Hero Envy
| "Hero Envy" and "Hero Envy": "The Swass Adventures" | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Series logo |
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| Format | Comedy Pop Culture |
| Created by | Keith Gleason Mike Hopta |
| Starring | John Cimino Keith Gleason Efrain Martinez |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 30 (ongoing) |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Keith Gleason John Cimino |
| Location(s) | Massachusetts |
| Running time | 12 - 35 minutes. |
| Broadcast | |
| Original airing | August 21, 2005 |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Hero Envy and Hero Envy: The Swass Adventures are an ongoing series of web-based comedy episodes, initially produced exclusively for internet distribution. The first series, "Hero Envy," was the sole venture of the production company Glint of Hope Productions. The series ran for 24 episodes and 3 'Christmas Annuals.' After a small hiatus in the fall of 2008, the series continued as a spin-off show entitled "Hero Envy: The Swass Adventures" produced by Reckless Sidekick Productions. Both series are notable for their fast pace, topical subject matter and unique blend of child-like interests and adult language and themes, as well as the hyper-energetic acting of its stars.
[edit] History
"Hero Envy" began as a short film script written by Mike Hopta and Keith Gleason in 1997. John Cimino, former frontman of the hardcore band Grimlock and noted collector of comic book memorabilia,[1] became involved with the production through his association with Gleason, and was cast as the second lead. Despite early readings, the script was shelved when the group was unable to organize the capital to make the film.
In 2005, the increasing availability and decreasing price of film equipment and web video production prompted Hopta and Gleason to write 4 short scripts. They then contacted Cimino to discuss the possibility of reviving the original idea. Rather than focus on a full-length feature, they decided to produce 10-35 minute, live-action web videos based on the characters from the original film script. To begin production, Glint of Hope Productions was formed and on August 21, 2005 they premiered the pilot episode "Saturday Morning." In May 2009, citing personal, creative and professional differences, Glint of Hope Productions halted production and dissolved. In September 2009, Gleason and Cimino formed a new production company dubbed Reckless Sidekick Productions and began filming a new spin-off series, "Hero Envy: The Swass Adventures."
[edit] Hero Envy - The First Series
"Hero Envy" drew inspiration from various elements in pop culture. Episodes revolved around the misadventures of characters in an ensemble cast, telling the story of Wally and J.D. who had been best friends since they were toddlers, and their two buddies, Orson the Science-fiction loving pacifist and Dekker the crazy horror fan. The Series was often irreverent, full of paradoxical humor and occasional drama. Story lines included video game contests, Hero Clix, reality television, Transformers Addiction, and a parody of the Star Trek episode Mirror, Mirror (Star Trek: The Original Series). Towards the end of the first series the show introduced a villain by the name of J.B. This villain was carried over to the spin-off series.
[edit] Hero Envy - The Swass Adventures
"Hero Envy: The Swass Adventures" is a spin-off series that premiered in 2009, 6 months after the last episode of "Hero Envy." The premiere episode was entitled "Stranger in a Strange Land" and concluded a cliff-hanger with the character Dekker being held hostange and facing a grizzly end.
The new series focuses on the continuing adventures of Dekker in an alternate universe where he now lives with J.D. and a new character known only as the 'Toy Dealer.' The storylines deal with Dekker's quest to get back to his home world and his attempt to deal with his current reality.
The most recent episode "Hero Envy - Swass Adventures - Christmas Special 2009" was released in December 2009 and was the last installment to date. However, Reckless Sidekick Productions has continued producing regular video-podcast installments of their panel discussion series "The Swass-Cast."
[edit] The Swass-Cast
In 2009, Reckless Sidekick Productions began publishing an ongoing video podcast series starring Gleason and Cimino. The series is a panel-discussion format that features special guests knowledgeable in different topic areas, as well as semi-regular guest Efrain Martinez.[2] The podcast generally consists of a round-table discussion that covers a specific topic with each installment (see episode list) and showcases different opinions and ideas about the geek culture world, peppered with adult humor and pop-culture references. The podcasts generally run from 15 – 30 minutes and are enhanced with video and still pictures relevant to the topic. An audio version of each podcast is also available for download on iTunes.
