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...
View MoreAs 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, wristbands, 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.
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