Dread
TMNT 1984-2009
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The early 1980's were of course an interesting time for American cartoons. Cable was still a rare luxury to many households, and network TV offered much variety for animation not only on Saturday mornings, but weekday mornings and afternoons. Perhaps the biggest shows as of 1983 were "HE-MAN: MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE", "SPIDER-MAN AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS", and "THE SMURFS". Other cartoons on around this time were "INSPECTOR GADGET" and "HEATHCLIFF".
Many other shows associated with the 1980's, such as "G.I. JOE", "TRANSFORMERS", "GALAXY RANGERS", "THUNDERCATS", "C.O.P.S.", "BRAVESTAR", and so on were at least another year or more away. Even "MUPPET BABIES", "THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS", "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES", and "DUCKTALES" were years off.
Add into the mix "DUNGEONS & DRAGONS", a collaboration between TSR and Marvel Productions (yes, the same Marvel Productions that was behind many cartoons in the 80's), as well as CBS. It was naturally licensed from the tabletop pencil & paper role playing game, which at the time was only 9 years old (and had gained a cult appeal). It would go on to air 27 episodes across three seasons, although the first season had the most episodes (13) and the third had the least (six), with a proper series finale written but never produced. There was a toy line for the show (what didn't have toys back then), but it wasn't as expansive as one would believe. At the time the show would gain controversy, as the game it was based on, by knee-jerk Christian groups for "demonic/magical" themes, and so on. In 1985, the National Coalition on Animated Violence deemed it the most violent cartoon on network TV. Meanwhile, adult and "mature" D&D fans of the time and later on probably deemed the show light and fluffy compared to the game it was based on.
But was it really all that bad? In truth, after watching the series after being curious about it (I was 4 when it was canceled and while the show did air in syndication for many years, including briefly on FoxKids networks from 1999-2002 and later on Jetix via Toon Disney, I didn't watch much of it as a kid), and after having searched the TV forums for a topic with this in the headline (if there has been one, it's been over a year), I've come to many conclusions about it. In many ways while the show does bare the name D&D, and also features monsters, locations, and some character classes and powers that the game had (at the time), in many other ways it is it's own unique fantasy adventure. The writing talent assembled for the show had some esteemed company. This included Michael Reaves (best known for writing on "GARGOYLES", "BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES" and "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES"), Paul Dini ("TINY TOON ADVENTURES", "BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES", Detective Comics), and even Steve Gerber (writer of DEFENDERS and creator of Howard the Duck and Man-Thing; in fact one episode he wrote has a Man-Thing like mud monster in it). Many of the episodes were written by Jeffrey Scott, who also worked on "MUPPET BABIES", "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES", "THE LITTLES", "CAPTAIN N: THE GAME MASTER" and "JAMES BOND JR." afterward. Several other writers and editors were involved, as were the original creators of the game. In fact, several character classes and abilities were added to the game after the show debuted in later editions.
While there was never any "origin" episode, the premise was recapped in the opening animation (rather than having an official theme song, even if there was instrumental music) to every episode. Six children (mostly teenagers) are riding a "Dungeons & Dragons" roller coaster at an amusement park, which then zaps them to another dimension called "the Realm". They fall from the sky and are immediately clad in strange clothing, and immediately beset by an adorable baby unicorn (named, amazingly, "Uni") before being attacked by Tiamet, the five headed dragon. Fortunately, the mysterious dwarf, Dungeon Master (named after the person who runs the gaming sessions) bestows each kid with a magical weapon and a "title" to fend off the danger. Subsequent adventures involve Dungeon Master giving his six charges some sort of adventure, often in the form of strange riddles, that will somehow lead to a portal back to their home world (the "real world"), although usually something always happens to prevent this, GILLIGAN'S ISLAND style.
