WereBear
The WereBears were a series of teddy bears released in 1983 in the United Kingdom. They were created by George Nicholas, a muralist (http://www.impactmurals.com/), philanthropist (http://www.artfortheirsake.com/), cartoonist, animator, and author, so that boys could have teddy bears without worrying about being bullied.
History
Four bears were originally released in 1983. The bears were named Grizzler, Howler, Fang, and Gums. Each bear came with a story tape narrated by Oliver Postgate of Bagpuss fame, with one side explaining how the WereBears came to be and the other telling the individual bear's own adventure. In 1986, another line of teddies called the TerrorTeds were created. A fifth WereBear named Growler was released the same year.
Synopsis
The WereBears adventure begins near the fictional village of Munchen-Luncheon, a tiny place in a remote corner of Bavaria where time seems to have stood still. The Bears were created by kindly old toymaker Baron Egon Baconburger, who lives in Castle Casserole. But the Baron fell victim to an ancient curse on his family that changed him into a werewolf, and somehow he passed on this curse to the four teddy bears... hence they became WereBears. Now the Bears have got themselves hopelessly lost in the forest and the Baron desperately needs to find them before his secret is discovered. The Baron and the Bears may look scary, but they are still innocent and good-hearted inside. However, there are darker forces to be reckoned with... anything might happen in the forest beyond Munchen-Luncheon, because it is the enchanted domain of the horrible Witch Hazel, her hideous TerribleTeds, and other assorted nasties!
TerrorTeds
The TerrorTeds were created in 1986 as enemies for the WereBears. They were Grunt, Snapper, Chomp, and Munch. Their story tape introduction explains that Baron Egon Baconburger lost the WereBears in the woods of Muncheon-Luncheon and needed help finding them. The TerrorTeds appeared in the WereBears comic, first appearing in the second issue and are confirmed to appear in the relaunch as the TerribleTeds.[1]
Other media
A comic book was published in 1990 by Clearmark Productions/London Editions Magazines and lasted seven issues. Four artists, George Nicholas as creator, along with Nick Reynolds, Nigel Parkinson, and Julie Evans hand wrote and inked each issue before submitting to the publisher to print and distribute. The first issue was a retelling of the WereBears' origin, the second issue retold the origin of the TerrorTeds, and the third issue retold the origin of Growler. The following four issues each focused on an adventure of one of the WereBears versus one of the TerrorTeds.
Universal Studios was in talks with George Nicholas to make a film about the bears.[2] The trailer for the movie can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcDmENtNBJs