THUNDER

After someone at the London Toyfair had 'forgotten to switch their camcorder off’ and leaked the blurry screengrabs online, the new Thundercats designs were seen for the first time.


Of course after that leakage Warner Bros had to then counter this with an official image of the feline favourites from the new 2011 animated series.

So here I am feeling a little compelled to write a little about the new Thundercats with my first impressions, opinions and expectations.

For a start, Lion-O, Cheetara, Tygra and Panthro are easily recognisable and the new designs retain most of distinguishing features of the 80’s version. What makes this new rendition stand out is the proportion of the group: Lion-O is less roided up and Panthro looks more stocky. Cheetara and Tygra are pretty much the same as before in terms of build. The Thundarians are a lot more clothed than before with covered leggings and solid body armour instead of leotards and ‘pants n vest’. A bit far flung from the original show which practically got away with nudity!

Whoever designed these may have drawn on the Final Fantasy VII game franchise for inspiration. Lion-O has possibly been traced from Cloud, whilst Panthro has maybe been carbon copied from Barratt - both who are characters of similar scale and build.

The art-style itself – a more traditional anime looks like something that would be seen in a Squaresoft role-playing game. Thundercats was always anime inspired and this is a good direction to go for.

I’m not too sure about Tygra being pictured with a gun, but its nice to see his bolo whip make a return. I do like the idea that he and Lion-O will be brothers in this series with an explanation during the first 3 episodes of the show. 80s alumni Larry Kenny who voiced Lion-O in the original show will return to voice Tygra and Lion-O’s father - Claudius.

The new Sword of Omens is easily recognisable, and the idea of it starting off as a dagger with it magically extending looks to be scrapped. Instead, this new Sword of Omens is a sword from the start with a transformable handle. The Claw Sheild, Nunchucks and Bo Staff and other popular trademark weapons are gladly making a return.

Despite the leak, only 4 characters and a distant image of Snarf on the Thundertank toy packaging have been unveiled. It would be interesting to find out how Mumm-Ra, Jackalman and other supporting cast creatures have turned out.

I for one am excited for this new series. A Thundercats revival has been long overdue and it could be fantastic, or like many other revivals a mockery of what has happened before. I am fuelled by curiosity (not good with cats) to see how this show and the accompanying toyline will turn out. It seems that with the prospect of upcoming figures and merchandise with the 80’s Thundercats also on offer there is a little something for the older fans and the newer fans to pick and choose.

The time to feel the magic and hear the roar is coming again…

TRIPLE

- THUNDERA
- SITUATION
- ASLAN


THUNDERA

Yesterday I went out with my associate in his new car (a car which looks like Chase of the Throttlebots/G1 Transformers) to Bristol city centre (or Broadmead as us true Bristolians call it) on a mission to acquire the Second Season of Thundercats on DVD.

The HMV staff were a little crafty as they had a copy of the S2 pt 1 disc set on display for £22.99 and cunningly hid the reduced £15 copies on a lower shelf section. We got the £15 copy in the end.

Thundercats season 2 is a big deal here in the UK. For season 2 was never aired over here, or more accurately the BBC could not be arsed to air it. You could say that Season 2 is like a gap in the childhood of anyone who grew up in 80’s Britain. The nearest Blighty ever got to seeing Season 2 was the release of the Thundercats Ho Movie on VHS.

So Season 2 will mark new Thundercats, Ma-Mutt, new Thundera (Third Earth was cool though!!) and a new villain faction called the Lunatacs (Who I hear are nastier than the Berserkers ever were). I’m going to need some time to sit aside and be immersed in it all. 65 unseen episodes of Thundercat goodness can’t go wrong well 30-something to start with until the acquisition of part 2 is made.

I need not go on about how great Thundercats is, an 80’s cartoon that hasn’t aged very badly, a toon that was a milestone for toons today and a toon that practically started Toonami.

So yeah Season 2 goodness. Going to love every minute of it I hope.

===========

SITUATION

I am in talks with Celtic Wrestling management over my quitting the promotion last Friday. Things could be resolved…

I may have acted rash, but with good reason.

I cannot go into details yet, but I am still on very good terms with the guys and gals at C/W and there is still a good relationship going.

I will keep you guys updated on this one.

===========

ASLAN

I went to see Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian today: A great film with a load of sword swing, claw slashing action. Very good sequel. I can’t wait for Voyage of the Dawn Treader with the return of Reapacheap and the introduction of Eustace! :D. The character who I felt sorry for the most in Caspian was the poor Minotaur that held up the gate as it looked like he was hit in a certain place with an arrow . I’d love to say more but I know people from church will be reading this and are making a trip to see this tomorrow, so sorry kids, no spoilers from me  And NO THROWING POPCORN (when the ushers are looking).

Zip and Star’s Birthday tomorrow with mine the day after.

Check you all later

===HERO/KEN.