The children are Hank the Ranger (armed with an energy bow that is more like a Green Lantern ring than a bow, as it can do damn near anything the plot requires), Diana the Acrobat (armed with an energy bo-staff), Eric the Cavalier (armed with a magic shield), Presto the Wizard (armed with a magic hat), Sheila the Thief (owner of an invisible cloak), and her 8-9 year old brother, Bobby the Barbarian (armed of a magic club). Uni the Unicorn can actually teleport once per day (even with others), but rarely does this and mostly serves as occasional support and standard 1980's pet character (in the tradition of Snarf or Ms. Lions). Oddly, Presto is the only one of them who doesn't have a "normal" name, as if his parents one day imagined that he's be made into a wizard. Their mortal energy is Venger, who is sort of a dark sorcerer/vampire who has conquered much of the Realm, has no end of Orc armies or supernatural minions, has functional bat-wings and literally rides a nightmare. Venger seeks their weapons so that he can finally overpower his only rival in the Realm, Tiamet the Dragon (as well as to boost his own power level further). While, ironically, Venger could have succeeded many times in his quest had he simply allowed the kids to go home, his thirst for revenge upon them for prior defeats as well as his own cruelty prevent this.
The show had some top quality voice acting talent as well. Willie Aames, best known as Buddy on "CHARLES IN CHARGE" and Tommy on "EIGHT IS ENOUGH" (and later on, as "BIBLEMAN") voices Hank. Adam Rich, also from "EIGHT IS ENOUGH" (Nick Bradford) plays Presto. Don Most, Ralph Malph himself from "HAPPY DAYS", is given endless one liners and comedy gold as Eric. Katie Leigh, who would go on to have dozens of animation credits from "DUCKTALES" to "DARKWING DUCK" to "TOTALLY SPIES", plays the shy Sheila. Veteran character actor Sidney Miller III played Dungeon Master. Frank Welker, from "TRANSFORMERS" (Megatron) to "SPIDER-MAN AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS" (Iceman) and of course "SCOOBY DOO" (Fred), voiced Uni as well as scores of monsters and various side characters. Finally among the notable cast is Peter Cullen, the voice of Optimus Prime and Eeyore himself, playing the arch villain Venger. That's right, the voice of one of the greatest heroes of the 80's was playing the heavy here, and damned if he didn't do a terrific job. Bob Holt, best known as the voice of The Hulk in the 1981 "INCREDIBLE HULK" cartoon, played Venger's minion, Shadow-Demon. But in truth everyone on the show did a solid job.
Of course, there is a major caveat. Despite a lot of innovation for the time, this still was very much a show of the 1980's. Despite the knee-jerk reactions of soccer moms, there is very little actual violence or combat in the show. Much like in many shows at the time, direct hits with weapons are rare unless the character is completely invulnerable. No one ever says "die" on camera. And naturally, while Uni the Unicorn is never implied to be the star of the show, as many pet sidekicks at the time were (nor is she as major a presence as many other pet characters, such as Snarf or Slimer), there are perhaps more close-up shots and noise effects from her to annoy many viewers. As such, if one isn't at least 25 years old and at least remembers and appreciates what cartoons in the 1980's were like, this show may just be hammy dross for you. But if you do remember and appreciate cartoons from the 1980's, their strengths and limitations, than this show actually stands out among many of the pack for the early to mid 1980's. While there are animation errors and some simplistic animation (present in many shows of the time), there are also moments in the action where things are quite fluid. The musical score and the background scenery shots are often incredible. But what actually kept me watching one episode after the other was the writing, more so than the adventures or the action, even if they usually were entertaining.
