Wild C.A.T.s explained

Alt Name:Jim Lee's Wild C.A.T.S: Covert Action Teams
Genre:Superhero
Action
Adventure
Science fiction
Creator:Jim Lee
Brandon Choi
Developer:Bob Forward
David Wise
Director:Bob Smith
Voices:Rod Wilson
Roscoe Handford
Colin O'Meara
Ruth Marshall
Dean McDermott
Paul Mota
Sean McCann
Janet-Laine Green
Maurice Dean Wint
Opentheme:"Wild C.A.T.s" by Sheree Jeacocke and Gerry Mosby
Country:United States
Canada
Language:English
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:13
List Episodes:
  1. Episodes
Executive Producer:Jim Lee
Michael Hirsh
Toper Taylor
Producer:Hasmi Giakoumis
Runtime:22 minutes
Company:WildStorm Productions
Nelvana
Channel:CBS

Wild C.A.T.S is a half-hour animated television series based on the comics series of the same name and developed for television by David Wise. It aired on CBS for one season from October 1, 1994, to January 21, 1995.[1] The series was produced by WildStorm Productions in association with Nelvana.

Overview

When the evil Daemonites emerge from the shadows, multi-billionaire Jacob Marlowe assembles the Wild C.A.T.s, a team of warriors who are descendants of the heroic Kherubim race.[2]

Production

Wild C.A.T.S, along with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Skeleton Warriors, was grouped into the "Action Zone" showcase that used a wraparound animated fly-though pre-credit sequence to bookend the three very different programs. The series was canceled around the same time that the "Action Zone" concept was officially retired (although TMNT retained the "Action Zone" credit sequence until the end of its run two years later). Following its cancellation, Wild C.A.T.s was picked up by USA Network and was aired as part of the USA Action Extreme Team block from 1995 to 1996.

The Wild C.A.T.s were composed of the original roster from the comic series. The major villain was Helspont, and the Troika and the Coda were featured as supporting characters. Mr. Majestic also made appearances, though not as a member of the group.

The series featured a rock soundtrack, with the theme song performed by Sheree Jeacocke and Gerry Mosby.

Cast

Marketing tie-ins

CBS published a one-shot comic book to promote the Action Zone time slot, featuring characters from Wild C.A.T.s, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Skeleton Warriors. The cover art was illustrated by Jim Lee.[3]

Playmates Toys released a Wild C.A.T.s toy line of six-inch action figures from 1994 to 1995. The characters featured in the toy line were Spartan, Grifter, Zealot (Kherubim Warrior and Coda Uniform versions), Warblade, Maul (standard and Flexon Combat Suit versions), Voodoo, Void, Helspont, Pike, and a generic Daemonite. Mr. Majestic, Max Cash (as Black Razor), Slag, and a color variant of Pike were released as part of the comics-oriented "Image Universe" sub-line. The Bullet Bike was the sole vehicle in the toy line. In addition, Playmates released giant 10-inch figures of Spartan, Grifter, and Maul.[4]

A video game based on the TV series was published by Playmates Interactive in 1995 for the Super NES, with Spartan, Warblade, and Maul as the only playable characters.[5] [6]

Reception

TechnicallyIDoComics of The Top Tens ranked Wild C.A.T.s at No. 5 on his list of the Top Ten Worst Comic Book Animated TV Shows, commenting that "choppy animation, sloppy voice-directing, and -- most importantly -- the most careless writing of any superhero cartoon I've ever witnessed as far as plot progression, character development, and dialogue are all concerned. Add an embarrassingly obnoxious theme song (lyrics and all), and you've got a recipe for disaster".[2]

Home media

Wild C.A.T.s was released on VHS by Sony Wonder from 1994 to 1996.[7] Funimation released the complete series on DVD on July 19, 2005.[8] [9] The series is also available on Amazon Prime Video and Tubi.[10] [11]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Erickson, Hal. Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003. 2005. 2nd. McFarland & Co. 978-1476665993. 908.
  2. Web site: Top Ten Worst Comic Book Animated TV Shows. TechnicallyIDoComics. The Top Tens. June 22, 2022.
  3. Web site: CBS Presents Action Zone. Comic Collector Live. June 24, 2022.
  4. Web site: Wildcats (Playmates). Figure Realm. June 24, 2022.
  5. Web site: Wild C.A.T.S. for Super Nintendo. GameFAQs. Red Ventures. June 24, 2022.
  6. Web site: Review: Jim Lee's Wild C.A.T.S.: Covert Action Teams (SNES). Comic Book Video Games. August 24, 2015. June 24, 2022.
  7. Web site: Wild C.A.T.s: Covert Action teams - Dark Blade Falling / Heart of Steel. VHS Collector. June 24, 2022.
  8. Web site: Jim Lee's WildC.A.T.S: Covert Action Teams DVD news: Full Announcement: Extras, Art, More!. TVShowsOnDVD.com. October 7, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150610224620/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Jim-Lees-Wild-CATS-Covert-Action-Teams/3604. June 10, 2015.
  9. Web site: Jim Lee's WildC.A.T.S: Covert Action Teams DVD news: Complete '94 Cartoon Series Heads To DVD This Summer. TVShowsOnDVD.com. October 7, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150503113924/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Jim-Lees-Wild-CATS-Covert-Action-Teams/2993. May 3, 2015.
  10. Web site: Wildcats. Amazon Prime Video. June 25, 2022.
  11. Web site: Wild C.A.T.s. Tubi. June 24, 2022.