Animated Series       Throughout the years children have been blessed with a plethora of animated series that would help their fantasies thrive (and provide billions in merchandising for their creators). The countless cartoons we’ve watched have shaped our lives and taught us many important values of civilized society. These action packed and often hilarious animated exploits analyzed many societal problems such as pollution, racism or crime. These shows undoubtedly have a most positive impact on the young and therefore deserve a tribute. That’s why I’m presenting the Top Ten Animated Series of All Time (well, the eighties and early nineties anyway (and The Simpsons don’t count because these are only children’s cartoons)): 10. Batman the Animated Series – A quality program with tons of action and tolerable amounts of morals. 9. Dragon Ball – A solid series known for zany characters and hilarious antics. 8. Looney Toons – I know, it’s not really a series but I needed a filler. Anyway, the one with Bugs playing the barber of Seville (is that the right spelling?) was great. 7. Super Friends – No, not the new one (though it is good) and not the ones with those damn kids either. I’m talking about the original. Go Green Lantern! Wonder Woman was hot (meaning attractive) too! 6. X-men – All that kept me watching the good story line by the folks at Marvel… and the hot heroines. Too bad they had to come up with that crappy X-men Evolution crap. 5. G. I. Joe – The roughest and toughest of soldiers, an elite team against the evil forces of COBRA, and some attractive animated ladies, yeah, GI Joe was great. The high of the series was of course The Movie, which pit the Joes versus the evil Serpentor. 4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – TMNT was one of (if not) the most popular series of all time. Somehow, pizza eating mutant turtle ninjas that are named after Italian artists became really popular with the kiddies (I even had my grandma make me a Ninja Turtle Halloween costume). It was also the first massively merchandised TV series I can remember and the toys can still be found today. Leo was my favorite (Katanas are so cool).   3. Robotetch – The spin-off of the full-length feature Super Dimensional Fortress: Macross. The first season was the best with their Veritech fighters (planes that turned into mechs) and the battle against the Zentradi. One of the first animated series to have an ongoing story line (like a soap), which was very revolutionary at the time (at least in the US). Seasons two and three both blew though. 2. Voltron: Defender of the Universe – Yeah, that’s the whole title. Robotic lions that combine to create the ultimate giant robot with a wicked sword is one of the greatest ideas ever. Unfortunately for this series it all went down hill when they decided to change to goddamn vehicles (cars and such) as parts of Voltron. Damn them. 1. Transformers – Of course this is the greatest series of all time, I mean, they had Optimus Prime and his entourage of transforming compatriots. Epic battles between Autobots and Decepticons and an in depth look at humanity make this series the greatest ever.           Who woulda thunk, Transformers No. 1? Well if you know me, you should’ve. ...Idiots.