Kelly Izaj Between 1964 to 1969, Hanna-Barbera Productions produced its first wave of action-adventure oriented cartoons. Of those series, two have been fully acknowledged as true classics of science fiction oriented animation. The first of the two series was the original JONNY QUEST which first aired in prime time on ABC back in 1964. The second series - in an ironic twist - made its debut around the same time that JONNY QUEST was beginning a Saturday morning run on CBS during the fall of 1967. That series was THE HERCULOIDS.THE HERCULOIDS were the collective name of the super-powered creatures that starred in the series along with their human leaders. The five Herculoids were Zok, a dragon-like creature who could fire laser beams from his eyes and tail; Igoo, a gigantic gorilla-like creature with a stone body who possessed great strength and the ability to turn anything - usually boulders and trees - into weapons; Tundro, an armored rhinoceros-like creature that could fire energy rocks from a hollow horn on his head and ten legs for locomotion; and finally Gloop and Gleep, protean blob-like creatures who stretch long distances, can dived themselves, and change into various implements. They were led by the human Zandor (voiced over by Mike Road) who along with his wife Tara (Virginia Gregg) and their son Dorno (Teddy Eccles), led the five Herculoids to fight threats against their home planet of Amzot (Quasar in the later SPACE STARS revival) from menaces that threatened their home world.Quite a few reviewers have noticed similarities between Zandor and his family to Tarzan and his family (Jane and Boy {or Korak if you prefer}). In fact, Zandor is much closer to Edgar Rice Burroughs' original conception of Tarzan than he was portrayed in much of the films up to that time (with elements of Burroughs' John Carter thrown in for good measure) as a highly intelligent jungle lord. To Zandor, his chief weapons - a slingshot (which he uses to fire energy rocks) and a disc-shaped shield (which he sometimes threw as an offensive weapon ala Captain America) was just as effective as a ray-gun. Riding on the backs of Zok or Tunndro - or his other favorite method of travel, sling-shooting himself on vines - was just as effective as flying a spacecraft. In other words, Zandor and his family weren't slaves to technology; they simply used their natural abilities, their wits, and the powers of the Herculoids not only to survive on Amzot; but to protect it as well.As far as threats to their home world went, Zandor and the Herculoids faced menaces to their home world from inside and outside. From within Amzot itself, they faced attempted conquests from such races as the Spider Men of the Endless Caves, the Mole Men, the Reptons, the Laser Lancers, and such villains as Malak and Queen Skorra among others. From other planets came threats from Volton and his Electrode Men, Darkkon and his Faceless Ones, the Mutoids, not to mention such villains as Sta-Lak, Torrak, and the Sky Pirates among others. And on two occasions, Zandor and the Herculoids were forced to travel to other worlds to fight threats to them. All this was done in 36 11 minute cartoons, two per half-hour show.Credit should also go to the character design work of Alex Toth the artist who was practically responsible for the distinctive look of Hanna-Barbera's action-adventure cartoons. His designs for the characters, machines, and scenery in THE HERCULOIDS gave the series its distinctive look.THE HERCULOIDS originally aired on CBS during Saturday mornings from September of 1967 to September of 1969. The series would be revived during the late 1970's on NBC and in syndication during the early 1980's as part of HANNA-BARBERA'S WORLD OF SUPER ADVENTURE (a series that re-broadcasted all of Hanna-Barbera's 1960's superhero series sans THE SPACE KIDETTES and YOUNG SAMSON & GOLIATH). A further 10 cartoons would be done Hanna-Barbera's SPACE STARS series back in 1980, but are not on the level of the original 1967 series. THE HERCULOIDS also aired on the Cartoon Network during the 1990's and early 2000's and occasionally appears on the Boomerang Network. The original series is currently available on MOD DVD through Warner Home Video's Warner Archives as part of the Hanna-Barbera's Golden Classics series.

