SWAT Kats: A Squadron Too Radical To Survive

Links:
The SWAT Kats Info Fan Site: swatkats.info/
SWAT Kats Twitter: / theswatkats
Dominick DeSantis' Twitter: / axiomvulpine
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#Iconicon #SWATKats

[@thecinematicmind]

Back in early 2020, I finally got the chance to get this show on iTunes in the UK and my goodness what a spectacular fun show.

[@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723]

Be Thankful Thatcher is long dead, otherwise she would ban it, just to get more votes,

[@Launchpad05]

Anyone who calls 'Swat Kats' A 'TMNT' rip-off is A fool because 'Swat Kats' exists in a universe of anthropomorphic cats. They're not mutants like The Turtles, or The Street Starks, nor did they come from Mars like The Biker Mice. They're just cartoon cats who fight crime in fighter jets. (The only 'TMNT' connection is that Donatello's voice actor, Barry Gordon, voices Razor.) Also, this was the most bad ass cartoon that Hanna-Barbera produced at the time. In many ways, it was way ahead of it's time. Which sadly lead to it's untimely demise from Ted Turner due to it's hard edged tone. Had the Toonami block been introduced earlier, 'Swat Kats' could've lasted A few more seasons.

[@ledzep1990rostov]

Exactly. Kats exist in their own Kat-world, which looks quite different from our Earth (dark green sky and stuff). Like you said, they aint some mutants/aliens/whatever, forced to live among regular people. In general, Swat Kats are probably more like Top gun + Knight Rider + some batman. It most certainly has nothing to do with the Turtles.

[@Launchpad05]

@@ledzep1990rostov That almost gives Dan Larson some validity, but he's still wrong.

[@essdeecard]

Calling Swat Kats a TMNT Ripoff, is like calling Final Space a Rick and Morty Clone. They're not the same thing. Sure they may look similar to you, BUT THEY ARE NOT, THE SAME, THING.

[@l-wolverine2211]

@@Launchpad05It’s ironic that in the 80’s & 90’s, there were so many animal based cartoons that people would accuse one show being a rip off of another. Swat Kats was definitely not one of them, considering it was mostly inspired by other influences, mostly Top Gun. If there was a rip-off from a show like TMNT, it’d be Battletoads, Street Sharks, & Extreme Dinosaurs, and they were all made by the same company, the defunct DiC.

[@Launchpad05]

@@l-wolverine2211 Another 'Turtle' inspired show was 'Biker Mice From Mars', and that had Rob Paulsen as Throttle.

[@colt5189]

I loved SWAT Kats back in the day. It was kind of like Knight Rider, but with cats. I've had the DVD for many years now, just haven't gotten a chance to go back and re-watch it. I also picked up the Earthworm Jim DVD as I was really into that show back in the day at that time too and the action figures. Though never was aware back in the day of Swat Kats toys.

[@megagrey]

I'll be straight with you, THIS is the cat-themed cartoon I was most into as a wee lad, not ThunderCats. Both have aged rather well but something about Swat Kats STILL hits hard. Like you said, it didn't talk town to kids and proudly flaunted its extremeness. To be fair, Callie's ties to the Swat Kats does have vibes of April's to the Turtles. Beyond that... Yeah stretching it.

[@BLKW4RDR3M0N]

Its wild how swat kats leff such a lasting impression all these years later. I was so looking forward to the swat kats taking flight again.

[@MolitaliaMolitalia]

¿Why T-bone is so muscular?

[@shadowleon659]

I watched this show earlier this year and just in time for its 30th Anniversary. I truly declare it to be awesome. I also put in it in my Top Ten Most Underrated Cartoons and wish it lived to it's full potential. Screw the Karens for getting cancelled it.

[@deadinsidemcgee411]

I remember watching this one on boomerang at night as a kid. Pretty solid series all around.

[@Commentaur-PMM]

Oh my god I adore Swat Kats. I watched it as a kid and I would draw so many missiles, pretending I was helping Razor improve the designs. Talk about a dope action cartoon.

[@DragonKingX78]

I love this series, deserved more seasons, really deserves a blu ray release.

