Dino-Riders

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Dino-Riders
Dino Riders Logo.PNG
Product logo
Genre Action/adventure
science fiction
Created by Gerry Conway
Carla Conway
Directed by Ray Lee
Steven Hahn
Starring Charles Adler
Jack Angel
Cam Clarke
Townsend Coleman
Joe Colligan
Peter Cullen
Ike Eisenmann
Dan Gilvezan
Noelle North
Rob Paulsen
Patrick Pinney
Frank Welker
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 14
Production
Running time approximately 23 min
(per episode)
Production company(s) Marvel Productions
Tyco Toys
—Animation by—
Hanho Heung-Up Co., Ltd.
(South Korean Animation Studio)
AKOM Productions Ltd.
(South Korean Animation Studio)
Distributor Saban Brands
Mattel Playground Productions
Release
Original network First-run syndication
Original release October 1 –
December 31, 1988[1]
External links
[{{#property:P856}} Website]

Dino-Riders is a cartoon television series that first aired in 1988.[1] Dino-Riders was primarily a promotion to launch a new Tyco toy line.[2] Only fourteen episodes were produced, three of which were produced on VHS for the United States.[2] It aired in the U.S. as part of the Marvel Action Universe.[2]

The series focuses on the battle between the good Valorians and evil Rulons on prehistoric Earth.[2] The Valorians were a super human race, while the Rulons were a mixture of humanoid creatures — both of which came from the future, however ended up transported back in time to the age of Dinosaurs. Once on Earth, the Valorians befriended dinosaurs while the Rulons brain-washed them.[2]

Overview

The Valorians were a peaceful race that had lived in Cellardyke until the evil Rulons came and attacked them.[2] The Valorians tried to escape from the Rulon assault and attempted to use their "Space Time Energy Projector" (S.T.E.P.) to do so, however something went wrong and they ended up being sent back through time 65 million years to the age of the dinosaurs.[2] Unknown to them, the Rulons in the spaceship Dreadlock were also sent back through time when the S.T.E.P. was activated.[2]

The Valorians, led by Questar, after making planet-fall use their AMP necklaces to telepathically communicate with the dinosaurs they come across and befriend them.[2] The Rulons, led by their leader Emperor Krulos, on the other hand used brainwashing devices known as brain-boxes to control dinosaurs for their own ends.[2] The Rulons then launched an attack on the Valorians, who call upon their dinosaur friends to assist them in fighting back. After successfully defeating the Rulons, the Valorians declare themselves to be the Dino-Riders.[2]

In regard to the dinosaur (and other animal) species present, the series is extremely anachronistic, showing late Cretaceous species like Tyrannosaurus rex alongside species from earlier eras, including the Permian genus Dimetrodon, which lived 200 million years earlier, before dinosaurs existed.

Characters

Valorians

  • Questar (voiced by Dan Gilvezan) – Leader of the Valorians who is strong-willed and courageous.[3]
  • Mind-Zei (voiced by Peter Cullen) – Blind warrior with a sixth-sense for detecting people around him. He offers advice to Questar and is also Serena's grandfather.[3]
  • Yungstar – Young and eager for action, is prone to letting pride get in his way. He rides a Deinonychus.[3]
  • Serena (voiced by Noelle North) – Able to heal other beings and can sense when someone is in trouble. She is also the granddaughter of Mind-Zei.[3]
  • Llahd – The youngest of the Dino-Riders.[3]
  • Gunnur (voiced by Peter Cullen) – A hardened war veteran and high-ranking official who often helps train other Dino-Riders.[3]
  • Tagg – A mid-level official who also helps instructs in the training of the Dino-Riders. He rides a Pachycephalosaurus.[3]
  • Ikon – A statistician as well as a pragmatist. Ikon is one of Questar's top advisors. He possesses a staff that allows him to answer Questar's questions almost instantly.[3]
  • Vector – Vector is one of Questar's top advisors. He is a general contractor who has a computerized wrist strap that allows him to assess projects that need carried out such as camp expansion and infrastructure repair.[3]
  • Aero (voiced by Cam Clarke) – The competitive rival of Yungstar. He flies a Quetzalcoatlus and can maneuver it better than anyone.[3]
  • Ayce – He usually teaches training and equipment familiarization classes.[3]
  • Aries – Aries is a young warrior who is frequently unsure of himself and is always seeking guidance from the other Valorians. He mainly mans the artillery of the Diplodocus.[3]
  • Neutrino – He assists in various training courses. Although much of Neutrino's time is spent training others, Neutrino is more than capable on the battlefield.[3]

