SWAT Kats FAQ

From: Dana Uehara <duehara_at_cisk.atmos.Ucla.EDU>
Date: Fri, 2 Jun 95 11:57:38 PDT

Here's the latest FAQ for the SWAT Kats (remember, it can be accessed
via anonymous ftp at 'pumadyne.mv.com' in the 'kats' subdirectory).
I've already discovered one error (release date in the toy line), but
I'm not sure what the correct info is (Andy, do you have it?).


Last Updated
Fri Jun 2 11:41:59 PDT 1995

       SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron Frequently Asked Questions
       ===========================================================

_SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron_ is an animated series created in
1993 by two French-Canadian brothers, Christian Tremblay and Yvon
Tremblay. Using their self-taught drawing skills and their own money,
they managed to sell their creation of anthropomorphic felines,
otherwise known as "Kats", to Hanna-Barbera.

H-B produced 23 episodes of the SWAT Kats, 13 for the first season
(1993-94) and 10 for the second season (1994-95). The second season
fell three episodes shy of a full set because, in the middle of
production, Turner Entertainment ordered H-B to cancel production of
the series. The reason that Turner gave at the time was because the
show wasn't moving merchandise -- although the series hardly had any
merchandise to begin with! Therefore, Turner decided to yank the show
even though it had been doing very well in the ratings. Three episodes
were storyboarded and the voice tracks laid down, but are currently
still in limbo (and may very well become the "lost episodes" of the series).

The *real* reason that Turner cancelled the series is a mystery,
however; it may have been canned because of its violence and not
because of its lack of merchandise. In fact, there should be some
merchandise hitting the store shelves this summer:

- Action figures (produced by Remco) of some of the characters, including
        T-Bone, Razor, Dark Kat, Doctor Viper -- due out in August
- Video releases of some of the episodes -- due out in the first week
        of July
- Video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (none for Sega
        yet, unfortunately) -- due out in the first week of July

Since the release dates keep changing, the information given above may not
be the most current.

The Cartoon Network plans to do something special with the 'Kats to
coincide with the first week of the toy line release.

Currently available is a poster, which has been seen at the K-Mart in
Inglewood, CA; other locations may also carry it (at least one other
place outside of CA has it), but you may have to hunt for it.

TBS will be carrying the series throughout the summer. It will be
changing the time slot from Sundays at 6:35 am Eastern to 9:05 am Eastern,
starting sometime in July.

The animation studios involved in 'Kats production are Hanho Heung-Up
and Mook, the former being a Taiwan studio and the latter a Japanese
studio. Both seasons' episodes show an anime (Japanimation) influence,
especially the second season's episodes, which were animated entirely by
Mook. Christian Tremblay apparently wanted Mook to do all of the
episodes, but found it uneconomical to do so.

What's the proper spelling of 'SWAT Kats'? Most likely it's the way
it's being spelled in the FAQ. The full title is, of course: "SWAT
Kats: The Radical Squadron", but there's been some question as to
whether the word "SWAT Kats" should be written as a single word (i.e.,
"SWATKats"). And yes, it's with a "K", not a "C".

T-Bone's and Razor's ages? According to Christian Tremblay, they're
both in their mid-20s, but T-Bone is most definitely older.

Trivia tidbit: Razor and T-Bone were initially named "Chuck" and
"Yaeger", after the famous test pilot.

Write your local station that carries the SWAT Kats (and/or TBS)! Tell
them how much you like the series! You can also write H-B at:
        Hanna-Barbera Cartoons Inc.
         3400 Cahuenga Blvd. West
        Hollywood, CA 90068
        Attn: Fred Seibert
(Note: Don't mention SWAT Kats anywhere on the envelope, and don't use
the 9-digit version of the ZIP code -- or your letter might find its
way to the trash without being opened!)

When you write, you might want to include demographical information
about yourself, such as your age, sex and geographic location.
Hanna-Barbera is apparently very interested in learning who are fans of
the 'Kats, so make yourself known!

Pet peeve: Animations are NOT for children!!!

FTP address for 'Kats stuff: pumadyne.mv.com, /pub/users/rat/kats.
Lotsa gifs/jpegs and other goodies there. Sound bytes coming soon...?
        
Web page: Yes, the 'Kats have their own web page (not official, but
at least it's there): 'http://venom.st.hmc.edu/~razor/swatkats.html'.
Your Web browser MUST support graphics, or the web page will not work.
Send email to 'razor_at_netcom.com' for details.

For the die-hard 'Kats fans:
- To join a fan club (currently unofficial): email Walt Koziol
  (wkoziol_at_delphi.com).
- A fanzine, KATATONIC, is also in the works and will be available for
  a limited run (contact Timothy Fay [fayxx001_at_maroon.tc.unm.edu] for
  details).

==========================================================================
FAQ maintained by: Dana Uehara (razor_at_netcom.com)

Acknowledgements/Contributors:
        Andy Hill (chance_at_unix.infoserve.net)
        Timothy Fay (fayxx001_at_maroon.tc.unm.edu)

--
=================== Dana Uehara (duehara_at_atmos.ucla.edu) ==================
"I was raised to always offer my seat to a lady..." -- Razor

Received on Fri Jun 02 1995 - 15:05:19 PDT

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