While the characters can often fall into archetype, they play well off each other and interact well. Hank is the leader, and perhaps the dullest of the lot (as many leaders were at the time, as they had the least flaws), but reliable in his role. Diana, as the only non-white character in the squad, is very much the second in command, often the most rational, reasonable, and physically capable of the team (having been an Olympic athlete in the real world, the daughter of an astronomer and the sister of a pilot) - yet unlike Hank, is also more able to offer a witty one liner. The other characters are perhaps more interesting. Sheila is easily the most compassionate, emotional, and shy member, which makes her ability to become invisible ironic. Her little brother Bobby doesn't like being doted on by Sheila and charges head-first against any threat, big or small. You would imagine these siblings bicker all the time for comedy or drama, and you'd be wrong; beyond a few instances, they actually get along quite well, and obviously love each other; which even today, is rare in cartoon siblings. Sheila is very much the doting older sister to an energetic little brother, but Bobby is very quick to defend her against anyone. Uni, in fact, serves her role as being younger and weaker than Bobby, and thus the character Bobby protects the most. Presto is a typical nerd, blind without his glasses and not very confident, with a magical hat that is just as likely to save the day as it is to manifest something worthless. He also has to use incantations to create spells, which he seems to have to come up with on the fly (and as such, many of them are funny, or intentionally repetitive). Finally, we have Eric, who is either the character you love, or love to hate. A spoiled rich kid at home, Eric is a complainer, whiner, and often a coward who wants to go home the most. He is also the comic relief, often the victim of many pratfalls or spells for the sake of comedy, as well as the usual one who makes witty comments about the cliches of the series, such as guest characters or the Dungeon Master's riddles. Michael Reaves has admitted that Eric was created because 80's cartoons at the time were often encouraged to teach children to "go with the flow" and thus often had morals in which "the complainer is always wrong" (in other words, to always cave to peer pressure; at least unless drugs are involved). Despite this, Eric is probably the character who develops the most over the course of the series, and the fact that he is a coward and a whiner often make his feats of courage or heroism more of a treat and a surprise (especially to Eric).
While quite a few episodes of the first season were hit or miss, the show really got into gear in the second and third seasons. The characters interacted well off each other, and all of them got moments to shine and develop. While there were limits to what 80's cartoons could depict, the series rarely made light of the dangers the kids were in. It was always implied if not demonstrated that the kids could wind up killed or enslaved if they failed in their adventure of the week. It was very common to see one of Venger's many slave camps of whatever village one of his generals was commanding, or to see Venger punish someone with a fate worse than death (such as transforming them into something horrible, or burying them under the earth, forever). One episode demonstrates all of the fears of the children in vivid, even graphic detail (such as Sheila's fear of being alone, or Diana's fear of growing old and feeble). Half the cast go through some star-crossed romance that tugs at the heart-strings. For a show religious groups often lambasted for supernatural themes, it's morals often encouraged unity, courage, honor, and selflessness. Many times the kids could have had a free ride home, but their desire to not allow someone in the Realm to suffer if they left prevented it. Even Eric was once willing to abandon a chance to go home in order to protect someone, and aid his friends (much as his friends once threw away a home trip to save Eric). In perhaps the show's most intense episode, the kids even considered killing Venger to be rid of him once and for all, a moral dilemma which was incredibly rare in 80's animation.
The show also had a sense of a real Realm with rules and consequences, with things not being cut and dry. It is made obvious quite soon that the Dungeon Master could send the kids home at any time, but has some grand task for them to complete first, and knows far more than he ever implies. The six kids are not the first, or the last, people from "the real world" or others who got sent into "the Realm". The magical weapons that the kids use do not have infinite power, and are powerless in "the real world" (as well as twice as powerful in the dimension of "the Dragon's Graveyard" where the weapons originate). The Realm was full of horrible monsters and cruel dangers, but also did have plenty of majestic creatures, settings, and some kind and honorable people & creatures. Venger is in fact the son of the Dungeon Master, and serves a master that may as well be the Devil.
BCI in 2006 offered a mondo box set of the series, which includes production interviews, commentaries, and even that "final" episode played out as a radio play with new and old actors. It has been out of print since BCI went out of business two years ago, and has been released with zero extra features by Mill Creek. That script is available for free online to read, and answers many questions about the structure of the series, and it's ultimate conclusion. If animated it probably would have been among the best episodes of the series. Considering that at the time, "THE SMURFS" was believed to be the future of animation, it is amazing CBS even optioned the series.