Commandos

The Commandos are a special forces military unit within the Dino-Riders.[3]

  • Astra – A hardened war veteran and leader of the Commandos. Formerly a teacher at the Valorian University and once counted Questar as a student.[3]
  • Bomba (voiced by Peter Cullen) – An explosives expert who is utilized to make clearings or remove obstacles.[3]
  • Kameelian (voiced by Rob Paulsen) – Specializes in surveillance and reconnaissance. Kameelian is a master of disguise.[3]
  • Glyde (voiced by Frank Welker) – Aerial reconnaissance and artillery cover. Uses a glider to navigate through the air.[3]
  • Rok – Expert in crossing rocky terrain such as mountains.[3]

Cro-Magnons

The Valorians have also made allies with a tribe of Cro-Magnons. Among the known Cro-Magnons are:

  • Zar – Leader of a clan of Cro-Magnons. He leads his clan against the evil Neanderthals of Grom and refuses to succumb to his powers like the other tribes before him.[3]
  • Kub – A young but courageous Cro-Magnon. He helps the Valorians in their fight with the Rulons.[3]
  • Maya – Maya is a compassionate Cro-Magnon who is the Cro-Magnon equivalent of Serena as she is the healer of the tribe.[3]

Rulons

The Rulons are a race of aliens that are the enemies of the Valorians and the main antagonists of the series.

  • Emperor Krulos (voiced by Frank Welker) – The evil leader of the Rulons who rules them with fear. Krulos is a frog-like humanoid creature in an armored suit who seeks world domination. He mostly uses a Tyrannosaurus when going into battle.[3]
  • Rasp (voiced by Frank Welker) – Rasp is a cobra-like creature who is the leader of the Viper group and Krulos's second-in-command. Rasp tries to usurp Krulos's place while keeping Hammerhead and Antor from trying to take his status.[3]
  • Hammerhead (voiced by Charlie Adler) – Hammerhead is a hammerhead shark-like creature who is the leader of the Sharkurrs and one of Krulos's top generals. Hammerhead usually vies with Rasp and Antor for second-in-command status.[3]
  • Antor (voiced by Peter Cullen) – Antor is an ant-like creature who is the leader of the Antmen and one of Krulos's generals. Antor usually vies with Hammerhead and Rasp for second-in-command status.[3]
  • Krok – A crocodile-like humanoid creature and one of Krulos's generals. He is entirely obedient to Krulos and focuses on serving his master rather than getting involved in the petty-squabbling his fellow generals get into.[3]
  • Skate – Skate is a manta ray-like creature who is a low-ranking official of the Rulons.[3]
  • Lokus (voiced by Charlie Adler) – Lokus is a locust-like creature who is a low-ranking official of the Rulons.[3]

Neanderthals

Zar's tribe of Cro-Magnons have been at war with a rogue tribe of Neanderthals. Among the known Neanderthals are:

  • Grom – Grom is the leader of a deadly clan of Neanderthals who seeks to control or annihilate all neighboring tribes. He has ruled his tribe for years and has struck fear into the hearts of many rival Neanderthal tribes.[3]

Episodes

The Dino-Riders cartoon consisted of a single season of 14 episodes.[4] Below is a list of each episode along with the date they first aired.[1]

Episode # Title Aired Synopsis
1 The Adventure Begins 01/10/1988
2 Revenge of the Rulons 08/10/1988
3 The Rulon Stampede 15/10/1988
4 The Blue Skies of Earth 22/10/1988
5 Toro, Toro, Torosaurus 29/10/1988
6 T-Rex 05/11/1988
7 Krulos 12/11/1988
8 Tagg, You're It! 19/11/1988
9 Thanksgiving 26/11/1988
10 To Lose the Path 03/12/1988
11 Enter the Commandos 10/12/1988
12 Battle for the Brontosaurus (1) 17/12/1988
13 One to Lead Us (2) 24/12/1988
14 Ice Age Adventure 31/12/1988

