ThunderCats t-shirts!

As the popularity of sci-fi and fantasy cartoons like Masters of the Universe, She-Ra the Princess of Power, and Transformers continued to rise in the 80's, it was no surprise that a show like Thundercats came about.  Combining action and adventure with mystical, magical elements, Thundercats introduced viewers to a group of felines with human-like features and superhuman capabilities. The show was produced by Rankin-Bass Studios, who are most famous for their work with "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman" Christmas specials (other familiar works also include "The Hobbit" and "The Last Unicorn"). Thundercats debuted on January 23, 1985 with a 60-minute special, and continued later that year with the animated series.

Like many fantasy-style cartoons, Thundercats featured supernatural worlds and mutant creatures, all while following the basic plot of "good vs. evil". Leaving their home planet of Thundera after its demise, the Thundercats found themselves on Third Earth, where they continually battled the evil Mumm-Ra and his gang of evil mutants.  The leader of the Thundercats was Lion-o, who looks full-grown and mature in appearance, but due to a glitch in the time travel device used while traveling to Third Earth, has the mind of a child. Lion-O possesses  the "Sword of Omens" that he can use to summon the other Thundercats by waving it about and shouting "Thunder, Thunder, Thundercats -- Hooo!" The other members of the clan included characters such as Panthro, Tygra, and Cheetara, who each possessed a heroic characteristic of their own, helping them fight off Mumm-Ra and various other forces of evil. Other members of the group included mischievous Thunderkittens, Wilykitt and Wilycat, and Snarf, Lion-O's cowardly, yet knowledgeable nursemaid.

It should come as no surprise that a series of action figures based on the cartoon hit the market shortly after the series began and grew increasingly more popular. The toys enabled Thundercats fans to act out scenes from their favorite cartoon at home, and featured many figures of the characters and accessories.  These toys are still sought-after by collectors and those feeling nostalgic about their childhood pastimes. A series of comic books published by Marvel was also produced.

The cartoon series ran for 130 episodes.  Over that time-span various new characters and villains were introduced. Pumyra, Linx-O, and Ben-Gali joined the Thundercats, as well as Scooper, WilyKit and WilyKat's "dog". The Thundercats continued to battle Mumm-Ra and his minions, as well as the Lunatacs, a band of deranged mutants. Though the series eventually came to an end, enthusiasm remained high among fans. And it seems as though their enthusiasm has paid off-- in 2002, Thundercats began to be featured once again in various comic books, and repeats of the cartoon have been brought back to television.  Other Thundercats memorabilia such as t-shirts, hats, stickers, patches, and even boxer shorts are currently on the market and are often sported by fans from all over the world. This proves that the Thundercats will be a highly-regarded 80's icon and a legend in its own right for a long time to come.