I say give it a whirl, if you have perspective. Any other thoughts out there?
Many other shows associated with the 1980's, such as "G.I. JOE", "TRANSFORMERS", "GALAXY RANGERS", "THUNDERCATS", "C.O.P.S.", "BRAVESTAR", and so on were at least another year or more away. Even "MUPPET BABIES", "THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS", "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES", and "DUCKTALES" were years off.
Add into the mix "DUNGEONS & DRAGONS", a collaboration between TSR and Marvel Productions (yes, the same Marvel Productions that was behind many cartoons in the 80's), as well as CBS. It was naturally licensed from the tabletop pencil & paper role playing game, which at the time was only 9 years old (and had gained a cult appeal). It would go on to air 27 episodes across three seasons, although the first season had the most episodes (13) and the third had the least (six), with a proper series finale written but never produced. There was a toy line for the show (what didn't have toys back then), but it wasn't as expansive as one would believe. At the time the show would gain controversy, as the game it was based on, by knee-jerk Christian groups for "demonic/magical" themes, and so on. In 1985, the National Coalition on Animated Violence deemed it the most violent cartoon on network TV. Meanwhile, adult and "mature" D&D fans of the time and later on probably deemed the show light and fluffy compared to the game it was based on.
But was it really all that bad? In truth, after watching the series after being curious about it (I was 4 when it was canceled and while the show did air in syndication for many years, including briefly on FoxKids networks from 1999-2002 and later on Jetix via Toon Disney, I didn't watch much of it as a kid), and after having searched the TV forums for a topic with this in the headline (if there has been one, it's been over a year), I've come to many conclusions about it. In many ways while the show does bare the name D&D, and also features monsters, locations, and some character classes and powers that the game had (at the time), in many other ways it is it's own unique fantasy adventure. The writing talent assembled for the show had some esteemed company. This included Michael Reaves (best known for writing on "GARGOYLES", "BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES" and "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES"), Paul Dini ("TINY TOON ADVENTURES", "BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES", Detective Comics), and even Steve Gerber (writer of DEFENDERS and creator of Howard the Duck and Man-Thing; in fact one episode he wrote has a Man-Thing like mud monster in it). Many of the episodes were written by Jeffrey Scott, who also worked on "MUPPET BABIES", "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES", "THE LITTLES", "CAPTAIN N: THE GAME MASTER" and "JAMES BOND JR." afterward. Several other writers and editors were involved, as were the original creators of the game. In fact, several character classes and abilities were added to the game after the show debuted in later editions.
While there was never any "origin" episode, the premise was recapped in the opening animation (rather than having an official theme song, even if there was instrumental music) to every episode. Six children (mostly teenagers) are riding a "Dungeons & Dragons" roller coaster at an amusement park, which then zaps them to another dimension called "the Realm". They fall from the sky and are immediately clad in strange clothing, and immediately beset by an adorable baby unicorn (named, amazingly, "Uni") before being attacked by Tiamet, the five headed dragon. Fortunately, the mysterious dwarf, Dungeon Master (named after the person who runs the gaming sessions) bestows each kid with a magical weapon and a "title" to fend off the danger. Subsequent adventures involve Dungeon Master giving his six charges some sort of adventure, often in the form of strange riddles, that will somehow lead to a portal back to their home world (the "real world"), although usually something always happens to prevent this, GILLIGAN'S ISLAND style.
