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{{Short description|American 1980–1981 animated series}} | |||
'''''Thundarr the Barbarian''''' was a ] ] cartoon show, produced by ]. It was broadcast during the early ]. | |||
{{Redirect|Ookla the Mok|the band|Ookla the Mok (band)}} | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2018}} | |||
{{Infobox television | |||
| image = Thundarr the Barbarian promotional image.jpg | |||
| caption = 1980 ''Thundarr the Barbarian'' promotional image <br />Foreground from left to right Thundarr, Ariel, and Ookla | |||
| genre = {{Plainlist| | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
}} | |||
| creator = {{Plainlist| | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
}} | |||
| writer = {{Plainlist| | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* Ted Pedersen | |||
* Steve Gerber | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
}} | |||
| director = {{Plainlist| | |||
* ] | |||
* John Kimball | |||
* ] | |||
}} | |||
| creative_director = | |||
| developer = Steve Gerber | |||
| presenter = | |||
| starring = | |||
| voices = {{Plainlist| | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
}} | |||
| narrated = ] | |||
| theme_music_composer = | |||
| opentheme = | |||
| endtheme = | |||
| composer = ] | |||
| country = United States | |||
| language = | |||
| num_seasons = 2 | |||
| num_episodes = 21 | |||
| list_episodes = | |||
| company = ] | |||
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist| | |||
* Joe Ruby <!-- Linked in earlier in Infobox. --> | |||
* Ken Spears <!-- Linked in earlier in Infobox. --> | |||
}} | |||
| producer = ] | |||
| editor = | |||
| location = | |||
| cinematography = | |||
| camera = | |||
| runtime = | |||
| network = ] | |||
| first_aired = {{Start date|1980|10|4}} | |||
| last_aired = {{End date|1981|10|31}} | |||
| related = | |||
}} | |||
'''''Thundarr the Barbarian''''' is an American ] ], created by ] (of ] fame) and produced by ].<ref name=Woolery>{{cite book |last1=Woolery |first1=George W. |title=Children's Television: The First Thirty-Five Years, 1946-1981, Part 1: Animated Cartoon Series |date=1983 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=0-8108-1557-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/childrenstelevis0000wool/page/290/mode/2up |access-date=22 March 2020 |pages=290–291}}</ref> The series ran for two seasons on ] from October 4, 1980, to October 31, 1981, and was rerun on ] in 1983.<ref name=Daytime>{{cite book |last1=Hyatt |first1=Wesley |title=The Encyclopedia of Daytime Television |date=1997 |publisher=Watson-Guptill Publications |isbn=978-0823083152 |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofda00hyat/page/XXX/mode/2up|access-date=22 March 2020|page=431}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
== Concept and characters == | |||
==Plot== | |||
Twenty-one half-hour episodes were produced by Ruby-Spears Productions -- an independent animation house formed by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, the disgruntled (and uncredited)co-creators of Scooby-Doo -- from October ] to September ], when the show went off the air. The show ran on the ]. Reruns of the program appeared on ]'s Saturday morning lineup in ]. | |||
''Thundarr the Barbarian'' is set in a future (c. 3994) ] wasteland of Earth divided into kingdoms and territories, the majority of which are ruled by ], and whose ] typically feature recognizable geographical features from the United States, such as ], ], ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ] and its ], ], ], ], and the ]. Other episodes with recognizable settings are set outside the United States, and include Mexico and ]. Another notable feature of this future Earth is that the Moon was broken in two pieces. The shattered moon and the ruins of the former human civilization were caused by the passage of a runaway planet between the Earth and the Moon in 1994, which, from scenes shown in the opening sequence, caused radical changes in the Earth's climate and geography. However, by the time period in which the series is set, the Earth and Moon seem to have settled into a new physical balance. Earth is reborn with a world of "savagery, super-science, and sorcery" far more chaotic than "Old Earth" (the show's name for the pre-apocalyptic world). | |||
The hero Thundarr (voiced by ]), a muscular warrior, and companions Princess Ariel, a formidable young sorceress, and Ookla the Mok, a mighty lion-like biped, travel the world on horseback, fighting injustice. Their main adversaries are evil wizards who combine magical spells with reanimating technologies from the pre-catastrophe world.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |edition=2nd |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1476665993 |pages=845–846}}</ref> Some of these malevolent wizards enlist the service of certain mutant species to do their bidding. | |||
The show was set in an ] ] whose ] typically featured recognizable geographical features from the ], such as ], ], or ]. Other episodes with recognizable settings are located in ], while one is in ]. Through this setting, Thundarr and his companions '''Princess Ariel''' and the ]-like '''Ookla the Mok''' battled evil ]s who combined magical spells with technologies from the pre-catastrophe world. Further '']'' influences can be seen in Thundarr's weapon of choice, the "Sun Sword", which projects a beam of energy when turned on, and can be deactivated so that it is only a ]. ] was Thundarr's ]; Princess Ariel was played by ]. ] was Ookla. | |||
Other enemies include The Brotherhood of Night (a group of ] who could transform others into werewolves by their touch), the cosmic Stalker from The Stars (a predatory, malevolent cosmic ]), and various other mutants. Intelligent humanoid-animal races include the rat-like Groundlings, the crocodile-like Carocs, and talking ]-like mutants and pig-like mutants. New animals that existed include fire-shooting whales, a giant green snake with a ]'s head, and mutated ] and rabbits. | |||
Comic book writer-artist ] worked on the production design for the show. While many people believe that Kirby was the primary designer of the show (mainly due to his similarly themed '']''), the main characters were in fact designed by fellow comic book writer-artist ], who also designed the popular character ] for Saturday morning television. Toth, however, was unavailable to continue working on the show, so most of the wizards and other ]s and secondary characters that appear on the show were designed by Kirby. He was brought onto the show at the recommendation of Gerber and comics and animation veteran Mark Evanier, who realized that the same imagination that produced Kamandi could contribute signifcantly to the series. Indeed, the evil wizard Gemini, the only repeating villain on the show, resembles ], an infamous Kirby villain. | |||
Thundarr's weapon is the Sunsword that projects a blade-like beam of energy when activated, and can be deactivated so that it is only a ]. The Sunsword's energy blade can deflect other energy attacks as well as magical ones, can cut through nearly anything, and can disrupt magical spells and effects. The Sunsword is magically linked to Thundarr and as such, only he can use it; however, this link can be disrupted.<ref group="Note">The episode "Master of the Stolen Sunsword" details events where the Sunsword needs to be recharged, and viewers learn it becomes linked to whoever does the charging.</ref> | |||
The show itself was actually the creation of comic writer ], creator of Marvel Comics' ]. The name ''Ookla'' actually comes from ]. Gerber and friend ] were having dinner in the Westwood area one night during the time Gerber was writing the bible for the series. Gerber commented to Pasko that he hadn't yet decided upon a name for the Wookiee-like character the network insisted be added to the series, over Gerber's objections. As the two walked past the gate to the UCLA campus, Pasko quipped, "Why don't you call him 'Ucla'?" Pasko later became one of several screenwriters also known for their work in comics, such as Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway, to contribute to the show. After writing several scripts, singly and in collaboration with Gerber, Pasko became a story editor on the second season. Other writers included Buzz Dixon and Mark Jones. | |||
==Characters== | |||
The opening narration to the show is as follows: | |||
The series' narrator was ]. | |||
<blockquote>''The year: ]. From out of space comes a runaway planet, hurtling between the Earth and the Moon, unleashing cosmic destruction! Man's civilization is cast in ruin!'' | |||
