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{{Short description|American 1980–1981 animated series}}
{{Redirect|Ookla the Mok|the band|Ookla the Mok (band)}}
{{Redirect|Ookla the Mok|the band|Ookla the Mok (band)}}
{{refimprove|date=February 2008}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
|show_name = Thundarr the Barbarian
| image = Thundarr the Barbarian promotional image.jpg
|image = [[File:Thundarr the Barbarian promotional image.jpg|frameless|upright=1.1]]
| caption = 1980 ''Thundarr the Barbarian'' promotional image <br />Foreground from left to right Thundarr, Ariel, and Ookla
| genre = {{Plainlist|
|caption = 1980 Thundarr the Barbarian promotional image<br/> Foreground from left to right Thundarr, Ariel, and Ookla
* [[Post-apocalyptic]]
|show_name_2 =
* [[Science fantasy]]
|genre = [[Post-apocalyptic]], [[science fantasy]], [[action (fiction)|action-adventure]]
* [[Action (fiction)|Action-adventure]]
|creator = [[Steve Gerber]]<br>[[Joe Ruby]]<br>[[Ken Spears]]
}}
|writer = Buzz Dixon<br>Martin Pasko<br>[[Mark Evanier]]<br>Ted Petersen<br>Steve Gerber <br>Christopher Vane
| creator = {{Plainlist|
|director = [[Charles August Nichols|Charles A. Nichols]]<br>John Kimball<br>[[Rudy Larriva]]
* [[Steve Gerber]]
|creative_director =
* [[Joe Ruby]]
|developer =
* [[Ken Spears]]
|presenter =
}}
|starring =
| writer = {{Plainlist|
|voices = [[Robert Ridgely]]<br>[[Nellie Bellflower]]<br>[[Henry Corden]]
* [[Buzz Dixon]]
|narrated = [[Dick Tufeld]]
* [[Martin Pasko]]
|theme_music_composer =
* [[Mark Evanier]]
|opentheme =
* Ted Pedersen
|endtheme =
* Steve Gerber
|composer =
* [[Christopher Vane (screenwriter)|Christopher Vane]]
|country =
* [[Roy Thomas]]
|language =
* [[Jacob Kurtzberg]]
|num_seasons = 2
}}
|num_episodes = 21
| director = {{Plainlist|
|list_episodes =
* [[Charles August Nichols|Charles A. Nichols]]
|company = [[Ruby-Spears Productions]]
* John Kimball
|distributor = [[Filmways]] (''Season 1'')
* [[Rudy Larriva]]
|executive_producer = [[Joe Ruby]]<br>[[Ken Spears]]
}}
|co_exec =
| creative_director =
|producer = [[Jerry Eisenberg]]
| developer = Steve Gerber
|supervising_producer =
|asst_producer =
| presenter =
|co-producer =
| starring =
|editor =
| voices = {{Plainlist|
* [[Robert Ridgely]]
|story_editor =
* [[Nellie Bellflower]]
|location =
* [[Henry Corden]]
|cinematography =
}}
|camera =
|runtime =
| narrated = [[Dick Tufeld]]
| theme_music_composer =
|network = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] (1980–1982)<br>[[NBC]] (1983)
|picture_format =
| opentheme =
|audio_format =
| endtheme =
|first_run =
| composer = [[Dean Elliott]]
|first_aired = {{Start date|1980|10|4}}
| country = United States
|last_aired = {{End date|1982|9|18}}
| language =
|preceded_by =
| num_seasons = 2
|followed_by =
| num_episodes = 21
|related =
| list_episodes =
|website =
| company = [[Ruby-Spears Productions]]
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
|production_website =
* Joe Ruby <!-- Linked in earlier in Infobox. -->
* Ken Spears <!-- Linked in earlier in Infobox. -->
}}
| producer = [[Jerry Eisenberg]]
| editor =
| location =
| cinematography =
| camera =
| runtime =
| network = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|1980|10|4}}
| last_aired = {{End date|1981|10|31}}
| related =
}}
}}


'''''Thundarr the Barbarian''''' is a [[Saturday morning cartoon|Saturday morning]] [[animated television series]], created by [[Steve Gerber]] and produced by [[Ruby-Spears Productions]]. The series ran 2 seasons, 1980–1981 and 1981–1982. Action figures of the three main characters were released by Toynami in 2004.
'''''Thundarr the Barbarian''''' is an American [[Saturday-morning cartoon|Saturday morning]] [[animated series]], created by [[Steve Gerber]] (of [[Howard the Duck]] fame) and produced by [[Ruby-Spears Productions]].<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 [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] from October 4, 1980, to October 31, 1981, and was rerun on [[NBC]] 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>

==Production==
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]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thundarr.com/media/interview.html |title=Thundarr The Barbarian – Joe Ruby & Ken Spears Interview |publisher=Thundarr.com |date= |accessdate=2012-08-01}}</ref> from October 1980 to September 1982, when the show went off the air. The show ran on the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC network]]. Reruns of the program appeared on [[NBC]]'s Saturday morning lineup in 1983.


