Sky Commanders

Sky Commanders is an animated television series made by Hanna-Barbera with the co-production of Toei Animation. It premiered in July 1987 as part of The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera and lasted for thirteen episodes.[1] It was based on the action figure line from Kenner Toys.[2]

Sky Commanders
Title screen
GenreAdventure
Action
Drama
Developed byJeff Segal
Directed byRay Patterson
ComposerHoyt Curtin
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes13
Production
Executive producersWilliam Hanna
Joseph Barbera
ProducerKay Wright
EditorGil Iverson
Running time22 minutes approx.
Production companiesHanna-Barbera Productions
Toei Animation
DistributorWorldvision Enterprises
Release
Original networkSyndication
Original releaseJuly 5 (1987-07-05) –
September 27, 1987 (1987-09-27)

Plot

The storyline of Sky Commanders comprises the daily adventures of a multi-national group of soldiers and mountaineering specialists from all over the world who battle the evil General Lucas Plague and his goon squad of villainous mercenaries and miscreants, "The Raiders", whose aim is to seize control of the planet. The series is set on a new continent deep in the South Pacific which was created by the emergence to the surface world of a new and powerful, unstable radioactive element called Phaeta Seven.

This lethal energy source can only be stabilized for containment by exposure to temperatures of 200 degrees below zero. It is known that whoever can control the element and harness its enormous power would be the ruler of the world; a goal that the amoral General Plague wants strongly. It is up to General Mike Summit and his highly trained soldiers to stop him.

Complicating the Sky Commanders' objective of stopping the criminal ambitions of the Raiders is the fact the new continent (collectively referred to in the series as "The High Frontier") is routinely beset by sporadic, unstable and highly dangerous weather conditions and environmental hazards such as landslides, earthquakes, cave-ins, whirlpools, etc. There is also the need for monthly shipments of fresh supplies, new advanced technology and weapon systems. Constant attack by the scheming and underhanded Raiders and the aforementioned environmental dangers make the Sky Commanders's mission only that much more dangerous.

Travel throughout the new continent is only possible by means of high-altitude flight, or by using Laser Cables: a specialized version of a rappelling cord emitted from combat backpacks worn by both Raider and Sky Commander. When used, the cables shoot out from the combat backpacks in the form of energy beams. When contact is made with a solid object, the Laser Cable solidifies into a solid metal cable line upon which travel is possible.

Phaeta Seven, the radioactive element that both sides fight to control, came from the deepest subterranean recesses of Earth itself, and it has brought with it, on its rise to the surface of Earth, not only the new continent itself but also a wild and voracious, bizarre menagerie of utterly horrific creatures to inhabit it. These lifeforms are either the products of long-term mutative exposure to Phaeta Seven's radiation or were just naturally brought about the way that they are. Occasional violent encounters with these monstrosities is yet another danger waiting for both sides of this battle for the future freedom or enslavement of the world.

List of episodes
# Title Written by Original air date
1"Assault on Raider Stronghold"David SchwartzJuly 5, 1987 (1987-07-05)
2"Back in the Fold"Tony Zalewski and Kelly WardJuly 12, 1987 (1987-07-12)
R. J. is brainwashed by Slade to take out his comrades.
3"Fresh Recruit"Don Glut and Kelly WardJuly 19, 1987 (1987-07-19)
4"Marooned"Don Glut and Kelly WardJuly 26, 1987 (1987-07-26)
Books and Kodiak look for ways through a very windy part of the continent.
5"Divide and Conquer"Mark CassuttAugust 2, 1987 (1987-08-02)
6"One on One"Tony Marino and Kelly WardAugust 9, 1987 (1987-08-09)
7"Rescuers Need Rescuing"John BatesAugust 16, 1987 (1987-08-16)
8"Terminal Temblor"Jack HudockAugust 23, 1987 (1987-08-23)
9"S.O.S."Andrew YatesAugust 30, 1987 (1987-08-30)
The Raiders find a ship that ran aground years ago but is still populated. They trick the populace into allying with them.
10"Turncoat"David SchwartzSeptember 6, 1987 (1987-09-06)
11"Deep Freeze"Mark CassuttSeptember 13, 1987 (1987-09-13)
12"Firestorm"Tony Zalewski and Eric LewaldSeptember 20, 1987 (1987-09-20)
The battle of the two teams results in a powerful rock sinking into ground which may cause the planet to explode. Thus the Raiders are compelled to ally with the Sky Commanders.
13"The Agony of Defeat"Jack Hudock and Kelly WardSeptember 27, 1987 (1987-09-27)

Characters

Sky Commanders

Raiders

Home media

On August 28, 2012, Warner Archive released Sky Commanders: The Complete Series on DVD in region 1 as part of their Hanna-Barbera Classics Collection. This is a Manufacture-on-Demand (MOD) release, available exclusively through Warner's online store and Amazon.com.[3]

See also

References
  1. Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. p. 750. ISBN 978-1476665993.
  2. Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 557. ISBN 978-1538103739.
  3. "Sky Commanders - 'The Complete Animated Series' Now Available: Box Art, Cost, More". Archived from the original on 2012-10-01.
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