<br/>''Two thousand years later, Earth is reborn...'' | |||
<br/>''A strange new world rises from the old: a world of savagery, super science, and sorcery. But one man bursts his bonds to fight for justice! With his companions ] and ], he pits his strength, his courage, and his fabulous Sunsword against the forces of evil.'' | |||
<br/>''He is Thundarr, the Barbarian!'' | |||
</blockquote> | |||
* Thundarr (voiced by ]) is the main protagonist of the series. He is a ] who was once a slave to Sabian until he was freed by Princess Ariel and given the Sunsword which he uses as a weapon in his fight against evil wizards and other villains. Thundarr was known for frequently uttering such pronouncements as "Demon dogs!",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thundarr.com/sounds/demondogs.mp3 |title="Demon dogs" sounds clip |website=Thundarr.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004185951/http://www.thundarr.com/sounds/demondogs.mp3 |archive-date=October 4, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> "Lords of Light!",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thundarr.com/sounds/lol2.mp3 |title="Lords of Light" sound clip |website=Thundarr.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060913055827/http://www.thundarr.com/sounds/lol2.mp3 |archive-date=September 13, 2006 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> "Ariel, Ookla, Ride!", and his war-cry "Aaaaa-HEE!".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thundarr.com/sounds/battlecry.mp3 |title="Aaaaahh-ee" battle cry sound clip |website=Thundarr.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060910184513/http://www.thundarr.com/sounds/battlecry.mp3 |archive-date=September 10, 2006 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Thundarr, along with his friend Ookla, are largely unknowledgeable about the world so they rely on Ariel's guidance, but Thundarr is respectful of knowledge which is gained. | |||
== Episodes and locations == | |||
* Ookla the Mok (voiced by ]) is a member of the Mok species, a ] ] with fangs and yellow eyes. In ''Thundarr the Barbarian''{{'}}s ], Ookla and Thundarr were enslaved in the court of the wizard Sabian until Sabian's stepdaughter Princess Ariel helped them escape. As a Mok, Ookla has great strength, he usually fights by ripping up a nearby sapling or ripping up a piece of wreckage and clubbing his enemies with it. On a few occasions, he uses a longbow that fires a type of paralyzing arrow. However, he is also the most likely of the heroes to charge right into an enemy attack and he is also easily enraged by unusual nuisances or threats. Moks dwell in their own territory, ruled by a king; they fear and hate water. While they prefer to face perilous odds on land rather than travel by water, in extreme cases, they can be persuaded to ]. While Ariel generally understands Ookla, Thundaar is more knowledgeable about Ookla, probably because they became friends and they also worked together during the time when they were enslaved. Whereas Thundarr and Ariel ride horses for transportation (his is white; hers is brown), Ookla's steed is another quadrupedal species which is called an equort. | |||
* Princess Ariel (voiced by ]) is a powerful ]. Not much was revealed about her past before she met Thundarr except that she was the stepdaughter of an evil wizard named Sabian. She learned of Earth's history from his library, and thus is considered the "academic" of the group.<ref name="Episode 1.01">Episode 1.01, "Secret of the Black Pearl"</ref> In the episode "Battle of The Barbarians", it is revealed that Thundarr was once a slave of the evil wizard Sabian before being freed by Princess Ariel. It was never revealed exactly where she was a princess. Her most common feats of ] involved creating light constructs such as archways and bridges, exploding spheres and levitating weights to summoning nets, shields, or bridges over chasms.<ref name="Episode 1.01" /> She can also produce powerful energy blasts, blinding light and magically reanimate machines. When her wrists are bound together, she cannot work her magic, and is vulnerable to capture. At times, she shows romantic feelings for Thundarr; but he never outwardly returns them, although it's clear that he cares greatly for her and he also considers her an important team member. Ariel's attire consists of knee-high boots, wrist bracelets, and an open-backed, leg-baring cyan (with yellow trim) costume which resembles a bathing suit. | |||
===Additional voices=== | |||
=== Season 1 (1980-1981) === | |||
The series' voice director was Alan Dinehart. | |||
* Secret Of The Black Pearl - ] | |||
* Harvest Of Doom - ] | |||
* Mindok The Mind Menace - ] | |||
* Raiders Of The Abyss - ] | |||
* Treasure Of The Moks - ] | |||
* Attack Of the Amazon Women - ] | |||
* The Brotherhood Of Night - ] | |||
* Challenge Of The Wizards - ] | |||
* Valley Of The Man Apes - ], ] | |||
* Stalker From The Stars - ] | |||
* Portal Into Time - ] | |||
* Battle Of The Barbarians - ] | |||
* Den Of The Sleeping Demon - ] | |||
* Henry Corden as Caroc Leader, Gemini, Vortak, Skullus, Captain Willows (in "Island of the Body Snatchers"), Mutant Deputy #2 (in "Trial by Terror") | |||
=== Season 2 (1981-1982) === | |||
* Nellie Bellflower as Dr. Craft, Manhat Dweller, Mina | |||
* Wizard War - ] | |||
* ] as Vashtarr | |||
* Fortress Of Fear - ] | |||
* Marlene Aragon as Maya | |||
* Island Of The Body Snatchers - ] | |||
* Liz Aubrey as Valerie Storm | |||
* City Of Evil - ] | |||
* ] as Yondo | |||
* Last Train To Doomsday - unknown (]?) | |||
* Alan Dinehart | |||
* Master Of The Stolen Sunsword - ] | |||
* Al Fann | |||
* Trial By Terror - ] | |||
* Joe Higgins as Korb | |||
* Prophecy Of Peril - unknown | |||
* ] | |||
* ] as Zevon, Infernus, Kublai | |||
* ] as Artemus, Mutant Deputy #1 (in "Trial by Terror") | |||
* ] as Tye | |||
* ] as Stryia | |||
* ] | |||
* ] as Mindok, Morag, The Old Wizard | |||
* Robert Ridgely as Henchman, Manhat Dweller, Old Eskimo | |||
* ] as Octagon | |||
* ] as Simius | |||
* ] as Cinda, Queen Diona, Captain Corden | |||
* ] as Circe | |||
* ] as Crom | |||
==Production== | |||
The series was the creation of comic book writer ]. Gerber and friend ] were having dinner in the Westwood area one night during the time Gerber was developing the series. Gerber commented to Pasko that he had not yet decided upon a name for the ]-like character the network insisted be added to the series, over Gerber's objections. As the two walked past the gate to the ] campus, Pasko quipped, "Why not call him Oo-clah?"<ref>{{cite book |last=Eury |first=Michael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fcm4JrX-F54C&q=Superman+Thundaar+Oo-clah&pg=PA158 |title=The Krypton Companion |publisher=] |year=2006 |isbn=1-893905-61-6 |page=158 |quote=We passed one of the entrances to the UCLA campus and when I saw the acronym on signage, the phonetic pronunciation leapt to mind. |author-link=Michael Eury}}</ref> Pasko later became one of several screenwriters also known for their work in comics, such as ] and ], to contribute to the show.{{Citation needed|date= September 2018}} After writing several scripts, singly and in collaboration with Gerber, Pasko became a story editor on the second season. Other writers included ] and ].<ref>{{cite book |last= Terrace |first= Vincent |title= Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials: 1974–1984 |year= 1985 |publisher= New York Zoetrope |location= New York |isbn= 0-918432-61-8 |page= 419 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=AKlgjBCPPnsC&pg=PA419}}</ref> | |||
Comic book writer-artist ] worked on the production design for the show. The main characters were designed by fellow comic book writer-artist ]. Toth, however, was unavailable to continue working on the show, so most of the wizards and other villains and secondary characters that appear on the show were designed by Kirby. He was brought onto the show at the recommendation of Gerber and ].<ref>{{cite book |title= Tales to Astonish: Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, and the American Comic Book Revolution |last= Ro |first= Ronin |publisher= ] |year= 2005 |isbn= 9781582345666 |pages= 209–210 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=gUCgAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA209}}</ref> | |||