==Plot==
==Plot==
''Thundarr the Barbarian'' is set in a future (3994 AD) [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction|post-apocalyptic]] wasteland divided into kingdoms or territories the majority of which are ruled by [[Magician (fantasy)|wizards]] and whose [[ruins]] typically feature recognizable geographical features from the [[United States]], starting in [[New York City]] and working itself to [[Los Angeles]], [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[Mount Rushmore]], [[San Francisco]] and [[Washington, D.C.]].
''Thundarr the Barbarian'' is set in a future (c. 3994) [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction|post-apocalyptic]] wasteland of Earth divided into kingdoms and territories, the majority of which are ruled by [[Magician (fantasy)|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).
Other episodes with recognizable settings are located in [[Central America]], while one is in [[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 balance. Earth is reborn in a world of "savagery, super-science, and sorcery".


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.<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 hero Thundarr (voiced by [[Robert Ridgely]]), a muscular warrior, was meant to be strongly akin to the comic book characters [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor the God of Thunder]] and [[Conan The Barbarian]]. In this setting, Thundarr and his companions Princess Ariel, a formidable young sorceress, and the [[Wookiee]]-like Ookla the Mok traveled the world on horseback, battling evil wizards who combine magical spells with technologies from the pre-catastrophe world.


Enemies include The Brotherhood of Night (a group of [[werewolf|werewolves]] who could transform others into werewolves by their touch), the [[cosmos|cosmic]] Stalker from The Stars (a predatory, malevolent cosmic [[vampire]]), humanoid [[lizard]]s, and [[Mutant (fictional)|mutant]]s. Intelligent humanoid-animal races include the [[rat]]-like Groundlings, the [[crocodile]]-like Carocs, and the [[cat]]-like Moks.
Other enemies include The Brotherhood of Night (a group of [[werewolf|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.


Further ''[[Star Wars]]'' influences can be seen in Thundarr's weapon of choice, the Sunsword, which 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.<ref>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>
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.<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>


==Characters==
Comic book writer-artist [[Jack Kirby]] 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 ''[[Kamandi|Kamandi: The Last Boy On Earth]]''), the main characters were in fact designed by fellow comic book writer-artist [[Alex Toth]], who also designed the popular character [[Space Ghost]] for Saturday morning television. 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 comic writer [[Steve Gerber]] and comics and animation veteran [[Mark Evanier]], who realized that the same imagination that produced ''Kamandi'' could contribute significantly to the series. Indeed, the evil wizard ''Gemini'', the only repeating villain on the show, resembles [[Darkseid]], an infamous Kirby villain.
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!",<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.
The series was the creation of Steve Gerber, creator of Marvel Comics' [[Howard the Duck]]. Gerber had also created the similarly named '[[Wundarr the Aquarian]]' for Marvel Comics. The name ''Ookla'' actually comes from [[University of California, Los Angeles]] (commonly known as UCLA). Gerber and friend [[Martin Pasko]] 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 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?"<ref>{{cite book|last = Eury|first = Michael|authorlink = Michael Eury|title = The Krypton Companion |publisher = [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|year = 2006|page = 158| url = http://books.google.com/books?id=Fcm4JrX-F54C&pg=PA158&dq=Superman+Thundaar+Oo-clah&hl=en&sa=X&ei=PPWcT5LVPISC8QTT4oSUDw&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Superman%20Thundaar%20Oo-clah&f=false| isbn = 1-893905-61-6 |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.}}</ref> 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 (filmmaker)|Mark Jones]].<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=http://books.google.com/books?id=AKlgjBCPPnsC&lpg=PA1&pg=PA419#v=onepage&q=thundarr&f=false}}</ref>
* Ookla the Mok (voiced by [[Henry Corden]]) is a member of the Mok species, a [[Lion|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 [[naval warfare|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 [[magician (fantasy)|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.<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 [[Magic (paranormal)|sorcery]] 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===
==Opening narration==
The series' voice director was Alan Dinehart.
<blockquote>The year: 1994. 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! Two thousand years later, Earth is reborn. 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 Ookla the Mok and Princess Ariel, he pits his strength, his courage, and his fabulous Sunsword against the forces of evil. He is Thundarr, the Barbarian!</blockquote>


