I always loathed the Thundercats.

I am surprised more of you haven't heard of Silverhawks, since Marvel did a Silverhawks comic book in the 1980's. I'd have expected more people to have at least seen that in quarter bins or something.





Thundercats, as much as I dislike it, has an important connection to comic book history, as the head writer on the series was classic comic book and comic strip creator Leonard Starr, who created Dr. Thirteen among other characters:

Wow, I never knew Marvel did a Silverhawks comic too. I don't recall ever seeing it on the racks when I was a kid.

I think one cool aspect of the original Thundercats was, due to the circumstances of their crash, Lion-O had an adult physique but still basically had the mindset of a child, lacking proper experience, maturity nor wisdom (which of course is where the others' influence and teaching come into play).

The new remake cartoon changed the whole dynamic between the Thundercats, the Mutants, and Mumm-ra. Making Lion-O and Tygra brothers added more conflict into the group (especially where romantic interest in Cheetara was concerned), Panthro was a former general, WilyKit & WilyKat street urchin theives and Snarf a loyal friend and pet (who, sadly never talked other than saying 'Snarf!')

Then you have the history of the kingdom of Thundera, it's relations with the rest of the animal kingdoms and cities of Third Earth and the Eye of Thundera's new link to the immortal conquest plans of Mumm-ra (which the Thundercats themselves had a new role in).  They were taking the characters and concepts into brand new places that was fun and entertaining. I think the poor reception/sales of the new toy line may have helped speed along it's eventual cancellation though.

#47 Alpha Flight - Marvel Comics





LEFT TO RIGHT

Top Row: Sasquatch

Middle Row: Northstar, Snowbird, Shaman, Vindicator (Guardian), Marrina, and Aurora

Bottom Row: Puck


Members Profiles

Sasquatch - Super Strength, Mystical, Intelligent, and one of the most impressive Alpha Flight Member - From British Columbia

Northstar - Super Speed and Light Generation - From Montreal

Snowbird - A demi-goddess that can transform into animals from the North - From Yellowknife

Shaman - A mystic being capable of sorcery and medicine man - From First Nations

Vindicator (Guardian) - Flight and capable to manipulate Earth's Magnetic Fields - From Ontario

Marrina - Amphibious and an extraterrestrial involving the Plodex - From Newfoundland

Aurora - Similar to her Brother Northstar - with added powers of Molecular Acceleration - From Montreal

Puck - Enhanced Strength and a Gifted Acrobat - From Saskatoon


Both Marrina and Puck originally from Beta Flight and they were promoted to Alpha Flight at some time during Alpha Flight existence. To be honest with you - I don't know anything about Beta Flight and how these two characters got promoted to Alpha Flight because I did not read every single issue of Alpha Flight at all.


Special Notes





Regarding Vindicator/Guardian - The Team (Sometimes) Leader

I always hated the name of Guardian and prefer to call him Vindicator because it's more attune to his ability to use Earth's Magnetic Fields so effortlessly that the name Vindicator is more appropriate than Guardian.


Miscellaneous Notes

I followed this group for the first four years in existence starting in 1983 to 1987 and briefly in 1993-1994 when they cancelled it - This book has 130 issues and I had the first 50 issues of Alpha Flight and still have them and the last 12 issues as well that gives you a grand total of 62 out 130 issues altogether.

I will try to share some things in the next few days and to shed some light to all of you why this group was influential in part of own nature.

So Alpha Flight at #47.

My Favorite Panel of Alpha Flight Teammates
working together as Team


My memory isn't all that good - but I remember an adventure of which Sasquatch was called upon by the Canadian Government to battle the Hulk and I just can't recall what book it was but it was a memorable adventure of two of the Marvel Comics most strongest members collide in one great outdoor adventure!

This panel clearly shows Sasquatch rendering aid to an Canadian Destroyer by the name of Dief that he and Vindicator was on hand to render aid.

I just loved this panel below:





This is one great example of how they work together and this truly stamped my love for this team.

I agree that the group pictured has power off the charts, but, we hardly ever see all those members together because of that reason.

We tended to see more Nighthawk, Gargoyle, Hellcat, Moon Knight, Howard the Duck and others.

Because of Alpha Flight being a small but cohesive group - I'm going to focus on three of my favorite members in the next few days and they are:


1) Sasquatch

2) Vindicator (Guardian)

3) Snowbird


and do a short touch up on Northstar and Aurora later on.


Sasquatch tomorrow ...

And of course a few years later, "By the Honor of Grayskull !!!"