Cartoons still pack a punch

Whether you're young or old there are some things you never outgrow, and area teen-agers believe cartoons make that list.

When asked about their favorite cartoon, some teens had a tough time making a choice. Cartoons are a staple of their entertainment diet, along with video games and music.

And movie producers hope that the popularity of cartoons and comic books carries over as teens head to the theaters this summer. "Spider-Man" opened Friday with much success, surpassing $100 million in ticket sales in its first weekend. Other summer movies based on cartoon animation that should air this summer are "The Powerpuff Girls" and "Scooby-Doo."

"Spider-Man," the live-action adaptation starring Tobey Maguire as the Marvel Comics web-slinger shattered box-office records, surpassing the previous best taken in by "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" during its first three days last fall.

Ubiquitous marketing, an audience built up through 40 years of comic readership, solid action and visual effects and a tale of an ordinary, misfit youth helped draw an across-the-board audience to "Spider-Man." The crowds were split about 50-50 between men and women and viewers older and younger than 25, theaters reported.

But Spider-Man didn't top the list of favorite cartoons for many of the area's teens, though "Batman" got some mention.

"Spongebob Squarepants" and "Scooby-Doo" ranked at the top of the list.

Other favorites were cartoons like the "Smurfs," "Tom & Jerry," and "The Flintstones" that were popular several years ago but are making a comeback with help from the Cartoon Network cable channel.

Troy Chapman, 11, estimates he spends more time watching cartoons than any other programming on television. "Pretty much if I watch TV, I watch cartoons. There's nothing else on."

His favorite show is "Dragonball Z," though he does like Spongebob Squarepants. And he's not alone there. Among sixth graders at Scott City, Mo., Middle School, Spongebob Squarepants ranks as the favorite cartoon. And the same is probably true at other schools, both elementary and middle schools.

Megan Cooper, 13, also is a Spongebob fan. "He's cool." She likes "South Park" too.

She and her friends at school in Jackson, Mo., have pillows, bedspreads and sheets, socks and shoelaces with the Spongebob image.

"You're never too grown up for this," she said.

Kristen Johnson, 16, agrees. She's a fan of Looney Tunes and Scooby-Doo. "You can never outgrow this because my dad and grandpa watch cartoons. Everybody does."

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126