Twenty-one half-hour episodes were produced by ], an animation house formed by former ] head writers ] and ],<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.thundarr.com/media/interview.html |title= Thundarr The Barbarian – Joe Ruby & Ken Spears Interview |website= Thundarr.com |access-date= 2012-08-01 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20020405062654/http://www.thundarr.com/media/interview.html |archive-date= April 5, 2002 |df= mdy-all}}</ref> and aired from October 1980 to October 1981 on the ]. Despite decent ratings, the show was cancelled, as Paramount wanted to make room in the programming schedule for '']''.<ref name= "me_lbts" /><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.newsfromme.com/2018/09/15/barbaric-corrections/ |title= Barbaric Corrections |website= newsfromme.com |author= Mark Evanier |date= September 15, 2018 |access-date= 2018-09-15}}</ref> Reruns of ''Thundarr'' appeared on ]'s Saturday morning lineup in 1983. | |||
==Episodes== | |||
===Season 1 (1980)=== | |||
All episodes of season 1 were directed by Rudy Larriva and produced by Jerry Eisenberg.<ref name="U.S.C.O." /> | |||
{{Episode table | |||
|caption = List of ''Thundarr the Barbarian'' season 1 episodes | |||
|background = #F7D358 | |||
|overall = 10 | |||
|season = 10 | |||
|title = 30 | |||
|aux1 = 20 | |||
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|prodcodeR = <ref name="U.S.C.O.">{{cite web |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First |title=Public Catalog - Copyright Catalog (1978 to present) - Basic Search |publisher=United States Copyright Office |access-date=2017-03-28}}</ref> | |||
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{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 1 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | |||
|Title = Secret of the Black Pearl | |||
|Aux1 = ] (]) | |||
<!-- |DirectedBy = Rudy Larriva | |||
|WrittenBy = --> | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|10|4}} | |||
|ProdCode = 27-01 | |||
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|ShortSummary = Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla escort a man who is carrying a magical black pearl that can defend against the two-faced wizard Gemini and his Groundlings (a race of mutated rat people). The man needs the pearl to protect the inhabitants of the village of "Manhat", which is actually the ruins of ]. | |||
|LineColor = F7D358 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 2 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | |||
|Title = Harvest of Doom | |||
|Aux1 = ], ], Mexico | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|10|11}} | |||
|ProdCode = 27-02 | |||
|ShortSummary = Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla encounter a train carrying Death Flowers (whose pollen can hypnotise both humans and Moks) being transported by the Carocs (a race of ] people) to a wizard that they work for. The episode introduces Tye, a swamp-urchin, who agrees to aid Thundarr on the condition that he capture the train and give it to her. Tye would reappear in Season 2's "Last Train to Doomsday".<ref name="TtB-EG">{{cite web |url=http://www.thundarr.com/episodes.html#harvet |title=Thundarr The Barbarian – Episode Guide |website=Thundarr.com |access-date=2012-08-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701184640/http://www.thundarr.com/episodes.html#harvet |archive-date=July 1, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | |||
|LineColor = F7D358 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 3 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | |||
|Title = Mindok the Mind Menace | |||
|Aux1 = ], Florida | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|10|18}} | |||
|ProdCode = 27-04 | |||
|ShortSummary = The evil wizard Mindok lost his body in the Great Cataclysm, 2,000 years earlier, although his brain survived. He, General Zoa, and Zoa's minions seek out cryogenically frozen 20th-century scientists called "Ice People" in a plot to build Mindok a new body for his brain. | |||
|LineColor = F7D358 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 4 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | |||
|Title = Raiders of the Abyss | |||
|Aux1 = ]<ref group="Note">Ariel refers to the U.S. ], but the ruins of ]'s ] and ] (Twin Towers) appear later in the background.</ref> | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|10|25}} | |||
|ProdCode = 27-03 | |||
|ShortSummary = The evil wizard Morag and his raiders attack a cruise ship village to kidnap its inhabitants and steal their life essence. | |||
|LineColor = F7D358 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 5 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | |||
|Title = Treasure of the Moks | |||
|Aux1 = ] | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|11|1}} | |||
|ProdCode = 27-05 | |||
|ShortSummary = Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla come to the aid of the Mok Chieftain Oblach against Captain Kordon, Queen of the River Pirates, who is after the Moks' hidden treasure and intends to use the "fire lances of the ancients" to get it. Thundarr learns that these "fire lances" are actually 20th century ]es. Thundarr and the Moks defend the ruins of a U.S. Navy base against being captured by the River Pirates, however Ookla must overcome something else beside the River Pirates, his longstanding fear of water. | |||
|LineColor = F7D358 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 6 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | |||
|Title = Attack of the Amazon Women | |||
|Aux1 = ], South Dakota | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|11|8}} | |||
|ProdCode = 27-07 | |||
|ShortSummary = Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla come to the aid of a race of amphibious ] led by the deposed Queen Diona who has been usurped by Stryia, an evil half-human, half-shark wizard-queen who plans to conquer both the land and seas with her shark legion army. | |||
|LineColor = F7D358 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 7 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | |||
|Title = The Brotherhood of Night | |||
|Aux1 = ] | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|11|15}} | |||
|ProdCode = 27-06 | |||
|ShortSummary = Zevon is the leader of the Brotherhood of Night, a tribe of ] that can add anyone to their ranks by touching them and is also targeting the evil wizard Infernus hoping to make the pack completely invincible. | |||
|LineColor = F7D358 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 8 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | |||
|Title = Challenge of the Wizards | |||
|Aux1 = ], Nevada | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|11|22}} | |||
|ProdCode = 27-08 | |||
|ShortSummary = Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla are caught up in a battle between the wizards Sholow and contestants Basim, Skorpos and Chom who seek the Helmet of Power. Thundarr ends up having to side with the wizard Sholow when he threatens a group of villagers. | |||
|LineColor = F7D358 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 9 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 9 | |||
|Title = Valley of the Man-Apes | |||
|Aux1 = ], California | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|11|29}} | |||
|ProdCode = 27-09 | |||
|ShortSummary = Simius and his fellow Man ]s assemble salvaged parts of a movie studio's giant robotic ] in a plot to terrorize the local villagers. | |||
|LineColor = F7D358 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 10 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10 | |||
|Title = Stalker from the Stars | |||
|Aux1 = ], Colorado | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|12|6}} | |||
|ProdCode = 27-10 | |||
|ShortSummary = A spaceship containing an alien vampire lands on Earth. The alien captures Princess Ariel and all the villagers in the ruins of Lakeside Amusement Park hidden under the snow and ice of the ] as a source of its food. | |||
|LineColor = F7D358 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 11 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 11 | |||
|Title = Portal Into Time | |||
|Aux1 = ], Texas | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|12|13}} | |||
|ProdCode = 27-12 | |||
|ShortSummary = The evil wizard Crom threatens a tribe of humans at the ]. They can protect themselves by using a sophisticated Guardian machine that utilizes flying ] drones that can disable the wizard's laser tanks. However, it blows a circuit and cannot be replaced as circuits are no longer produced. Their only hope is to infiltrate Crom's lair in order to use his moon dial, which sends them to Old Earth. In the 20th century, Thundarr, Ookla and Ariel are aided by a little girl named Samantha, who helps them obtain a fresh circuit. The trio return to New Earth and prepare for battle with Crom, but are glad they had a chance to see the preapocalyptic world. | |||
|LineColor = F7D358 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 12 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 12 | |||
