany humour. Reminds me of the old Get Smart TV show.

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  27. Tough call...

    I'm going to go with Inspector Gadget for best and He-Man for worst.

    As for your other questions, favorite super hero is Wolverine. Favorite cartoon is Looney Tunes, especially Bugs. As for nostalgia, nothing tops the Jim Henson era Muppets.

    Super power... teleportation.

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    1. Another teleportation fan. I agree, that would be fun.
      In the super hero series I created, Vortice had the ability to teleport and open up rifts in space which he'd use to store equipment.

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