Defenders of the Earth

Defenders of the Earth
GenreSuperhero
Action/adventure
Science fantasy
Based onMandrake the Magician
The Phantom
by Lee Falk
Flash Gordon
by Alex Raymond
Written byBryce Malek
Dick Robbins
Directed byWill Meugniot
John Gibbs
Ray Lee
StarringWilliam Callaway
Adam Carl
Ron Feinberg
Buster Jones
Loren Lester
Sarah Partridge
Diane Pershing
Peter Renaday
Lou Richards
Peter Mark Richman
Dion Williams
ComposerRobert J. Walsh
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes65
Production
Executive producersLee Gunther
Margaret Loesch
Bruce L. Paisner
ProducersJohn Ahern
Rick Hoberg
Bill Hutten
Glenn Johnson
Tony Love
Don Sheppard
Lee Orgel
George Singer
Bill Hutton
Tony Love
Running time30 mins
Production companiesMarvel Productions
King Features Entertainment
Original release
NetworkSyndication
ReleaseSeptember 8, 1986 (1986-09-08) –
May 1, 1987 (1987-05-01)
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Defenders of the Earth is an American animated television series produced in 1986, featuring characters from three comic strips distributed by King Features SyndicateFlash Gordon, The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, and Mandrake's assistant Lothar—opposing Ming the Merciless in the year 2015. Supporting characters include their children Rick Gordon (son of Flash), L.J. (son of Lothar), Kshin (adopted son of Mandrake), and Jedda Walker (daughter of the Phantom).[1]

The series lasted for 65 episodes; there was also a short-lived comic book series published by Star Comics (an imprint of Marvel Comics).[2] The closing credits credit Rob Walsh and Tony Pastor for the main title music, and Stan Lee for the lyrics. The series later aired in reruns on the Sci Fi Channel as part of its animation block, Cartoon Quest.

Flash Gordon has also been seen in two other animated series: The New Adventures of Flash Gordon (1979–82), and Flash Gordon (1996–97).[3]

Animated television series logo.
  1. ^ Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 150. ISBN 978-1538103739.
  2. ^ Markstein, Don. "Defenders of the Earth". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  3. ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 331–333. ISBN 978-1476665993.