|Title = Battle of the Barbarians | |||
|Aux1 = ], California | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|12|20}} | |||
|ProdCode = 27-11 | |||
|ShortSummary = The evil wizard Kublai seeks the Golden Scepter of the Yantzee (the only item which can strip him of his magic) and terrorizes the villagers of San Francisco's Chinatown in the process. When Thundarr thwarts his initial attempts, the wizard recruits another barbarian named Zogar to engage him in battle while Kublai tries again to find the scepter. | |||
|LineColor = F7D358 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 13 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 13 | |||
|Title = Den of the Sleeping Demon | |||
|Aux1 = ], Arizona | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|12|27}} | |||
|ProdCode = 27-13 | |||
|ShortSummary = Judag is a bitter, escaped former slave of an evil wizard who plans to awaken a sleeping ] that allegedly can grant whoever wakes it the powers of 1,000 wizards. It is up to Thundarr to prevent Judag from accomplishing this mission. | |||
|LineColor = F7D358 | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
===Season 2 (1981)=== | |||
All episodes of season 2 were directed by Rudy Larriva and John Kimball, with animation supervision by Milt Gray & Bill Reed.<ref name="U.S.C.O." /> | |||
{{Episode table | |||
|caption = List of ''Thundarr the Barbarian'' season 2 episodes | |||
|background = #C68575 | |||
|overall = 10 | |||
|season = 10 | |||
|title = 30 | |||
|aux1 = 20 | |||
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{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 14 | |||
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|Title = Wizard Wars | |||
|Aux1 = ], Missouri | |||
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|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1981|9|12}} | |||
|ProdCode = R20-001 | |||
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|ShortSummary = The wizard Skullus and his soldiers are enslaving villagers living in a ruined oil refinery and using them to attack the fortress of his enemy, the equally evil wizard Octagon. | |||
|LineColor = C68575 | |||
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{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 15 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | |||
|Title = Fortress of Fear | |||
|Aux1 = ], ], California | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1981|9|19}} | |||
|ProdCode = R20-002 | |||
|ShortSummary = When coming to the aid of an escaped slave, Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla are captured by ]s working for the multi-eyed wizard Lord Argoth who wants Ariel as his bride. | |||
|LineColor = C68575 | |||
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{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 16 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | |||
|Title = Island of the Body Snatchers | |||
|Aux1 = ], England | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1981|9|26}} | |||
|ProdCode = R20-003 | |||
|ShortSummary = The trio investigate a sector called the Mystery Zone where several ships get wrecked on an island. They learn the evil witch Circe is responsible as she needs a young sorceress to overcome a curse in which she will turn to stone if she leaves the island. When Ariel arrives with Thundarr and Ookla, Circe gets her opportunity as she switches bodies with her and becomes a threat to the others as she tries to leave the island. | |||
|LineColor = C68575 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 17 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | |||
|Title = City of Evil | |||
|Aux1 = ], Massachusetts | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1981|10|3}} | |||
|ProdCode = R20-004 | |||
|ShortSummary = After being defeated by Thundarr, the evil wizard Sarott finds a research lab that holds the miniaturized City of Thieves. Its ruler Vortak promises Sarott a free rein to use the city's advanced army to enslave humans and other wizards if he can restore it to normal size. To do so, he'll need the Gauntlet of Power which can boost his magic to enlarge the city. | |||
|LineColor = C68575 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 18 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | |||
|Title = Last Train to Doomsday | |||
|Aux1 = ''Grand Canyon'', Arogonda | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1981|10|10}} | |||
|ProdCode = R20-005 | |||
|ShortSummary = Thundarr, Ookla, and Ariel are in pursuit of a ]-like Janus after he and a race of ] mutants attack villages and the train route of Tye (the former swamp urchin from "Harvest of Doom"). The group is in for a surprise when it turns out Janus is actually Gemini (the two-faced wizard from "Secret of the Black Pearl") in disguise seeking revenge on Thundarr. Tye, from "Harvest of Doom", returns as a train driving "businesswoman". | |||
|LineColor = C68575 | |||
}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 19 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | |||
|Title = Master of the Stolen Sunsword | |||
|Aux1 = ] and ], California | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1981|10|17}} | |||
|ProdCode = R20-006 | |||
|ShortSummary = During a battle with Yando (a supposed wizard with unusual magic), Thundarr is struck by red negative lightning which significantly diminishes the power of his Sunsword. The weapon can be restored at the nearby Pool of Power, but it is stolen by Yando who seeks to have the Sunsword's power for himself. | |||
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}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 20 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | |||
|Title = Trial by Terror | |||
|Aux1 = ], Georgia | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1981|10|24}} | |||
|ProdCode = R20-007 | |||
|ShortSummary = Thundarr's friend Thorac is accused of stealing a village's fuel and is about to receive a death sentence (by being boiled alive over a geyser) when the barbarian rescues him. Thorac is granted a reprieve when Thundarr and the group investigate the crime, eventually learning the town's sheriff Korb is in league with the evil wizard Artemus. Artemus had stolen the fuel to power his Death Ship and gain the approval of the Council of Wizards. | |||
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}} | |||
{{Episode list | |||
|EpisodeNumber = 21 | |||
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | |||
|Title = Prophecy of Peril | |||
|Aux1 = ''Texases Peit'', Texicana | |||
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1981|10|31}} | |||
|ProdCode = R20-008 | |||
|ShortSummary = Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla battle the evil wizard Vashtarr when he steals the Crystal of Prophecy that can give the details of his downfall. When it shatters in his efforts to retrieve it, the prophecy is foretold as they learn three women will unite to defeat him. One is Maya, an element-shifter buried in the ruins of the old city of Endorr. Another is Cinda, a hermitic barbarian living in the Canyon of Death whose staff grants her great strength. The last is Valerie Storm, a fashion model from Old Earth who is abducted and taken prisoner by Vashtarr himself. | |||
|LineColor = C68575 | |||
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}} | |||
==Home media releases== | |||
The debut episode of ''Thundarr the Barbarian'' was released on DVD as part of ]'s ''Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1980s'' compilation series. The DVD set, containing episodes of ten other shows, was released on May 4, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/04/saturday-morning-cartoons-1980s-volume-1-dvd-review |title=Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1980s, Vol. 1 – DVD Review |first=Joe|last=Corey |date=May 7, 2010 }}</ref> It is now available for ] ] through ]. | |||
