Well, we warned you. The Thundercats are back and this time, they are tearing through the comic book market faster than you can say, Thunder! Thunder! Thundercats! Ho!!! Yes, August marked the return of another 80s animated icon as the Thundercats. DC's Wildstorm comics has resurrected the cult classic for a new more mature generation of Gen X/Y fans! And believe me old timers will welcome the darker edgier look.
The comic book begins where the animated series concluded. Mumm-Ra has been defeated and the Thundercats have created a new Thundera, and begin to devise ways to find others from their home planet. However, a host of ancient spirits, want to avenge Mumm-Ra’s demise, and thus send a number of bad guys to thwart the courageous humanoid felines. They want the Thundercats eliminated and they send out a motley crew of all new bad guys like Pyron and the cats new archfoe Shadowmaster.
The Shadowmaster is called from the Shadow Realm, by the ancient evil spirits, who present him with an interesting deal. Kill the Thundercats and he will be free to roam again. But there is one problem with Shadowmaster’s mission, he has a history with Lion-O. The Shadowmaster viciously tortured his own father until Lion-O rescued him and sent him to a peaceful after life with Jaga, the elder cat who appears to Lion-O much like Obi-Wan appears to Luke. These new hallenges show how all of the Thundercats have grown in skill, including a new elder Thundercat named Lynx-O, who although blind, uses his other enhanced senses to lead his team through the shadows.
This is an awesome comic book. The action is a perfect compliment to the cartoon. From Lion-O’s familiar saying to the Thundercats springing into action. From the beginning readers are treated to an awesome plot, stirring conflicts, and a conclusion that leaves you wanting more. My only complaint is that the fight with the Shadowmaster ended quickly without much effort. However, this was necessary to re-introduce the Thundercats in the way we remember, before we get down to the real story and the surprising return of a more powerful enemy bent on pleasing those he shamed before.
The artwork was gorgeous! The cover featured all the Thundercats, and the three newly discovered warriors. Wildstorm did this series justice and I can tell that this five-part miniseries is going to be one hell of a ride. And that is only the beginning, with a much darker story planned afterwards. Now that the Thundercats have returned it is up to us to keep them from ever disappearing again.
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