* Henry Corden as Caroc Leader, Gemini, Vortak, Skullus, Captain Willows (in "Island of the Body Snatchers"), Mutant Deputy #2 (in "Trial by Terror")
==Characters==
* Nellie Bellflower as Dr. Craft, Manhat Dweller, Mina
* '''Thundarr''' (voiced by [[Robert Ridgely]]) – The main protagonist of the series. He is a [[barbarian]] that 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 frequently uttering such pronouncements as "Demon dogs!",<ref>[http://www.thundarr.com/sounds/demondogs.mp3 "Demon dogs" sounds clip]. thundarr.com</ref> "Lords of Light!",<ref>[http://www.thundarr.com/sounds/lol2.mp3 "Lords of Light" sound clip]. thundarr.com</ref> and the Thundarr war-cry "Aaaaahh-ee!".<ref>[http://www.thundarr.com/sounds/battlecry.mp3 "Aaaaahh-ee" battle cry sound clip]. thundarr.com</ref> Thundarr, along with his friend Ookla, are largely unknowledgeable about the world and rely on Ariel's guidance, but Thundarr is respectful of knowledge gained. When once asked what kind of man he was, Thundarr simply replied "Free!"
* [[Michael Ansara]] as Vashtarr
* Marlene Aragon as Maya
* Liz Aubrey as Valerie Storm
* [[Michael Bell (actor)|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 (actor)|Hal Smith]] as Simius
* [[Joan Van Ark]] as Cinda, Queen Diona, Captain Corden
* [[Janet Waldo]] as Circe
* [[William Woodson]] as Crom


==Production==
* '''Ookla the Mok''' (voiced by [[Henry Corden]]) – Ookla is a member of the Mok species, a [[Lion|leonine]] [[humanoid]] with fangs and yellow eyes. In ''Thundarr the Barbarian''{{'}}s [[back-story]], 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, usually fighting by ripping up a nearby sapling or piece of wreckage to club his enemies. On a few occasions he is shown to use 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 or to be enraged by unusual nuisances or threats. Moks dwell in their own territory, ruled by a king; they fear and hate water, preferring to face overwhelming odds in battle rather than wade through a stream to escape. Both Thundarr and Ariel generally understand the howls that make up Ookla's speech, but Thundarr seems to know more about Mok culture than Ariel, perhaps because he and Ookla met and worked together as slaves before either met Ariel. Whereas Thundarr and Ariel ride horses for transport, Ookla's steed is another quadrupedal species called an equort.
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?"<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=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]] |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 [[Roy Thomas]] and [[Gerry Conway]], 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 [[Buzz Dixon]] and [[Mark Jones (filmmaker)|Mark Jones]].<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 [[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]].<ref>{{cite book |title= Tales to Astonish: Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, and the American Comic Book Revolution |last= Ro |first= Ronin |publisher= [[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |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 [[Ruby-Spears Productions]], an animation house formed by former [[Hanna-Barbera]] head writers [[Joe Ruby]] and [[Ken Spears]],<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 [[American Broadcasting Company|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]]''.<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 [[NBC]]'s Saturday morning lineup in 1983.
* '''Princess Ariel''' (voiced by [[Nellie Bellflower]]) – Ariel is a beautiful and powerful [[magician (fantasy)|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.<ref name="Episode 1.01">Episode 1.01, "Secret of the Black Pearl"</ref> In the episode "Battle of The Barbarians", Thundarr was once a slave of the evil wizard Sabian before being freed by Princess Ariel. It is also thought that she gave Thundarr his principal weapon, the Sunsword. It was never revealed exactly where she was a princess. Her most common feats of [[Magic (paranormal)|sorcery]] involved creating light constructs, ranging from throwing exploding spheres to levitating weights to summoning nets, shields, or bridges over chasms.<ref name="Episode 1.01" /> She could also produce powerful energy blasts, blinding light and magically reanimate machines. At times she shows romantic feelings towards Thundarr; although he never outwardly returns them, it is clear that he does care for her.


==Episodes==
==Episodes==


===Season 1 (1980–1981)===
===Season 1 (1980)===
All episodes of season 1 were directed by Rudy Larriva and produced by Jerry Eisenberg.<ref name="U.S.C.O." />
{| class="wikitable" style="width:97%;"
|-
!! style="background:#add8e6;"|Episode
!! style="background:#add8e6;"|Title
!! style="background:#add8e6;"|Air date
!! style="background:#add8e6;"|Location
!! style="background:#add8e6;"|Synopsis
|-
|1
|'''Secret of the Black Pearl'''
|October 4, 1980
|[[New York City]] ([[Manhattan]] Island)
|Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla escort a man who is carrying a magical black pearl that can protect anyone 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
|'''Harvest of Doom'''
|October 11, 1980
|[[Chichen Itza]], [[Yucatán Peninsula]], [[Mexico]]
|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 basis that he capture the train and give it to her. Tye would reappear in "Last Train to Doomsday".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thundarr.com/episodes.html#harvet |title=Thundarr The Barbarian – Episode Guide |publisher=Thundarr.com |date= |accessdate=2012-08-01}}</ref>
|-
|3
|'''Mindok the Mind Menace'''
|October 18, 1980
|[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|Cape Canaveral]], [[Florida]]
|The evil wizard Mindok lost his body in the Great Cataclysm 2000 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 to house his brain.
|-
|4
|'''Raiders of the Abyss'''
|October 25, 1980
|According to Ariel, the U.S. [[Badlands]] and the buried ruins of an unnamed city; however the ruins appear to be of the Empire State and World Trade Center (Twin Towers) buildings in New York City.
|The evil wizard Morag and his raiders attack a cruise ship village to kidnap its inhabitants and steal their life essence.
|-
|5
|'''Treasure of the Moks'''
|November 1, 1980
|[[Norfolk, Virginia]]
|Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla come to the aid of the Mok Chieftain Oblach. The trouble is that Captain Kordon: Queen of the River Pirates is after the Mok's hidden treasure and she intends to use the "fire lances of the ancients" to get it. Thundarr learns that these "fire lances" are actually torpedoes and rallies the Moks to defend a US Navy base against being captured by the River Pirates.
|-
|6
| '''Attack of the Amazon Women'''
|November 8, 1980
|[[Mount Rushmore]], [[South Dakota]]
|Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla come to the aid of a race of amphibious [[Amazons]] whose queen has been usurped by Stryia, a witch who plans to conquer the land and seas with her shark legion army.
|-
|7
|'''The Brotherhood of Night'''
|November 15, 1980
|[[Washington, D.C.]]
|Zevon is the leader of the Brotherhood of Night, a tribe of [[Werewolf|werewolves]] that can add anyone to their ranks by touching them. Outside of a plot to assimilate Thundarr into his pack, Zevon is also targeting the evil wizard Infernus hoping to make the pack invincible.
|-
|8
|'''Challenge of the Wizards'''
|November 22, 1980
|[[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]]
|Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla are caught up in a battle between the wizards Showlow and his underling contestants Basim, Chom, Mazem, and Skorpos who seek to claim the Helmet of Power. Thundarr ends up having to side with the wizard Sholow when he threatens a group of villagers.
|-
|9
|'''Valley of the Man Apes'''
|November 29, 1980
|[[San Fernando Valley]], [[California]]
|Simius and his fellow Man [[Ape]]s assemble salvaged parts of a movie studio's giant robotic [[gorilla]] in a plot to terrorize the local villagers.
|-
|10
|'''Stalker from the Stars'''
|December 6, 1980
|[[Alaska]]
|A spaceship containing an alien vampire lands on Earth. The alien captures Princess Ariel and some villagers in a ruined amusement park as a source of food.
|-
|11
|'''Portal Into Time'''
|December 13, 1980
|[[San Antonio]], [[Texas]]
|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, Thundaar, 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 preapocalypic world.
|-
|12
|'''Battle of the Barbarians'''
|December 20, 1980
|[[San Francisco]], California
|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
|'''Den of the Sleeping Demon'''
|December 27, 1980
|[[Grand Canyon]], [[Arizona]]
|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.
|}


