Tell me, how, exactly, do you approach something like The Amazing Screw-On Head? Assuming that you have no prior knowledge of what it's about, sitting down to something like this is sure to create a little anxiety. All I knew prior to pressing play was that it began life as a web show at SciFi.com, later airing on The Sci Fi Channel. It is the pilot episode for a potential series, but its future seems to be in doubt as it has been some time since it aired, and they are releasing this pilot episode on DVD. After watching it, I can only hope that we will get more adventures of Screw-On Head. Perhaps this DVD release will help attain that end.
Well, let's set the stage for the Screw-On-verse. It is the 1860s and there are two histories for the young United States, the one that we all know, and the one that contains the mysteries and fantastical adventures of one Screw-On Head. Our hero is a robotic head that can unscrew from his body and use other bodies for different purposes, an ability that he uses in service to President Abraham Lincoln.
This tale has Head, with help from his manservant Mr. Groin, on a quest to stop the evil Emperor Zombie and his vampire queen, Patience. As all arch-villains are apt to do, the quirky Zombie is on his way to use a magical item to give him the mystical power to take over the world. It is an epic tale of past love, long-reaching rivalry, and the ultimate battle of good versus evil.
At only 22 minutes in length, I was left wanting more. I want, nay, need more adventures of the robotic hero and more nefarious plans from Emperor Zombie. This short episode is funny, exciting, and highly quirky. In other words, it is right up my alley.
The character was created by Mike Mignola, the man behind Hellboy. As such, the animation style carries his signature look and feel, with many of the scenes taken directly from his artwork, much like the filmed version of Frank Miller's Sin City. The look is unique, the feel is fun, and it is unlike the vast majority of the animated shows that are on right now.
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