rcj5365 THE HERCULOIDS-was a half-hour animated action packed cartoon show that originally was shown on Saturday Mornings and ran originally on CBS-TV from the premiere episode on September 9,1967 to the last episode of the series on September 6,1969. Only 17 episodes were produced for the series,all in full color and produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions. However,to note that the original episodes only appeared during the 1967-1968 season while it second season on the air comprised of repeated episodes from the first season.However,THE HERCULOIDS was basically a great example of pulp science-fiction mixed in with high adventure and breathtaking action sequences that kept viewers tuned into the show since it was mostly shown during Saturday Mornings. This was one of the best and probably the second greatest action packed cartoon ever made,which is one of the great Hanna-Barbera action adventure shows and it is right up there with "Jonny Quest",and "Space Ghost" as one of the best. This show had ever you could hope for and then some: monsters from other worlds, science-fiction,aliens with incredible powers,and not to mention formable villains that came within a drop of a hat. Even though some of the segments ran no more than eight minutes(and it was put within a half-hour show)every episode featured a host of new villains and alien nemesis with little or no explanation. In other words,the action kicks in gear once the characters were set to battle and some battles they had too which was impressive!!! The scenery for THE HERCULOIDS is set on the distant planet of Quasar under the rule of King Zandor(leader of the Herculoids),his wife Tara,and there son Dorno. The trio,handsome by human standards(mom and dad dressed like Amazons in the jungle while the son Dorno had a cute blond haircut)found themselves in a world they're constanting defending from invaders of other worlds and hostile predators that always required the talents of a unique quintet of animals. There was Tundro,the hybrid-looking rhino triceratops that was 10-legged and shoots energy rocks from its nose; Zok,the flying dragon that shoots laser beams emanating from both its eyes and tail;Igoo the powerful huge rock-like ape,and of course Gloop and Gleep,two shapeless ectoplasmic ghosts like creatures who mumbled a lot but were handy when it came to taking down the baddies and mostly protecting the human counterparts from great danger from some diabolical villain. Like the other animated series that came out during the mid-1960's they were about traditional looking superheroes,replete with costumes and secret identities. Here we have a family that looks like the equivalent of Tarzan,Jane and Boy(hence the humanlike characteristics of Johnny Weissmuller,Maureen O'Sullivan,and Johnny Sheffield). But instead of the African jungle,we have a jungle planet with alien animals using various powers and imaginative villains and creatures out to destroy the family's own natural habitat. The art work for this series was not only impressive but unique and exquisitely brilliant among the numerous creations that was designed and executed with sheer perfection by Alex Toth,the master and the designer of head hon co of the Hanna-Barbera action adventure shows that came out during the mid-1960's. The imaginative landscapes for this series was some of the best animated of its day and well as with some of the stories with some of the creatures were even good or loyal and sometimes evil. Not to mention the voice work for the series,especially from Hanna-Barbera stock player Mike Road(who was also the voice of Race Bannon for the Jonny Quest TV Series and other voices too),along with Virginia Gregg and Ted Eccles not to mention Don Messick(as the voices of Gloop and Gleep). When CBS-TV cancelled this show in the fall of 1969,the choice to get rid of this series was due to the violent content that appears in some of the segments not to mention the replacement for some of the "wussie cartoons" that came out during that period(for example "Scooby Doo"). As a cartoon it rocked. It hooked me in as a boy and it hooks me in today when the repeated episodes are shown on Boomerrang from Cartoon Network.

stumpmee77 Next to Jonny Quest, this was the first cartoon I could recall before or since that didn't continuously waste time telling me what the people/creatures were going to do. Don't these action-oriented cartoon makers of the present day realize that the bulk of the fun is in seeing the resolution happen not laying out the scenario? Oftentimes I was riveted surprised cheered over the victories the principles had over the bad guys. You weren't let in on this menagerie's thought processes other than their characteristic sounds which could have meant anything (Or Tundro's occasionally triumphant smile). When resurrected in the 80's they tried to make some herculoids puppy-dog cute (particularly my favorite the once aloof, brutal to the bad guys Zok which irritated me)and toned down on the violence and make Zandor's family more like us American Earthlings. But who cares it was still good versus bad and not spoiling the surprises of what these adorable creatures did.

flow_smelly The Herculoids might be the only great example of pulp sci-fi animation. Every episode featured a host of new alien nemeses with little or no explanation. Delightfully however it also featured little or none of the "master of the obvious" dialogue that plagued all the later Hanna Barbera cartoons; "Zoiks Scoob it's a sea monster..." The art has a very warm comic book feel. You won't find the nightmarish rainbow palette that many of todays toons are subjected to. The quality of each episode is consistently high given the archetypal characters, stories etc... In fact, it is precisely the simplistic pulpiness that keeps me wide awake even at ridiculous hours of the morning. The imaginative landscapes and creatures hooked me as a boy, and have yet to let go.