{{Episode table
=== Season 2 (1981–1982) ===
|caption = List of ''Thundarr the Barbarian'' season 1 episodes
{| class="wikitable" style="width:97%;"
|background = #F7D358
|-
|overall = 10
!! style="background:#add8e6;"|Episode
|season = 10
!! style="background:#add8e6;"|Title
|title = 30
!! style="background:#add8e6;"|Air date
|aux1 = 20
!! style="background:#add8e6;"|Location
<!-- |director =
!! style="background:#add8e6;"|Synopsis
|writer = -->
|-
|airdate = 20
|1
|airdateR =
|'''Wizard Wars'''
|prodcode = 10
| September 12, 1981
|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 [search: "Thundarr the Barbarian"] |publisher=United States Copyright Office |access-date=2017-03-28}}</ref>
|[[St. Louis, Missouri]]
<!-- |viewers = -->
|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 wizard Octagon.
|country = US
|-
|aux1T = Location
|2
|episodes =
'''Fortress of Fear'''
{{Episode list
| September 19, 1981
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|[[La Brea Tar Pits]], [[Los Angeles]]
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|When coming to the aid of an escaped slave, Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla are captured by [[robot]]s working for the multi-eyed wizard Lord Argoth who wants Ariel as his bride.
|Title = Secret of the Black Pearl
|-
|Aux1 = [[New York City]] ([[Manhattan]])
|3
<!-- |DirectedBy = Rudy Larriva [parameter unneeded for season 1, as all episodes were directed by Larriva]
|'''Island of the Body Snatchers'''
|WrittenBy = -->
| September 26, 1981
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|10|4}}
|[[London]], [[England]], UK
|ProdCode = 27-01
|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.
<!-- |Viewers = -->
|-
|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 [[Manhattan]].
|4
|LineColor = F7D358
|'''City of Evil'''
}}
| October 3, 1981
{{Episode list
|[[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]]
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|After being defeated by Thundarr, the evil wizard Sarott stumbles into 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.
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|-
|Title = Harvest of Doom
|5
|Aux1 = [[Chichen Itza]], [[Yucatán Peninsula]], Mexico
|'''Last Train to Doomsday'''
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|10|11}}
| October 10, 1981
|ProdCode = 27-02
|[[Central America]]
|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 [[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".<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>
|Thundarr, Ookla, and Ariel are in pursuit of Janus after he and a race of [[Hawk]] Men attack some villagers 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.
|LineColor = F7D358
|-
}}
|6
{{Episode list
|'''Master of the Stolen Sunsword'''
|EpisodeNumber = 3
| October 17, 1981
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|[[Beverly Hills]] and neighboring [[Hollywood]], California
|Title = Mindok the Mind Menace
|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.
|Aux1 = [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|Cape Canaveral]], Florida
|-
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|10|18}}
|7
|ProdCode = 27-04
|'''Trial by Terror'''
|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.
| October 24, 1981
|LineColor = F7D358
|[[Atlanta, Georgia]]
}}
|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.
{{Episode list
|-
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|8
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|'''Prophecy of Peril'''
|Title = Raiders of the Abyss
| October 31, 1981
|Aux1 = [[New York City]]<ref group="Note">Ariel refers to the U.S. [[Badlands]], but the ruins of [[New York City]]'s [[Empire State Building]] and [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]] (Twin Towers) appear later in the background.</ref>
|Unknown
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|10|25}}
|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.
|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 = [[Norfolk, Virginia]]
|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 [[torpedo]]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 = [[Mount Rushmore]], 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 [[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.
|LineColor = F7D358
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = The Brotherhood of Night
|Aux1 = [[Washington, D.C.]]
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|11|15}}
|ProdCode = 27-06
|ShortSummary = Zevon is the leader of the Brotherhood of Night, a tribe of [[Werewolf|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.
|LineColor = F7D358
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 8
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = Challenge of the Wizards
|Aux1 = [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], 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 = [[San Fernando Valley]], California
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|11|29}}
|ProdCode = 27-09
|ShortSummary = Simius and his fellow Man [[Ape]]s assemble salvaged parts of a movie studio's giant robotic [[gorilla]] in a plot to terrorize the local villagers.
|LineColor = F7D358
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 10
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = Stalker from the Stars
|Aux1 = [[Denver]], 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 [[Rockies]] as a source of its food.
|LineColor = F7D358
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 11
|EpisodeNumber2 = 11
|Title = Portal Into Time
|Aux1 = [[San Antonio]], Texas
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1980|12|13}}
|ProdCode = 27-12
|ShortSummary = 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.
|LineColor = F7D358
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 12
|EpisodeNumber2 = 12
|Title = Battle of the Barbarians
|Aux1 = [[San Francisco]], 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 = [[Grand Canyon]], 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 [[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.
|LineColor = F7D358
}}
}}


===Season 2 (1981)===
==Cast==
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." />
* [[Robert Ridgely]] – Thundarr the Barbarian
* [[Nellie Bellflower]] – Princess Ariel
* [[Henry Corden]] – Ookla the Mok, Caroc Leader, Gemini, Vortak, Skullus, Captain Willows (in "Island of the Body Snatchers"), Mutant Deputy #2 (in "Trial by Terror")
* [[Dick Tufeld]] – Narrator


