from Mars: In-Depth: Biker Mice In-Jokes

In-Jokes

One of the earmarks of a witty, well-written show is the presence of nearly impossible to decipher in-jokes. "Biker Mice" fairly dripped with them. If you find one that I haven't listed here, please e-mail me.

Recurring In-Jokes I Specific In-Jokes I 90210 In-Jokes I Biker Mice In-Jokes in Other Marvel Animated Series

Recurring In-Jokes

"Willie D"

One of Modo's trademark phrases, "Willie D" was a nickname of the gray-furred mouse's voice actor, Dorian Harewood. When he became an actor and needed to form a company, the name was used for it as well.

Specific In-Jokes

"Once Upon a Time On Mars Part Three"

With the Tug Transformer just seconds away from dragging Mars into a Plutarkian orbit, the Biker Mice debate what maneuver to use.

VINNIE: Okay, here's the plan: Zip-zap n' Ziering zero!
THROTTLE: No, no! Rob-bop n' Paulsen-dauggle two!
MODO: You're dreamin', bro! Gotta be Harewood-Crook and Ten with a little Willie D!

Each mouse's suggested plan incorporates their voice actor's name (Vinnie = Ian Ziering, Throttle = Rob Paulsen, Modo = Dorian Harewood (see above for the significance of "Willie D").

"Rocketh and Rideth!"

This isn't precisely an in-joke, but an interesting note. This Shakespearean romp was inspired by the theatrical history of Morgan Sheppard, Limburger's voice actor, who is a trained Shakespearean actor, and writer Jess Winfield's experience as part of the touring group the "Abbreviated Shakespeare Co."

"Stalkers"

I can't prove this 100%, but I'm sure the fishermen the mice rescue at the beginning of the episode were drawn to look like some of the writing or production staff.

"Steelfinger"

A number of Marvel superheroes, including Gambit, Wolverine, Thor, and Psylocke, appear as costumed partygoers in this episode. For those not aware, "Biker Mice" was, at least in part, owned by Marvel. Chun Li and Guile of "Streetfighter" fame, and the Lone Ranger, of, well, "Lone Ranger" fame, are also in attendance.

"Test of Friendship"

The boss and secretary in the office building next to Limburger's who feel the effects of Evil Eye Weevil's hostility ray are voiced by and based on series creator Rick Ungar and his secretary Haya.

90120 In-Jokes

As one of the few people in American who never watched "Beverly Hills 90210" during its first seasons on FOX (who actively made a point of not watching it, as a matter of fact), I was probably the only "Biker Mice" fan who didn't know that Vinnie had a famous voice actor. I thought this "Ian Ziering" guy was just another cartoon voice actor, one who had yet to achieve the fame of a Rob Paulsen or a Charlie Adler.

Heh heh.

So it wasn't until well into the second season that I started to pick up on all the in-jokes that played on Ziering's role on "90210." They start popping up in "The Motor City Maniac," the first episode in which Luke Perry, another 90210 alum, appeared as Limburger's demented rival, Napoleon Brie. Episodes which followed which also had guest stars from that series often contained such jibes.

"The Motor City Maniac"

First and foremost, Brie looks quite a bit like Luke Perry, albeit a deformed, insane, fat midget version of Perry.

At Brie's Rust Palace, just before the demolition derby between the Biker Mice and Brie's dune rangers begins, we have the following exchange:

VINNIE (to Brie): Hey, don't I know you from somewhere, nutball?
BRIE: Maybe we went to high school together.
VINNIE: Maybe in another galaxy, pal.

This refers to the fact that on "90210," Ziering and Perry's characters go to the same school.

"Pwetty Wady"

A despondent Brie strolls the streets of Chicago late at night, fishy face in plain view as he threw his mask off during his escape. He pauses in front of a window and pulls out a series of humanoid rubber masks. The first looks just like Luke Perry, Brie's voice artist, and the second is a dead-ringer for Ian Ziering, Vinnie's voice artist. As Brie tries each on, he adopts that artist's particular voice and comments on the character he portrays on "90210."

BRIE (trying on Luke Perry mask): Nope, nope. Far too good looking, I'm afraid. (Trying on Ian Ziering mask): Ugh! Too pretty! Disgustingly wealthy!

Biker Mice In-Jokes in Other Marvel Animated Series

"Fantastic Four" (1995)

In 1995, "Biker Mice" joined "Iron Man" and "Fantastic Four" animated series to become part of the "Marvel Action Universe." What that accomplished, I don't know, but it did lead to a pair of amusing in-jokes.

"Worlds Within Worlds"

How better to enjoy a quiet evening in Four Freedoms Plaza than with a copy of the "Biker Mice" comic series? That's what Ben Grimm, a.k.a. the Thing, does early in this episode.
"Hopelessly Impossible"

While demonstrating his amazing shape-shifting powers to Johnny Storm, a.k.a. the Human Torch, the Impossible Man, a playful alien native of the planet Pop-up, briefly turns into Lawrence Limburger.

The Incredible Hulk (1996)

"Innocent Blood"

According to Jake, in this Chicago-based episode, if you watch the backgrounds closely, you can spot Limburger Tower about halfway through. I don't have this one on tape (why in the world did they only show the series on UPN?), so I can't verify it, but given the involvement of personnel who had previously worked on "Biker Mice," and their penchant for these little in-jokes, I'm willing to believe it.^^