The cherished post-apocalyptic animated series, Thundarr the Barbarian, originally aired for a single season in 1980-81. However, thanks to enduring reruns and its exceptional artistry—featuring contributions from notable comic book luminaries—the series has undeniably become a cult classic, as evidenced by its devoted fanbase.
Now, the franchise returns with new narratives in a forthcoming comic book series published by Dynamite Entertainment, featuring acclaimed writer Jason Aaron and long-time artist Kewber Baal. Cover art will be provided by a roster of renowned artists, including Michael Cho, Rob Liefeld, Dan Panosian, Francesco Mattina, Joseph Michael Linsner, and Björn Barends. The new series is scheduled to launch in January.
A pivotal moment in Jack Kirby’s illustrious career transpired while he was working at Marvel during the late 1970s. He was offered an opportunity to contribute to the then-new Fantastic Four animated series for DePatie–Freleng Enterprises (the animation studio that Marvel would acquire in 1981). This engagement would fulfill a contractual obligation necessitating a specific output of pages. Kirby quickly embraced the animation medium, leading him to leave Marvel to pursue a career in animation while still creating some independent comic books.
Thundarr the Barbarian stands out as one of the most notable series Kirby contributed to during his time in animation. The program was conceived by comic book writer Steve Gerber for Ruby-Spears Productions, where he enlisted other prominent comic writers like Martin Pasko, Roy Thomas, and Gerry Conway. The character designs were initially crafted by Alex Toth, but Kirby took over when Toth could not continue, leveraging his extensive background in post-apocalyptic storytelling through his Kamandi series. Kirby’s design work significantly shaped the visual identity of the series, which featured the heroic Thundarr alongside his companions: the sorceress Princess Ariel and the formidable Ookla the Mok, whose name playfully references the pronunciation of UCLA.
In a statement shared by Dynamite, Jason Aaron expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This strange new world arisen from the old, a world of savagery, super-science, and sorcery, as created by so many comic book legends, imprinted on me in a profound way at an early age.” He added, “Thundarr the Barbarian isn’t simply my all-time favorite Saturday morning cartoon. It’s a fundamental component of my DNA as a writer. To say I’m thrilled to be crafting Thundarr’s first-ever comic book adventure would be a gross understatement. In a career filled with dream jobs, this one will most assuredly stand out as one of the most extraordinary. As a lifelong aficionado of this character and his richly-imagined universe, I’m committed to creating a narrative that honors the beloved cartoon while propelling Thundarr into his most epic adventure yet.”
Thundarr the Barbarian #1 is expected to hit shelves in January.
Based on reporting by CBR.com. Read the full story at CBR.com.