''Max Steel'' is an animated show produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment. Animated in futuristic CGI 3-D style, the show follows the adventures of Josh McGrath, a powerful cyber teen who gets his powers from something called N-Tek (otherwise known as nanotechnology). With a network of young associates, Max Steel battles the forces of evil across the globe, which include Bio-Constrictor and Psycho.

''Max Steel'' was executive produced by Richard Raynis, one of the most prolific animation producers of the late 1990s. His other credits include several well-known shows, like ''The Simpsons,'' ''King of the Hill,'' ''Futurama,'' and a host of Sony Pictures Family Group shows, such as ''Dragontales,'' ''Big Guy,'' and ''Rusty the Boy Robot.'' He even produced an animated TV version of the blockbuster film hit, Men in Black.

Like Raynis' other CGI masterpiece, Starship Troopers, ''Max Steel'' explores the CGI animation technology to its full potential. Although the show had a relatively modest budget, it reached a wide and still growing legion of fans. ''Max Steel'' memorabilia and action figures have appreciated significantly in value since the show's rollout, a trend that pleases the show's original fans.

The story plots of Max Steel are, by and large, typical children's animation fair. That being said, the show's creative discussions of nanotechnology's potential uses may indeed prove prescient. Firms in the high-tech industries have already produced some nanotechnology resembling the futuristic weapons and devices Max uses in the TV show.