[edit] Hero Envy - The Comic Book
In April 2011 the first two issues of the "Hero Envy" comic book were released by Reckless Sidekick Productions. Written by Keith Gleason with added dialogue from Efrain Martinez and story assistance from John Cimino, the comic book is a 3 part mini-series set in the universe established in the "Hero Envy" webisodes. The story expands on the back-story behind the characters Wally, J.D., Dekker and Orson and follows them on a quest for 4 mystical objects that need to be used against the villain "El Moco-Conpan." The comic also adds an other-worldly character named U-Toob who guides the characters throughout the story. U-Toob is a parody of Marvel Comics The Watcher (comics). The comic also includes a second story that explains the origin of "El Diablo," who is an imaginary friend that lives in the character J.D.'s head.
[edit] Hero Envy - The Blog Adventures
In May 2011 Reckless Sidekick Productions started a blog that featured their innermost geek thoughts. Most noticeable are the rants and articles of John Cimino and his points of view on pop culture and nostalgia.
[edit] Public Reception and Relevance
“Hero Envy” and "Hero Envy: The Swass Adventures" episodes are generally targeted at fans of pop culture, movies, cartoon and comic books.[3] While these topics might appeal to a younger audience, the episodes are intended for older viewers, as the characters frequently swear, discuss sexual topics and make off-color jokes and references. Public response varies, but among the target demographic, response is positive. "Hero Envy" has been featured and reviewed on StreetFreaks.tv, The Comic Forum, ComicSpace.com and Spwegilist.com, among others. The series has a large following on YouTube and, like other web series, has spread by word-of-mouth and through public distribution.[4] Hero Envy has also crafted the first ever webisode crossover with the web series "What is Joppa?"
Although "Hero Envy" and "Hero Envy: The Swass Adventures" do draw some themes off of older more established ensemble comedy television series, the web series are notable for the contemporary nature of their humor, the fast-paced episodes and the unique, often outlandish acting of John Cimino. The production companies have attended science fiction and comic conventions, such as the New York Comic Con and the San Diego Comic Con. During their convention appearances, they have offered dvds of episodes collected and formatted for group distribution. The dvds contain “blooper reels” and behind the scenes segments. Reckless Sidekick Productions has continued attending conventions.[5]
[edit] Celebrity Endorsements
During their trips to conventions, Cimino and Gleason have filmed several “celebrity endorsements” by actors, comic book and television writers.[6] The celebrities include Jason Mewes, Erica Durance of Smallville fame, David Palffy from Stargate SG-1, superstar comic book writer Mark Millar, Seth Johnson of Wizkid's Heroclix, and Steve McNiven, penciler for Marvel's Civil War series. As well as Paul Levitz and Dan Didio among many others for interviews on their Swass-Cast.
Hero Envy has also featured guest stars in several of their episodes, including The Smoke, professional wrestler from NWA Shockwave, Fat Momma from Who Wants to be a Superhero?, rock star Phil Labonte, and Kina Dean from MTV Road Rules.
[edit] Awards
"Hero Envy" was the recipient of the 2007 and 2008 "Spewgie" for Best Web Series at Spewgilist.com, a site aimed at fans of comics, movies and geek-pop culture.
[edit] Episode list
Episode 1 - Saturday Morning
Episode 2 - J.D. is a Dick
Episode 3 - Catwoman Sucked
Episode 4 - Internet Fad
Episode 5 - Science Friction
Episode 6 - Geek Games
Episode 7 - Cartoonathon
Episode 8 - Hero Envy: Live!
Episode 9 - Contest of Champions
Episode 10 - Orson Come Home
Episode 11 - Who is Cochrane?
Episode 12 - Enter El Diablo!
Episode 13 - Realistically Speaking Part 1
Episode 14 - Realistically Speaking Part 2
Episode 15 - Smoked!
