Papa Smurf is the Great Red Leader of the Smurf Communist Utopia and Gargamel is his offensively stereotypical Jewish nemesis. The entire Transformers series was a giant metaphor for the weapons and energy race between the U.S. and her enemies. G.I. Joe was basically there to reinforce that you could be as flamboyantly gay as you like in your intricately designed spandex costumes (or even just a denim cutoff vest with no undershirt) and still serve your country.
Point being, there are things you just don't notice about your favorite Saturday morning cartoons as a kid. You simply don't ask questions. But, as we get a little order and a little more self aware, there are areas of concern that begin to form. Maybe the things you most fondly romanticize about your childhood all of a sudden begin to get muddled up in your mind once your innermost consciousness starts to wander.
It's through this line of self re-examination that the work of Maré Odomo, artist/cartoonist extraordinaire, thrives. In the kindest and yet most provocative manner, she examines Ash Ketchum and his condition. Why is it that Ash set out to catch them all? Why did he pick an oversized yellow rodent to be his best friend? How did he end up in a two story, one bedroom home in the tiny hamlet of Palette Town? And most importantly, where is his father and what is their relationship?
Odomo's work is personal, loving and emotional. It's simple and cute, loving and saddening, but most importantly awesome because I love Pokémon.