[@HyperMoeMan]

I miss this show and I hope if it does get a reboot, it stays faithful to its source.

[@democrabots]

I like the Toy Galaxy quantity of content, but it was kind of funny and brave of you to roast the host. And his Followers sure do love his 'absolutism' on not-toys.

[@colt5189]

I've always found Toy Galaxy to be a little pretentious. Though I still watch their videos. I think their videos would probably be better if they weren't trying to cram 1,000 words a minute.

[@JONNYSORENSEN_AU]

What is a "not-toy"?

[@Launchpad05]

This is why I can never take Dan Larson seriously in regards to cartoons. He has his moments, but those are extremely rare.

[@zombiekillo61704]

THIS SHOW NEEDS TO COME BACK!!!

[@shadowleon659]

21:15 Another Fun Fact: The episode "Eclipse" from The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest was also cannibalised from that unmade Swat Kats episode. Both that episode and Zombie Island were written by Glenn Leopold.

[@Alzilla09]

I loved this show as a kid! Growing up in the 90s this show kicked ass! I got to get the DVD of this show.

[@alejandromolina7270]

If this aired on Toonami it would have lasted for five seasons and probably make it darker than the anime they aired alongside.

[@adamshafeeq8685]

Man, i wish i could make a show as cool as this. It's so badass and inspiring to me

[@1993Nautilus]

Feral- THE SWAT KATS? What're they doing here? Cali- Your job Feral! Gee i wonder why he hates the Swat Kats, that was a little harsh there Cali...

[@theflyingninja1]

I remember enjoying this enough to have my parents buy me some Swat Kats pyjamas back in the day.

[@TTastic-pb5nt]

Man I loved this show as a kid.

[@thewistfulsnail]

Somehow missed this show completely as a kid. Reminds me of Biker Mice from Mars. Super interesting video!

[@Daltinian95]

I really love this series and I'm incredibly excited for Swat Kats Revolution. I hope someone does some toys for Swat Kats at some point. I absolutely would love a 1:18 scale Turbokat with a Cyclotron as well as the Thundertruck. The metallikats car would be pretty sweet too. Great video Lio Convoy, also very informative.

[@joshuaallington8688]

Great video. I loved this series back in the day and wanted more of it.

[@Dustinlove102]

15:22 OMG SO CUTE 💕💕💕

[@PlainKen]

Loved the cartoon. Toys were so hard to aquire. I think I use to have T-bone? Rented the SNES game twice. Would love this to comeback. Has tons of potential.

[@acesartgallery9117]

Thank you for doing this show justice! I remember this was my favorite show to watch on Boomerang growing up and it makes me sad that most people my age either have never heard of it or shrug it off as a TMNT rip off! Even though the show has aged with things like the David Litterman jokes, I'm sick of people sticking their noses up to this show, it's themes, it's sick villains, and watching Razor and T-bone work together always fills me with this giddy feeling like I'm hanging out with old friends. I loved hearing about the unproduced episodes too, probably explains why Scoobie Doo on Zombie Island was my favorite Scoobie Doo movie as a kid too. Wish I could of been a kid in the 90's I would of loved those Swat Cat toys as a kid. Let's hope the new series comes out before the sun burns out! Thanks again for reviewing this classic!

[@zombiekitty4700]

I remember getting the T-Bone and Razor action figures for christmas as a kid. My classmates envied me for getting them. Lost the accessories, but my boys are still in top condition.

[@AkiraLionPilot]

I’ll be honest, I didn’t get entirely hooked on this show until watching this review. Now I really wanna check it out

[@Kingbeat1]

I'm so glad these cats actually kill their bad guys I can't believe nobody recognized superman in real life and people say the disgusts sucks .

[@Sparking_Roar97]

I remember watching a few episodes of this show on Boomerang.

[@TuneTamasha]

On CN that was the jam. CN had tons of great action in the 90s.

[@Launchpad05]

Cartoon Network use to be based. Now, they're A complete joke.

[@HannahSnowdawn1629]

I loved this show I grew up with it and I still watch it to this day ☺️ I really wish they would bring it back

[@turtle-tank8231]

for me Swat Kats is my all time favorite 90's series .I never seen the figures as a kid to me the show was Good Enough

[@JnGArtimation]

Just another show that got me into action comics and animation.

[@TheHeadNinjainComics]

I think I remember catching some episodes on TBS. Good times.

[@Launchpad05]

I was lucky to catch 'Swat Kats' in syndication before we got cable in 2000.

[@wxkat]

Barry Gordon voicing Razor was what initially drew me in to the series. Of course, that the world was populated by felines added to its allure (yes, I’m a cat lover). I’m hoping the Tremblays can revive the show, though its future right now seems uncertain.

[@amazingbro6723]

Thanks for the video lio. It's well informed and researched

[@estebangutierrez160]

When I first watched the reruns on Boomerang years ago, I never had a TMNT vibe from it, there are too many difference between TMNT and Swat Kats. There's only a few similarities, but only a few.

[@thecinematicmind]

Bennett The Sage is one frustrating fool.

[@Launchpad05]

I use to like Bennett The Sage, but these days, he's just not as fun as he use to be.

[@TheeDeathCaster]

I remember watching this show many years ago (8 years I think) and loved watching it. It was a shame it got cancelled, but I'm glad we got what we did. I never knew they used Japanese animation techniques either, ya learn something new every day.

[@oneofnone7947]

I grew up loving every second of this show I thought sage got some things wrong but with him if it's not traditional Japan animation he really has shoved his head up his but recently

[@aravindap7863]

This is fantastic analysis. I love it. I would love to hear your thoughts or thoughts of fans on the swat kats revolution teaser.

[@patrikbengtsson3883]

Dark Kat's voice actor voiced another villain from a different Animesque Hanna-Barbera production, the Pirate-Lord Bloth.

[@IceRiver1020]

This was one of my favorite shows as a kid, alongside the original Voltron.

[@geardog24]

I always wondered what was the origin of Dark Kat. He's not a wizard like Past Master, or a mad scientist like Dr. Viper, so what's his deal?

[@xm-1-24-b4]

I’m assuming demon

[@Lio_Convoy]

He got bitten by a radioactive douchebag.

[@Greg12839]

@@Lio_Convoy dang, i hate it when that happens

[@adamshafeeq8685]

My best guess is that he's Satan in Kat form. I mean, look at him, towering over the weak, menacing look, he's most likely a demon

[@alejandromolina7270]

Megakat City, because of its immense size, is home to a number of unique and wonderful villains. Heading the list is DARK KAT. This mysterious creature poses as a judge by day. But at night, he becomes the cowled DARK KAT, a Hannibal Lecter-type madman who frees prisoners only to do his evil bidding. Dark Kat as has a charisma and an aura of evil that even the most treacherous of the others does not have. Dark Kat’s goal is to unite all the criminals in Megakat City and make one grand assault -­ taking the place and making it his own. However, he has not bee n able to unite everyone. His attempt to mediate their disputes is a step in that direction. If he can ever get them all to work together … the power will be his! And this is one reason the others do not cooperate. They know that if Dark Kat takes over, he will rule them all. To divide, in this case, is to remain free. swatkats.info/exclusives/swat-kats-series-concept/

[@KanishkaS88]

Hope this toon series sees a day of light as a game on current gen consoles some day... Really hopeful...😃

[@bomberfox5232]

It was one of the most comic book like shows i watched as a kid.

[@PitchBlackYeti]

24:14 that "Extra Death Ray" is probably because cats have 9 lives :D

[@erickteixeira7251]

Excelent video, probaly the best video of the Swat Kats I ever see thanks for the review of this awesome cartoon a hiden gem of the nines

[@GCRavn42]

Well done. I enjoyed watching this show on Cartoon Network. They don’t make action cartoons anymore because it’s not trendy and these days if you want the show to succeed it has to have merchandise to supplement it otherwise it can’t happen thru traditional means of media. Fortunately a lot of independent creators find ways to get a pilot episode made and see if there’s enough fans interested in seeing more episodes made. Also, a lot of financial backing because animated shows are not cheap so crowd-fundraising and merchandise sales help pay everyone to continue making amazing content. Keep up the good work my friend. 👏👍😁👍❤️🎥🍿🍍🥥🍻🇺🇸✨☀️🌙✨🎮🍵🍰✅🙏. Ps- It makes sense how the Action Cartoons of the 90’s and Early 2000’s paved the way for the Program block of Toonami later on and expose people to Anime, etc.

