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Street Sharks
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| Street Sharks | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Also known as | Dino Vengers Featuring Street Sharks (season 3) |
| Genre | |
| Created by |
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| Developed by |
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| Directed by |
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| Starring |
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| Theme music composer |
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| Composers | Reed Robbins Geoff Levin Bruce Gianiese |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 40 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producer |
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| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | Syndication (Amazin' Adventures) (seasons 1–2) ABC (season 3) |
| Release | March 26, 1995 – November 29, 1997 |
| Related | |
| Extreme Dinosaurs | |
Street Sharks is an American animated television series about the adventures of crime-fighting half-man/half-sharks.[2] The series was produced by DIC Productions, L.P. and Bohbot Entertainment and was initially syndicated as part of the latter's Amazin' Adventures programming block.[3] The show promoted a line of action figures by Mattel.[4] The creators were David Siegel and Joe Galliani of Mr. Joe's Really Big Productions.
The series features theme music by Michael Benghiat and Lois Blaisch. Additional songs were written by Megan Cavallari and David Goldsmith.
Plot
[edit]A university professor named Dr. Robert Bolton and his partner Dr. Luther Paradigm create a machine known as the "gene-slammer" which is capable of changing aquatic animals into anthropomorphic hybrids by combining their DNA. In his attempt to prevent Paradigm from using this machine for personal power, Bolton is transformed into an unseen monstrosity, but escapes. Later, Paradigm gives Bolton's four sons John, Bobby, Coop, and Clint the likeness of four different sharks. When Dr. Paradigm captures their friend Bends, the resulting "Street Sharks" rescue him and the resulting battle causes Paradigm to be combined with piranha DNA (for which he is often nicknamed "Dr. Piranoid" by other characters). While the Street Sharks are known to enjoy eating hot dogs, hamburgers, and milkshakes, they have shown a disdain for pizza when they shoot down that suggestion to Bends and Lena Mack.
In subsequent episodes, Dr. Paradigm creates a variety of mutant animals to destroy the Street Sharks while attempting to persuade the inhabitants of their native metropolis of Fission City to imprison them. Of these mutant animals, a few sided with the Sharks themselves: namely Rox, Moby Lick, Mantaman, and El Swordo.
The final season introduced the Dino Vengers: a group of extraterrestrial dinosaurs allied with the Street Sharks against their rivals in the Raptor Gang. When Dr. Paradigm wanted to get a sample of the Raptors' DNA to improve himself, they tricked him by giving him iguana DNA, which transforms him into "Dr. Iguanazoid" leading to him working with the Raptors, where they will reward him by correcting the DNA mistake they gave him. In the end, Paradigm is captured and imprisoned while the Raptor Gang leaves Earth.
The Dino Vengers later had their own series called Extreme Dinosaurs, in which they and the Raptors had different backgrounds.
Characters
[edit]Bolton family
[edit]
- Ripster (voiced by Lee Tockar) – John Bolton is the smartest, the leader, and oldest of the four brothers who enjoys creating inventions. He has taken up most of his knowledge and skills from his father. He is also an avid pool player. John was transformed into a great white shark hybrid with the ability to able to bite through steel as well as having extrasensory abilities.
- Jab (voiced by Matt Hill) – Clint Bolton is the laziest of the Street Sharks, but enjoys boxing and appears to have some talent with mechanics. Clint was transformed into a hammerhead shark hybrid and uses his head as a battering ram.
- Streex (voiced by Andrew Rannells) – Robert "Bobby" Bolton Jr. is a level-headed, cool, and self-proclaimed ladies' man. He is always shown wearing his rollerblades and appears to enjoy parachuting and snowboarding and later plays drums professionally. Robert was transformed into a tiger shark hybrid, deriving the Streex name from the purple streaks on his body.
- Big Slammu (voiced by D. Kevin Williams) – Coop Bolton is the strongest and youngest of the four. He is also a football player in high school. Coop was transformed into a whale shark hybrid and utilizes the "Seismic Slam", which enables him to shake or crack the ground with his fists.
- Dr. Robert Bolton (voiced by D. Kevin Williams) – A university professor and the father of the Bolton Brothers who invents the gene-manipulation device for peaceful uses. He is only seen on-screen in the first episode where he tries to stop Dr. Paradigm's experiments, only to become changed into an unseen inhuman creature. Bolton secretly assists his sons, contacting them through a TV screen.
- Sir Thomas Bolton - An ancestor of the protagonists who is encountered in the episode "Sir Shark-a-Lot". He is the target of Paradigm's time-travel excursion to destroy the Bolton family.
Allies
[edit]- Lena Mack (voiced by Pam Carter) – A student of Dr. Paradigm's who suspects him of crime and therefore assists the Street Sharks. She has a younger brother named Malik.
- Bends (voiced by Jim Hoggatt) – Fission University's technical genius and a source of comic relief who supplies the Street Sharks with their motorbikes and weapons and conceals them underneath the University's ice skating rink.
- Moby Lick – Jets Taylor is a good friend of the Bolton Brothers and Bends. Under Dr. Paradigm's mind-control, Jets is combined with an orca by Dr. Paradigm in order to make him his latest Seaviate. Becoming Moby Lick, he later broke free of Paradigm's mind control and became an ally of the Street Sharks. Moby Lick has a long prehensile tongue, superhuman strength, the ability to inhale water and expel it through his blowhole, and the ability to communicate with other killer whales. In the episode "Shark Hunt", Moby becomes an eco-conservationist in the Everglades National Park.
- Rox (voiced by Lee Tockar) – Melvin Kresnik is an up-and-coming musician who is mistakenly combined with a bull shark and exposes Dr. Paradigm's plan to change Kresnik's audience into mutants. Thereafter, Rox continues as a rock star by explaining his altered form as a costume and remains a friend of the Sharks.
- David Horne (voiced by Tony Wike) – The President of the United States. The Street Sharks save him from Dr. Paradigm before he can be "gene washed" like he did with Vice-President Russell. Following this incident, Horne secretly leaks information to the Street Sharks.
- El Swordo (voiced by Garry Chalk) – A circus performer who worked with a large marlin named Spike. The two were combined by Dr. Paradigm, transforming El Swordo into a humanoid marlin. El Swordo remains active in entertainment as a professional swordsman.
- Mantaman (voiced by D. Kevin Williams) – A flying dinosaur-like alien specimen was found encased in stone by Dr. Terrence "Terry" Morton and reactivated by Dr. Paradigm. Dr. Morton then deliberately gene-slammed himself with a combination of the alien's DNA and manta ray DNA to help the Street Sharks fight the original alien.
- The Dino Vengers – A military unit from an exoplanet inhabited by mutant dinosaurs who later allied with the Street Sharks. Once ordinary members of their race, the four volunteered to receive genetic enhancements that made them far larger and stronger to better combat Bad Rap and his gang of terrorists.
- T-Bone (voiced by Ian James Corlett) – A Tyrannosaurus and the leader of the Dino Vengers.
- Stegz (voiced by D. Kevin Williams) – A Stegosaurus.
- Bullzeye (voiced by Jason Michas) – A Pteranodon.
- Spike (voiced by Garry Chalk) – A Triceratops.
Antagonists
[edit]- Dr. Luther Paradigm (voiced by J. Michael Lee) – The main antagonist of the series and arch-enemy of the Street Sharks. A professor at Fission City University, he is easily identified by his metal eyepatch and later by a giant yellow robotic exoskeleton, with offensive capabilities including the ability to fire harpoons. In the second episode, Paradigm is injected with piranha DNA meant for Bends. When in public, Dr. Paradigm wears a robe to hide his exoskeleton.
- SharkBot (voiced by Steve Gibbs) – A product of Dr. Paradigm's experimentation with robotics. It was used to free Repteel from prison and frame the Street Sharks for the crime. The Sharks ultimately reprogrammed SharkBot to destroy Paradigm's laboratory. SharkBot was later rebuilt as SharkBot 2.0, which fought the Street Sharks until the end of the series' second season.
- Tentakill – A bipedal creature of unknown origins and species, first seen in the episode "Sir Shark-a-Lot" as Paradigm's newest weapon. It is incapable of speech and possesses limited intelligence.
- Seaviates – A group of mutant sea creatures who serve Dr. Paradigm.
- Slobster (voiced by D. Kevin Williams) – A lobster injected with the DNA of Genghis Khan and Thomas Blood.
- Slash (voiced by Terry Berner) – A swordfish injected with the DNA of villains like Genghis Khan and Thomas Blood. Slash possesses a drill bit on its nose and speaks in a hissing lisp.
- Killamari (voiced by D. Kevin Williams) – An anthropomorphic squid that is able to project natural "spears" or "harpoons" from his mouth and the many suckers covering his body.
