The Year in Review and the Future:

Through the Eyes of A ThunderCat Fan

(10.29.2005)

Every year, another 1980s classic gets remade for a new generation of fans to enjoy. In 2005, we observed a renewed interest in ThunderCats , and, for better or for worse, the DVDs did bring back fans of the cult classic. So, what does the release of the series on DVD actually mean? Does Warner Bros. have some surprises in store for us in the near future?

DVD Surprises!

What a surprise it was. With television shows coming out on DVD in full force, you would have expected ThunderCats to eventually be released too. Of course, that is never a sure thing. Therefore, when Warner Home Video (WHV) announced the release of ThunderCats on DVD for August of 2005, fans were jumping for joy. However, when the first box set was finally released, things did not go quite well.

First off, the featurette was just plain awful. It consisted of fans speaking about things we already knew about the show. How was this supposed to be something to look forward to? Surely, there was much more WHV could have offered than Wil Wheaton’s obsession for Cheetara. In fact, one of the fans recorded for the featurette reports there were in-depth questions asked in regards to the impact the show had on their lives, about the show’s use of  music, the animation techniques, and how the voice actors helped to bring the characters to life. In addition, fan art was recorded for filler in the segment. (P.S. More true fans, less Wil Wheaton. Signed: ThunderCats fans, 2005.)

Secondly, the show’s conversion to DVD did not go well at all. “Unholy Alliance” was without a music score for the English version of the episode, there were missing title cards, and glitches on several episodes. It seemed the worse had happened.

To top it off, the replacement program for the DVDs was even worse than the actual errors. Fans waited months to get some sort of response from customer service and even longer for the actual replacement discs to arrive.

Therefore, the eventual release of Volume 2 in December caused fans to question whether it was worth the purchase. On the other hand, how could WHV do worse than the first release? However things went a little bit more smoothly for the second box set. For the lone special feature, fans were treated to glimpses of concept designs (which can also be seen here), as well as behind the scene photos of the voice actors. It was amazing to see producers, writers, and actors/actresses reminisce about their memories from the show. As for the cartoon conversion, things seem to be a lot better. (I think it also helps to have some of the best episodes of the series on the set!)

In the end, it seemed the DVDs were a pleasant reminder that fans do care about the series and the treatment it gets from the company releasing it. I hope that the remaining releases can improve upon the previous sets.

More Surprises?

As ThunderCats fans, we have a lot to look forward to in 2006…or do we? With renewed interest in the series from the release of the DVDs, Warner Bros. may have more surprises in store. In addition to Season 2 coming out on DVD, the rumor mill has been churning for the past six months about a new series in development at Warner Bros. Animation Studios. In fact, things started to heat up this past June. Toy Directory Monthly, a fairly reliable source gave fans a teaser article in its June 2005 issue about how a new series is already in pre-production.

“A remake of ThunderCats, that love-hate mid- ‘80s wonder (shhh, no one has an inkling yet, except the would-be story editor and Sander Schwartz, president of Warner Brothers Animation), is being tooled up right now at WB, with pre-production in the works, slated for airing in late 2006. No toy lines are set yet, but it’s only a matter of time, as the original action figures are collectables now.”

A couple months later, the now defunct Animation HQ backed up the story from TDMonthly about a new series being developed. ToonZone.net jumped on the news report and added it to its site.

“Animation HQ reports that a remake of the 80’s animated classic ThunderCats is in the works at Warner Brothers. The show’s new look will be similar to The Batman — edgy and anime-inspired.

Pre-production is reportedly ongoing. The show should be ready for broadcast sometime in late 2006.”

Two reports from fairly reliable sources cannot be wrong, right? And while there have been no new developments in the past several months, the release of the DVDs could just be the beginning of something huge for ThunderCats and its fans.

New Cartoon…& A New Toy line?

That is probably what every toy collector is expecting. With every 80s revival, there has been a new toy line to go along with it.  Masters of the Universe , Transformers , Voltron , G.I. Joe , and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles …are just a few of the major properties to get this treatment.  ThunderCats should be no exception. In addition, while we have no solid reports to go on, it would be a big disappointment if the toy license was not already being shopped around for to coincide with the new series in late 2006.

Are You Sure?

New cartoon, new toys, the original series being released on DVD…could the fans, who have been waiting a long time for something new to come up, finally get it in 2006? On the other hand, are the fans going to have to make due with the DVDs? I’m going to bet my two cents that ThunderCats fans are going to get something more than just DVDs. Whether it’s a new cartoon, or a new toy line, I have no idea – but I’m expecting 2006 to have our favorite felines return in one form or another…and in a big way.

TCL.ORG — What’s Planned?

I believe it is going to be an exciting year for ThunderCats fans, so stick with TCL.ORG and we will make the ride as much fun as we can!

Happy New Year!

Manny

Site Director

---