[@nikosafer1]

Amazing Video Lio, i will go and watch it the entire show.

[@CooperGal24]

I'd like to add to the "Criticism" part that on the Steve Harvey talk show, he saw a guy in the member of the audience that looked SO much like Steve himself, he actually thought he was seeing himself!

[@trashcatlinol]

The k is good design. Swat Cats makes more sense, but the k offers a sharper look that fits better than just a < would. The line in k grounds it more, and splits the title nicely with the t on the other side. I like to combine letters in illustrations, as part of my logo design practice. It was fun to look at the title after all these years. Mortal Kombat always looked awkward to me in it's design. I also was under the impression after Cali got rescued, it would have opened up a line of communication between them easy enough that they could have secretly slipped her a communicator, but it's been a decade since I've watched the series. Pretty sure I'm just theorizing.

[@trashcatlinol]

I remember making the joke this show was so great because Jesus was on the cast and it clearly had direction by a Christian. I miss the days where conspiracy theories could be made up for fun and didn't have deadly consequences.

[@KennyWhitty]

Great video forgot how much I liked Swat Kats 👍🏼

[@kaylemathewcomendador6964]

I have a decent amount of nostalgia for SWAT Kats. Mostly through Cartoon Network reruns. So this is neat to see. And is there really *that* little merchandise and toys based on it? With the amount of baddies, vehicles and gadgets the show showed off that aspect surprises me. How are people gonna compare it to TMNT now? What little toys did come out for it definitely looks like the designers simply went “make it more toyetic”. That’s my wild guess on why they look the way they are. Neat informative video overall.

[@CooperGal24]

FigurArts should take on the project of creating SWAT Kats figures! And I don't mean JUST the heroes and villains, I mean the secondary characters as well, even a figure set of Chance and Jake in their mechanic attire! Also, more respect for the Loonetics series, because The Trembley Bros DID produce the series. While, yes, it WASN'T exactly everyone's forte, we can all agree that the overall designs, stories and voice acting are top notch which are just as good as the SWAT Kats.

[@JONNYSORENSEN_AU]

Fell asleep before I got to this one, will catch the replay.

[@Zeno11Salazar]

I really never understood comparing SWAT Kats to TMNT, I'm a fan of both and I see very little overlap.

[@KasumiKenshirou]

They're anthropomorphic animals and their cartoon came out in the 1990s. That seems to be where the similarities end, but some people will call anything that meets those criteria as a TMNT rip-off.

[@Zeno11Salazar]

@@KasumiKenshirou Definitely something I noticed as I hear more about any of these shows

[@KasumiKenshirou]

@@Zeno11Salazar Similarly, people will claim any prime time animated sitcom about a family is a Simpsons rip-off. On one of The Simpsons DVD commentary tracks an animator or writer once said that Hank Hill from King of the Hill was just "Homer with glasses".

[@lorenadavila5580]

I wish Bandai Spirits could acquire the rights to SWAT Kats to create a line of S.H. Figuarts featuring T-Bone, Razor, Dark Kat, Commander Feral, Lt. Felina Feral, Dr. Viper, Callie Briggs,Hard Drive, Turmoil, etc.

[@Johnlindsey289]

Love this show since 11 when it debuted on tbs! Let’s admit Callie Briggs and Felina were hot! I dug them when I was a kid

[@sephuris5555]

I remember being 6 and watching swat cats it was also my reason I wanted to joining the Air Force

[@Kingbeat1]

The macho man was on cn so cool I might buy this show

[@Launchpad05]

I'll bet that inspired Genndy to cast him as Rasslor on 'Dexter's Laboratory'.

[@Kingbeat1]

I got it

[@AnthonyDaFox]

I love the Hanna barbera Action cartoons. my Favorite was the Galaxy trio.

[@nightmarezer0507]

Pastmaster episode was aired first due to the success of Jurassic Park. And the pastmaster episode having dinosaurs in it.

[@ouijasilverstar9027]

Recording the show on VHS. Oh God that takes me back. Anyone remember TiVO?

[@Cipher422]

It would have been so cool if they made a collectible Turbokat model.

[@killersasuke13]

dude i love that show i used to watch it on cartoon network

[@JustCallMeHeavy]

10:48 I heard that was because of Jurassic Park they aired it first, basically to cash-in on the dinosaur craze of the time.

[@l-wolverine2211]

There’s a rumor they’re trying to reboot and/or bring back Swat Kats. Idk if it’ll be as Radical as the original, but as long as they don’t Screw Up like ThunderCats Roar or “velma”, then all will be okay.

[@Johnlindsey289]

No woke garbage either

[@Tenfey]

Bingo!

[@Chuckplays421]

I thought swat Kats was inspired by a show called Air Wolf.

[@LukaTisus]

I'm tentatively stoked for the reboot, mostly 'cuz the Tremblay brothers are still behind development so I'm hoping it stays true to the OG

[@LukaTisus]

So far as I know, the reboot is in production with an animation company out of India, I think. I can't remember the studio name, but they've been dropping tiny progress snippets on their IG page and it's got me pumped. Animation looks like it might be another 2D/3D hybrid so I hope that they don't botch it because the use of that animation can definitely be either great, or absolutely terrible

[@gnome9510]

I think i saw SWAT cat when I was really young

[@edparadis6685]

Swat Kats was awsome for its time and the game that came out was not that bad either. Great voice casting overall. Problem is that they had no real direction for the series after a couple of seasons. However i wish they let Jim lee or Todd Mcfaluin pick up the tab for Swats Kats when they wanted to make a comic book series and a more t rated cartoon like it should have to start with

[@samusai]

People who lump Swat Kats in with the "TMNT rip-offs" has always made me wonder if they actually SEEN Swat Kats...heck makes me wonder if they've actually seen TMNT by that extension. There's seriously no comparison other than "anthropomorphic heroes fighting bad guys" (by that logic people can call Kung Fu Panda a TMNT rip-off....ya know nevermind there might be people who have). Anywho I for one am glad you brought up some of the fun advertising TBS did with the secret files. I missed when networks did this for their shows. I know this word has been tossed around so much that it may have lost it meaning-but those little bits just made watching it felt more immersive. Getting bits of supplemental media as a way to draw in viewers has always been interesting and shows that it CAN work. It was a joy to see it comeback to boomerang/CN while I was attending college (early-mid 2000's). I actually never SEEN the "evil universe" episode until then (the joys of having 1 family TV). It still held up after all these years in my opinion. Yes there's some dated parts, but doesn't really hinder the enjoyment. It's definitely on my "to buy" list.

[@CaptainCreature]

It boggles my mind how anyone that watches 10 minutes of this gem and say that it's a Tmnt clone

[@FearsomeVoid]

SWAT Kats, ThunderCats. It's obvious that you're a cat person.

[@Launchpad05]

'HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!'

[@FearsomeVoid]

Where can I watch these old school cartoons?

[@RedDragonM1]

Thanks for going after Bennet the sage there. Because of him, I can't watch "Inuyasha" without feeling guilty, or part of the problem....

[@Lio_Convoy]

What did he say about it?

[@RedDragonM1]

@@Lio_ConvoyThat it was an abusive relationship! Kagome is an abuser, and if the tables were turned, Inuyasha would be a monster! "She hits him, yells at him, berates him, evil threatens him! How is this show popular?! THIS IS A BAD RELATIONSHIP!"

[@itsallasimulationman]

It's more like Bosom Buddies than TMNT.

[@Konsker]

big fan of the female characters from this show

[@VaiSakH112]

Big fan of Charlie Adler and Garry Owens 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@kubavjackow6730]

Swat Kats - that was one hell of a cartoon. Absolutely loved it. I dare say that it's probably my favourite cartoon of all the time. Darkwing Duck being also @ the top of the list (maybe even tied with Swat Kats) - but obviously different vibe to it. Btw I recall another cartoon from my childhood - "The Centurions". I believe you haven't covered them up (hopefully yet). Just as an idea for some future content maybe. Here's a link to Centurions intro - if you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pp-Xaq2ujbd7nqM Anyways. Good job with SK. Liked, subscribed, will check what future brings to the channel. Stay safe.

