Kind of tough to joke about this one. Everyone’s just kind of all over the place.
Cartoon Network Presents #17
Featuring Toonami
DC Comics (January, 1999)
WRITER: Michael Kraiger PENCILER: John Delaney INKERS: Dave Cooper & Terry Austin COLORIST: Bernie Mireault LETTERER: Phil Felix ASSISTANT EDITOR: Chuck Kim EDITOR: Dana KurtinWith the exception of the inker (Terry in the first story) the credits are the same for both Moltar and Clyde-49’s bumpers, the Herculoids tale, and making their debut, the Galaxy Trio.
A strange winter hits the world of the Herculoids. Zandor is right about it being unnatural, since walrus-like aliens are responsible, and the other Herculoids must save him and Zok from them if they want to save the planet. For some reason this convinces Moltar to try and build a giant robot.
What they got right: As much as I want them to do something other than Herculoids for once, this was a good story, short and action packed.
What they got wrong: Again, Zandor understands things Tara and Dorno don’t, like snow. I want to hear his backstory! Also, why do they have winter coats if nobody knows what snow is and they live on a mostly jungle planet?
Moltar may not be able to get his robot, but before Clyde is out of range he manages to break out a tale of the Galactic Trio, a team that appeared alongside Birdman like Dino-Boy did with Space Ghost. They’re space cops who use their natural powers to help people. Vapor Man can create or turn into vapor, Meteor Man (no, not him…not that other one, either) can change his size, and Gravity Girl has gravitational powers.
The trio’s ship, Condor One, is damaged by an old enemy who WAS able to build a giant robot to get revenge. While the heroes take a beating they were soon able to win because that’s what heroes do and stuff.
What they got right: Interesting that they broke out the Galaxy Trio, and they even got the terms right. (The teleporter is a “lazon beam” that they use to “power up” to, in this case, a giant robot.) Gravity Girl isn’t some helpless girl but gets a few shots in and only stays behind in the end because someone needs to operate the teleporter and Meteor Man and Vapor Man’s powers were needed to stop the robot.
What they got wrong: No complaints. Another good short action story.
Recommendation: The “Toonami” issues of Cartoon Network Presents are great stories for kids and the nostalgic. I’m just sorry this didn’t help start a return of these characters, and instead we got more parodies like Space Ghost Coast To Coast and Harvey Birdman: Attorney At Law. I don’t have anything against those shows (although I couldn’t get through a full episode of Harvey Birdman) but I wanted the action versions back.
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