Here's the article I got from _Toon Magazine_. I posted this some time ago
to the net. I'll also post the episode list (from the same source).
source: _Toon_ Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 5, Fall 1994
Hanna-Barbera's SWAT Kats: The Best New Action-Adventure Series To Come
From Hanna-Barbera In Years!
by Michael Swanigan
Hanna-Barbera's _SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron_ already has proven to be
a bonafide hit. Arriving nationally in syndication and on TBS Superstation
in September of '93, the thrills and tactics have put Hanna-Barbera
squarely back at the forefront of action-adventure genre they pioneered in
the 1960's with _Jonny Quest_.
The crew at Hanna-Barbera wanted to create a cartoon pulsing with
sensory overload. SWAT Kats takes passengers into the cockpit with two
feline daredevils and their jet as they rip through skyscraper canyons and
dash across the skies of Megakat City in pursuit of the world's baddest
kats.
Replete with nonstop video-game action, high-tech laser gadgetry,
heart-stopping danger, daring rescues and a driving soundtrack, the all-kat
world of SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron arrived on television. Two
ex-pilots have assumed secret identities and taken to the skies in their
incredible Turbokat jet.
Creators and executive producers, Yvon and Christian Tremblay,
wanted a world infused with vibrant colors and roaring action. "SWAT Kats
leap to life in comic book style taking viewers along for the ride, solving
crime like no other superheroes ever have," said Christian Tremblay.
Each episode finds the heroes, Jake and Chance, challenged by one
of the myriad of unique villains who inhabit the huge city populated only
by cats. Jake and Chance transform themselves into the SWAT Kats, Razor
and T-Bone, who battle Dark Kat, overlord of crime; the Pastmaster, a
time-traveling evil creature; the Metallikats, a bionic clawing couple, and
other larger-than-life foes.
This super-team distinguish themselves from other heroes with two
qualities: inventiveness and speed. Instead of weapons, the SWAT Kats
have developed a stock of devices that assist them in capturing criminals.
New gadgets play a major role in the action and include the crook-catching
Octopus Missile, Glovatrix and Cyclotron, among others.
"Our Kats use their wits and ingenuity in settling the score. They
use gadgets that stop villains rather than go after crime with brawn and
armor," says Christian Tremblay. "Ultimately their schemes and devices
find more excitement and adventure than mere fighting would."
As the world's foremost expert fighter pilots, Jake and Chance
bring determination, flair and skills to the skies. They met during
Enforcer training and flew many combat missions together. An unlikely
looking pair, they established a friendship in the cockpit, where it was
camaraderie at first flight.
Together, they were their own "Radical Squadron." But they
disdained all the rules and regulations that Commander Feral and the
Megakat Force laid on them. Feral, in turn, hated them for their
independence, stubbornness and superior skills. On one fateful day,
Commander Feral cut them off when they were in pursuit of Dark Kat.
Feral's reckless move clipped the tail of Chance and Jake's jet which
crashed into Enforcer Headquarters, almost destroying it. Afterwards Feral
destroyed their careers, drumming them out of the service and relegated
them to pay off their societal debt by running the Megakat City Salvage
Yard.
The two mechanics eventually invented crime-fighting mechanisms
from the junk surrounding them, and built their own one-of-a-kind Turbokat
jet. Now they combat villains on their own terms.
Music helps set the tone for the SWAT Kats' mighty feats.
According to Christian Tremblay, "How better to rev up the adrenaline than
with a score that captivates the mood and accentuates the action."
The music selection relies on Queen (the rock band) influences and
adds effects that may be heard emanating from a neighborhood arcade. Since
the SWAT Kats' escapades speed along at video-game pace, the sound effects
of the Kats' missions could be mistaken as edits from the latest Nintendo
craze. Long regarded as the expert in animation sound effects (from the
scrambling of Fred Flintstone's feet to Jerry's pulling of Tom's whiskers),
Hanna-Barbera continues its tradition with the soaring, roaring, dashing,
crashing audio antics for the SWAT Kats' series.
CHANCE/T-BONE
Big-framed, burly Chance springs into action as a leap-before-you-look
daredevil who loves danger and daring-do. The riskier the enterprise, the
happier he is. As pilot of the Turbokat, he jettisons the plane to heights
never before imagined. His hard-core ways contrast his partner Jake's
naturally cautious bent. Secure and cocky, Chance likes to ignore Jake's
warnings. He fancies himself a ladies man, but generally has more success
in a maniac in the [skies].
JAKE/RAZOR
As co-pilot, navigator, gadgets expert and idea kat, Jake has designed most
of the special unique firepower the Turbokat carries. More comfortable
around technical wizardry, Jake gets nervous around a pretty girl. Further
clashing with Chance's style, the smaller Jake conducts business in more
laconic manner. But when confronted with danger and villains, Jake bursts
into the situation, as agile as his partner.
COMMANDER FERAL
A lean, tough, by-the-book police veteran, Commander Feral displays his
militant, power-hungry way to prevent anyone from going around him.
However, the SWAT Kats go around, up and over him. Furious that the SWAT
Kats always end up doing his job, Feral boils over seeing his Enforcers
look bad against Megakat City's villains.
MAYOR MANX
Always ready to come up with an excuse for getting out of a prickly
situation, Mayor Manx happily leaves all the dirty chores to Callie Briggs.
Despite his coward, he remains in office largely because the SWAT Kats
always manage to bring Megakat City back from total catastrophe and
destruction.
CALLIE BRIGGS
The fearless, strong-willed right-hand woman to do-nothing Mayor Manx,
Callico (Callie) Briggs pounces on any situation that may put her beloved
Megakat City in danger. Callie often becomes the trouble shooter who gets
sent into dangerous situations so the Mayor can get information without
endangering his life. Though she does not know the true identity of the
SWAT Kats, Callie has a 'hot line' that can summon them when trouble
arises.
Received on Tue Apr 04 1995 - 17:13:38 PDT
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