Arthur is the Jewish sidekick of The Tick, and fights crime in The City. He uses a flying suit to dispense his moth-like justice! However, because of his head-wear, Arthur is often mistaken for a rabbit.
Origins
Arthur’s origins are simple. He was a clerk in The City, and now he’s a superhero of The City. While in the… clerking business, Arthur was unhappy. He felt a certain calling. He knew there was more to life than just crunching numbers. Arthur decided to become a superhero, or at least, one without powers. So, he purchased a flying suit, designed to resemble a moth, at an auction. Arthur’s first encounter with The Tick was no mere coincidence. In fact, Arthur follows Tick’s work, and chooses to make his appearance when he’s needed most. While Tick is having a chat with Shing, a ninja, Arthur shows up and tosses a Japanese Artifact to Tick, explains what it is, and then flies away. He returns to Tick the next day to continue helping him with the Ninja problem. Soon afterward, Arthur requests to join Tick, as his sidekick, in the fight against crime. He reasons that the Tick is like an adventuring magnet, and will give his life some excitement. Tick accepts, and so begins one of the greatest duos in comics history, as they immediately set up base in Arthur’s apartment. It is worth mentioning that Arthur has a sister, Dot, and is also the uncle of her children.
Powers
Arthur does not have any real superpowers, and he isn’t entirely brave, either. This can be witnessed in his glorious battle-cry, “Not in the face! Not in the face!” However, what he lacks in moxie, he more than makes up for with smarts. Arthur has displayed a wide, general knowledge of everything, including that of Japanese lore. Yet, intelligence is not his only weapon against the villains of The City. Arthur’s flying suit is a very advanced piece of technology. It really only consists of a full body suit, a pair of goggles, and wings. When used properly, this suit grants flight to the wearer, and Arthur has mastered it. He flies through the sky with ease, battling evil with the Tick.
Arthur in the Media
Along with Tick, Arthur appears in three television show adaptations, where his origins were slightly altered.
In the animated show, Arthur, says that he found his suit and was let go for wearing at work. While walking on a sidewalk, the Tick comes crashing down from above. Arthur is very impressed with the fall, and after the duo stop a robbery, and save the City from a gang called the “Idea Men”, they team up for good.
In the First live action show, Arthur’s origins are altered, again. This time, he is portrayed by David Burke. This Arthur is essentially the same as the cartoon, but his origins differ. On the live-action show, Arthur quits his job at an accounting agency to pursue his dream of being a superhero, and meets the Tick when he is surrounded by Russians and calls for help. Tick comes to his aid and after the two save Jimmy Carter from The Red Scare, they become fast friends.
In the Amazon Prime series, he is portrayed by Griffin Newman. His origins were changed, yet again. In this series, Arthur’s father was killed by the Terror, and since then, he has been trying to prove that he’s still alive. While tracking down some criminals who he suspects are working for the Terror, he suddenly meets The Tick, who fights off the criminals, and later meets Arthur at his apartment to give him a high tech flight suit. After Arthur tries to escape the situation, he eventually learns that the Terror is alive, and after he and the Tick stop him from killing the superhero, Superian, Arthur and the Tick stay together as a duo.