- Repteel (voiced by Tony Wike) – The only one of Dr. Paradigm's Seaviates to have originally been human. Mr. Cunneyworth is the aged owner and hotel manager of a run-down hotel that was accidentally demolished by the Street Sharks during a fight with Paradigm's Seaviates. As he had nowhere else to go, Cunneyworth willingly allows Paradigm to gene-slam him with a moray eel and an electric eel. As Repteel, he feeds on electricity and can shoot miniature eels (also charged with electricity) from his hands.
- Shrimp Louie (voiced by Andrew Rannells) – A mutated shrimp and one of Paradigm's later Seaviates. He is not very strong, is quite the coward and his primary weapons are large blaster guns.
- Maximillian Greco – An aged mafioso crime boss who blackmails Dr. Paradigm into using the Genetic Engineering Chamber to gene-slam him with the DNA of a rhinoceros and desert tortoise upon learning of his illegal and secret experiments. This granted Greco the strength of a rhinoceros and the longevity of a tortoise, rejuvenating him to half his real age.
- Zeus and Apollo (vocal effects provided by D. Kevin Williams) – Greco's pet chihuahuas. They were genetically enhanced by Dr. Paradigm which made them larger than normal.
- Malcolm Medusa III (voiced by J. Michael Lee) – A rich businessman and big game hunter who frequently targets endangered animals.
- Clammando (voiced by D. Kevin Williams) – Medusa's right-hand man. He started out as a dock worker for Medusa before being mutated by toxic waste and transformed into an anthropomorphic clam.
- Dr. Techno-Piranoid (voiced by J. Michael Lee) – A future counterpart of Dr. Paradigm. Techno-Piranoid first appears in the episode "Shark to the Future" when the Street Sharks visit his timeline, where he has taken over the world with an army of Seaviates. In "Shark Wars", Techno-Piranoid collaborates with his present-day counterpart to make sure an event that led to his future remains intact. When the Street Sharks foil the plot, the future is altered and Techno-Piranoid vanishes.
- MechaSharks – Dr. Tecno-Piranoid's army of mechanized shark monsters.
- The Raptors – A trio of rogue Velociraptor-like criminals who come from the same exoplanet as the Dino Vengers.
- Bad Rap (voiced by Doug Parker) – The leader of the Raptors who has a metal brace-like device on his mouth and a rocket launcher on his right hand.
- Haxx (voiced by Doug Parker) – A Raptor with implants on the backs of each wrist that produce green blades. His tail has been replaced with a blade capable of spinning like a drill.
- Spittor (voiced by Doug Parker) – The scientist and brains of the Raptors. Spittor carries a tank with various liquids released from nozzles on his hands, tail, and mouth.
Recurring characters
[edit]Series overview
[edit]Episodes
[edit]Season 1 (1995)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Sharkbait" | Martha Moran | March 26, 1995 | |
|
Dr. Robert Bolton had invented a gene-slamming device for peaceful uses until his colleague Dr. Luther Paradigm uses it for his evil purposes. When Dr. Bolton tries to intervene, he ends up gene-slammed into an unseen inhuman creature during the struggle and escapes. While in search of their father, John, Clint, Bobby, and Coop are mutated into humanoid sharks by the evil Dr. Paradigm. While adapting to their new looks, the four brothers must avoid being seen. | |||||
| 2 | 2 | "Sharkbite" | Martha Moran | March 26, 1995 | |
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The Street Sharks are on a run from the police along with their friends Bends and Dr. Lena. The Street Sharks must find a new place to live in and be safe from society. | |||||
| 3 | 3 | "Sharkstorm" | Martha Moran | March 26, 1995 | |
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Ripster, Jab, Streex, and Slammu must protect their reputations and change the way they are being viewed in Fission City. They must fight Dr. Piranoid as well as finding their father once and for all. | |||||
| 4 | 4 | "Shark Quest" | Douglas Booth | September 30, 1995 | |
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Dr. Paradigm captures Big Slammu to control his mind and the Street Sharks must break into Dr. Paradigm's hideout to save their brother. | |||||
| 5 | 5 | "Lone Shark" | Dennis O'Flaherty | October 7, 1995 | |
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While the Street Sharks are going out for burgers, Dr. Paradigm transforms a squid he has acquired into Killamari who becomes the latest member of the Seaviates. The Sharks have to stop them from breaking into the Bolton home and stealing important genetic research data that their father left behind. | |||||
| 6 | 6 | "Shark n' Roll" | Robert Schecther | October 14, 1995 | |
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When a musician called Melvin Kresnik accidentally digests contaminated popcorn and water that was tainted with a gene-slamming chemical, he becomes a bull shark later known as Rox and befriends the Street Sharks. Together, they have to save the concert in town and its attendants from being mutated into more mutants through the same way that Rox was mutated. | |||||
| 7 | 7 | "Fresh Water Sharks" | Bill Matheny | October 21, 1995 | |
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The citizens of Fission City hear an announcement from Dr. Paradigm that he has invented a vaccine against the gene-slamming formula. | |||||
| 8 | 8 | "Shark Treatment" | Dennis O'Flaherty | October 28, 1995 | |
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With the help of a mind-control serum, Dr. Paradigm turns Jets Taylor into a killer whale mutant named Moby Lick to be his latest Seaviate. | |||||
| 9 | 9 | "Road Sharks" | Steve Hayes | November 4, 1995 | |
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When Streex has been captured by Dr. Paradigm, the rest of the Street Sharks alongside Moby Lick take to the roads to rescue him. | |||||
| 10 | 10 | "Shark Fight" | George Arthur Bloom | November 11, 1995 | |
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Rox is back in town for the Fission City Music Awards and plans to play the evidence that would expose Dr. Paradigm's gene-slamming activities. | |||||
| 11 | 11 | "Sky Sharks" | Michael O'Mahony | November 18, 1995 | |
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When his hotel had been previously destroyed by the Street Sharks and no family members to live with, Mr. Cunneyworth allows Dr. Paradigm to gene-slam him with the DNA of an electric eel and a moray eel which transforms him into Repteel. While Repteel is ordered by Dr. Paradigm to steal an advanced supercomputer part for his robotic machine, the Street Sharks take a cruise around the city to find the doctor's new Seaviate's location and put a stop to their evil plans. | |||||
| 12 | 12 | "Shark of Steel" | Douglas Booth | November 25, 1995 | |
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The Street Sharks are framed and brought out of hiding by SharkBot, the robotic machine built by Dr. Paradigm in the last episode. The Street Sharks must once again defend their reputations and take on Sharkbot. | |||||
| 13 | 13 | "Shark Source" | Douglas Booth | December 2, 1995 | |
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The Street Sharks discover an underground civilization of mutant crocodiles that happen to know Dr. Bolton after he cured them of their damaged genes. Meanwhile, Dr. Paradigm rebuilds SharkBot and captures one of the mutant crocodiles. | |||||
Season 2 (1996)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 1 | "Jurassic Shark" | Dennis O'Flaherty | January 5, 1996 | |
|
Jab and Streex are sent back in time in two different eras by Dr. Paradigm's time machine called the Time Slammer. Back in the present, Slammu, Ripster, and Bends have to deal with Dr. Piranoid's Seaviates who are now joined by Shrimp Louie. With the help of some Atlanteans, Jab is able to travel in time to save his brother Streex. | |||||
| 15 | 2 | "Sir Shark-a-Lot" | Martha Moran | September 7, 1996 | |
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Dr. Paradigm creates Tentakill as part of his time-traveling plot to have Killamari go back to the medieval times and kill the Street Shark's ancestor Sir Thomas Bolton. Ripster and Big Slammu hijack Dr. Paradigm's Time Slammer to prevent Sir Thomas Bolton from being killed. | |||||
| 16 | 3 | "Shark to the Future" | Martha Moran | September 14, 1996 | |
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The Street Sharks are sent to a future where Dr. Piranoid controls everything as Dr. Tecno-Piranoid. They meet up with Bends' great-great-grandson General Bendsini and join the rebel forces. | |||||
| 17 | 4 | "First Shark" | Gildart Jackson | September 21, 1996 | |
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The Street Sharks go to Washington D.C. to save President David Horne from being "gene washed" by Dr. Piranoid as part of his plot to control President Horne after he had successfully gene-washed Vice-President Russell. | |||||
| 18 | 5 | "Rebel Sharks" | Jeff Kwitny | September 28, 1996 | |
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The Street Sharks and Bends travel to the country of Chernosium to help a child named Ilya (who had sent them a fan letter), rescue his father President Andre Knezevic, and overthrow a dictator named Ekerson Nozum. | |||||
| 19 | 6 | "Space Sharks" | Wendell Morris, Tom Sheppard | October 5, 1996 | |
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After extracting alien DNA from a sample found on an asteroid, Dr. Piranoid tries to gene-slam the entire planet with this alien DNA mixed with manta ray DNA. The Street Sharks are sent up to space, per the President's request and help to not only stop Dr. Piranoid's gene slamming plan, but also defeat the alien monster that was released from the sample. They end up getting help from Dr. Terrence Morton (who ends up becoming Mantaman in order to help fight the alien). | |||||
| 20 | 7 | "A Shark Among Us" | Michael O'Mahoney | October 12, 1996 | |
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Lena's brother Malik is among those who have been taking strength-enhancing pills. Ripster goes undercover to trace the source of the pills and discovers that a drug dealer named Jackal has been distributing the pills in order to get some recruits to help rob a bank. | |||||
| 21 | 8 | "To Shark or Not to Shark" | Kim Rawl | October 19, 1996 | |
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The Street Sharks have suddenly become human again due to a formula made by Dr. Piranoid as part of a plot to keep the Street Sharks human permanently. | |||||
| 22 | 9 | "Eco Shark" | Jeff Kwitny | October 26, 1996 | |
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While investigating the killer whale attacks, the Street Sharks and Moby Lick trace the attacks to Malcolm Medusa III's marine animal sanctuary called Medusa Cove which is being covered up by holograms to hide the pollution and trapped whales. They discover that businessman Malcolm Medusa III and his mutant minion Clammando have been using holograms to keep the town from knowing what is really happening. | |||||
| 23 | 10 | "Close Encounters of the Shark Kind" | Jeff Kwitny | November 2, 1996 | |
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Mantaman returns to Earth to help the Street Sharks fight the energy-draining alien (which survived the space station's destruction in "Space Sharks") before it starts draining Earth's electricity. | |||||
| 24 | 11 | "Satellite Sharks" | Dennis O'Flaherty | November 9, 1996 | |
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The Stromboli Circus is in town where El Swordo and his marlin Spike are the main attraction. Spike is soon targeted by Dr. Piranoid so that he can mutate and control it with the Chromifier Ray so that he can gain control of a satellite and control every head of state in the universe. His plan backfires when El Swordo becomes merged with Spike. | |||||
| 25 | 12 | "Cave Sharks" | Phil Harnage | November 16, 1996 | |
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Fission City has suffered a blackout as Dr. Paradigm unveils the Wolverinepedes (a race of wolverine/centipede hybrids) which will be a solution to Fission City's toxic waste problems. The Street Sharks are contacted by Paxel of the G.E.C.O.s (short for Genetic Engineered Cave Organism) on behalf of Robert Bolton where they learn that toxic waste is leaking into their underground home beneath the garbage dump. The Street Sharks discover that the Wolverinepedes are a cover for Dr. Piranoid's illegal toxic waste-dumping property where the Wolverinepedes have been getting bigger from the consumption of toxic waste. | |||||
| 26 | 13 | "Shark Wars" | Jeff Kwitny | November 23, 1996 | |
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Dr. Paradigm is visited by his future counterpart in his Time-Slammer where they work on a plan to develop a mechanism to alter the world's genetic code by New Year's Eve. The Street Sharks are tipped off about the disturbance in the time-space continuum by Dr. Bolton and work with Mantaman and El Swordo to thwart the two Dr. Paradigms and the future Dr. Paradigm's MechoSharks. | |||||
| 27 | 14 | "Shark Father" | Bruce Shelly, Reed Shelly | November 30, 1996 | |
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An aged crime boss named Maximilian Greco discovers Ripster and Streex fighting Killamari and Repteel at a nearby zoo as part of Dr. Paradigm's plot to obtain animal specimens for his Genetic Engineering Chamber. Upon tracing Killamari and Repteel back to Dr. Paradigm, Maximilian Greco blackmails him into enhancing him with the strength of a rhinoceros and the longevity of a desert tortoise. Maximilian also has Dr. Paradigm have his chihuahuas Zeus and Apollo enhanced to fight the Street Sharks. | |||||
| 28 | 15 | "Shark Hunt" | Wendell Morris, Tom Sheppard | December 7, 1996 | |
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Malcolm Medusa III and Clammando are back and have been hunting Florida panthers in the Everglades as part of a plot to develop a chemical waste incinerator there. After Moby Lick has been caught by Malcolm when trying to rescue them, the President enlists the Street Sharks to investigate where the trace the Florida panthers and Moby Lick to a nearby island where Malcolm has used a petrifying laser to petrify Moby Lick, the Florida panthers, and other wildlife in the Everglades. Now Malcolm plans to have the Street Sharks provide a hunting challenge for him. | |||||
| 29 | 16 | "Card Sharks" | Dennis O'Flaherty | December 14, 1996 | |
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Maximilian Greco is back and has established a casino called the Golden Greco while making its surrounding areas as part of Fission City's casino district. Dr. Paradigm sends Repteel and Shrimp Louie to raid the Golden Greco and steal all the money there. Yet Repteel and Shrimp Louie continue to rob other casinos causing Dr. Paradigm to send Killamari after them up to the point where the Seaviants are enlisted by Maximilian Greco to take over the casino district. | |||||
| 30 | 17 | "Shark Jacked" | Kevin Donahue | January 18, 1997 | |
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Dr. Piranoid has Killamari and Tentakill capture Mantaman's younger brother Ryan so that he can get Mantaman to hijack two jets with one of them carrying the Latonian president and the other one carrying the Coachnian president where both of them are to be meeting with President Horne the next day. While Mantaman does the hijacking, Bends and the Street Sharks work on playing along while finding out where Dr. Piranoid is keeping Ryan. During that time, Dr. Piranoid has created the Genesis Satellite to end the world's woes by detonating it so that the world can be turned into mutated creatures. | |||||
| 31 | 18 | "Turbo Sharks" | Jules Dennis | January 25, 1997 | |
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At the time when Jab is going to compete in the Cross-Country Grand Prix, Dr. Paradigm creates the Gene-Slam Bomb and places it in the Turbo Jab vehicle so that it would detonate at the Cross-Country Grand Prix if Jab does not have his car running at 65 MPH. The plot thickens when the International Trade Conference that is signing the Big Trade Agreement is threatened by Dr. Paradigm's Gene-Washing Bomb within an ice sculpture of two dolphins. | |||||
| 32 | 19 | "20,000 Sharks Under the Sea" | Jeff Kwitny | February 1, 1997 | |
|
At the time when El Swordo is entertaining the USS Liberty, a four-headed sea monster (where some navy officers have compared it to Scylla) has been attacking ships and submarines at sea. To prevent an international incident, President Horne enlists the Street Sharks to look into this. The Street Sharks work with El Swordo in order to keep the four-headed sea monster from attacking ships. | |||||
Season 3 (1997)
[edit]In 1997, the show was retooled and retitled Dino Vengers Featuring Street Sharks, with the addition of an extraterrestrial fellow team of Dinosaurs named the Dino Vengers who were paired with the Street Sharks. The show also moved to ABC's Saturday-morning cartoon block during the fall of 1997.[5] The Dino Vengers would later receive their own short-lived spinoff, where they were renamed the Extreme Dinosaurs.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 1 | "Ancient Sharkonauts" | Phil Harnage | October 11, 1997 | |
|
A space capsule that landed on Earth 65,000,000 years ago has been unearthed by archaeologists. While Dr. Paradigm has taken interest in the space capsule, an incident involving the capsule's prisoner Bad Rap causes Mantaman to fall under his control (the alien whose DNA was used to create Mantaman was one of Bad Rap's many creations) as they plot to control the largest radio telescope in order to contact Bad Rap's fellow Raptors. Now the Street Sharks must work to free Mantaman before Bad Rap's transmission to his fellow Raptors gets through. | |||||
| 34 | 2 | "Sharkotic Reaction" | Reed Shelly, Robert Askin | October 18, 1997 | |
|
President Horne contacts the Street Sharks informing them that a UFO has been sighted in the Solar System. Upon investigating, the Street Sharks meet the Dino Vengers T-Bone, Stegz, Bullzeye, and Spike. The Street Sharks learn from them that they are after Bad Rap and the Raptors. The Street Sharks and the Dino Vengers join forces when the Raptors steal different weapons from different countries in order to make the other countries think they are being attacked by the other. | |||||
| 35 | 3 | "Sand Sharks" | Louis Gassen | October 25, 1997 | |
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While fighting the Raptors, the Street Sharks and the Dino Vengers hear from President Horne that the military is testing their stealth Super Shadow chopper. As the Street Sharks and the Dino Vengers work to protect the Super Shadow from the Raptors, Dr. Paradigm takes interest in the Raptors as he leads Shrimp Louie and Tentakill into finding them where he will steal the Super Shadow for them in exchange for Velociraptor DNA. After Dr. Paradigm obtains the Super Shadow, the Raptors trick Dr. Paradigm by giving him iguana DNA. The Street Sharks and the Dino Vengers must work together to reclaim the Super Shadow from the Raptors. | |||||
| 36 | 4 | "Shark Quake" | Peter Hunziker | November 1, 1997 | |
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During winter, the Raptors make plans to warm up Earth in order to make it more hospitable for the Raptors. They do this by making Mt. Cauldron (a dormant volcano near Fission City) erupt by firing a missile into it so that the heat from it can be trapped in Earth's atmosphere. After the Street Sharks and the Dino Vengers thwart that plan, the Raptors do what they did on Calderas 3 by using their computer to activate every dormant volcanoes on Earth. Now the Street Sharks and the Dino Vengers must prevent the Raptors from activating the dormant volcanoes on Earth. | |||||
| 37 | 5 | "Super Shark" | Pat Allee, Ben Hurst | November 8, 1997 | |
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At the time when Big Slammu prepares for Fission City's comic book convention at a local convention center to meet his favorite comic book writer Jake Langstrom, Bullzeye learns about comic books and follows Big Slammu to the convention center. At the same time, the Raptors head to the Munitions and Armaments section of the Convention Center in order to steal the latest weaponry there. | |||||
| 38 | 6 | "Jungle Sharks" | Jeff Kwitny | November 15, 1997 | |
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When the Street Sharks and the Dino Vengers stop the Raptors from stealing a submarine, Stegz, Spike, and Bullzeye come down with a virus with the same symptoms as the virus the Dino Vengers once contracted on the planet Zirus 10. The Street Sharks and T-Bone race against time and the Raptors to the Amazon rainforest to get to a special pharmaceutical fungus that would help cure the sick Dino Vengers before its final symptom takes its toll on them in the next 24 hours. | |||||
| 39 | 7 | "Trojan Sharks" | Tom Sheppard, Wendell Morris | November 22, 1997 | |
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In order to track the Dino Vengers to their lair, the Raptors cause havoc at an amusement park and ambush the Dino Vengers where they managed to secretly place a tracking device on Stegz so that they can find the Dino Lair. When the Dino Vengers end up defeated and captured as part of Bad Rap's plot to launch them to the stars in a stolen missile, the Street Sharks must rescue the Dino Vengers before the Raptors can launch the missile they are on. | |||||
| 40 | 8 | "Shark-apolypse Now!" | Peter Hunziker | November 29, 1997 | |
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At the time when the World Leaders have come to an agreement not to use biological weapons, the Street Sharks and the Dino Vengers are enlisted to guard a top secret facility that the biological weapons are going to be safely destroyed. In order for the Raptors to prevent the biological weapons from being destroyed, Dr. Paradigm (who is now Dr. Iguanazoid) puts the finishing touches on his mind-control chip which they plan to use on Bad Rap's alien creation after freeing it. This leads up to Dr. Iguanazoid releasing the other alien in the facility as part of his plot to rule Earth. | |||||
Home video releases
[edit]United States
[edit]In 1995, Buena Vista Home Video released a VHS titled The Gene Slamming Begins, which featured the first 3 episodes of Season 1: "Sharkbait", "Sharkbite" and "Sharkstorm" combined into a feature-length format. Buena Vista followed this release with two tapes featuring Season 1 episodes: "Shark Quest", which had the episodes "Shark Quest" and "Lone Shark", and the other: "Shark 'n' Roll" which featured the episodes "Shark 'n' Roll" and "Fresh Water Shark". Unusually, these releases were branded as regular BVHV releases rather than being released under the DIC Toon-Time Video label, unlike other DIC VHSs released by the company at the time.
In 2012, Mill Creek Entertainment acquired the rights to release the series on DVD.[6] They released Street Sharks - The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1 for the very first time in February 2013.[7][8] Mill Creek Entertainment re-released the complete series on DVD in Region 1 five years later in January.[9][10]
Discotek Media released the series on SD Blu-ray under license from 41 Entertainment and Invincible Entertainment Partners on March 29, 2022. This was Discotek Media's first release of a Western animated series that is not based on a video game.[11]
United Kingdom
[edit]In 1996, BMG Video released three VHS tapes in the United Kingdom, featuring the same episodes as the U.S. VHS's, although the first tape was retitled as Jawsome!.
In 2004, Anchor Bay U.K. released a single-DVD/VHS volume featuring the first 4 episodes.
In 2005, Avenue Entertainment released two DVD volumes containing two episodes each: Volume 1 featured "Sharkbite" and "Shark Fight" and Volume 2 featured "Sky Sharks" and "Shark of Steel".
Tie-in products
[edit]In 1996, Archie Comics released a small number of comic books based on Street Sharks. These included a three-issue miniseries which adapted the first three episodes of the cartoon,[12] and an ongoing comic series, which lasted three issues.[13] A new Street Sharks limited comic series from IDW Publishing is scheduled to launch in September 2025 for the 30th anniversary. The series is written by Stephanie Williams with art by Ariel Medel, and will run for five issues.[14]
From 1995 to 1997, Mattel released a line of Street Sharks action figures.;[15] A relaunch of the action figures was announced by Mattel in 2024 for the series' 30th anniversary, featuring Ripster, Jab, and Slash in the first wave; figures for Streex, Big Slammu, and Dr. Piranoid have also been revealed.[16]
See also
[edit]- Extreme Dinosaurs – a spin-off TV series
References
[edit]- ^ Reddish, David (September 1, 2016). "15 Animated Superhero TV Shows You Completely Forgot about". Screen Rant. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
- ^ Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 601. ISBN 978-1538103739.
- ^ "Amazin' Adventures on". Tv.com. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
- ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 796–797. ISBN 978-1476665993.
- ^ "TV's Fall Animation Lineup".
- ^ David Lambert (September 25, 2012). "Street Sharks – DVD Plans Come to Light for the Popular Mid-'90s DiC Animated Series". TV Shows on DVD. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
- ^ "Street Sharks DVD news: Announcement for Street Sharks – The Complete Series". TVShowsOnDVD.com. December 11, 2012. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
- ^ "Street Sharks – The Complete Series". TV Shows on DVD. February 19, 2013. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
- ^ David Lambert (October 18, 2017). "Street Sharks – Swimming Back to DVD: 'The Complete Series' from Mill Creek". TV Shows on DVD. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
- ^ "Street Sharks – The Complete Series". TV Shows on DVD. January 16, 2018. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
- ^ "Discotek Licenses Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-san, Tales of Phantasia, As Miss Beelzebub Likes It, Yowamushi Pedal New Generation, More Anime". Anime News Network. December 13, 2021.
- ^ "Street Sharks (mini series) (1996)". Comic Book Database. Retrieved August 17, 2009.
- ^ "Street Sharks (1996)". Comic Book Database. Retrieved August 17, 2009.
- ^ Schedeen, Jesse (June 3, 2025). "The Street Sharks Are Back in New IDW Publishing Series". IGN. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "Lifestyles: Street Sharks are Chompin' Good!". Electronic Gaming Monthly #69 (April 1995), pg. 137.
- ^ "Mattel Street Sharks 30th Anniversary Figures Pre-order Coming March 15th!".
- ^ Animation outsourced to Plus One Animation, Rainbow Animation Group, Hong Ying Animation and Han Yang Animation.
External links
[edit]Street Sharks
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Street Sharks is an American animated television series that aired from 1994 to 1997 across three seasons, following the adventures of four brothers transformed into anthropomorphic shark mutants who use their enhanced abilities to combat crime and super-villains in the fictional Fission City.[1] The show centers on the Bolton brothers—John, Clint, Bobby, and Coop—who are abducted and genetically altered by the mad scientist Dr. Luther Paradigm using a "gene-slamming" device that fuses them with shark DNA, turning them into Ripster (great white shark, the strategic leader), Jab (hammerhead shark, the brawler), Streex (tiger shark, the energetic musician), and Big Slammu (whale shark, the gentle giant with immense strength).[1] While battling Paradigm's increasingly grotesque mutant creations and searching for their kidnapped father, Dr. Robert Bolton, the Street Sharks navigate themes of family loyalty, mutation's perils, and environmental undertones related to genetic tampering.[2]
Produced by DIC Entertainment (also known as DiC Productions L.P.) and syndicated by Bohbot Entertainment as part of its Amazin' Adventures programming block, the series consisted of 40 episodes, each approximately 22 minutes long, and was created to capitalize on the 1990s trend of animal-hybrid action heroes inspired by the success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.[3] The animation style was characteristically fast-paced and budget-conscious, featuring sea-themed catchphrases like "Jawsome!" and action sequences emphasizing the sharks' aquatic powers, such as enhanced swimming, biting jaws, and vehicle transformations.[2] Voice acting was provided by talents including Lee Tockar as Ripster, Matt Hill as Jab, Andrew Rannells as Streex, and D. Kevin Williams as Big Slammu, contributing to the show's energetic, kid-oriented tone.[4]
Tied closely to a merchandising empire, Street Sharks was developed alongside a toy line launched by Mattel in 1994, which included poseable action figures with chomping mechanisms, playsets, and vehicles that mirrored the series' characters and gadgets, driving much of the franchise's popularity among children.[5] The toys' success led to expanded media, including comic books and video games, though the core appeal remained the blend of superhero action, sibling dynamics, and monstrous transformations.[1] In recent years, the franchise has seen revivals, such as Mattel's 2024 toy relaunch for the 30th anniversary and a 2025 five-issue comic series by IDW Publishing that continues the original storyline.[6]
No further official VHS volumes were produced by Buena Vista, leaving later episodes of Season 1 and all of Seasons 2 and 3 unavailable on home video until later formats.[45]
DVD distribution began over a decade later when Mill Creek Entertainment acquired rights and released Street Sharks: The Complete Series on February 19, 2013, as a 4-disc set containing all 40 episodes across three seasons in standard definition.[19] This Region 1 collection, totaling 887 minutes, marked the first comprehensive home media availability, remastering the original syndication prints for modern viewers without bonus features beyond episode selection.[46] The set received praise for preserving the nostalgic 1990s animation but noted occasional audio sync issues from source material.[47] No individual season DVDs or Blu-ray editions followed, though a budget reissue appeared in subsequent years through Mill Creek's value line.[48]
Production
Development
The concept for Street Sharks originated in the early 1990s from the creative efforts of Joe Galliani, a former Mattel employee who had risen from a temporary role in 1985 to contributing stories for lines like Barbie and Hot Wheels by 1987.[7] Observing children's strong interest in sharks—evidenced by long library waiting lists for shark-related books—Galliani developed the idea as a male-oriented action toy line to fill a gap in Mattel's portfolio.[8] Collaborating with licensee David Siegel of Mr. Joe's Really Big Productions, Galliani expanded an initial proposal for a single shark toy mold in varying colors into a diverse roster of anthropomorphic shark characters, including hammerheads and other species, to create a more engaging lineup.[8] In 1991, Galliani formalized the concept by producing a graphic novel titled Men from Earth, which debuted at San Diego Comic-Con and introduced the core storyline: a scientist and his sons mutated into bipedal sharks via a "gene-slammer" device, enabling them to combat the villainous Dr. Piranoid and his piranha henchmen.[7] This narrative drew inspiration from the success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, adapting the anthropomorphic animal hero trope to sharks for a fresh, aquatic twist on urban crime-fighting adventures.[9] Galliani outlined not only the four primary shark protagonists—Ripster, Jab, Streex, and Big Slammu—but also villains, vehicles, and a framework for an animated series, refining these elements based on his Mattel experience with toy-driven media.[7] By 1994, Galliani and Siegel pitched the full package to Mattel, receiving instant approval and greenlighting toy production that launched later that year (1994), ultimately generating $40 million in sales in its first full year (1995).[8] [10] To promote the toys, Bohbot Entertainment commissioned a 40-episode animated series produced in collaboration with DIC Productions, which premiered in syndication on September 7, 1994, as part of the Amazin' Adventures block.[8] Early promotion included actor Vin Diesel appearing at the 1994 Toy Fair for $250 per day, helping build buzz ahead of the series debut.[8]Animation and staff
The Street Sharks series employed traditional 2D cel animation, a standard technique for mid-1990s syndicated children's programming, characterized by hand-drawn frames on transparent celluloid sheets layered over painted backgrounds.[4] This method allowed for dynamic action sequences involving the shark-human hybrid characters, though the overall animation quality was described as serviceable yet inconsistent, typical of budget-conscious productions aiming for fast-paced episodes.[1] For season 2, animation production was handled by Fil-Cartoons, with additional support from studios like Funbag Animation Studios for storyboards.[3] The series was created by David Siegel and Joe Galliani of Mr. Joe's Really Big Productions, who developed the concept to tie into the Mattel action figure line.[11] Primary production was led by DIC Entertainment (also known as DiC Productions L.P.), with Bohbot Entertainment handling syndication as part of the Amazin' Adventures block.[3] Key executive producers included Andy Heyward, founder of DIC; Robby London; Michael Maliani; and Mark Freedman, who oversaw the integration of toy merchandising with the animated content.[12] Producer Ron Harris contributed to development and episode oversight.[13] Directorial and artistic roles featured storyboard directors such as Jerry Lee Brice and Ron Harris, with George Lafayette serving as storyboard supervisor to maintain visual consistency in the high-energy fight scenes.[14] Voice direction was managed by Marsha Goodman, Pam Carter, and Paul Quinn, ensuring the bombastic, youthful tone of the characters' performances.[4] Additional post-production audio was facilitated by Fidelity Studios.[3]Premise
Plot
The Street Sharks animated series centers on four brothers from the Bolton family—John, Bobby, Clint, and Coop—who are genetically altered into half-human, half-shark mutants by the malevolent scientist Dr. Luther Paradigm using his "gene-slammer" device.[1] The brothers, now known as Ripster (John, a great white shark and the inventive leader), Streex (Bobby, a tiger shark who favors rollerblading), Jab (Clint, a hammerhead shark and brawler), and Big Slammu (Coop, a whale shark with immense strength), band together as the Street Sharks to combat crime and thwart Paradigm's schemes in the coastal city of Fission City.[1] The central conflict arises from Dr. Paradigm's betrayal of his former partner, Dr. Robert Bolton, the brothers' father and a professor who co-developed the gene-slammer for ethical purposes like animal enhancement.[2] Upon learning of Paradigm's plan to build a mutant army, Bolton destroys the original device but is captured and mutated by Paradigm into a monstrous form, escaping and going missing, presumed dead by many.[2] The brothers infiltrate Paradigm's lab to rescue their father and expose him but are captured and mutated with shark DNA, escaping to form their vigilante team while evading capture as fugitives.[1] As the series progresses, the Street Sharks battle an array of Paradigm's creations, including hybrids infused with DNA from aquatic species and historical figures like Genghis Khan, all designed to aid his world domination plot.[2] Paradigm himself undergoes a transformation into Dr. Piranoid after injecting piranha DNA, escalating his efforts to "gene-slam" humanity into subservient "Seaviates."[1] Throughout their adventures, the brothers strive to locate their father, reverse their mutations, and safeguard Fission City from Paradigm's growing threats, all while grappling with public fear and prejudice against their monstrous appearances.[1]Setting
Fission City serves as the central setting for the Street Sharks animated series, a fictional metropolis where the transformed Bolton brothers operate as crime-fighting mutants. This urban environment is the primary backdrop for their battles against Dr. Paradigm and other threats, with the city's inhabitants frequently caught in the crossfire of genetic experiments and villainous schemes.[15][16] Depicted as a coastal city with access to both streets and waterways, Fission City allows the shark-human hybrids to navigate land-based pursuits and aquatic escapes seamlessly. The locale features polluted industrial zones and everyday urban infrastructure, including universities and law enforcement facilities, which highlight the contrast between ordinary life and the extraordinary mutations disrupting it.[17][18] Throughout the series, Fission City represents a vulnerable hub of human society, where Dr. Paradigm's ambitions to "slam" genes into its residents aim to create an army of mutants under his control, underscoring themes of scientific hubris and urban peril.[19]Characters
Bolton family
The Bolton family serves as the central protagonists in Street Sharks, consisting of university professor Dr. Robert Bolton and his four sons—John, Clint, Robert "Bobby" Jr., and Mitchell "Coop"—who are transformed into anthropomorphic shark hybrids through a gene-altering experiment gone awry. Dr. Bolton, a brilliant scientist, co-invented a "gene-slammer" device intended for peaceful genetic research alongside his colleague Dr. Luther Paradigm, but Paradigm betrays him by using the technology for nefarious purposes, kidnapping the sons and injecting them with a serum derived from shark DNA to create superhuman mutants.[1] Dr. Bolton himself disappears during the incident, presumed captured or killed by Paradigm, leaving his sons to navigate their new forms while searching for him and combating Paradigm's growing army of mutants in the fictional Fission City.[1] The family's dynamic emphasizes brotherhood, resilience, and ingenuity, with the sons' mutations granting them enhanced strength, aquatic abilities, and unique shark-inspired powers that they use to fight crime and expose Paradigm's schemes.[1] John Bolton (Ripster) is the eldest son and de facto leader of the Street Sharks, mutated into a great white shark hybrid known for his strategic mind and inventive prowess, often drawing on his father's scientific legacy to create gadgets and vehicles for the team.[1] As the most responsible and level-headed brother, Ripster coordinates battles and maintains group morale, using his razor-sharp jaws and powerful swimming speed to overpower foes in both water and urban environments.[1] Clint Bolton (Jab), the third son, transforms into a hammerhead shark mutant, characterized by his tough-talking bravado and aggressive fighting style, frequently charging headfirst into combat with his distinctive hammer-shaped head as a battering ram.[1] Jab's role highlights raw physicality and loyalty, providing frontline muscle during confrontations with Paradigm's creations while occasionally clashing with his siblings over impulsive decisions.[1] Robert "Bobby" Bolton Jr. (Streex), the second son, becomes a tiger shark hybrid who embodies the team's fun-loving spirit, often equipped with inline skates for high-speed maneuvers and a striped pattern reflecting his shark species.[1] Streex's playful personality adds levity to missions, but his agility and slashing claws prove essential in quick strikes and evasion tactics against agile enemies.[1] Mitchell "Coop" Bolton (Big Slammu), the youngest son, mutates into a massive whale shark form, serving as the group's powerhouse with immense strength and size that allow him to smash through obstacles and deliver devastating blows.[1] As a former athlete or "jock" type, Slammu's dependable nature and protective instincts make him the emotional anchor for his brothers, though his bulk sometimes hinders stealthy operations.[1]Supporting characters
The supporting characters in Street Sharks consist primarily of human allies and gene-slammed mutants who assist the Bolton brothers in combating Dr. Paradigm's (later Dr. Piranoid's) schemes throughout the series. These characters provide technological support, additional combat prowess, and narrative depth, often joining the protagonists after being targeted or mutated by the antagonist.[1] Bends, a technical genius and student at Fission University, serves as the Street Sharks' primary human ally and comic relief. A longtime friend of the Bolton brothers prior to their mutation, he supplies them with essential gadgets, including customized motorbikes and weapons, while evading capture by authorities who mistake the Sharks for threats. His immunity to gene-slamming and quick wit make him indispensable in early episodes, such as when he helps the group escape police pursuit in "Sharkbite."[1][20] Several gene-slammed mutants become recurring allies after breaking free from Dr. Paradigm's (later Dr. Piranoid's) control or choosing to side with the Street Sharks. Moby Lick (originally Jets Taylor), a killer whale hybrid, is introduced as one of Dr. Paradigm's experiments but defects to aid the protagonists; he possesses superhuman strength comparable to Big Slammu and a blowhole capable of firing high-pressure water blasts, which he uses in battles like exposing pollution schemes at Medusa Cove. Rox (Melvin Kresnik), a mako shark mutant and musician, joins after a concert sabotage, bringing speed and agility to the team while retaining his rockstar persona.[21][22] In season 2, additional aquatic mutants align with the Sharks. Mantaman (Dr. Terrence Morton), fused with manta ray and alien DNA, emerges as a space-faring ally with gliding capabilities and energy blasts, first assisting against an extraterrestrial threat before recurring in plots involving satellite hijackings and family rescues. El Swordo, a swordfish mutant formerly a circus performer, contributes sword-like bill attacks and acrobatic skills, debuting in efforts to thwart mind-control satellites and later battling sea monsters alongside the group. Season 3 introduces the Dino Vengers, a team of extraterrestrial dinosaur mutants who form an interstellar alliance with the Street Sharks against the villainous Raptors. Comprising T-Bone (a Tyrannosaurus leader), Stegz (a Stegosaurus with blade plates), Bullzeye (a Pteranodon flyer), and Spike (a Triceratops), they collaborate on global threats like weapon thefts and viral outbreaks, blending prehistoric power with the Sharks' urban fighting style in episodes such as their debut team-up and amusement park ambushes.[23][24][25]Antagonists
The primary antagonist in Street Sharks is Dr. Luther Paradigm, a rogue geneticist who co-invents the "gene-slammer" device capable of fusing human and animal DNA to create anthropomorphic hybrids. Paradigm uses this technology maliciously to seize control of Fission City, beginning by mutating the four Bolton brothers—John, Bobby, Coop, and Clint—into the shark-human Street Sharks after they investigate his experiments. During a confrontation, Paradigm is exposed to piranha DNA, transforming him into the more monstrous Dr. Piranoid, a piranha-human hybrid who continues his schemes with enhanced ferocity and a cadre of mutant minions.[26] Paradigm/Piranoid engineers several "Seaviates"—mutated sea creatures serving as his henchmen—to combat the Street Sharks and advance his domination plans. These antagonists are typically created by gene-slamming aquatic animals with DNA from historical villains, resulting in powerful, aggressive hybrids. Notable examples include Slash, a half-man, half-swordfish villain depicted as an aristocratic pirate with a bio-engineered drill snout for drilling attacks, chomping jaws, and a suave, thieving demeanor; and Slobster, a brutish half-man, half-lobster enforcer equipped with seize-and-slice claw actions, multiple blasters, and a camo shell for ambush tactics.[27][28][29] Other Seaviates, such as the squid-like Tentakill and eel mutant Repteel, expand Piranoid's forces with specialized abilities like tentacle grapples and electric shocks, often deployed in episodic plots to terrorize the city or capture the heroes. These villains embody the series' theme of scientific hubris, frequently outmatched by the Street Sharks' teamwork but recurring as threats under Piranoid's command.[27]Broadcast and episodes
Broadcast history
Street Sharks premiered in the United States as a three-part miniseries titled "Sharkbait," "Sharkbite," and "Sharkstorm" on September 7, 1994, broadcast in syndication through Bohbot Entertainment's Amazin' Adventures programming block.[30] This initial run was produced by DIC Productions, L.P. and Bohbot Entertainment, targeting a Saturday morning audience with action-oriented animation.[31] The full first season, consisting of 13 episodes, continued airing weekly on the Amazin' Adventures syndicated block throughout late 1994 and into 1995, establishing the series' core narrative of the Bolton brothers' transformations and battles against Dr. Paradigm.[31] The second season, with 19 episodes, followed in 1995, maintaining the same syndication format and expanding the storyline with new allies and threats.[32] For its third and final season of eight episodes, Street Sharks shifted to ABC's Saturday morning cartoon lineup in the fall of 1996, introducing the Dino Vengers as allies in a crossover-style arc against the Raptor antagonists.[33] Promotional materials from ABC highlighted the series alongside other programs like Gargoyles, but the run was limited to approximately one month before episodes transitioned back to syndication or concluded airing by November 1997.[34] The total series spanned 40 episodes, concluding its original broadcast run without further network renewals.[1]Season 1 (1994)
Season 1 of Street Sharks consists of 13 episodes and aired weekly from September 7 to November 28, 1994, as part of the syndicated Amazin' Adventures programming block produced by Bohbot Entertainment.[30][11] The season establishes the core premise, with the Bolton brothers—John (Ripster), Clint (Jab), Bobby (Streex), and Coop (Big Slammu)—transformed into shark-human hybrids by Dr. Luther Paradigm's gene-slamming technology after their father, Dr. Robert Bolton, disappears.[30] They evade capture while battling Paradigm's mutant minions, known as Seaviates, in the coastal city of Fission City, gradually building a team that includes inventor Bends and Dr. Lena Mack.[30] Key themes include adaptation to mutation, family loyalty, and ethical concerns over genetic engineering, with action sequences emphasizing the sharks' aquatic and superhuman abilities.[30] The season's narrative arc progresses from the brothers' initial shock and flight to more coordinated efforts against Paradigm, culminating in discoveries about their father's fate and an underground mutant society.[30] Episodes often feature standalone threats like rogue mutants or robotic foes, but recurring elements tie into the search for Bolton and Paradigm's expanding experiments.[30] Representative examples include the pilot's origin story and mid-season introductions of allies like the killer whale mutant Moby Lick, highlighting the series' blend of humor, chases, and moral dilemmas about power and identity.[30]| Episode | Title | Original air date | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharkbait | September 7, 1994 | Dr. Robert Bolton invents a gene-slamming device, but Dr. Paradigm uses it maliciously; during a confrontation, Bolton mutates into an unknown creature and escapes, while his sons are transformed into shark mutants by Paradigm.[30] |
