LarryBoy
Encyclopedia
LarryBoy began as a super hero alter-ego of Larry the Cucumber in Big Idea's Christian children's series Veggie Tales, who later received a self-titled cartoon series. First appearing in "Dave and the Giant Pickle
", LarryBoy is the vigilante-crime-fighter and defender of the fictional Veggie-populated city of Bumblyburg. His trademarks are his purple and yellow latex suit (with purple mohawk), super-suction ears (semi-modified toilet plungers), and catchphrase (in response to some statement of a hero being needed): "I . . . am . . . that . . . hero!"
. The key parallels exist in the form of the "Larry-mobile" (which can transform from a modified car in the shape of LarryBoy himself to a plane or boring machine), which emerges from a Wayne Manor-esque mansion outside of town, the technically savvy butler named Alfred (Archibald Asparagus) and dark, somewhat gothic soundtrack and lighting throughout the sequences featuring the title character. In these first episodes LarryBoy himself is a secondary character to Junior Asparagus (and in Larry-Boy and the Rumor Weed
, Laura Carrot) who encounters small, deceitful creatures who tempt him into some form of wrong-doing (i.e. lying or telling rumours) and as the bad influence of the creatures increases, so does the size of the creature itself. LarryBoy then appears in an attempt to solve the problem through super-hero force, and is largely unsuccessful while the young Veggies in a crisis of conscience attempt to right their wrongs. As the truth is revealed, the evil creatures are reduced in size/potency and are neutralized. In the third LarryBoy (LarryBoy and the Bad Apple
), the character's crime-fighting style is more reminiscent of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man
, and as he is part of the sin-problem allowing the villain to gain influence in Bumblyburg, he is then instrumental in stopping said villain and restoring peace.
A somewhat different version of LarryBoy is presented in LarryBoy: The Cartoon Adventures (also known as Larryboy). This' was a 2003 television show the aired on Qubo in 2003 starring the voice of Mike Nawrocki
as LarryBoy and based on the characters created by Phil Vischer
and Chris Olsen. It started out on as a DVD series which later came on to Qubo
in 2006. In Season 1, Archibald Asparagus (referred to as Archie rather than Alfred), Bob the Tomato and Junior Asparagus carry over from VeggieTales
, the rest of the characters being invented for this series. In this version LarryBoy's alter ego is revealed to be a mild-mannered janitor at The Daily Bumble Newspaper, who also attends super-hero classes at the local college. These classes are taught by Master Bok Choy who references the "Super Hero Handbook" (The Bible) as the basis for his lectures.
Dave and the Giant Pickle
Dave and the Giant Pickle is the fifth episode in the VeggieTales animated series. Also, this video was the first time Larry the Cucumber was LarryBoy. It was released in March 1996 on VHS. Subtitled "A Lesson in Self-Esteem", it sends the message that with God's help humans can accomplish anything...
", LarryBoy is the vigilante-crime-fighter and defender of the fictional Veggie-populated city of Bumblyburg. His trademarks are his purple and yellow latex suit (with purple mohawk), super-suction ears (semi-modified toilet plungers), and catchphrase (in response to some statement of a hero being needed): "I . . . am . . . that . . . hero!"
Character and Series Development
The world and character of LarryBoy originally mirrored Tim Burton's Batman filmsBatman (1989 film)
Batman is a 1989 superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name, directed by Tim Burton. The film stars Michael Keaton in the title role, as well as Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl and Jack Palance...
. The key parallels exist in the form of the "Larry-mobile" (which can transform from a modified car in the shape of LarryBoy himself to a plane or boring machine), which emerges from a Wayne Manor-esque mansion outside of town, the technically savvy butler named Alfred (Archibald Asparagus) and dark, somewhat gothic soundtrack and lighting throughout the sequences featuring the title character. In these first episodes LarryBoy himself is a secondary character to Junior Asparagus (and in Larry-Boy and the Rumor Weed
Larry-Boy and the Rumor Weed
Larry-Boy and the Rumor Weed is the twelfth episode in the VeggieTales animated series, and the second installment of the LarryBoy adventures. It was released in July 1999 on VHS formats and January 28, 2003 on DVD formats...