Cast

Contrary to popular belief, Chris Latta did not work on the series—let alone voice the character of Rasp.[5]

Crew

Toys

In total there were four series of Dino-Riders toys: Series 1 (1988), Series 2 (1989), Series 3 and Ice Age (1990).[6][7] In contrast to the rest, the Ice Age line focused on Ice-Age mammals rather than dinosaurs.[7]

The larger toys in the range also had a motorized walking action with the dinosaurs head swaying from side to side.[8] Each Rulon faction toy came with a different self-automated trap.[8]

The dinosaurs were acclaimed for their highly detailed bodies and color and impressed the Smithsonian Institution who contacted Tyco to reproduce the dinosaurs for their "Dinosaur and other Prehistoric Reptile Collection".[9] In contrast to the Dino-Riders versions, all mechanisms such as motorized walking action and wheels were removed.[9] Dinosaur illustrator William Stout was credited for dinosaur design on the show's credits.

Series 1 (1988)

The release of the first series of Dino-Riders toys was timed to coincide with the animated cartoon series on television.[8] It initially consisted of 5 Valorian and 6 Rulon toys along with eight 2-figure packs.[8] A sixth Valorian toy, Torosaurus, would be released at the end of the series.[10] The Diplodocus,[11] Torosaurus,[10] Tyrannosaurus Rex,[12] and Triceratops[13] all had motorized walking mechanisms.

Dino-Riders Series 1 toys:[6][8]

Valorians Rulons
Diplodocus, with Questar, Mid-Zei and Aries Tyrannosaurus Rex, with Krulos, Bitor & Cobrus
Torosaurus, with Gunnur and Magnus Triceratops, with Hammerhead and Sidewinder
Deinonychus, with Sky Deinonychus, with Antor
Styracosaurus, with Turret Monoclonius, with Mako
Quetzalcoatlus, with Yungstar Pteranodon, with Rasp
Unidentified Pterodactyloid pterosaur, with Llahd Ankylosaurus, with Sting

Series 2 (1989)

The second series of Dino-Rider toys consisted of eight new Valorian toys and only three new Rulons.[14] Along with this was eight more 2-figure packs as well as six "Commandos". The Commandos consisted of a human figure with unique weapons and accessories.[14]

The most notable toy from the range was the Brontosaurus, which was the biggest toy in the entire range, measuring 34 inches long and 15 inches tall.[15] It is claimed that Tyco in an effort to keep costs for the figure down had to abandon several features that were originally intended to be part of the figure.[16] These included motorized walking action, four figures instead of three, and an entirely different weapons system.[16]

The Stegosaurus toy had motorized walking action,[17] while the Pachycephalosaurus and Saurolophus both had a mechanism that allowed their bodies to thrust from a horizontal position with their tail in the air into a vertical position with their tail on the ground.[18][19]

Dino-Riders Series 2 toys:[6][14][20]

Valorians Rulons
Brontosaurus, with Serena, Ayce & Ion, also included three Rhamphorhynchus pterosaurs Kentrosaurus, with Krok
Stegosaurus, with Tark and Vega Saurolophus, with Lokus
Edmontonia, with Axis Placerias, with Skate
Dimetrodon, with Shado
Pachycephalosaurus, with Tagg
Struthiomimus, with Nimbus
Protoceratops, with Kanon

Commandos

  • Astra, commander
  • Bomba, munitions expert
  • Kameelian, infiltrator
  • Glyde, paratrooper
  • Faze, artillery expert
  • Rok, mountain warfare expert

Series 3 (1990)

Series 3 of the Dino-Riders toyline was split into two assortments: three new dinosaurs for the regular series and four prehistoric mammals for the new Ice Age concept.[21] The dinosaur sets are among the rarest of the entire range due to a limited production run.[22]