| 2 | Sharkbite | September 14, 1994 | The newly mutated Street Sharks, along with allies Bends and Dr. Lena Mack, flee from police pursuit and search for a secure hideout away from public view.[30] |
| 3 | Sharkstorm | September 21, 1994 | Ripster, Jab, Streex, and Slammu fight to restore their reputations in Fission City against the mutant Dr. Piranoid while continuing their quest for their father.[30] |
| 4 | Shark Quest | September 28, 1994 | Paradigm captures Slammu for mind control; the Street Sharks infiltrate his lair to rescue their brother.[30] |
| 5 | Lone Shark | October 7, 1994 | While grabbing burgers, the Sharks encounter Killamari, Paradigm's squid mutant, and thwart his theft of genetic data from the Bolton residence using his Seaviate minions.[30] |
| 6 | Shark 'n Roll | October 14, 1994 | Musician Melvin Kresnik mutates into the mako shark Rox after ingesting gene-slammed food and drink; he joins the Sharks to prevent a concert from descending into chaos via further mutations.[30] |
| 7 | Fresh Water Sharks | October 21, 1994 | Paradigm publicly announces a supposed vaccine against gene-slamming to gain public trust in Fission City.[30] |
| 8 | Shark Treatment | October 28, 1994 | Paradigm employs a mind-control serum to transform Jets Taylor into the killer whale mutant Moby Lick as his newest Seaviate enforcer.[30] |
| 9 | Road Sharks | November 7, 1994 | With Streex captured by Paradigm, the Street Sharks team up with Moby Lick for a rescue mission.[30] |
| 10 | Shark Fight | November 14, 1994 | Rox reappears at the Fission City Music Awards, intending to reveal Paradigm's gene-slamming operations with collected evidence.[30] |
| 11 | Sky Sharks | November 21, 1994 | Desperate hotelier Mr. Cunneyworth mutates into the eel-like Repteel under Paradigm's influence and attempts to steal a supercomputer component.[30] |
| 12 | Shark of Steel | November 28, 1994 | Paradigm's robotic creation, Sharkbot, frames the Street Sharks for crimes, forcing them to clear their names in a direct confrontation.[30] |
| 13 | Shark Source | November 28, 1994 | The Sharks discover a hidden society of mutant crocodiles connected to Dr. Bolton; Paradigm revives Sharkbot and captures one of the crocs.[30] |
Season 2 (1995)
Season 2 of Street Sharks premiered on January 5, 1995, on the Sci-Fi Channel and ran for 19 episodes through May 29, 1995.[35] This season broadened the series' scope from localized battles in Fission City to global and extraterrestrial conflicts, emphasizing time manipulation, political intrigue, and environmental threats while deepening the Street Sharks' alliances and rivalries.[36] The narrative prominently featured Dr. Piranoid as an escalating antagonist, often deploying new mutants like the Seaviates—mind-controlled sea creatures—and Tentakill, a squid-like hybrid designed for assassination.[37] Time travel emerged as a central motif, beginning with "Jurassic Shark," where Jab and Streex are hurled to prehistoric eras via Dr. Paradigm's Time Slammer, forcing the team to combat Piranoid's forces with aid from Atlantean allies.[37] This culminated in "Shark to the Future," depicting a dystopian 21st century under Piranoid's rule, where the Sharks join rebels led by General Bendsini to avert catastrophe. Such episodes highlighted themes of legacy and inevitability, with the brothers confronting alternate versions of their family history. International and space-based plots added variety, as in "Rebel Sharks," where the Street Sharks assist a young activist in the fictional nation of Chernosium to overthrow a dictator and rescue his imprisoned father. "Space Sharks" escalated the stakes into orbit, with the heroes thwarting Piranoid's scheme to infuse humans with alien DNA using a gene-slam device, supported by the newly introduced Mantaman—a manta ray mutant and ancient guardian. Grounded stories addressed urban crime and ecology, such as "A Shark Among Us," in which Ripster infiltrates a drug ring distributing strength-enhancing pills tied to a bank heist. Environmental concerns surfaced in "Eco Shark," exposing industrialist Malcolm Medusa III's hologram-concealed pollution of a marine sanctuary. Recurring human elements included the crime lord Maximilian Greco, who blackmails Dr. Paradigm for personal enhancements in "Shark Father" to dominate Fission City's underworld. The season also humanized the protagonists in "To Shark or Not to Shark," where Piranoid's formula temporarily reverts them to human form as part of a ploy to exploit their vulnerabilities. New allies like El Swordo, a circus performer fused with his marlin companion Spike, debuted in episodes such as "Satellite Sharks," aiding against Piranoid's satellite-control mutant. These developments reinforced the series' blend of action, humor, and moral lessons on mutation and heroism, with the Street Sharks frequently dismantling high-tech threats like gene-slam bombs and toxic waste schemes.[36]Season 3 (1996–97)
Season 3 of Street Sharks premiered on October 3, 1996, and concluded on May 18, 1997, comprising eight episodes broadcast on ABC's Saturday morning lineup. This season represented a narrative pivot, incorporating crossover elements from the companion series Dino Vengers, as the Street Sharks formed an alliance with the dinosaur mutants—T-Bone, Stegz, Bullzeye, and Spike—to combat a new extraterrestrial threat. The Raptors, a quartet of villainous velociraptors led by Bad Rap, arrived from the planet Calderas 3 with ambitions to conquer Earth by exploiting advanced technology and geological manipulations.[23][38] The season's central conflict escalated when Dr. Paradigm, the series' recurring antagonist, underwent a mutation into Dr. Iguanazoid after being exposed to iguana DNA, enhancing his role as a scheming manipulator who occasionally allied with or betrayed the Raptors. Episodes emphasized high-stakes team-ups, blending aquatic and terrestrial battles, with the heroes thwarting plots involving stolen weaponry, volcanic eruptions, and biological hazards. This collaboration expanded the show's scope beyond Fission City's streets, incorporating space-faring artifacts and jungle expeditions, while maintaining the core theme of family unity among the mutated Bolton brothers.[23] Key episodes highlighted the season's dynamics:- Ancient Sharkonauts (October 3, 1996): The Street Sharks unearth an ancient space capsule and free the mantis mutant Mantaman from Bad Rap's mind control.[23]
- Sharkotic Reaction (October 10, 1996): The Sharks encounter the Dino Vengers while stopping the Raptors from raiding a military weapons cache.[23][38]
- Sand Sharks (October 17, 1996): The allied teams protect a stealth helicopter prototype from Raptor sabotage, with Dr. Paradigm attempting to deceive them using iguana DNA.[23]
- Shark Quake (October 24, 1996): The villains plot to trigger worldwide volcanic activity to terraform Earth; the heroes intervene to prevent global catastrophe.[23]
- Super Shark (October 31, 1996): At a comic convention, the Raptors steal experimental armaments, forcing Big Slammu into a heroic spotlight.[23]
- Jungle Sharks (November 7, 1996): The Dino Vengers contract a mysterious illness, prompting a perilous Amazon quest for an antidote.[23]
- Trojan Sharks (November 28, 1996): The Street Sharks infiltrate a Raptor trap to rescue their dino allies from a impending missile strike.[23]
- Shark-apolypse Now! (May 18, 1997): In the finale, Dr. Iguanazoid unleashes an alien parasite from a guarded bioweapons facility, culminating in an epic showdown.[23][38]
Release and distribution
Home video releases
In the United States, Buena Vista Home Video issued the initial home video releases of Street Sharks on VHS during the mid-1990s, coinciding with the series' original broadcast run. These tapes typically featured two to three episodes per volume, edited for direct-to-video presentation, and targeted young audiences with action-packed compilations from the first season.[39] The debut VHS, titled The Gene Slamming Begins, was released on September 26, 1995, and compiled the first three episodes of Season 1—"Sharkbait," "Sharkbite," and "Sharkstorm"—into a feature-length format introducing the Bolton brothers' transformation into the Street Sharks.[40] This 66-minute tape served as an entry point for viewers, emphasizing the gene-slammed origins and initial battles against Dr. Paradigm.[41] Subsequent releases followed in 1996, with Shark Quest (April 9, 1996) containing Season 1 episodes "Shark Quest" and "Lone Shark," where the Sharks confront underwater threats and mind-control experiments.[42] Similarly, Shark 'n Roll (April 9, 1996) included "Shark 'n Roll" and "Fresh Water Sharks," focusing on musical mutants and inland adventures.[43] These two-volume sets, each approximately 44 minutes, expanded on the series' themes of genetic mutation and urban heroism.[44]| VHS Title | Release Date | Episodes Included | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Gene Slamming Begins | September 26, 1995 | "Sharkbait," "Sharkbite," "Sharkstorm" | 66 min |
| Shark Quest | April 9, 1996 | "Shark Quest," "Lone Shark" | 44 min |
| Shark 'n Roll | April 9, 1996 | "Shark 'n Roll," "Fresh Water Sharks" | 44 min |
Digital and streaming distribution
As of November 2025, Street Sharks is available for free streaming with advertisements on platforms including Tubi and Pluto TV in the United States.[49] It can also be streamed on Amazon Prime Video with ads or purchased digitally on Amazon.[50] International streaming availability varies by region and platform.International distribution
