Integration

[GK Punk]

It was quite the amazing Wondercon for this Thundercat fan. We showed up about a half hour early, Being escorted by Captain America (No, really.) to the Esplanade ball room. (He was there the night before in the Costume Contest.) We walk in and realize the previous panel was still going on, despite being ten minutes before the Thundercats panel was scheduled to begin, which worked great because it allowed us to survey the room to figure out how to best take pictures and videos of the trailer. (Which ended up being a moot point, apparently haha.)

Finally, the main event. We creep closer to the biggest screen and PA system and get ourselves ready. With in just a few minutes, we were welcomed by an Exec from WB animation (Whose name I sadly did not catch) who thanked us for coming an introduced us to the panelists.

We began by viewing the trailer (Which you have all seen by now.) after which our host asked Larry Kenney to give the fans what they want... Which he obliged. Larry gives us a full hearted “THUNDER, THUNDER, THUNDER, THUNDERCATS... HOOOO!!!” And got a huge crowd pop. He followed up by telling us he's retiring that character, and we can now only hear that from Will Friedle. Larry was absolutely amazing the entire panel, just for the record. Great personality.

Next they tell about how long this reboot has been in the works. Briefly mentioned the rock band version, the movie, Wildstorm comics etc. They talk about how a lot of the things we see that are familiar to us are done so as an homage to the original series, and out of respect for the foundation layed by the original series. Such as Cat's Lair, the Thundertank etc. Anything changed was done out of trying to update it for a new generation.

The Thundercats have apparently separated themselves from the rest of Third Earth in their own society. It sounds like There are other cats out there exploring Third Earth for reasons not said. They show us a section of still shots, and the crowd seems really pleased with the new take on the characters. (I of course, cheered loudly for my beloved Wilytwins, while the rest of the audience gave an “Awwwwwwwwww”)

The host asks about Snarf, who recieves quite the mixed reaction. The audience was split right in the middle about this character. They confirmed that Snarf can not talk. He only can make animal like sounds and say “Snarf!” The question as to whom will be doing the voice for Snarf is asked, and we are told that Snarf is actually being voiced by a Seiyuu in Japan but no one in specific was named. (It was also mentioned that Snarf's lines have yet to be recorded, but will be this week in Japan.)

We next discussed the music of the new series. It was described as more epic and grand in scale, closer to a movie. There will of course be certain music cues familiar to the series, but a majority of the soundtrack is brand new scores.

The first season will be 26 episodes, and they are aiming for at least 52 in total. The story was described like a movie epic. There will be things that appear in the first episode that won't be significant until much later in the series, giving it a movie feel. (They really stressed the movie like feel of the story telling. It was compared to a 52 episode movie.)

When it comes to redesigning vehicles, they really sweated themselves over the creation of the new Thundertank. They were very worried about it not living up to it's legacy. It's one of the most iconic cartoon vehicles of the 80s and they wanted to honor that. Larry mentions that the new thundertank has a DVD player and a GPS. Back in the 80s they didn't have video in it at all! (Larry seriously was a very awesome guy with lots of great wisecracks.)
They heavily put over Bandai's upcoming toyline talking about how great they are. Larry tells us that Cheetara is the original thundercat's ho. (That joke got a mixed reaction, butI almost died when he said it.)

They then opened the floor to fan Q and A. (I quickly took a spot in line, prepared to ask all the tough questions and impress them with my knoweledge on the series. I even had a back up, nothing was going to stop me from showing how bad ass I am about Thundercats to this Panel. I was going to look so AWESOME IN THEIR EYES!... How'd it turn out? Read on, fair forum goer!)

In this section we learned:

That the mythology and basic story was all based on the original series, changed where necessary to simplify the history. Such important moments as Thunder being destroyed still happens, as it's a necessary piece of the thundercats mythology. (This personally shocked me.)

The next question was about Lion O starting the series as a teenager. Through out the corse of the story, Lion O will age and grow in to a true warrior. Larry chimes in with stories about Lion O as a child, and even says a few lines as Young Lion O From Exodus. HUGE CROWD POP.

The next question is about how it seems that a lot of Sci Fi was cut from the show. We're assured that not all of the Sci Fi elements are gone, and the series is described as half fantasy, half sci fi. There will apparently be out space scenes still in the series.

More questions about Snarf, mentioning what I said above, also comparing him to an R2D2 type character. Lion O Can fully understand Snarf's sounds.

Question about classic vehicles appearing, as well as characters like the Berbils. hey wait just a damn minute. That's what I was going to ask! MY MOMENT HAS BEEN RUINED. It's cool, I have a back up.

Captain America asks about other Rankin Bass characters. It's teased that Silver Hawks could be rebooted or appear in this series.

Next question is about classic characters such as Mandora, the Berbils and...Anyway, they confirm all the classic mutants will be involved and characters like Mandora are teased as possibilities. We're told we have to wait and see. Wait... that was my other question. My life is falling apart before me... I'll think of something incredibly awesome and STILL WOW THEM.

Next we talk about character designs, and Cheetara's breasts. No, seriously. Larry had a lot to say on that subject. Color's that were changed was done to make them have more indivuality. A lot of the original character's basic designs are still present, just updated.

Clancy Brown and Robin Atkins are announced as the voices of Grune, and Mumm-Ra respectively.

Finally, my chance to shine. I ask the ground breaking question in my nerdiest moment in history “So, I noticed the Thunderkittens have tails... why is that?” Yeah... that was the best I could come up with. However, the answer was great and quite in depth (Video later) I was told that they were looking to design different cat species with different qualities. Some will have tails for example. Another thing I was also told that the executive producer wants them to act as cat like as possible when the opportunity presents it's self. Things such as hissing will be present in these Thundercats from time to time. Also noted that they no longer look like men wearing cat like face paint, but rather a race of cat people. (Which has been my biggest issue with the series since I was a child. I should also point out that may have been actually in response to a different question, but you'll have to forgive me. It's currently 1 AM as I type this, and I'm rather sleep deprived after a long day.) I was about to ask about the Twins race, and If they are adult cats fully grown just small, or actual children when I heard “One more question after this one” and I didn't want to steal someone else's time.

The final question was asked by a guy wearing a “WINNING!” T-Shirt and an afro. Called himself “Afro Sheen” really hilarious guy. I talked to him for a bit while waiting for our turns to ask questions.

Great question by him. He asks about the Anointment Trials of Lion O and if they would appear in this series, he also asks if the second season Cats will make appearance. “Yes, Yes and Yes.” was the answer. We were basically told that the series even begins with Lion O's trials, and we'll see him face off against the other Thundercats in these trials. (Flash backs to the trailer anyone?)

That was the final question of the panel, they thanked us for coming and left the stage. All in all a great Panel, easily worth the trip to San Francisco alone.