Episode 16 - Never Meet Your Hero's Penciler
Episode 17 - The Energon Agenda - Astro Train Spotting
Episode 18 - The Energon Agenda - Requiem For an Autobot
Episode 19 - It Started on Yancy Street
Episode 20 - Interlude
Episode 21 - Hero oreH
Episode 22 - The Game is Afoot
Episode 23 - The Man Who Knew Not Much
Episode 24 - Stranger in a Strange Land
Episode 25 - Tragical Mystery Tour Part 1
Episode 26 - Tragical Mystery Tour Part 2
Christmas Annual 2005
Christmas Annual 2006
Christmas Annual 2007
Christmas Special 2009
[edit] Swass-Cast List
Episode 0 - Hulk vs Superman 1
Episode 1/2 - Hulk vs Superman 2
Episode 1 - Top 5 Comic Battles
Episode 2 - He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
Episode 3 - Favorite Wrestling Memories
Episode 4 - Ben Cooper Costumes
Episode 5 - The Incredible Hulk Television Series
Episode 6 - The Mego Elastic Superheroes
Episode 7 - Hanna Barbera's World of Super Adventure
Episode 8 - Favorite Comedians
Episode 9 - Movie Talk
Episode 10 - Top 3 Comic Rivalries
Episode 11 - Top 3 Childhood Crushes
Episode 12 - Top 3 Television Intros
Episode 13 - Top 3 Superhero Logos
Episode 14 - Talking Swass @ The 2010 New York Comic Con Part 1
Episode 15 - Talking Swass @ The 2010 New York Comic Con Part 2
Episode 16 - Shogun Warriors
Episode 17 - Collecting Memories
Episode 18 - Top 3 Worst Cartoons
Episode 19 - Top 3 Favorite Sitcoms
Episode 20 - Classic Video Games
Episode 21 - Spider-man Animated
Episode 22 - Table Top Games
Episode 23 - Creature Double Feature
Episode 24 - Justice League Animated
Episode 25 - Top 3 Documentaries
Episode 26 - Top 3 Comic Book Crossovers
Episode 27 - Top 3 Worst Comic Book Crossovers
Episode 28 - Top 3 Obscure Heroes
Episode 29 - Marx Toys
Episode 30 - The Keymont Monster Collection Part 1
Swass-Cast Christmas Special 2010
Swass-Cast Christmas Special 2011
[edit] Comic Book List
Issue #1 - Let There Be a Beginning!
Issue #2 - Swass Unleashed!
Issue #3 - Where Geeks Fear to Tread!
[edit] Blog Adventures List
Article #1 - Marvel's Top 50 Greatest Slugfests of All Time (1961–1999)
Article #2 - Superman vs Captain Marvel: The Definitive Write Up on the Greatest Rivalry in Comics
Article #3 - The "Essential" Incredible Hulk: The definitive Hulk run that defined the character into greatness
Article #4 - Captain America: The Greatest Superhero Ever!
Article #5 - In Search of the "Holy Grail" of Hulk: A Fanatic's Journey Through Life
Article #6 - Thor vs Ulik: The Definitive Write Up on The Champion of Asgard vs The Champion of the Rock Trolls
Article #7 - The Top 4 Greatest and Most Influential Wrestling Tag Teams of All Time
Article #8 - Dragon's Lair: The Quest for a Perfect Video Game
Article #9 - Hulk vs Thor: The Definitive Write Up on Marvel's Most Legendary and Most Controversial Slugfest
Article #10 - Tales from the Toy Chest: The Hulk Roller Skates Debacle
Article #11 - Tales from the Toy Chest: The Stealing of the Superhero Stand Ups
Article #12 - Tales from the Toy Chest: Batman Colorforms and my Dad
Article #13 - Hulk vs Juggernaut: The Definitive Write Up on the Biggest of the Big and the Baddest of the Bad
Article #14 - Out of the Back Issue Bin: The Avengers (vol.1) #164, 165, 166 (1977)
Article #15 - Hulk vs Hercules: The Definitive Write Up on the Battle to Prove Who's the Strongest One There Is
Article #16 - Hulk vs Sub-Mariner: The Definitive Write Up on the Green Skinned Goliath and the Avenging Son: Are They Friends or Foes?
[edit] Hero Envy: The Swass Adventures Current Cast and Characters
J.D. Fields - Played by John Cimino
The rambunctious and raging hormone who sometimes doesn't know if he's 3 or 30 (and this usually happens at the expense of others)! Cares little for time, law and order, for those things mean nothing in "J.D. World." Even though he's loath to admit it, J.D. needs his best friend Wally and this sometimes comes at a huge price. An incorrigible rebel that lives for babes, beers, cartoons, and chaos, and not necessarily in that order. In an alternate dimension J.D. lives with The Toy Dealer and seems to tolerate Dekker a little more than usual (even asking him to become a roommate). He likes to change his hats depending on the situations.