On September 28, 2010, ] released ''Thundarr the Barbarian: The Complete Series'' to DVD in region 1<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releases/Thundarr-Barbarian-Complete-Series/10459|title=Thundarr the Barbarian - The Complete Series|publisher=TV Shows on DVD|language=en|date=September 28, 2010|access-date=2018-03-17}}</ref> as part of their ]. This is a Manufacture-on-Demand (MOD) release, available exclusively through Warner's online store and Amazon.com.<ref>{{cite web|title=Thundarr the Barbarian – 4-DVD Release of 'The Complete Series' Available Next Week...But Online Only|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Thundarr-Barbarian-The-Complete-Series/14434|date=September 21, 2010|website=TVShowsOnDVD.com|first=David|last=Lambert|access-date=2012-09-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224032051/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Thundarr-Barbarian-The-Complete-Series/14434|archive-date=December 24, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The DVD set is branded as part of the Hanna-Barbera Classics Collection<ref name="STUEP2">Shostak, Stu (January 16, 2013). "". ''Stu's Show.'' Retrieved 2013-03-18.</ref> as ''Thundarr'' and the other 1978–1991 Ruby-Spears programs were sold to ] in 1991 alongside ] by ].{{citation needed|date=November 2017}} On April 6, 2021, Warner Archive also released ''Thundarr the Barbarian: The Complete Series'' on Blu-ray.<ref>{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Kyle|title=The '80s Cartoon Glory of THUNDARR THE BARBARIAN|url=https://nerdist.com/article/thundarr-the-barbarian-80s-cartoon-history/|work=]|date=May 3, 2021|access-date=July 16, 2021}}</ref> Unlike the DVD release, the Blu-ray release restored the Ruby-Spears Productions logo, but the ] logo was still removed for the first season (due to being copyrighted by Hanna-Barbera). | |||
==Influence== | |||
In a November 2017 interview with '']'', ] guitarist Trey Azagthoth stated that the band's new album, '']'', is based on ''Thundarr the Barbarian'', {{blockquote|"Thundarr the Barbarian ...In the year 1994, a runaway planet hurdling between Moon and Earth unleashes cosmic destruction. Man's civilization is cast in ruin. 2,000 years later Earth is reborn. A strange new world arises from the old — a world of savagery, super science, and sorcery. But one man bursts his bonds to fight for justice with his companions — Ookla the Mok and Princess Ariel. He pits his strength, his courage and his fabulous Sun Sword against the forces of evil. He is "THUNDARR - THE BARBARIAN!!!"<ref name="Revolver">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181262/characters/nm0876185 |title= Thundarr the Barbarian (1980–1981) |work=imdb.com |date= |access-date=2024-02-15}}</ref>}} | |||
There is also a ] band from ] called ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dyc.edu/news/2017/1006-rand-bellavia-ookla-the-mok.aspx|title=Rand Bellavia, Montante Family Library Director, Reflects on Other Gig, Ookla the Mok | D'Youville|website=dyc.edu|date=October 6, 2017|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=May 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524155935/http://www.dyc.edu/news/2017/1006-rand-bellavia-ookla-the-mok.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> The series was referenced and was involved in the plot of the third-season episode "]" of the CBS television series '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.celebdirtylaundry.com/2015/elementary-recap-4915-season-3-episode-18-one-watson-one-holmes/ |title = Elementary Recap - Hacker Conspiracy Theories: Season 3 Episode 18 "One Watson, One Holmes" |date = April 9, 2015 |access-date= }}</ref> In ''Fairlady'' #3, by Brian Schirmer and Claudia Balboni, the characters Dunkarr, the Barbarian, Ari and Oosk were inspired by the main characters in the series.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Fairlady' pays tribute to a classic 80s cartoon |url=http://smashpages.net/2019/06/25/fairlady-pays-tribute-to-a-classic-80s-cartoon/ |last=Parkin |first=JK |date=2019-06-26 |website=Smash Pages |access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> | |||
==Merchandise== | |||
===Toys=== | |||
Action figures of the three main characters were released by ] in 2003.<ref name="me_lbts">{{cite web|url=https://www.newsfromme.com/2003/03/05/live-by-the-sword/|title=Live by the Sword|publisher=News from Me|language=en|author=Mark Evanier|date=March 5, 2003|access-date=2018-03-17}}</ref> A ] was released by ] in 1982.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thundarr the Barbarian|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/90031/thundarr-barbarian|website=BoardGameGeek|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> | |||
===Comics and books=== | |||
A ] illustrated by ] was planned, but the project was canceled.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Morrow|first=John A.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CL7yNoUTKwAC&q=thundarr+sunday+kirby+1982&pg=PA46|title=Kirby Five-Oh!: Celebrating 50 Years of the "King" of Comics|publisher=]|year=2008|isbn=978-1-893905-89-4|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Morrow|first=John|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xNJeDwAAQBAJ&q=thundarr+sunday+kirby&pg=PA40|title=Jack Kirby Collector #74|date=2018-06-05|publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing|language=en}}</ref> In 1982, a ] was published by ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thundarr The Barbarian - Merchandise|url=http://www.thundarr.com/merchandise.html|date=2007-02-14|website=Thundarr.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214112605/http://www.thundarr.com/merchandise.html|archive-date=2007-02-14|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> According to Mark Evanier, ] had a Thundarr comic book project with scripts by John David Warner and art by ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thundarr on TV and Almost in Comics |url=https://www.newsfromme.com/2020/08/03/thundarr-on-tv-and-almost-in-comics/ |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=Newsfromme.com}}</ref> | |||
In July 2024, it was announced ] picked up the license to do a Thundarr comic.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2024/07/23/ducktales-and-thundarr-join-dynamite-lineup-as-the-boys-publisher-celebrates-20-years/ | title='DuckTales' and 'Thundarr' Join Dynamite Lineup as 'The Boys' Publisher Celebrates 20 Years | website=] }}</ref> | |||
==See also== | |||
* '']'' | |||
==Notes== | |||
{{Reflist|group="Note"}} | |||
==References== | |||
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Latest revision as of 01:47, 7 December 2024
American 1980–1981 animated series "Ookla the Mok" redirects here. For the band, see Ookla the Mok (band).
Thundarr the Barbarian | |
---|---|
1980 Thundarr the Barbarian promotional image Foreground from left to right Thundarr, Ariel, and Ookla | |
Genre | |
Created by | |
Developed by | Steve Gerber |
Written by |
|
Directed by |
|
Voices of | |
Narrated by | Dick Tufeld |
Composer | Dean Elliott |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 21 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Producer | Jerry Eisenberg |
Production company | Ruby-Spears Productions |
Original release | |
Network | ABC |
Release | October 4, 1980 (1980-10-04) – October 31, 1981 (1981-10-31) |
Thundarr the Barbarian is an American Saturday morning animated series, created by Steve Gerber (of Howard the Duck fame) and produced by Ruby-Spears Productions. The series ran for two seasons on ABC from October 4, 1980, to October 31, 1981, and was rerun on NBC in 1983.
Plot
Thundarr the Barbarian is set in a future (c. 3994) post-apocalyptic wasteland of Earth divided into kingdoms and territories, the majority of which are ruled by wizards, and whose ruins typically feature recognizable geographical features from the United States, such as New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle, the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Denver, Atlanta, Boston, San Antonio and its Alamo, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Cape Canaveral, and the Grand Canyon. Other episodes with recognizable settings are set outside the United States, and include Mexico and London. Another notable feature of this future Earth is that the Moon was broken in two pieces. The shattered moon and the ruins of the former human civilization were caused by the passage of a runaway planet between the Earth and the Moon in 1994, which, from scenes shown in the opening sequence, caused radical changes in the Earth's climate and geography. However, by the time period in which the series is set, the Earth and Moon seem to have settled into a new physical balance. Earth is reborn with a world of "savagery, super-science, and sorcery" far more chaotic than "Old Earth" (the show's name for the pre-apocalyptic world).
The hero Thundarr (voiced by Robert Ridgely), a muscular warrior, and companions Princess Ariel, a formidable young sorceress, and Ookla the Mok, a mighty lion-like biped, travel the world on horseback, fighting injustice. Their main adversaries are evil wizards who combine magical spells with reanimating technologies from the pre-catastrophe world. Some of these malevolent wizards enlist the service of certain mutant species to do their bidding.
