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Power Up The '90s Nostalgia By Rediscovering Nickelodeon's Forgotten Superheroes

It’s a bird, it’s a plane… oh wait, it’s just Powdered Toast Man.
Posted on Jul 28, 2023 | 07:30am
From Aang to Danny Phantom, many childhoods were defined by a strong roster of awesome Nickelodeon superheroes. Each of them embodied quality traits such as courage, strength, and wisdom. 

And then, there are some heroes who didn’t make the history books. One might call them… the forgotten ones.



Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some less-than-extraordinary superheroes. 



Catman (The Fairly OddParents)

Adam West was once famous for playing a television superhero named Catman, but with age, he lost his marbles and now firmly believes he’s a real-life superhero.

While the citizens of Dimmesdale have mostly disregarded Catman as being a deranged lunatic, he’s saved the city on a number of occasions with the unknowing aid of Timmy Turner and his Fairies.

FUN FACT: Catman is a parody of classic TV superheroes and is voiced by the late Adam West himself, who played Batman in the iconic 1960s series. 

STREAM: Catman’s First Appearance On The Fairly OddParents



Powdered Toast Man (The Ren & Stimpy Show

Leave everything to Powdered Toast Man, the crime-fighting superhero who also takes on the responsibility of providing children with a well-balanced breakfast of Powdered Toast.

While he racked up his fair share of wins over the years, the oblivious superhero usually won his battles accidentally or after unintentionally inflicting harm upon others.

FUN FACT: While Powdered Toast is said to be jam-packed with Vitamin F, it also tastes just like sawdust!

STREAM: Powdered Toast Man’s First Appearance On The Ren & Stimpy Show



Mermaid Man And Barnacle Boy (SpongeBob SquarePants)

After six decades of fighting crime and having their adventures documented in various mediums, Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy have retired and settled down at Shady Shoals Retirement Home.

While their wits and memory aren’t as sharp as they used to be, superfans SpongeBob and Patrick keep them on their toes as they cause chaos across Bikini Bottom.

FUN FACT: The iconic running gag of Mermaid Man yelling “Eeeevil” was actually improvised. When voice actor Ernest Borgnine was reading his lines, his voice cracked when he said “evil,” causing the engineer and voice director to burst out into laughter. The rest is history.

STREAM: Mermaid Man And Barnacle Boy’s First Appearance On SpongeBob SquarePants



Captain Blasto (Rugrats)

Captain Blasto was a popular superhero whose adventures were broadcast during the golden age of television.

He was once faster than a bolt of lightning and more powerful than an exploding sun, but after 35 years of saving the world on Channel 43, Captain Blasto gained a few pounds and the production value of his show deteriorated.

FUN FACT: The oath that Captain Blasto repeats in every episode of his show is a parody of the Green Lantern Corps’ oath. He's also voiced by the same actor behind The Fairly OddParents' Catman, the legendary Adam West!

STREAM: Captain Blasto’s First Appearance On Rugrats



The Action League (Action League Now!

The Flesh. Thundergirl. Stinky Diver. Meltman. These obscure and irreverent heroes are all a part of the Action League, a group of action figures that fight danger lurking around their suburban home.

From Big Baby to the Mayor, the Action League will go to any length to stop evil—lose parts, toilet dive, and set off giant explosions. 

FUN FACT: Most of the characters on Action League Now! are voiced by a group of radio personalities from a radio station in Pittsburgh. 

STREAM: Full Episodes Of Action League Now!



STREAM: Your Favorite Nickelodeon Cartoons On Paramount+

Quailman? Ultra-Lord? The International Justice League of Super Acquaintances? Are there any other entries that we’ve forgotten to forget?

Check out all these shows and many more on Paramount+!