Dekker - Played by Keith Gleason
Works the counter for the local comic shop "Fly on the Wall Comics." Dekker has been friends with Wally for over 10 years and they bonded over an issue of Hellboy. A loner who is a little "off" due to his militant love for blood, guts, and horror. Dekker is also up on all internet geek news because he is on ebay everyday and writing hate e-mails to studios for re-making his favorite horror movies. Recently, Dekker stole J.B.'s reality hopping razor for fun but now finds himself trapped in a parallel universe that he is trying to escape from.
The Toy Dealer - Played by Efrain Martinez
The Toy Dealer is a character whose shady dealings call into question where his true allegiances lay. He is street smart and tough, and knows how to stay alive in the harsh world of street crime and petty thievery. In the beginning, he was a street hustling deale r who sold highly dangerous and addictive .toys to unsuspecting fan boys. A sly and sarcastic character, he seemed to be out for profit and generally concerned only with himself. He occasionally uses a wheelchair or cane, and while this is never discussed, it is likely that he occasionally finds himself shot or injured by other dangerous characters in the world of toy dealing. In an alternate dimension, he was revealed to be J.D.'s roommate where he had become a less threatening character, choosing to deal in the black market for new and used sex toys.
[edit] Additional Cast for the Original Hero Envy Series*
Wallace North - Played by Mike Hopta
The level-headed, kind, yet sometimes gullible guy who looks for the best in everyone and in any situation. Think Charlie Brown trying to "right the wrong" like his hero Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) while maintaining his sanity in a world lost. Wally tries to live as normal of a life as possible by balancing a riled up J.D. and trying to "get it right" with his on and off again girlfriend Brooke. Known for his high-speed-joystick-trigger-fingers and an almost uncanny dedication to his comicbook heroes.
Orson H. Cochrane - Played by Kurt Loether
The lovable, somewhat-robotic science fiction companion to Wally. Orson still lives at home with his mother (but he would contend it's the bridge of the USS Enterprise). Wally and Orson met in line waiting for "Return of the Jedi" tickets 20 years ago (oddly enough he still hasen't stopped complaining about the Ewoks). His extensive robotic Sci-fi techno babble can drive even the most balanced jedi to the Dark Side. Orson's relationship with J.D. is a bit shakey because J.D. is very territorial when it comes to all things Wally.
- In episode 24, "Stranger in a Strangeland" the characters Orson and Wally are featured only in flashbacks.
[edit] Hero Envy Comic Book Characters
Wally, J.D., Orson and Dekker are based on the characters established in "Hero Envy"
U-Toob - U-Toob is a snobbish, self-righteous, all powerful genius of trans-dimensional origins. He identifies himself as a member of a race of "Pointers" who's mission is to point out the flaws in other people and in the events around them.
Tommy Swass - This “stuck in the 80's” music television V.J. has a knack for irritating everyone when he comes on the tube. Despite what most level-headed people think, his popularity to adolescence kids who totally worship “teen angst” reality shows and wouldn't know what a good music video is, make him unquestionably the premier front man in music television today. In essence, the Swassman is pure lame but his millions of pre-teen followers are way too stupid to realize it. He becomes the host-body for the comic's villain.
El Moco-Conpan - This evil, amorphous energy-being is of extra terrestrial origin. He comes to earth and possesses the body of Tommy Swass, taking form to conquer the alien world of Mexicana-Prime. He plans to enslave the population and take away all of their pop-culture and leisure activities.
Jake B. Piscano - A megalomaniac earthly mad genius who offers to help El Moco-Conpan defeat the heroes in exchange for Wally's girlfriend. He is possibly motivated to conquer the entire world while he's at it.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Leominster Champion article on Hero Envy
- Reckless Sidekick Productions, Homesite for "Hero Envy" & "Swass Adventures" webisodes and news
- Hero Envy on comicspace, Source for the "Hero Envy" comic book
- Spewgilist.com, Spewgilist's best web-series awards
- Hero Envy / Swass Adventures on Myspace, Another source for episodes and news
- Hero Envy - Comic Book, Trailer for the Comic Mini-Series
- Hero Envy - Comic Book, Second Comic Book Trailer
- Hero Envy Trailer, Hero Envy Webseries Trailer
- Hero Envy Blog Adventures, Hero Envy Blog