Other enemies include The Brotherhood of Night (a group of werewolves who could transform others into werewolves by their touch), the cosmic Stalker from The Stars (a predatory, malevolent cosmic vampire), and various other mutants. Intelligent humanoid-animal races include the rat-like Groundlings, the crocodile-like Carocs, and talking hawk-like mutants and pig-like mutants. New animals that existed include fire-shooting whales, a giant green snake with a grizzly bear's head, and mutated dragonflies and rabbits.
Thundarr's weapon is the Sunsword that projects a blade-like beam of energy when activated, and can be deactivated so that it is only a hilt. The Sunsword's energy blade can deflect other energy attacks as well as magical ones, can cut through nearly anything, and can disrupt magical spells and effects. The Sunsword is magically linked to Thundarr and as such, only he can use it; however, this link can be disrupted.
Characters
The series' narrator was Dick Tufeld.
- Thundarr (voiced by Robert Ridgely) is the main protagonist of the series. He is a barbarian who was once a slave to Sabian until he was freed by Princess Ariel and given the Sunsword which he uses as a weapon in his fight against evil wizards and other villains. Thundarr was known for frequently uttering such pronouncements as "Demon dogs!", "Lords of Light!", "Ariel, Ookla, Ride!", and his war-cry "Aaaaa-HEE!". Thundarr, along with his friend Ookla, are largely unknowledgeable about the world so they rely on Ariel's guidance, but Thundarr is respectful of knowledge which is gained.
- Ookla the Mok (voiced by Henry Corden) is a member of the Mok species, a leonine humanoid with fangs and yellow eyes. In Thundarr the Barbarian's backstory, Ookla and Thundarr were enslaved in the court of the wizard Sabian until Sabian's stepdaughter Princess Ariel helped them escape. As a Mok, Ookla has great strength, he usually fights by ripping up a nearby sapling or ripping up a piece of wreckage and clubbing his enemies with it. On a few occasions, he uses a longbow that fires a type of paralyzing arrow. However, he is also the most likely of the heroes to charge right into an enemy attack and he is also easily enraged by unusual nuisances or threats. Moks dwell in their own territory, ruled by a king; they fear and hate water. While they prefer to face perilous odds on land rather than travel by water, in extreme cases, they can be persuaded to fight on water. While Ariel generally understands Ookla, Thundaar is more knowledgeable about Ookla, probably because they became friends and they also worked together during the time when they were enslaved. Whereas Thundarr and Ariel ride horses for transportation (his is white; hers is brown), Ookla's steed is another quadrupedal species which is called an equort.
- Princess Ariel (voiced by Nellie Bellflower) is a powerful sorceress. Not much was revealed about her past before she met Thundarr except that she was the stepdaughter of an evil wizard named Sabian. She learned of Earth's history from his library, and thus is considered the "academic" of the group. In the episode "Battle of The Barbarians", it is revealed that Thundarr was once a slave of the evil wizard Sabian before being freed by Princess Ariel. It was never revealed exactly where she was a princess. Her most common feats of sorcery involved creating light constructs such as archways and bridges, exploding spheres and levitating weights to summoning nets, shields, or bridges over chasms. She can also produce powerful energy blasts, blinding light and magically reanimate machines. When her wrists are bound together, she cannot work her magic, and is vulnerable to capture. At times, she shows romantic feelings for Thundarr; but he never outwardly returns them, although it's clear that he cares greatly for her and he also considers her an important team member. Ariel's attire consists of knee-high boots, wrist bracelets, and an open-backed, leg-baring cyan (with yellow trim) costume which resembles a bathing suit.
Additional voices
The series' voice director was Alan Dinehart.
- Henry Corden as Caroc Leader, Gemini, Vortak, Skullus, Captain Willows (in "Island of the Body Snatchers"), Mutant Deputy #2 (in "Trial by Terror")
- Nellie Bellflower as Dr. Craft, Manhat Dweller, Mina
- Michael Ansara as Vashtarr
- Marlene Aragon as Maya
- Liz Aubrey as Valerie Storm
- Michael Bell as Yondo
- Alan Dinehart
- Al Fann
- Joe Higgins as Korb
- Stacy Keach Sr.
- Keye Luke as Zevon, Infernus, Kublai
- Chuck McCann as Artemus, Mutant Deputy #1 (in "Trial by Terror")
- Nancy McKeon as Tye
- Julie McWhirter as Stryia
- Shepard Menken
- Alan Oppenheimer as Mindok, Morag, The Old Wizard
- Robert Ridgely as Henchman, Manhat Dweller, Old Eskimo
- Avery Schreiber as Octagon
- Hal Smith as Simius
- Joan Van Ark as Cinda, Queen Diona, Captain Corden
- Janet Waldo as Circe
- William Woodson as Crom
Production
The series was the creation of comic book writer Steve Gerber. Gerber and friend Martin Pasko were having dinner in the Westwood area one night during the time Gerber was developing the series. Gerber commented to Pasko that he had not yet decided upon a name for the wookiee-like character the network insisted be added to the series, over Gerber's objections. As the two walked past the gate to the UCLA campus, Pasko quipped, "Why not call him Oo-clah?" Pasko later became one of several screenwriters also known for their work in comics, such as Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway, to contribute to the show. After writing several scripts, singly and in collaboration with Gerber, Pasko became a story editor on the second season. Other writers included Buzz Dixon and Mark Jones.
Comic book writer-artist Jack Kirby worked on the production design for the show. The main characters were designed by fellow comic book writer-artist Alex Toth. Toth, however, was unavailable to continue working on the show, so most of the wizards and other villains and secondary characters that appear on the show were designed by Kirby. He was brought onto the show at the recommendation of Gerber and Mark Evanier.
Twenty-one half-hour episodes were produced by Ruby-Spears Productions, an animation house formed by former Hanna-Barbera head writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, and aired from October 1980 to October 1981 on the ABC network. Despite decent ratings, the show was cancelled, as Paramount wanted to make room in the programming schedule for Laverne & Shirley in the Army. Reruns of Thundarr appeared on NBC's Saturday morning lineup in 1983.
Episodes
Season 1 (1980)
All episodes of season 1 were directed by Rudy Larriva and produced by Jerry Eisenberg.
