TV series

Defenders of the Earth

1986 · 1 season

A nostalgic, fast-paced cartoon adventure with clear heroes and villains, light stakes, and a sense of teamwork that feels comforting and easy to follow.

Created by: Lee Falk
Genres: Animation, Action & adventure
Starring: Lou Richards, Peter Mark Richman, Peter Renaday

Overview: Defenders of the Earth is an American animated television series produced in 1986, featuring characters from three comic strips distributed by King Features Syndicate—Flash Gordon, The Phantom, and Mandrake the Magician—opposing Ming the Merciless in the year 2015. Supporting characters include their children Rick Gordon, Jedda Walker, Kshin, Mandrake's assistant Lothar, and Lothar's son L.J. The show lasted for 65 episodes; there was also a short-lived comic book series published by Star Comics, created by Gerry Conway, Ross Andru and John Romita, Sr.. The closing credits credit Rob Walsh and Tony Pastor for the main title music, and Stan Lee for the lyrics. The series was later shown in reruns on the Sci Fi Channel as part of Sci Fi Cartoon Quest.

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Created by: Lee Falk
Genres: Animation, Action & adventure
Starring: Lou Richards, Peter Mark Richman, Peter Renaday

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How it feels

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Tone: campystrength 2 of 3
earneststrength 2 of 3
tensestrength 1 of 3
upliftingstrength 1 of 3
Pacing: brisk, 3 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention: easy-watch, 2 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes: family
found family
survival
power
betrayal
Places: space
big city
fantasy world
Era: near-future
Audience: family
Form: serialised
ensemble
animated
Content intensity: Gore none
Language none
Violence mild
Sex none

All scales, 0 to 10

Scales, 0 to 10
Scale	Value	0 to 10
Action	7
Horror	1
Humour	4
Realism	2
Romance	1
Tension	4
Darkness	3
Complexity	2
Emotional weight	3

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Where to watch in the UK

Free

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Details

Genres: animation, action & adventure
Created by: Lee Falk
Written by: Bryce Malek, Dick Robbins
Starring: Lou Richards, Peter Mark Richman, Peter Renaday, Buster Jones, Ron Feinberg, Loren Lester, Sarah Partridge, Dion Williams
Length: 1 seasons, 65 episodes, 21 min each
Network: Syndication
Languages: English

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Defenders of the Earth

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