’80s iconics the ThunderCats are so back, coming in hot with a new series that promises to remind fans that “anything can happen on Third Earth.” Get ready for the next chapter in the ongoing adventures of Lion-O and his heroic allies, as “the future of Third Earth,” and the ThunderCats franchise, “hangs in the balance.“
Dynamite Entertainment has officially announced the relaunch of ThunderCats, with author Greg Pak at the helm. That’s a huge get for the franchise. Pak is a lauded comic book veteran, most notably for his contributions to Hulk lore and his time writing Darth Vader for Marvel’s Star Wars line of comics.
Pak teased “huge fun, massive action, big emotion,” and also “searing relevance,” from the upcoming ThunderCats series, which launches this October. That means fans need to lock in for big swings, as a brand-new day arrives for Third Earth and ThunderCats.
Dynamite’s synopsis for Greg Pak’s ThunderCats notably confirms the introduction of an all-new character to franchise canon: “The Feral King.” With this new character, whether friend or foe of Lion-O & Co., the series is prepared to take a great leap forward for ThunderCats.
Legendary Writer Greg Pak Is Behind Thundercats’ New Era From Dynamite
Here’s what writer Greg Pak has to say about taking on ThunderCats for Dynamite:
“I’ve been hungry to dig into a story like this for years. Anything can happen on Third Earth, and if you’ve ever watched the original ThunderCats cartoons, you know that anything and everything did. There’s a huge element of surprise and wildness to this particular mix of science fiction and fantasy, and we’re taking it as far as we can. I’m also thrilled to be working on a story that feels deeply relevant about heroes slamming up against the limits of monarchy and teetering between triumph and catastrophe as they struggle to become a free people. Huge fun, massive action, big emotion, and searing relevance? You want this book!”
Pak’s comment about him and series artist David Cousens “taking [ThunderCats] as far as [they] can” is a great sign for the series right off the bat. For readers who aren’t already familiar with the author’s reputation, he loves to shake up familiar characters’ paradigms.
Which it sounds like he’s eager to do for ThunderCats. Previously, among his many comic credits, Greg Pak was responsible for World War Hulk, one of the most consequential Marvel crossovers of the 21st century. Lately, he’s been writing the Supernatural tie-in comic from Dynamite. Now, he’s making the jump to Third Earth and ThunderCats.
Greg Pak is a creator ThunderCats fans can trust with the franchise. He’s an ambitious writer with a deep understanding of how franchise storytelling works. His series will be recognizably ThunderCats, but still throw curveballs at its characters, and its readers, while introducing upgrades, new ideas, and yes, new characters to canon.
Mysterious New Character “The Feral King” Makes His Franchise Debut In Greg Pak’s “ThunderCats”
Let’s take a closer look at Dynamite’s synopsis for ThunderCats, and then unpack what to expect about “the Feral King.” Here’s the official description of the series:
The ThunderCats, once the proud sovereigns of Thundera, face a strange new life in exile on Third Earth, no longer ruling, but sharing the planet with the SilverHawks, the cat-hating Mu’Tants, and a multitude of unexplored societies. Lion-O, Lord of ThunderCats, still a youth in a man’s body, grows restless, hungry for bold action and heroism. But this is the time for subtle outreach and diplomacy to usher in an era of peace among equal peoples. Through the wise counsel of Tygra and the watchful friendship of Calica — who first appeared in ThunderCats (2024) #2, Lion-O swallows his pride and prepares to meet the moment.
But everything changes when a mysterious meteor streaks across the sky, casting strange light over an assembly of Third Earth’s tribes. Who is the Feral King? What is his mission? And whom will he champion — or destroy? The future of the ThunderCats, Mumm-Ra’s legions, and all the peoples of Third Earth hangs in the balance!
That includes a lot fans already know, of course, at least until it gets to the “mysterious meteor,” always a portent of trouble in situations like this. Which leads directly to the mention of the Feral King. Dynamite teases the possibility that he could be a heroic figure, but the going odds are that he will be a major new antagonist.
The Feral King seems poised to play a big role in Greg Pak’s ThunderCats, perhaps carving out an indispensable role for himself in ThunderCats canon moving forward. Beyond that, Dynamite’s press release for the series also references “a new roster of ‘Cats and ‘Hawks, unique new costumes and designs,” and more that will make this an unmissable entry in ThunderCats history.
ThunderCats #1 will be available this October from Dynamite Entertainment.
What do you think, readers? Will you give Greg Pak’s ThunderCats a shot? What are your predictions for the Feral King’s role in the series?
- Cast
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Bob McFadden, Larry Kenney, Earl Hammond, Earle Hyman, Lynne Lipton, Peter Newman, Gerrianne Raphael, Doug Preis, Víctor Trujillo
- Created by
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Tobin Wolf
- Latest TV Show
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ThunderCats Roar
- First Episode Air Date
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September 9, 1985