Listen / download here:
If you want to see a bunch of powerful comic book superheroes team up to fend off extraterrestrial threats to our home planet, there’s no better place to look thanMarvel’s AvengersDefenders of the Earth! This 1986 animated series from King Features, with development by Marvel and production from a trio of overseas studios including Toei Animation, united the bigger-than-life heroes of King Features Syndicate. Flash Gordon, Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, and Lothar joined forces to defend Earth (hence the name) from the villainous intents of Ming the Merciless. Helping to fight back for the fate of their planet were the second generation of heroes, including Rick Gordon, Jedda Walker, the adopted son Kshin and his space-alien pet Zuffy, and Lothar “L.J.” Junior.
While these characters might not be the first that come to mind when thinking about comic book superheroes, they’re definitely classics for a reason. We’re coming up on their 100th anniversary – a pretty monumental task for any character, really – so what better way to celebrate than by watchingDefenders of the Earth? Unfortunately, some of the backwards tropes – racist, misogynist, every other -ist – is part of the package here. Is it bad enough to dip, or just enough to force us into tough conversations? Tune in to find out! (And big thanks to @MrJake for the listener recommendation!)
If you’re new to our podcast audience,Saturday Mourning Cartoonsis a part of theCollider Factorypodcast network under the curatedCollider Weeklylist. If you want to support the podcast, and help us to bring original animation into the world, you may do so at ourPatreon pageand bysubscribing on YouTube. You can find all of our previous and continuing episodes onPodbean,iTunes,Stitcher,Spotify, or your favorite iOS or Android app.
And if you have any animated movie or TV related questions for us, pleasesuggest a title to review here, call us at the cartoon hotline:202-681-4406, or drop us a line atsaturdaymourningcartoons@gmail.com. You can also contact us throughTwitter,Instagram, andFacebook, or reach out directly@DrClawMDand@seanpaulellis.
In the meantime, enjoy this fantastic theme song forDefenders of the Earth:
