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Review and Media by Amazing Spidey
Episode #7 - Enemy Without, Enemy Within Music By: Keith Ammerson Animation By: Rainbow Animation Group Guest Starring: Robert Hayes as Iron Man, Dorian Harewood asWar Machine/Jim Rhodes/Backlash, Casey Defranco as Julia Carpenter/Spider-Woman, John Reilly as Hawkeye/Clint Barton, James Warwick as Century, Katherine Moffat as Scarlet Witch, Ed Gilbert as The Mandarin, Jim Cummings as Modok, Neil Dickson as Dreadknight, Dorian Harewood as Whirlwind, Chuck McCann as Blizzard, and Tony Steedman as Justin Hammer Review: This episode actually gave us the origin of Modok. Seeing as how nearly everyone on this show was as 2 dimensional as the paper they were crudely drawn on, it was good to see the characters origin stories because they explain the characters motivations and actually help develop them. Here, we learn why Modok works for The Mandarin and how he became the disgusting little fathead he is today.His reason for betrayal was genuine. It wasn’t anything of Heart Of Ice quality, but it had a similar story. The Mandarin had taken an island captive, and Modok’s wife was one the island, and she had been taken hostage. The flashback sequence was arguably the best scene this entire season did, and actually made me feel pity for Modok, and the music certainly helped. At times, it seemed like the musicians were the only ones trying in this show. The rest of the plot was the typical stuff of season one. Tony had built some weapon; The Mandarin wanted it so he could conquer the world. It had an interesting beginning, but the climax was pretty disappointing. Once again, Iron Man and his lackeys beat the Mandarins lackeys, once again, the villains are made to look like total fools. The animation was pretty off, with Iron Man’s eyes changing from red slits, to Tony’s real eyes, and then a weird mixture of both. There were also several frames where the animator forgot to draw Modok’s nose, it kept appearing, disappearing, appearing, much like Hawkeye’s eyes, which had Batman style slits at several points. Although, they were green. I kid you not. The designs of this show worked against the animation, as did most of Marvels cartoons. It’s obvious that no one thought to watch the episode through and correct the mistakes. What’s worse is, I can’t say I’d want to either. The final scene with Iron Man and Modok in the armoury was one of this seasons best with Iron Man feeling compassionate towards Modok and his loss, but overall, it was a good episode that really could, and should, have been better. Unfortunately, by the time the end credits rolled, this scene was forgotten by the writers, and Modok reverted back to the little orange blob. Screenshots: 
 
 
 
 
 
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