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Location | Original air date | Prod. code |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | "Secret of the Black Pearl" | New York City (Manhattan) | October 4, 1980 (1980-10-04) | 27-01 |
Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla escort a man who is carrying a magical black pearl that can defend against the two-faced wizard Gemini and his Groundlings (a race of mutated rat people). The man needs the pearl to protect the inhabitants of the village of "Manhat", which is actually the ruins of Manhattan. | |||||
2 | 2 | "Harvest of Doom" | Chichen Itza, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico | October 11, 1980 (1980-10-11) | 27-02 |
Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla encounter a train carrying Death Flowers (whose pollen can hypnotise both humans and Moks) being transported by the Carocs (a race of crocodile people) to a wizard that they work for. The episode introduces Tye, a swamp-urchin, who agrees to aid Thundarr on the condition that he capture the train and give it to her. Tye would reappear in Season 2's "Last Train to Doomsday". | |||||
3 | 3 | "Mindok the Mind Menace" | Cape Canaveral, Florida | October 18, 1980 (1980-10-18) | 27-04 |
The evil wizard Mindok lost his body in the Great Cataclysm, 2,000 years earlier, although his brain survived. He, General Zoa, and Zoa's minions seek out cryogenically frozen 20th-century scientists called "Ice People" in a plot to build Mindok a new body for his brain. | |||||
4 | 4 | "Raiders of the Abyss" | New York City | October 25, 1980 (1980-10-25) | 27-03 |
The evil wizard Morag and his raiders attack a cruise ship village to kidnap its inhabitants and steal their life essence. | |||||
5 | 5 | "Treasure of the Moks" | Norfolk, Virginia | November 1, 1980 (1980-11-01) | 27-05 |
Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla come to the aid of the Mok Chieftain Oblach against Captain Kordon, Queen of the River Pirates, who is after the Moks' hidden treasure and intends to use the "fire lances of the ancients" to get it. Thundarr learns that these "fire lances" are actually 20th century torpedoes. Thundarr and the Moks defend the ruins of a U.S. Navy base against being captured by the River Pirates, however Ookla must overcome something else beside the River Pirates, his longstanding fear of water. | |||||
6 | 6 | "Attack of the Amazon Women" | Mount Rushmore, South Dakota | November 8, 1980 (1980-11-08) | 27-07 |
Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla come to the aid of a race of amphibious Amazons led by the deposed Queen Diona who has been usurped by Stryia, an evil half-human, half-shark wizard-queen who plans to conquer both the land and seas with her shark legion army. | |||||
7 | 7 | "The Brotherhood of Night" | Washington, D.C. | November 15, 1980 (1980-11-15) | 27-06 |
Zevon is the leader of the Brotherhood of Night, a tribe of werewolves that can add anyone to their ranks by touching them and is also targeting the evil wizard Infernus hoping to make the pack completely invincible. | |||||
8 | 8 | "Challenge of the Wizards" | Las Vegas, Nevada | November 22, 1980 (1980-11-22) | 27-08 |
Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla are caught up in a battle between the wizards Sholow and contestants Basim, Skorpos and Chom who seek the Helmet of Power. Thundarr ends up having to side with the wizard Sholow when he threatens a group of villagers. | |||||
9 | 9 | "Valley of the Man-Apes" | San Fernando Valley, California | November 29, 1980 (1980-11-29) | 27-09 |
Simius and his fellow Man Apes assemble salvaged parts of a movie studio's giant robotic gorilla in a plot to terrorize the local villagers. | |||||
10 | 10 | "Stalker from the Stars" | Denver, Colorado | December 6, 1980 (1980-12-06) | 27-10 |
A spaceship containing an alien vampire lands on Earth. The alien captures Princess Ariel and all the villagers in the ruins of Lakeside Amusement Park hidden under the snow and ice of the Rockies as a source of its food. | |||||
11 | 11 | "Portal Into Time" | San Antonio, Texas | December 13, 1980 (1980-12-13) | 27-12 |
The evil wizard Crom threatens a tribe of humans at the Alamo. They can protect themselves by using a sophisticated Guardian machine that utilizes flying robot drones that can disable the wizard's laser tanks. However, it blows a circuit and cannot be replaced as circuits are no longer produced. Their only hope is to infiltrate Crom's lair in order to use his moon dial, which sends them to Old Earth. In the 20th century, Thundarr, Ookla and Ariel are aided by a little girl named Samantha, who helps them obtain a fresh circuit. The trio return to New Earth and prepare for battle with Crom, but are glad they had a chance to see the preapocalyptic world. | |||||
12 | 12 | "Battle of the Barbarians" | San Francisco, California | December 20, 1980 (1980-12-20) | 27-11 |
The evil wizard Kublai seeks the Golden Scepter of the Yantzee (the only item which can strip him of his magic) and terrorizes the villagers of San Francisco's Chinatown in the process. When Thundarr thwarts his initial attempts, the wizard recruits another barbarian named Zogar to engage him in battle while Kublai tries again to find the scepter. | |||||
13 | 13 | "Den of the Sleeping Demon" | Grand Canyon, Arizona | December 27, 1980 (1980-12-27) | 27-13 |
Judag is a bitter, escaped former slave of an evil wizard who plans to awaken a sleeping demon that allegedly can grant whoever wakes it the powers of 1,000 wizards. It is up to Thundarr to prevent Judag from accomplishing this mission. |
Season 2 (1981)
All episodes of season 2 were directed by Rudy Larriva and John Kimball, with animation supervision by Milt Gray & Bill Reed.
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Location | Original air date | Prod. code |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
14 | 1 | "Wizard Wars" | St. Louis, Missouri | September 12, 1981 (1981-09-12) | R20-001 |
The wizard Skullus and his soldiers are enslaving villagers living in a ruined oil refinery and using them to attack the fortress of his enemy, the equally evil wizard Octagon. | |||||
15 | 2 | "Fortress of Fear" | La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles, California | September 19, 1981 (1981-09-19) | R20-002 |
When coming to the aid of an escaped slave, Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla are captured by robots working for the multi-eyed wizard Lord Argoth who wants Ariel as his bride. | |||||
16 | 3 | "Island of the Body Snatchers" | London, England | September 26, 1981 (1981-09-26) | R20-003 |
The trio investigate a sector called the Mystery Zone where several ships get wrecked on an island. They learn the evil witch Circe is responsible as she needs a young sorceress to overcome a curse in which she will turn to stone if she leaves the island. When Ariel arrives with Thundarr and Ookla, Circe gets her opportunity as she switches bodies with her and becomes a threat to the others as she tries to leave the island. | |||||
17 | 4 | "City of Evil" | Boston, Massachusetts | October 3, 1981 (1981-10-03) | R20-004 |
After being defeated by Thundarr, the evil wizard Sarott finds a research lab that holds the miniaturized City of Thieves. Its ruler Vortak promises Sarott a free rein to use the city's advanced army to enslave humans and other wizards if he can restore it to normal size. To do so, he'll need the Gauntlet of Power which can boost his magic to enlarge the city. | |||||
18 | 5 | "Last Train to Doomsday" | Grand Canyon, Arogonda | October 10, 1981 (1981-10-10) | R20-005 |
Thundarr, Ookla, and Ariel are in pursuit of a mummy-like Janus after he and a race of hawk mutants attack villages and the train route of Tye (the former swamp urchin from "Harvest of Doom"). The group is in for a surprise when it turns out Janus is actually Gemini (the two-faced wizard from "Secret of the Black Pearl") in disguise seeking revenge on Thundarr. Tye, from "Harvest of Doom", returns as a train driving "businesswoman". | |||||
19 | 6 | "Master of the Stolen Sunsword" | Beverly Hills and Hollywood, California | October 17, 1981 (1981-10-17) | R20-006 |
During a battle with Yando (a supposed wizard with unusual magic), Thundarr is struck by red negative lightning which significantly diminishes the power of his Sunsword. The weapon can be restored at the nearby Pool of Power, but it is stolen by Yando who seeks to have the Sunsword's power for himself. | |||||
20 | 7 | "Trial by Terror" | Atlanta, Georgia | October 24, 1981 (1981-10-24) | R20-007 |
Thundarr's friend Thorac is accused of stealing a village's fuel and is about to receive a death sentence (by being boiled alive over a geyser) when the barbarian rescues him. Thorac is granted a reprieve when Thundarr and the group investigate the crime, eventually learning the town's sheriff Korb is in league with the evil wizard Artemus. Artemus had stolen the fuel to power his Death Ship and gain the approval of the Council of Wizards. | |||||
21 | 8 | "Prophecy of Peril" | Texases Peit, Texicana | October 31, 1981 (1981-10-31) | R20-008 |
Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla battle the evil wizard Vashtarr when he steals the Crystal of Prophecy that can give the details of his downfall. When it shatters in his efforts to retrieve it, the prophecy is foretold as they learn three women will unite to defeat him. One is Maya, an element-shifter buried in the ruins of the old city of Endorr. Another is Cinda, a hermitic barbarian living in the Canyon of Death whose staff grants her great strength. The last is Valerie Storm, a fashion model from Old Earth who is abducted and taken prisoner by Vashtarr himself. |
Home media releases
The debut episode of Thundarr the Barbarian was released on DVD as part of Warner Home Video's Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1980s compilation series. The DVD set, containing episodes of ten other shows, was released on May 4, 2010. It is now available for online download through Amazon.com.