{{Episode table
===Additional voices===
|caption = List of ''Thundarr the Barbarian'' season 2 episodes
* [[Michael Ansara]] – Vashtarr
|background = #C68575
* [[Marlene Aragon]] – Maya
|overall = 10
* [[Liz Aubrey]] –
|season = 10
* [[Michael Bell (actor)|Michael Bell]] – Yondo
|title = 30
* [[Alan Dinehart III|Alan Dinehart]] –
|aux1 = 20
* [[Al Fann]] –
<!-- |director =
* [[Joe Higgins]] – Korb
|writer = -->
* [[Stacy Keach, Sr.|Stacy Keach Sr.]] –
|airdate = 20
* [[Keye Luke]] – Zevon, Kublai
|airdateR =
* [[Chuck McCann]] – Artemus, Mutant Deputy #1 (in "Trial of Terror")
|prodcode = 10
* [[Nancy McKeon]] – Tye
|prodcodeR = <ref name="U.S.C.O." />
* [[Julie McWhirter]] – Stryia, Cinda
<!-- |viewers = -->
* [[Shepard Menken]] –
|country = US
* [[Alan Oppenheimer]] –Mindok, Morag
|aux1T = Location
* [[Avery Schreiber]] – Octagon
|episodes =
* [[Hal Smith (actor)|Hal Smith]] – Simius
{{Episode list
* [[Joan Van Ark]] – Valerie Storm
|EpisodeNumber = 14
* [[Janet Waldo]] – Sersi
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
* [[William Woodson]] – Crom
|Title = Wizard Wars
|Aux1 = [[St. Louis]], Missouri
<!-- |DirectedBy = Rudy Larriva & John Kimball [parameter unneeded for season 2, as all episodes were directed by Larriva & Kimball]
|WrittenBy = -->
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1981|9|12}}
|ProdCode = R20-001
<!-- |Viewers = -->
|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
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 15
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Fortress of Fear
|Aux1 = [[La Brea Tar Pits]], [[Los Angeles]], 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 [[robot]]s working for the multi-eyed wizard Lord Argoth who wants Ariel as his bride.
|LineColor = C68575
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 16
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Island of the Body Snatchers
|Aux1 = [[London]], 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 = [[Boston]], 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 [[mummy (monster)|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".
|LineColor = C68575
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 19
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Master of the Stolen Sunsword
|Aux1 = [[Beverly Hills]] and [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], 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.
|LineColor = C68575
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 20
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = Trial by Terror
|Aux1 = [[Atlanta]], 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.
|LineColor = C68575
}}
{{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
}}
}}


==Home media releases==
==Crew==
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.<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 [[online]] [[download]] through [[Amazon (company)|Amazon.com]].
* [[Alan Dinehart III|Alan Dinehart]] – Voice Director


On September 28, 2010, [[Warner Archive Collection|Warner Archive]] 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 [[Hanna–Barbera Classics Collection]]. 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). "[https://www.stusshow.com/archives.php?y=2013 Interview with Joe Ruby and Ken Spears]". ''Stu's Show.'' Retrieved 2013-03-18.</ref> as ''Thundarr'' and the other 1978–1991 Ruby-Spears programs were sold to [[Turner Broadcasting System|Turner Broadcasting]] in 1991 alongside [[Hanna-Barbera]] by [[Taft Broadcasting|Great American Broadcasting]].{{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=[[Nerdist Industries]]|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 [[Filmways]] logo was still removed for the first season (due to being copyrighted by Hanna-Barbera).
==Notable appearances in other media==
* A [[Cartoon Network]] [[Commercial bumper|promotional bumper]] features Thundarr, [[Fred Flintstone]], and Chicken (of ''[[Cow and Chicken]]'' fame) supposedly [[commuting]] to "work" at Cartoon Network, and trying to find a parking spot in Fred's foot-powered car. Another features Thundarr and company with their voices dubbed over by toddlers speaking gibberish. Still another, from the ''Screwey, Ain't It?'' series, features Ookla the Mok repeatedly bashing a giant squid.


==Influence==
* Thundarr appears in the ''[[Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law]]'' episode "The Dabba Don" voiced by [[Doug Preis]]. He was shown with brown hair and as a goon even though he was not a Hanna-Barbera character like the others.
In a November 2017 interview with ''[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]]'', [[Morbid Angel]] guitarist Trey Azagthoth stated that the band's new album, ''[[Kingdoms Disdained]]'', is based on ''Thundarr the Barbarian'', {{blockquote|"Thundarr the Barbarian [inspired the new album's title]...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 [[filk]] band from [[Buffalo, New York]] called [[Ookla the Mok (band)|Ookla the Mok]].<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 &#124; 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 "[[List of Elementary episodes#Season 3 (2014–15)|One Watson, One Holmes]]" of the CBS television series ''[[Elementary (TV series)|Elementary]]''.<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>
* In the episode "Good Duck Hunting" of ''[[Duck Dodgers (TV series)|Duck Dodgers]]'', Duck Dodgers proudly displays a ''Thundarr the Barbarian'' poster featuring Thundarr, Ookla and Ariel in his ship.


==Merchandise==
* A [[filk]] band is named [[Ookla the Mok (band)|Ookla the Mok]], and a Hawaiian roots reggae band named [[Ooklah The Moc]].