The children are Hank the Ranger (armed with an energy bow that is more like a Green Lantern ring than a bow, as it can do damn near anything the plot requires), Diana the Acrobat (armed with an energy bo-staff), Eric the Cavalier (armed with a magic shield), Presto the Wizard (armed with a magic hat), Sheila the Thief (owner of an invisible cloak), and her 8-9 year old brother, Bobby the Barbarian (armed of a magic club). Uni the Unicorn can actually teleport once per day (even with others), but rarely does this and mostly serves as occasional support and standard 1980's pet character (in the tradition of Snarf or Ms. Lions). Oddly, Presto is the only one of them who doesn't have a "normal" name, as if his parents one day imagined that he's be made into a wizard. Their mortal energy is Venger, who is sort of a dark sorcerer/vampire who has conquered much of the Realm, has no end of Orc armies or supernatural minions, has functional bat-wings and literally rides a nightmare. Venger seeks their weapons so that he can finally overpower his only rival in the Realm, Tiamet the Dragon (as well as to boost his own power level further). While, ironically, Venger could have succeeded many times in his quest had he simply allowed the kids to go home, his thirst for revenge upon them for prior defeats as well as his own cruelty prevent this.
The show had some top quality voice acting talent as well. Willie Aames, best known as Buddy on "CHARLES IN CHARGE" and Tommy on "EIGHT IS ENOUGH" (and later on, as "BIBLEMAN") voices Hank. Adam Rich, also from "EIGHT IS ENOUGH" (Nick Bradford) plays Presto. Don Most, Ralph Malph himself from "HAPPY DAYS", is given endless one liners and comedy gold as Eric. Katie Leigh, who would go on to have dozens of animation credits from "DUCKTALES" to "DARKWING DUCK" to "TOTALLY SPIES", plays the shy Sheila. Veteran character actor Sidney Miller III played Dungeon Master. Frank Welker, from "TRANSFORMERS" (Megatron) to "SPIDER-MAN AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS" (Iceman) and of course "SCOOBY DOO" (Fred), voiced Uni as well as scores of monsters and various side characters. Finally among the notable cast is Peter Cullen, the voice of Optimus Prime and Eeyore himself, playing the arch villain Venger. That's right, the voice of one of the greatest heroes of the 80's was playing the heavy here, and damned if he didn't do a terrific job. Bob Holt, best known as the voice of The Hulk in the 1981 "INCREDIBLE HULK" cartoon, played Venger's minion, Shadow-Demon. But in truth everyone on the show did a solid job.
Of course, there is a major caveat. Despite a lot of innovation for the time, this still was very much a show of the 1980's. Despite the knee-jerk reactions of soccer moms, there is very little actual violence or combat in the show. Much like in many shows at the time, direct hits with weapons are rare unless the character is completely invulnerable. No one ever says "die" on camera. And naturally, while Uni the Unicorn is never implied to be the star of the show, as many pet sidekicks at the time were (nor is she as major a presence as many other pet characters, such as Snarf or Slimer), there are perhaps more close-up shots and noise effects from her to annoy many viewers. As such, if one isn't at least 25 years old and at least remembers and appreciates what cartoons in the 1980's were like, this show may just be hammy dross for you. But if you do remember and appreciate cartoons from the 1980's, their strengths and limitations, than this show actually stands out among many of the pack for the early to mid 1980's. While there are animation errors and some simplistic animation (present in many shows of the time), there are also moments in the action where things are quite fluid. The musical score and the background scenery shots are often incredible. But what actually kept me watching one episode after the other was the writing, more so than the adventures or the action, even if they usually were entertaining.
