ThunderCats, SilverHawks, The Comic Strip, Galaxy Rangers, Gargoyles, ExoSquad, and 1980s animation history all collide in this incredible behind-the-scenes conversation with writer and character designer Dennis Woodyard.

In this episode of the Beyond Thundera Podcast, Dennis Woodyard joins Peter Lawrence and Sean “Buddha” McKeone to discuss his work on ThunderCats, SilverHawks, The Comic Strip, TigerSharks, Galaxy Rangers, Gargoyles, ExoSquad, and the rise and fall of the legendary Rankin/Bass animation studio.

Dennis shares rare stories from inside the New York animation industry during the 1970s and 1980s, including how he got hired onto ThunderCats, learning the Rankin/Bass design style, reviewing animation footage from Japan, working alongside Pacific Animation Corporation, the chaos surrounding TigerSharks and The Comic Strip, and the failed CVTV project that preceded the closure of Rankin/Bass.

The conversation also dives into the reality of animation production during the era, Japanese outsourcing, Warner Bros., cult cartoon fandoms, Galaxy Rangers, Karate Kat, SilverHawks, and why ThunderCats became “lightning in a bottle” that could never truly be replicated.

Dennis also discusses designing fan-favorite ThunderCats villains Zaxx and Jagara — both now receiving their first-ever Super7 Ultimates figures — along with writing classic episodes like “The Shadowmaster” and “The Well of Doubt.”

If you love ThunderCats, SilverHawks, retro cartoons, animation history, behind-the-scenes production stories, 80s nostalgia, cartoon documentaries, or creator interviews, this is an episode you absolutely do not want to miss.

Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more rare animation history interviews, ThunderCats discussions, and behind-the-scenes stories from the creators who helped shape a generation of cartoons.

SUBSCRIBE to Dennis on YouTube

https://youtube.com/@denniswoodyard-dragonflyent

Follow Dennis J. Woodyard - Journeyman Artist on Facebook

https://facebook.com/djwjourneymanartist

Check Out Dennis featured on “ThunderCat of the Day” on Peter Lawrence’s official website

https://www.gpeterlawrence.com/dennis-woodyard-thundercat-of-the-day/

Be sure to check out the EXCLUSIVE interview with Dennis in the pages of Hall of Omens: Thunder-Verse

https://thundercatstoyguide.com