===Toys===
* A parody of the series titled ''Crognard the Barbarian'' is featured in the ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012 TV series)|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'' episode "Within the Woods". Besides Crognard (voiced by [[Brian Bloom]]) being a parody of Thundarr, Wizardess (voiced by [[Mae Whitman]]) is a parody of Princess Ariel, Graah (vocal effects provided by [[Nolan North]]) is a beastly parody of Ookla the Mok, and also includes a small floating fish-like creature named Spooch (voiced by [[Scott Menville]]).
Action figures of the three main characters were released by [[Toynami]] 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 [[board game]] was released by [[Milton Bradley Company]] 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>


==DVD releases==
===Comics and books===
A [[Sunday strip]] illustrated by [[Jack Kirby]] 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=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|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 [[coloring book]] was published by [[Golden Books]].<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, [[Whitman Comics]] had a Thundarr comic book project with scripts by John David Warner and art by [[Win Mortimer|Winslow Mortimer]].<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>
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dvd.ign.com/articles/108/1087320p1.html |title=Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1980s, Vol. 1 – DVD Review |author=Joe Corey |date=2010-05-07 |accessdate= }}</ref>


In July 2024, it was announced [[Dynamite Entertainment]] 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=[[Forbes]] }}</ref>
On September 28, 2010, [[Warner Archive Collection|Warner Archive]] released ''Thundarr the Barbarian: The Complete Series'' on 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.<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=21 September 2010|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com|first=David|last=Lambert|accessdate=21 September 2012}}</ref> The DVD packaging mistakenly implies the series was made by [[Hanna-Barbera]] rather than [[Ruby-Spears]], even though that was not the case.


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Blackstar (TV series)]]
* ''[[Blackstar (TV series)|Blackstar]]''

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group="Note"}}


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb title|id=0181262|title=Thundarr the Barbarian}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0181262|title=Thundarr the Barbarian}}
* {{tv.com show|thundarr-the-barbarian|Thundarr the Barbarian}}
* [http://www.toonopedia.com/thundarr.htm Toonopedia entry]
* [http://www.toonopedia.com/thundarr.htm Toonopedia entry]
* [http://www.thundarr.com/ Thundarr.com] (Detailed Fan site run by [[Kenn Hoekstra]])
* [http://www.thundarr.com/media/interview.html Thundarr.com – Interview With Joe Ruby & Ken Spears]
* [http://www.rpglibrary.org/settings/thundarr/ Under the Broken Moon] (A fansite with a pen and paper RPG set in the Thundarr the Barbarian world. Includes stats for Thundarr, Ariel, and Ookla.)


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{{Steve Gerber|state=collapsed}}
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{{Children's programming on NBC in the 1980s|state=collapsed}}
{{Children's programming on NBC in the 1980s|state=collapsed}}


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[[Category:Television shows about magic]]
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Latest revision as of 01:47, 7 December 2024

Thundarr the Barbarian
1980 Thundarr the Barbarian promotional image
Foreground from left to right Thundarr, Ariel, and Ookla
Genre
Created by
Developed bySteve Gerber
Written by
Directed by
Voices of
Narrated byDick Tufeld
ComposerDean Elliott
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes21
Production
Executive producers
  • Joe Ruby
  • Ken Spears
ProducerJerry Eisenberg
Production companyRuby-Spears Productions
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseOctober 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.[1] The series ran for two seasons on ABC from October 4, 1980, to October 31, 1981, and was rerun on NBC in 1983.[2]

Plot

[edit]

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.[3] 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.[Note 1]

Characters

[edit]

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!",[4] "Lords of Light!",[5] "Ariel, Ookla, Ride!", and his war-cry "Aaaaa-HEE!".[6] 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.[7] 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.[7] 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

[edit]

The series' voice director was Alan Dinehart.

Production

[edit]

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?"[8] 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.[citation needed] 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.[9]

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.[10]

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,[11] 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.[12][13] Reruns of Thundarr appeared on NBC's Saturday morning lineup in 1983.

Episodes

[edit]

Season 1 (1980)

[edit]

All episodes of season 1 were directed by Rudy Larriva and produced by Jerry Eisenberg.[14]

List of Thundarr the Barbarian season 1 episodes
No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleLocationOriginal air dateProd.
code [14]
11"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.
22"Harvest of Doom"Chichen Itza, Yucatán Peninsula, MexicoOctober 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".[15]
33"Mindok the Mind Menace"Cape Canaveral, FloridaOctober 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.
44"Raiders of the Abyss"New York City[Note 2]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.
55"Treasure of the Moks"Norfolk, VirginiaNovember 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.
66"Attack of the Amazon Women"Mount Rushmore, South DakotaNovember 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.
77"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.
88"Challenge of the Wizards"Las Vegas, NevadaNovember 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.
99"Valley of the Man-Apes"San Fernando Valley, CaliforniaNovember 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.
1010"Stalker from the Stars"Denver, ColoradoDecember 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.
1111"Portal Into Time"San Antonio, TexasDecember 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.
1212"Battle of the Barbarians"San Francisco, CaliforniaDecember 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.
1313"Den of the Sleeping Demon"Grand Canyon, ArizonaDecember 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)

[edit]

All episodes of season 2 were directed by Rudy Larriva and John Kimball, with animation supervision by Milt Gray & Bill Reed.[14]