, Laura Carrot) who encounters small, deceitful creatures who tempt him into some form of wrong-doing (i.e. lying or telling rumours) and as the bad influence of the creatures increases, so does the size of the creature itself. LarryBoy then appears in an attempt to solve the problem through super-hero force, and is largely unsuccessful while the young Veggies in a crisis of conscience attempt to right their wrongs. As the truth is revealed, the evil creatures are reduced in size/potency and are neutralized. In the third LarryBoy (LarryBoy and the Bad Apple
LarryBoy and the Bad Apple
LarryBoy and the Bad Apple is the 29th episode in the VeggieTales animated series, and the third installment of the LarryBoy adventures. It was released in 2006 and is only available on DVD format. This was the first VeggieTales episode to be only released on DVD and never released on VHS...
), the character's crime-fighting style is more reminiscent of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
, and as he is part of the sin-problem allowing the villain to gain influence in Bumblyburg, he is then instrumental in stopping said villain and restoring peace.
A somewhat different version of LarryBoy is presented in LarryBoy: The Cartoon Adventures (also known as Larryboy). This' was a 2003 television show the aired on Qubo in 2003 starring the voice of Mike Nawrocki
Mike Nawrocki
Michael Nawrocki is an American voice actor, writer, animator and director. He is the co-founder and Executive Vice President of Big Idea Entertainment, the company best known for bringing computer-animated vegetables to life in the popular VeggieTales series...
as LarryBoy and based on the characters created by Phil Vischer
Phil Vischer
Phillip "Phil" Vischer is an American voice actor, animator, director, writer and puppeteer known for creating the computer-animated video series VeggieTales with partner and friend Mike Nawrocki...
and Chris Olsen. It started out on as a DVD series which later came on to Qubo
Qubo
Qubo is a multi-platform children's television specialty channel endeavor operated as a joint venture between ION Media Networks, NBCUniversal, Nelvana, Scholastic Corporation, and Classic Media...
in 2006. In Season 1, Archibald Asparagus (referred to as Archie rather than Alfred), Bob the Tomato and Junior Asparagus carry over from VeggieTales
VeggieTales
VeggieTales is an American series of children's computer animated films featuring anthropomorphic vegetables in stories conveying moral themes based on Christianity...
, the rest of the characters being invented for this series. In this version LarryBoy's alter ego is revealed to be a mild-mannered janitor at The Daily Bumble Newspaper, who also attends super-hero classes at the local college. These classes are taught by Master Bok Choy who references the "Super Hero Handbook" (The Bible) as the basis for his lectures.
VeggieTales Episodes
- Larry-Boy! And the Fib from Outer Space! (1997)
- Larry-Boy and the Rumor WeedLarry-Boy and the Rumor WeedLarry-Boy and the Rumor Weed is the twelfth episode in the VeggieTales animated series, and the second installment of the LarryBoy adventures. It was released in July 1999 on VHS formats and January 28, 2003 on DVD formats...
(1999) - LarryBoy and the Bad AppleLarryBoy and the Bad AppleLarryBoy and the Bad Apple is the 29th episode in the VeggieTales animated series, and the third installment of the LarryBoy adventures. It was released in 2006 and is only available on DVD format. This was the first VeggieTales episode to be only released on DVD and never released on VHS...
(2006)
Larryboy Cartoon list
- The Angry Eyebrows (2002)
- Leggo My Ego! (2002)
- The Yodelnapper! (2002)
- The Good, the Bad, and the Eggly! (2003)
Cast
- Lee Marshall.....Narrator
- Mike NawrockiMike NawrockiMichael Nawrocki is an American voice actor, writer, animator and director. He is the co-founder and Executive Vice President of Big Idea Entertainment, the company best known for bringing computer-animated vegetables to life in the popular VeggieTales series...
.....Larryboy and Jean-Claude Pea - Phil VischerPhil VischerPhillip "Phil" Vischer is an American voice actor, animator, director, writer and puppeteer known for creating the computer-animated video series VeggieTales with partner and friend Mike Nawrocki...
.....Bob the Tomato, Archie - Shari Belgeau.....Vicki, Greta Von Gruesome
- Lisa Vischer.....Junior Asparagus
- Marc Graue.....Master Bok Choy
- Larry D. Whitaker Jr.Larry WhitakerLarry D. Whitaker, Jr. is an animation director, actor, writer, and animation illustrator.Whitaker's first interest in art came around age four as he watched his father sculpt and paint. When his father bought him a pad of blank paper, he began to fill up the pages with scribbles and stick...
.....Awful Alvin, Officer Olaf - Tom Bancroft.....The Alchemist
- Jose Vicente.....Dark Crow