While the characters can often fall into archetype, they play well off each other and interact well. Hank is the leader, and perhaps the dullest of the lot (as many leaders were at the time, as they had the least flaws), but reliable in his role. Diana, as the only non-white character in the squad, is very much the second in command, often the most rational, reasonable, and physically capable of the team (having been an Olympic athlete in the real world, the daughter of an astronomer and the sister of a pilot) - yet unlike Hank, is also more able to offer a witty one liner. The other characters are perhaps more interesting. Sheila is easily the most compassionate, emotional, and shy member, which makes her ability to become invisible ironic. Her little brother Bobby doesn't like being doted on by Sheila and charges head-first against any threat, big or small. You would imagine these siblings bicker all the time for comedy or drama, and you'd be wrong; beyond a few instances, they actually get along quite well, and obviously love each other; which even today, is rare in cartoon siblings. Sheila is very much the doting older sister to an energetic little brother, but Bobby is very quick to defend her against anyone. Uni, in fact, serves her role as being younger and weaker than Bobby, and thus the character Bobby protects the most. Presto is a typical nerd, blind without his glasses and not very confident, with a magical hat that is just as likely to save the day as it is to manifest something worthless. He also has to use incantations to create spells, which he seems to have to come up with on the fly (and as such, many of them are funny, or intentionally repetitive). Finally, we have Eric, who is either the character you love, or love to hate. A spoiled rich kid at home, Eric is a complainer, whiner, and often a coward who wants to go home the most. He is also the comic relief, often the victim of many pratfalls or spells for the sake of comedy, as well as the usual one who makes witty comments about the cliches of the series, such as guest characters or the Dungeon Master's riddles. Michael Reaves has admitted that Eric was created because 80's cartoons at the time were often encouraged to teach children to "go with the flow" and thus often had morals in which "the complainer is always wrong" (in other words, to always cave to peer pressure; at least unless drugs are involved). Despite this, Eric is probably the character who develops the most over the course of the series, and the fact that he is a coward and a whiner often make his feats of courage or heroism more of a treat and a surprise (especially to Eric).
While quite a few episodes of the first season were hit or miss, the show really got into gear in the second and third seasons. The characters interacted well off each other, and all of them got moments to shine and develop. While there were limits to what 80's cartoons could depict, the series rarely made light of the dangers the kids were in. It was always implied if not demonstrated that the kids could wind up killed or enslaved if they failed in their adventure of the week. It was very common to see one of Venger's many slave camps of whatever village one of his generals was commanding, or to see Venger punish someone with a fate worse than death (such as transforming them into something horrible, or burying them under the earth, forever). One episode demonstrates all of the fears of the children in vivid, even graphic detail (such as Sheila's fear of being alone, or Diana's fear of growing old and feeble). Half the cast go through some star-crossed romance that tugs at the heart-strings. For a show religious groups often lambasted for supernatural themes, it's morals often encouraged unity, courage, honor, and selflessness. Many times the kids could have had a free ride home, but their desire to not allow someone in the Realm to suffer if they left prevented it. Even Eric was once willing to abandon a chance to go home in order to protect someone, and aid his friends (much as his friends once threw away a home trip to save Eric). In perhaps the show's most intense episode, the kids even considered killing Venger to be rid of him once and for all, a moral dilemma which was incredibly rare in 80's animation.
The show also had a sense of a real Realm with rules and consequences, with things not being cut and dry. It is made obvious quite soon that the Dungeon Master could send the kids home at any time, but has some grand task for them to complete first, and knows far more than he ever implies. The six kids are not the first, or the last, people from "the real world" or others who got sent into "the Realm". The magical weapons that the kids use do not have infinite power, and are powerless in "the real world" (as well as twice as powerful in the dimension of "the Dragon's Graveyard" where the weapons originate). The Realm was full of horrible monsters and cruel dangers, but also did have plenty of majestic creatures, settings, and some kind and honorable people & creatures. Venger is in fact the son of the Dungeon Master, and serves a master that may as well be the Devil.
BCI in 2006 offered a mondo box set of the series, which includes production interviews, commentaries, and even that "final" episode played out as a radio play with new and old actors. It has been out of print since BCI went out of business two years ago, and has been released with zero extra features by Mill Creek. That script is available for free online to read, and answers many questions about the structure of the series, and it's ultimate conclusion. If animated it probably would have been among the best episodes of the series. Considering that at the time, "THE SMURFS" was believed to be the future of animation, it is amazing CBS even optioned the series.
I say give it a whirl, if you have perspective. Any other thoughts out there?
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