Dexter's Laboratory

Much like the cartoon, the older sibling annoys the younger

Dexter's Laboratory produced by Cartoon Network.

Plot: Dexter is an average, elementary-aged boy with a high grade point average and interest in science. He also has a large, complex laboratory, complete with supercomputers, nuclear chemicals, weapons, and killer robots. His parents remain clueless about the lab. However, his older sister, DeeDee, knows everything about the laboratory, much to her brother's chagrin. Dexter must maintain the lab's secrecy despite his sister's klutz-induced disasters.

Genre: Animation, Television, Comedy

Reading Level: I believe the show was rated TV-Y.

Similar Titles: Powerpuff Girls, Phineas and Ferb

Personal Thoughts: While I was always more of a Powerpuff Girl fan, Dexter's Laboratory set the stage for a new trend in Western animation. Cartoons began to focus on pleasing both children and adults, as some of the jokes in Dexter focus on one demographic or the other without necessarily excluding either. Like Powerpuff Girls, though, some newer viewers may find the older, rougher animation style unattractive. Still, many of the jokes remain relevant and pleasing to modern viewers.

Powerpuff Girls

Blossom is my favorite

Powerpuff Girls produced by Cartoon Network.

Plot: Due to the acceedental inclusion of Chemical X, a blend of sugar, spice, and everything nice results in the creation of a super-cute, super-powered trio known as the Powerpufff Girls. The three girls, known as Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, dedicate their powers and their lives to protect Townsville, the disaster-prone city of their creation. Overzealous fans, jealous schoolmates, supernatural forces, unreasonable chores, irate supervillains, schoolyard bullies, and bad habits threaten the town, but the Powerpuff Girls are determined to save the world before bedtime.

Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy, Television

Reading Level: Aimed at elementary ages, but much of the humor and references will appeal to older audiences.

Similar Titles: Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack

Personal Thoughts: Apparently, the show's creator intended to use the cartoon to counter the melodramatic, sickly-sweet magical girl craze of the early 1990's. However, the show quickly became a force of its own due to its creative storylines and appealing characters. The series eventually won four awards, including two Primetime Emmys. I am not certain newer viewers will appreciate it, though. True, it avoids some of the reference problems of many other older cartoons. However, the animation style seems extremely rough, especially compared to the Flash-based animation of modern cartoons. Still, if viewers look past the old-school animation style, the series remains relevant and enjoyable.