[@ShyFireProductions]

Centurions was dope

[@silverhowl9331]

This seems like a really cool show!!! AND IT FEATURES CATS!!

[@LazyPirate8]

I remember Boomerang aired the whole two seasons back in 2009. Sucked the show never returned from the litterbox.

[@yahyaanimation5577]

nice job man but please dont blur the drawing of the bg or at least change the color to dark one for good visibility thanks =)

[@lorenadavila5580]

If SWAT Kats was too violent, how do you explain Amphibia's episode :True Colors where King Andreas stabs Marcy?

[@artngamingwonderland4067]

Oh wow! I remember watching this on Boomerang for a bit when I was a kid

[@IGuessItsSketchyT]

Which boomerang the one with the box or the one that was an actual boomerang?

[@artngamingwonderland4067]

@@IGuessItsSketchyT Boomerang is a part of Cartoon Network when it decided to take off all the old cartoons from it, so the fans of the older cartoons can watch it.

[@Joslyn_Josh]

I was lucky to have an early talent in drawing. I used to draw Callie Briggs in a very 'hot' way...ripped that paper off and went straight to the bathroom with it...😏 Am i a furry!?

[@Lio_Convoy]

Yes. It’s terminal.

[@Johnlindsey289]

It’s ok to be furry

[@Quincy_Morris]

12:15 based

[@LukaTisus]

Pastmaster was the most annoying, to me. Viper and the Metallikats were my favorite, the former because he's got so much potential to be way more a threat than he is and the latter because I just love their banter and wit. Dark Kat, I liked, and I think mostly for the voice? Like wtf dude sounded so menacing lol

[@bjornjorgensen2220]

We're the Swat Kats inspired by Judge Dredd?

[@CooperGal24]

I question the Future SWAT Kats’ “fate” in the Bright and Shiny Future episode. We’ve only heard Professor Hackle’s version of the story, but what about everyone else? Did the FSK actual die in the crash or did they eject from the TurboKat in time? This is why the episode felt “meh” to me, especially since it was never once brought up to how many years the SK was thrown in. Were they thrown a couple years or a decade or two into the future? I say that because the future characters hasn’t exactly changed in age. Feral, Manx and Hackle appears to have aged, but that could’ve been from the stress of the Metallikats’ takeover of the city. Speaking of the latter, why the PastMaster enlisted the help of the MK in the future is beyond me. I can see Dark Kat as the ruler of the fallen MKC, but not MK, mostly because they look like they’d be more into just stealing money and valuables from banks and such, on top of being crime lords, not rule an entire city. Soooo, this is one of those SK episodes where the writing is questionable.

[@sumitmuladventures]

Great, Greetings from India 🪔🌏

[@aethertoast4320]

I thought this was a great show when there were reruns as a kid.

[@halfblooddaughterrose8675]

They are doing a reboot of this show and they are add new characters

[@brandonaneals4296]

swat Kats was wow 100 star ⭐️🤩 show I drawing Callie Briggs felina feral and best cool amazing awesome gold show

[@federicobonizzoni5986]

I’m sorry about them

[@Lio_Convoy]

About what?

[@federicobonizzoni5986]

@@Lio_Convoy about swat cats

[@federicobonizzoni5986]

@@Lio_Convoy lioconvoy what do you think about robthewonderful

[@Lio_Convoy]

What do you think of Joe?

[@federicobonizzoni5986]

@@Lio_Convoy never seen him

[@יובלקונסקר]

pretty callie

[@GHNSEM]

Why swat Kats is abandon 😢

[@TonyTama]

Kinda glad i dropped watching toy galaxy cus at this point his videos are misinformation and essentially pushing the false narrative that Hot Rod killed Prime despite that Megatron was probably most like gonna kill him anyways. That and just the impression of the childnlike arguments presented as humor in said misinformation... Like jeez i get more info from this channel and Slag Podcast.