The Street Sharks animated series achieved widespread international distribution through syndication and local broadcasting networks, primarily handled by ABC Distribution Co. for non-U.S. television markets starting in 1996.[3] The show was adapted into numerous languages via dubbing, enabling broadcasts across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia during the mid-1990s and early 2000s. In Europe, the series aired on major children's channels with localized titles and dubs. France broadcast it as Street Sharks: Les requins de la ville on TF1 and later KidsCo.[51] Germany featured the German-dubbed version on RTL II, Tele 5, and KidsCo. In Italy, it was known as Street Sharks - Quattro pinne all'orizzonte and shown on Italia 1 and Italia Teen Television. Spain distributed the Spanish version on Antena 3 and KidsCo, alongside VHS releases by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment in 1996. Other European countries included Finland (Katuhait on MTV3), Greece (Καρχαρίες του Δρόμου on ANT1), Lithuania (Gatvės rykliai on LNK), and Portugal (Tubarões de Rua on SIC with VHS from Nacional Filmes and Valentim de Carvalho). Latin America saw extensive syndication with the Spanish title Los tiburones de asfalto (or simply Street Sharks) across multiple networks, including Mexico's Canal 5, Puerto Rico's WKAQ-TV, Costa Rica's Canal Dos and Repretel channels, Colombia's Canal A, Chile's Chilevisión and ETC, and Argentina's Magic Kids and Tacho Pistachio. In Brazil, the Portuguese dub Tubarões Urbanos aired on Rede Globo via Marshmallow, while Esquadrão Tubarão appeared on DVDs from Sigma. In Asia and the Middle East, the series reached audiences through regional channels. Taiwan broadcast the Mandarin version 鯊魚俠 on Taiwan Television. The Arabic dub شارع القرش was shown on Spacetoon. Poland released a Polish-dubbed version Uliczne rekiny w akcji on VHS, and Russia aired Уличные акулы on unspecified networks. Home video distribution complemented television broadcasts in select markets, with VHS tapes available in countries like Spain, Poland, Portugal, and Brazil, often tied to local licensors. The international reach helped establish Street Sharks as a globally recognized 1990s animated property, though specific air dates varied by region and were typically aligned with the original U.S. seasons from 1994 to 1997.[51]Merchandising
Toys and action figures
The Street Sharks action figure line was developed and manufactured by Mattel, launching in 1994 to coincide with the debut of the animated television series produced by DIC Entertainment.[52] The toys featured anthropomorphic shark characters with muscular, half-human designs, emphasizing dynamic play through built-in mechanical gimmicks that simulated aggressive shark behaviors, such as chomping jaws, punching arms, and projectile-launching accessories.[52] These 6-inch figures incorporated a distinctive "real feel" soft textured skin overlay on hard plastic bodies to mimic realistic shark hide, enhancing tactile engagement for children.[53] The initial wave in 1994 included core protagonists like Ripster (with a biting jaw action), Streex (featuring spinning wheels for mobility playsets), Jab (equipped with boxing glove fists), and Big Slammu (with slamming arm mechanisms), alongside villains such as Dr. Bolt.[52] Subsequent releases from 1995 to 1997 expanded the roster with variants, including metallic-painted editions for a premium look, the Night Fighters sub-line with glow-in-the-dark elements and additional armor accessories, and the Space Force series introducing cosmic-themed repaints and new characters such as Evil Draxx.[54] Vehicles and playsets, such as the Rip Rider motorcycle and Sharkruiser 4x4, complemented the figures by allowing interactive battles, often with embedded figure compatibility.[55] The line's success was bolstered by its synergy with the TV show, making figures like Ripster among the top-selling action toys of the decade and driving widespread retail availability.[56] In 2024, Mattel revived the Street Sharks toy line to mark the franchise's 30th anniversary, targeting both nostalgic collectors and new audiences with modernized designs.[57] The relaunched figures retain iconic elements like chomping jaws and real-feel skin but add improved articulation for posing, modular shark cage accessories for display and play, and collector-focused packaging.[58] Wave 1 featured updated versions of Ripster, Jab, and Slash, with subsequent waves introducing characters like Big Slammu and Streex, available through Mattel's Creations platform and major retailers.[59] This reboot emphasizes durability and compatibility with original accessories while avoiding direct repaints to appeal to contemporary standards in toy safety and design.[10]Other tie-in products
In addition to toys, the Street Sharks franchise spawned several comic book series through Archie Comics in 1996. The publisher released two limited three-issue miniseries adapting the animated show; the first retold events from the initial season, while the second featured original stories involving the shark-human hybrids battling new threats. These comics, written by creators including Martha Mogan and Evan Skolnick with art by Nelson Ortega, emphasized high-energy action and the characters' finned transformations, though the series ended after six total issues due to modest sales.[60][61] Tie-in books expanded the lore with novelizations and storybooks aimed at young readers. Published primarily by Bullseye Books (Random House) in 1996, titles such as Sharkbait, Laugh Attack, and Shark Power! by authors Vincent Courtney and Cynthia Alvarez chronicled adventures of the Bolton brothers, focusing on their gene-slammed origins and fights against Dr. Paradigm. Another entry, Shark of Steel by Andrew Donkin, introduced metallic variants of the sharks in a high-stakes plot involving experimental tech. These paperback books, illustrated to match the cartoon's style, sold modestly as part of the broader merchandising push.[62][63] The franchise also included video game adaptations, such as the 1995 platformer Street Sharks developed by TecMagik and published by Acclaim for the Sega Game Gear, where players control the shark brothers to battle mutants in side-scrolling levels. Additional games appeared on systems like the Super Nintendo and Game Boy, tying into the show's action themes. Apparel and promotional items rounded out the product line, including licensed T-shirts featuring character logos and catchphrases like "Jawsome." In 1995, promotional tees were distributed at events tied to the show's launch, capturing the era's retro cartoon aesthetic with bold graphics. For the 2024 30th anniversary revival, Mattel released official unisex T-shirts and hats through their Creations platform, made from 100% cotton in sizes XS-3XL, emphasizing nostalgia with designs like the anniversary logo. Fast-food cross-promotions, such as Taco Bell's 1995 kids' meal campaign, bundled shark-themed premiums with meals to boost visibility among families.[64]Revival and legacy
2025 comic series
In June 2025, Mattel and IDW Publishing announced a five-issue limited comic series reviving the Street Sharks franchise, marking the first new comic adaptation in over 20 years.[18] The series, written by Stephanie Williams (Nubia and the Amazons) and illustrated by Ariel Medel (TMNT vs. Street Fighter), ties into Mattel's action figure line and draws from the 1994 animated series while aiming to introduce the property to a new generation.[18][65] The storyline follows the four Bolton brothers—John, Bobby, Clint, and Coop—now half-shark, half-human vigilantes protecting the coastal city of Fission City from "gene-slammed" villains, including monstrous lobsters, squids, and mad scientists like Dr. Piranoid who transform into piranhas.[18] Set shortly after their initial transformations, the narrative emphasizes high-octane action, motorcycles, burgers, and a nostalgic '90s vibe, with the sharks battling threats like the Seaviates while grappling with the risks of their hybrid existence.[66] Street Sharks #1 debuted on September 24, 2025, priced at $4.99, with multiple cover variants including a foil exclusive from IDW.[67][68] The subsequent issue, #2, was released on November 12, 2025, receiving positive reviews averaging 8.8/10 from four critics as of November 17, 2025.[69] The full miniseries is planned to conclude in early 2026.[70] Critics have praised the series for its vibrant, playful artwork that captures the original show's energetic tone and introduces fresh elements like ethical dilemmas for the shark heroes, though some noted the characters as somewhat one-dimensional in the debut issue.[66] Street Sharks #1 received an average critic score of 8/10 across five reviews, highlighting its appeal as lighthearted '90s nostalgia suitable for all ages.[68]Cultural impact and reception
Street Sharks garnered significant commercial success during its initial run in the mid-1990s, primarily driven by its toy line, which generated $40 million in sales in its first full year of 1995 and outperformed Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in certain markets.[8] The animated series, which aired 40 episodes in syndication from 1994 to 1997, capitalized on the era's fascination with mutant-themed action cartoons, blending shark motifs with superhero tropes in a format reminiscent of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.[71] Critical reception to the original series was mixed, with praise for its energetic action sequences and colorful character designs but criticism for cheap animation, repetitive storytelling, and heavy reliance on toy promotion over narrative depth.[47] Reviewers noted stereotypical portrayals and groan-worthy sea-themed puns, such as "Jawsome" and "Fintastic," which became emblematic of the show's campy style, though some appreciated its nostalgic appeal for adult viewers.[2] User feedback on platforms like IMDb echoed this, describing it as a fun, campy nostalgia trip despite its flaws.[72] The franchise's cultural impact extended beyond the series through its merchandising and role in 1990s pop culture, where it exemplified the toyetic animation trend that prioritized action figures with features like knockout punches and projectile accessories.[8] It influenced a wave of similar mutant-hero properties, contributing to the decade's explosion of syndicated cartoons aimed at boys, though it was often overshadowed by more enduring franchises like TMNT.[71] Enduring nostalgia has sustained its legacy, evident in the 2025 IDW comic series revival, which taps into over three decades of fan affection for its "outlandish villains, outrageous action, and toothy charm."[73]References
- https://homevideo.wikitide.org/wiki/Buena_Vista_Home_Entertainment