13 Years Later, 'Adventure Time's Scariest Episode Is Still a 10-Minute Masterpiece

Thirteen years after its debut, Adventure Time's most terrifying episode remains a remarkable 10-minute masterpiece. Central to this narrative is the Ice King, a character who has long been a standout among the show's anti-heroes, alongside the likes of Walter White and Tony Soprano. Tom Kenny, SpongeBob Squarepants' voice actor, brings the character to life with both humor and tragedy, making him a more compelling figure than the other villains.

The Ice King first appeared in the show's inception, and over the years, his role evolved. Initially, he was a simple kidnapper of princesses with his ice powers and a nemesis to the show's heroes, Finn and Jake. However, in the fourth season's "Remember Me," the character's true nature began to unravel. The episode introduced Simon Petrikov, the Ice King's real name, revealing that Marceline, the vampire queen, had always known him, despite their shared history being unknown to the audience.

The real shock came a year later with "Simon & Marcy," an entire flashback set 996 years prior to the events of Adventure Time. The episode follows a middle-aged man named Simon and a young girl named Marcy, the last two humans in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by the Mushroom War. With only a magic crown to wield ice and snow powers, Simon battles against zombie-like creatures known as Oozers.

The episode's 10-minute duration compels the audience with its ability to be simultaneously scary, funny, and beautiful. The Adventure Time team even labeled it "The Road except for kids," noting the challenges they faced to get the episode approved.

"Simon & Marcy" has since become a significant episode in the larger Adventure Time mythos, leading to further stories about both the Ice King and Marceline across nearly 300 episodes. Its impact extends beyond the series, influencing a streaming spinoff that is still ongoing. In essence, "Simon & Marcy" stands as not just a remarkable one-off story, but a cornerstone episode that has shaped the entire Adventure Time narrative.