On September 28, 2010, Warner Archive released Thundarr the Barbarian: The Complete Series to DVD in region 1 as part of their Hanna–Barbera Classics Collection. This is a Manufacture-on-Demand (MOD) release, available exclusively through Warner's online store and Amazon.com. The DVD set is branded as part of the Hanna-Barbera Classics Collection as Thundarr and the other 1978–1991 Ruby-Spears programs were sold to Turner Broadcasting in 1991 alongside Hanna-Barbera by Great American Broadcasting. On April 6, 2021, Warner Archive also released Thundarr the Barbarian: The Complete Series on Blu-ray. Unlike the DVD release, the Blu-ray release restored the Ruby-Spears Productions logo, but the Filmways logo was still removed for the first season (due to being copyrighted by Hanna-Barbera).
Influence
In a November 2017 interview with Revolver, Morbid Angel guitarist Trey Azagthoth stated that the band's new album, Kingdoms Disdained, is based on Thundarr the Barbarian,
"Thundarr the Barbarian ...In the year 1994, a runaway planet hurdling between Moon and Earth unleashes cosmic destruction. Man's civilization is cast in ruin. 2,000 years later Earth is reborn. A strange new world arises from the old — a world of savagery, super science, and sorcery. But one man bursts his bonds to fight for justice with his companions — Ookla the Mok and Princess Ariel. He pits his strength, his courage and his fabulous Sun Sword against the forces of evil. He is "THUNDARR - THE BARBARIAN!!!"
There is also a filk band from Buffalo, New York called Ookla the Mok. The series was referenced and was involved in the plot of the third-season episode "One Watson, One Holmes" of the CBS television series Elementary. In Fairlady #3, by Brian Schirmer and Claudia Balboni, the characters Dunkarr, the Barbarian, Ari and Oosk were inspired by the main characters in the series.
Merchandise
Toys
Action figures of the three main characters were released by Toynami in 2003. A board game was released by Milton Bradley Company in 1982.
Comics and books
A Sunday strip illustrated by Jack Kirby was planned, but the project was canceled. In 1982, a coloring book was published by Golden Books. According to Mark Evanier, Whitman Comics had a Thundarr comic book project with scripts by John David Warner and art by Winslow Mortimer.
In July 2024, it was announced Dynamite Entertainment picked up the license to do a Thundarr comic.
See also
Notes
- The episode "Master of the Stolen Sunsword" details events where the Sunsword needs to be recharged, and viewers learn it becomes linked to whoever does the charging.
- Ariel refers to the U.S. Badlands, but the ruins of New York City's Empire State Building and World Trade Center (Twin Towers) appear later in the background.
References
- Woolery, George W. (1983). Children's Television: The First Thirty-Five Years, 1946-1981, Part 1: Animated Cartoon Series. Scarecrow Press. pp. 290–291. ISBN 0-8108-1557-5. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
- Hyatt, Wesley (1997). The Encyclopedia of Daytime Television. Watson-Guptill Publications. p. 431. ISBN 978-0823083152. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
- Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 845–846. ISBN 978-1476665993.
- ""Demon dogs" sounds clip". Thundarr.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011.
- ""Lords of Light" sound clip". Thundarr.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2006.
- ""Aaaaahh-ee" battle cry sound clip". Thundarr.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2006.
- ^ Episode 1.01, "Secret of the Black Pearl"
- Eury, Michael (2006). The Krypton Companion. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 158. ISBN 1-893905-61-6.
We passed one of the entrances to the UCLA campus and when I saw the acronym on signage, the phonetic pronunciation leapt to mind.
- Terrace, Vincent (1985). Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials: 1974–1984. New York: New York Zoetrope. p. 419. ISBN 0-918432-61-8.
- Ro, Ronin (2005). Tales to Astonish: Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, and the American Comic Book Revolution. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 209–210. ISBN 9781582345666.
- "Thundarr The Barbarian – Joe Ruby & Ken Spears Interview". Thundarr.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2002. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
- ^ Mark Evanier (March 5, 2003). "Live by the Sword". News from Me. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- Mark Evanier (September 15, 2018). "Barbaric Corrections". newsfromme.com. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ "Public Catalog - Copyright Catalog (1978 to present) - Basic Search [search: "Thundarr the Barbarian"]". United States Copyright Office. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
- "Thundarr The Barbarian – Episode Guide". Thundarr.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
- Corey, Joe (May 7, 2010). "Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1980s, Vol. 1 – DVD Review".
- "Thundarr the Barbarian - The Complete Series". TV Shows on DVD. September 28, 2010. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- Lambert, David (September 21, 2010). "Thundarr the Barbarian – 4-DVD Release of 'The Complete Series' Available Next Week...But Online Only". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
- Shostak, Stu (January 16, 2013). "Interview with Joe Ruby and Ken Spears". Stu's Show. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
- Anderson, Kyle (May 3, 2021). "The '80s Cartoon Glory of THUNDARR THE BARBARIAN". Nerdist Industries. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- "Thundarr the Barbarian (1980–1981)". imdb.com. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- "Rand Bellavia, Montante Family Library Director, Reflects on Other Gig, Ookla the Mok | D'Youville". dyc.edu. October 6, 2017. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
- "Elementary Recap - Hacker Conspiracy Theories: Season 3 Episode 18 "One Watson, One Holmes"". April 9, 2015.
- Parkin, JK (June 26, 2019). "'Fairlady' pays tribute to a classic 80s cartoon". Smash Pages. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- "Thundarr the Barbarian". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- Morrow, John A. (2008). Kirby Five-Oh!: Celebrating 50 Years of the "King" of Comics. TwoMorrows Publishing. ISBN 978-1-893905-89-4.
- Morrow, John (June 5, 2018). Jack Kirby Collector #74. TwoMorrows Publishing.
- "Thundarr The Barbarian - Merchandise". Thundarr.com. February 14, 2007. Archived from the original on February 14, 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- "Thundarr on TV and Almost in Comics". Newsfromme.com. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
- "'DuckTales' and 'Thundarr' Join Dynamite Lineup as 'The Boys' Publisher Celebrates 20 Years". Forbes.
External links
Categories:- 1980s American animated television series
- 1980s American children's television series
- 1980s American science fiction television series
- 1980 American television series debuts
- 1980 animated television series debuts
- 1981 American television series endings
- American children's animated action television series
- American children's animated adventure television series
- American children's animated science fantasy television series
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- American post-apocalyptic television series
- Ruby-Spears superheroes
- Television series about the Moon
- Television series by Ruby-Spears
- Television series created by Joe Ruby
- Television series created by Ken Spears
- Television series set in the 1990s
- Television series set in 1994
- Television series set in the 4th millennium
- Television series set in the future
- Characters created by Alex Toth
- Works by Jack Kirby
- Television series by Filmways
- American action adventure television series
- Television series created by Steve Gerber
- Television series about barbarians
- Television shows about magic
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- American Broadcasting Company animated television series
- NBC animated television series