Ultraforce
| Ultraforce | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Malibu Comics Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Pre-Black September: Ultraforce #1 (August 1994) Post-Black September: Ultraforce vol. 2, #1 (October 1995) |
| In-story information | |
| Base(s) | Pre-Black September: Ultraforce HQ, Florida Post-Black September: Ultraforce HQ, Headless Cross, Arkansas |
| Member(s) | See roster |
The Ultraforce is a fictional superhero group that appears in comic books published by Malibu, and later Marvel, as well as an animated series produced by DIC. Their purpose was to protect the public and keep other Ultras from getting out of line. The membership consisted of various "ultras" (superheroes) in Malibu's Ultraverse, including the super-strong Prime; Topaz, warrior queen of Gwendor; Prototype, Ultra-Tech's armored spokesperson; the undead Ghoul, the last surviving member of the Exiles; Hardcase, one of the first public Ultras; and the mysterious Contrary, who organized the team and provided their technology.[1]
Pre-Black September
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Post-Black September
After the event known as "Black September" (when Marvel Comics purchased Malibu), the Ultraforce was re-created into a new team. Hardcase and Contrary were removed from the team, and from the memories of their former teammates. Prototype (Jimmy Ruiz) was also removed, though he was replaced by his predecessor in the Prototype armor, Bob Campbell. New members included the mysterious Lament and Wreckage. Marvel's Black Knight became the leader of the new group. This series lasted only 15 issues and ended after the Malibu line was shut down by Marvel.
Roster
The names listed are those used while the character was associated with Ultraforce. "First appearance" is the place where the character first appeared as a member of the team. It is not necessarily the first appearance of the character in print, nor the story depicting how the character joined the team. All information is listed in publication order first, then alphabetical.
Pre-Black September
| Character | Real name | First appearance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contrary | Unknown | Allegedly was "Wetware Mary". | |
| Ghoul | Jonathan Martin | Exiles #1 | |
| Hardcase | Tom Hawke | Hardcase #1 | |
| Pixx | Penny Burka | Giant-Size Freex #1 | |
| Prime | Kevin Green | Prime #1 | |
| Prototype | Jimmy Ruiz | Prototype #1 | |
| Topaz | N/A | Giant-Size Mantra #1 | |
| Black Knight | Dane Whitman | ||
| Siren | |||
| The Night Man | Johnny Domino | ||
| Electrocute | Candy (android) | Strangers #1 | |
| Zip-Zap | Leon Balford | Strangers #1 | |
| Grenade | Hugh Fox | Strangers #1 | |
| Spectral | Dave Castiglone | Strangers #1 | |
| Atom Bob | Bob Hardin | Strangers #1 |
Post-Black September
| Character | Real name | First appearance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Knight | Dane Whitman | ||
| Prime | Kevin Green | ||
| Prototype | Bob Campbell | ||
| Topaz | N/A | ||
| Ghoul | Jonathan Martin | ||
| Hellblade | Jefferson Kotto | ||
| Amber Hunt | N/A | ||
| Ironclad | Spencer Collins | ||
| Lament | Sarah Walks Unseen | ||
| Maxis | Dar'u Sorrin | ||
| Ripfire | |||
| Wreckage |
Animated series
| Ultraforce | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Animated television series |
| Created by | DIC Entertainment Bohbot Entertainment |
| Voices of | Andrew Jackson |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 13 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Andy Heyward Michael Malani |
| Producer | Scott Mitchell Rosenberg |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | USA Network |
| Release | December 21, 1994 – April 26, 1995 |
There was a short-lived Ultraforce animated television series that ran for 13 episodes. It was based on the first version of the Ultraforce comic book, and was produced by DiC Entertainment and Bohbot Entertainment.[2][3] There was also an Ultraforce action figure line produced by Galoob.
Episode list
| Episode | Title | Original airdate | Production number |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Prime Time" | 21 December 1994 | 1 |
|
Part one of the series pilot. The return of the creature NM-E at a missile base ends up bringing together Ultra heroes Hardcase, Prime and Prototype together. But unbeknownst to them, NM-E is working for someone... | |||
| 2 | "The Stuff of Heroes" | 8 February 1995 | 2 |
|
Part two of the pilot. With the missiles under his control, Atalon begins his attack on the surface world. But can our heroes learn to work together to stop him? Meanwhile, the alien warrior queen Topaz arrives on Earth. | |||
| 3 | "Armageddon" | 15 February 1995 | 3 |
|
Conclusion to the pilot. The battle between UltraForce and Atalon reaches its’ climax as Atalon launches at attack on the surface world. But one member won’t be coming back.... | |||
| 4 | "Lord Pumpkin's Pie" | 22 February 1995 | 4 |
| 5 | "You Can't Go Home Again" | 1 March 1995 | 5 |
|
Prototype is called back to his old neighborhood dismal to strange goings on, and deals with a new crime lord, the supernatural being known as Lord Pumpkin. | |||
| 6 | "Wrack & Ruin" | 8 March 1995 | 6 |
|
Prime is taken into custody by the government organization, Aladdin, when he is believed to be infected with a strain of rogue DNA. But there’s more to this story than it seems... | |||
| 7 | "Night and The Nightman" | 15 March 1995 | 8 |
|
An accident leaves jazz saxophonist Johnny Domino with the telepathic abilitiy to hear evil thoughts. But Johnny soon discovers that something else was created in the accident...and a new hero is born to battle it. | |||
| 8 | "Prime Ambition" | 22 March 1995 | 7 |
|
Prime may end up learning the origin of his powers while stopping a bank robbery committed by two kids with powers similar to his own. | |||
| 9 | "A Veiled Threat" | 29 March 1995 | 9 |
| 10 | "Pump It Up!" | 5 April 1995 | 10 |
|
Lord Pumpkin returns as the manager of a young Ultra rock star, whose music places teenagers under mind control. And things get really bad for Ghoul when Prime falls under it as well! | |||
| 11 | "Primal Scream" | 12 April 1995 | 11 |
| 12 | "Everything That Rises Must Converge" | 19 April 1995 | 13 |
| 13 | "Jumpin' at the Boneyard" | 26 April 1995 | 12 |
Voice cast
Reception
The TV show had a poor reception from critics.[2][3][4]
References
- ^ "'UltraForce' superheroes invade the Sunday TV cartoon universe". Nl.newsbank.com. Retrieved 2013-10-22.
- ^ a b "10 Worst Comic Book Animated Series of All Time". Newsarama. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
- ^ a b "The 10 Most Obnoxious '90s Cartoon Theme Songs". Topless Robot. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
- ^ "Chat Transcript: Writer Steve Englehart". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
External links
- Comics characters introduced in 1994
- Ultraverse
- 1995 Canadian television series debuts
- 1995 Canadian television series endings
- Superhero television programs
- First-run syndicated television programs in the United States
- Television series by DIC Entertainment
- USA Action Extreme Team
- Animated television series based on Marvel Comics
- 1990s Canadian animated television series