List of Thundarr the Barbarian season 2 episodes
No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleLocationOriginal air dateProd.
code [14]
141"Wizard Wars"St. Louis, MissouriSeptember 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.
152"Fortress of Fear"La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles, CaliforniaSeptember 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.
163"Island of the Body Snatchers"London, EnglandSeptember 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.
174"City of Evil"Boston, MassachusettsOctober 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.
185"Last Train to Doomsday"Grand Canyon, ArogondaOctober 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".
196"Master of the Stolen Sunsword"Beverly Hills and Hollywood, CaliforniaOctober 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.
207"Trial by Terror"Atlanta, GeorgiaOctober 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.
218"Prophecy of Peril"Texases Peit, TexicanaOctober 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

[edit]

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.[16] 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[17] 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.[18] The DVD set is branded as part of the Hanna-Barbera Classics Collection[19] as Thundarr and the other 1978–1991 Ruby-Spears programs were sold to Turner Broadcasting in 1991 alongside Hanna-Barbera by Great American Broadcasting.[citation needed] On April 6, 2021, Warner Archive also released Thundarr the Barbarian: The Complete Series on Blu-ray.[20] 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

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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 [inspired the new album's title]...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!!!"[21]

There is also a filk band from Buffalo, New York called Ookla the Mok.[22] 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.[23] 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.[24]

Merchandise

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Toys

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Action figures of the three main characters were released by Toynami in 2003.[12] A board game was released by Milton Bradley Company in 1982.[25]

Comics and books

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A Sunday strip illustrated by Jack Kirby was planned, but the project was canceled.[26][27] In 1982, a coloring book was published by Golden Books.[28] According to Mark Evanier, Whitman Comics had a Thundarr comic book project with scripts by John David Warner and art by Winslow Mortimer.[29]

In July 2024, it was announced Dynamite Entertainment picked up the license to do a Thundarr comic.[30]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Hyatt, Wesley (1997). The Encyclopedia of Daytime Television. Watson-Guptill Publications. p. 431. ISBN 978-0823083152. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  3. ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 845–846. ISBN 978-1476665993.
  4. ^ ""Demon dogs" sounds clip". Thundarr.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011.
  5. ^ ""Lords of Light" sound clip". Thundarr.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2006.
  6. ^ ""Aaaaahh-ee" battle cry sound clip". Thundarr.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2006.
  7. ^ a b Episode 1.01, "Secret of the Black Pearl"
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Terrace, Vincent (1985). Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials: 1974–1984. New York: New York Zoetrope. p. 419. ISBN 0-918432-61-8.
  10. ^ Ro, Ronin (2005). Tales to Astonish: Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, and the American Comic Book Revolution. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 209–210. ISBN 9781582345666.
  11. ^ "Thundarr The Barbarian – Joe Ruby & Ken Spears Interview". Thundarr.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2002. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  12. ^ a b Mark Evanier (March 5, 2003). "Live by the Sword". News from Me. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  13. ^ Mark Evanier (September 15, 2018). "Barbaric Corrections". newsfromme.com. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  14. ^ a b c d "Public Catalog - Copyright Catalog (1978 to present) - Basic Search [search: "Thundarr the Barbarian"]". United States Copyright Office. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  15. ^ "Thundarr The Barbarian – Episode Guide". Thundarr.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  16. ^ Corey, Joe (May 7, 2010). "Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1980s, Vol. 1 – DVD Review".
  17. ^ "Thundarr the Barbarian - The Complete Series". TV Shows on DVD. September 28, 2010. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ Shostak, Stu (January 16, 2013). "Interview with Joe Ruby and Ken Spears". Stu's Show. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
  20. ^ Anderson, Kyle (May 3, 2021). "The '80s Cartoon Glory of THUNDARR THE BARBARIAN". Nerdist Industries. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  21. ^ "Thundarr the Barbarian (1980–1981)". imdb.com. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  22. ^ "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.
  23. ^ "Elementary Recap - Hacker Conspiracy Theories: Season 3 Episode 18 "One Watson, One Holmes"". April 9, 2015.
  24. ^ Parkin, JK (June 26, 2019). "'Fairlady' pays tribute to a classic 80s cartoon". Smash Pages. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  25. ^ "Thundarr the Barbarian". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  26. ^ Morrow, John A. (2008). Kirby Five-Oh!: Celebrating 50 Years of the "King" of Comics. TwoMorrows Publishing. ISBN 978-1-893905-89-4.
  27. ^ Morrow, John (June 5, 2018). Jack Kirby Collector #74. TwoMorrows Publishing.
  28. ^ "Thundarr The Barbarian - Merchandise". Thundarr.com. February 14, 2007. Archived from the original on February 14, 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  29. ^ "Thundarr on TV and Almost in Comics". Newsfromme.com. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  30. ^ "'DuckTales' and 'Thundarr' Join Dynamite Lineup as 'The Boys' Publisher Celebrates 20 Years". Forbes.
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