The Quetzalcoatlus had originally been released as a Valorian in Series 1 of the Dino-Riders toyline, however was re-released as a Rulon with a new yellow and spotted black paint scheme.[23][24] The Pachyrhinosaurus in the line had motorized walking action.[22]

Dino-Riders Series 3 toys:[6][21]

Valorians Rulons
Pachyrhinosaurus, with Atlas Quetzalcoatlus, with Algar
Chasmosaurus, with Llava

Ice Age

The Ice Age subline of Series 3 was unique in that all of the animals produced belonged to the Valorian faction, and with the rest of the Series 3 line are very hard to find.[25] The largest figure in the range was the Wooly Mammoth, which also had motorized walking action.[26]

Dino-Riders Ice Age toys:[6][25]

Valorians
Woolly Mammoth, with Grom
Giant Ground Sloth, with Ulk
Killer Warthog, with Zar
Sabre Tooth Tiger, with Kub

Action figure 2-packs

  • Onk and Buzz
  • Tor and Goor
  • Urg and Rayy
  • Agga and Gill
  • Ecco and Squish
  • Wizz and Gutz

Comics

Apart from the miniature comics that came with a purchase of one of the Dinosaur toys, Marvel released a three part mini series of Dino-Rider comics. The comics had different story lines to the cartoon and were considered to be much darker than the cartoon as well, sometimes focusing on conflicts between the Valorians. For instance, one storyline involves Questar being accused of murdering his jealous, scheming brother, Tark.

A 'Dino-Riders Annual' was later released as a hardcover book that contained both the first and second issues in the one collection. The Marvel comic books were released in 1989, the first issue, The Path being released in February, being 23 pages long.

Film adaptation

Tracking Board reports that Mattel has teamed with Solipsist Film to develop a live action Dino-Riders movie with Alissa Phillips and Stephen L’Heureux producing.[27]

Other media

  • In addition to the toys and comics, there were a number of other products released during the Dino-Riders run on television. These were primarily children-orientated products, such as colouring books, puzzles and crayons. Tyco also released a number of Super Dough play sets. In addition to these products, Dino-Riders clothing, kites, stickers and costumes were produced.
  • It is claimed that the character Rex in Disney/Pixar's franchise Toy Story is based on the Tyrannosaurus Rex from the Dino-Riders line, with both toys having very apparent similarities.[29]
  • In the Robot Chicken cartoon episode "G.I. Jogurt," the Dino-Riders have a rock song.

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 TV.com – Dino-Riders Season 1 Episode Guide
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 Dino-Riders.com – Cartoon Synopsis
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 3.30 3.31 Dino-Riders.com Cartoon Characters
  4. Dino-Riders Cartoons
  5. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094449/trivia?tr=tr0613409
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Dino-Riders World – Toys
  7. 7.0 7.1 Toy Archive – Dino-Riders
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Toy Archive – Dino-Riders Series 1
  9. 9.0 9.1 Toy Archive – Smithsonian
  10. 10.0 10.1 Dino-Riders World – Toys: Torosaurus
  11. Dino-Riders World – Toys: Diplodocus
  12. Dino-Riders World – Toys: Tyrannosaurus Rex
  13. Dino-Riders World – Toys: Triceratrops
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 Toy Archive – Dino Riders Series 2
  15. Toy Archive – Brontosaurus
  16. 16.0 16.1 Dino-Riders World – Toys: Brontosaurus
  17. Dino-Riders World – Toys: Stegosaurus
  18. Dino-Riders World – Toys: Pachycephalosaurus
  19. Dino-Riders World – Toys: Saurolophus
  20. Toy Archive – Commandos
  21. 21.0 21.1 Toy Archive – Dino Riders Series 3
  22. 22.0 22.1 Dino-Riders World – Toys: Pachyrhinosaurus
  23. Toy Archive – Toys: Quetzalcoatlus
  24. Dino-Riders World – Toys: Quetzalcoatlus
  25. 25.0 25.1 Toy Archive – Dino-Riders Ice Age
  26. Dino-Riders World – Toys: Wooly Mammoth
  27. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. Gurney Journey: Bix Maquettes
  29. 29.0 29.1 Dino-Riders World – Miscellaneous

External links