Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors

Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors
Genre Sci-fi/Animation
Created by Jean Chalopin
Developed by J. Michael Straczynski
Voices of Darrin Baker
Len Carlson
Luba Goy
Charles Jolliffe
Valerie Politis
Dan Hennessey
Guilio Kukurugya
Country of origin France
Canada
Japan
United States
No. of episodes 65
Production
Running time 22 min.
Production company(s) DIC Entertainment
Mattel
Distributor SFM Entertainment
Release
Original network Syndication
USA Network (1995-1996)
Sky Channel, Premiere, Channel 4 (UK)
Original release September 16, 1985 – April 27, 1986

Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors is a French/North American animated TV show which was first broadcast on September 16, 1985. It was produced by DIC Entertainment (originally distributed for syndication by SFM Entertainment) and animated by the Japanese animation studios Sunrise, Shaft, Studio Giants, Studio Look and Swan Production.[1] The show, which ran for 65 thirty-minute episodes, was created to support Mattel's Wheeled Warriors toyline. It has an ongoing plot, however, it did not have a finale, and the plot was left unresolved.

The show featured two duelling forces. The heroes are humans called the Lightning League who drive white and silver vehicles with assorted weaponry led by a teenager named Jayce. The villains are organic plant-based creatures called the Monster Minds who travel via large green organic vines, which can grow in and across interstellar space, and sprout seeds that grow rapidly into further Monster Minds. They are led by the very first of the Monster Minds, Saw Boss.[2]

Background

Most of the episodes were written by the French writers Jean Chalopin and Haskell Barkin. Writers at DIC also included Larry DiTillio, Barbara Hambly and J. Michael Straczynski. Straczynski wrote about a quarter of the episodes attempting, in his words, to "hijack a dopey concept and make it into something more".[3] Haim Saban and Shuki Levy provided the music for the show.[4]

In the United Kingdom, the series was screened on Sunday mornings on Channel 4 and Sky Channel.[5]:179, 198–199 In France, a French language version of the show titled Jayce et les Conquérants de la Lumière (lit. Jayce and the Conquerors of Light) was broadcast on Salut les p'tits loups !, a children's show on TF1, beginning on September 9, 1985.[1] Its first showing in the US was seven days later. Nearly a decade later, it was rerun on USA Network's USA Cartoon Express block from July 3, 1994 to August 25, 1995.[6][7]

No backstory was given with the toys for the Lightning League and the Monster Minds doing battle, and so distinct characters were created by DIC and Straczynski to allow for a structured story.[1]

Plot

The series follows protagonists Jayce, Flora, Herc Stormsailor, Oon, and Gillian in their search for Jayce's father Audric while opposing the main antagonist Saw Boss and his followers, the Monster Minds. Audric was a botanist who performed experiments with biotechnology, one experiment creating Flora. In another experiment, Audric attempted to create a plant that could prevent starvation. But when he succeeded, a nearby star exploded into a supernova. The radiation from the supernova's explosion changed the plant and four others into the Monster Minds: a race of plant-like extraterrestrials who wished to conquer the universe. Audric created a root that could destroy the Monster Minds, but was forced to flee before he could complete the task, after which the Monster Minds made Audric's laboratory their headquarters. Audric kept half of the root himself and gave the other half to his servant, the Eternal Squire Oon, whom he sent to serve Jayce. Jayce and his friends are thereafter on a quest to find Audric and form the complete root.[8]

The Movie

Due to less than successful toy sales, the series' 65 episode run was not extended, and the series ended unresolved. However, according to Straczynski,[1] a movie had also been commissioned along with the series, following in the footsteps of other toy-based animated series such as Transformers and G.I. Joe; if the series had proven successful by increasing toy sales, production would have begun. Straczynski wrote the script, but due to the failure of the toyline, preparation for the movie was shelved.[1]

Had the movie been filmed, it would have provided a finale for the series, with Jayce and his Lightning League meeting the original Lightning League and being trained on the home world of the Guardians. Jayce would be reunited with his father Audric, but Audric would have been killed by Saw Boss as the Monster Minds began a final assault on the galaxy, and in a final battle, Jayce would unite the root and destroy Saw Boss, ending the Monster Mind threat forever.[1]

List of characters

The Lightning League

The Monster Minds

The Lightning League vehicles

Every Lightning League vehicle can be driven by members of the League.[1][5]:179–213[9] They can also operate on pre-programmed battle plans, without drivers, through commands issued on Jayce's communicator. When it talks to the vehicles, they response with a single phase "Command Acknowledged".

The 1st Lightning League AI Ground Vehicles created by Gillian:

The 2nd Lightning League AI Ground Vehicles created by Gillian:

The Lightning League AI Air And Space Vehicles:

The Monster Minds vehicles

Generally, Monster Mind battles are carried out by clones of the main Monster Minds that are grown from vines.[1][5]:179–213[9] Saw Boss is able to communicate with these clones telepathically. These clones are referred to as "troopers"; Saw Trooper, Terror Trooper, K.O. Trooper, etc. The true Monster Minds change from their humanoid forms into vehicles upon leaving their headquarters, although they are significantly larger and more powerful than their mass-produced clones.[5]:179–213

The 1st Monster Minds' Ground Legions:

The second Monster Minds' Ground Legions:[5]:207

The Monster Minds' Air and Space Legions:[9]

The Monster Minds' Network of Legions:[9]

Episode list

# Title Date
1 "Escape from the Garden of Evil" September 16, 1985
2 "The Vase of Xiang" September 17, 1985
3 "Steel Against Shadow" September 18, 1985
4 "Silver Crusaders" September 19, 1985
5 "Ghostship" September 20, 1985
6 "Flora, Fauna and the Monster Minds" September 23, 1985
7 "Fire and Ice" September 24, 1985
8 "Space Outlaws" September 25, 1985
9 "Future of the Future" September 26, 1985
10 "Underwater" September 27, 1985
11 "Frostworld" September 30, 1985
12 "Critical Mass" October 1, 1985
13 "The Purple Tome" October 2, 1985
14 "Hook, Line and Silver" October 3, 1985
15 "Bloodstone" October 4, 1985
16 "The Slaves of Adelbaren" October 7, 1985
17 "The Hunt" October 8, 1985
18 "Blockade Runners" October 9, 1985
19 "The Sleeping Princess" October 10, 1985
20 "Deadly Reunion" October 11, 1985
21 "Sky Kingdom" October 14, 1985
22 "Quest into Shadow" October 15, 1985
23 "Unexpected Trouble" October 16, 1985
24 "Bounty Hunters" October 17, 1985
25 "Double Deception" October 18, 1985
26 "Gate World" October 21, 1985
27 "Space Thief" October 22, 1985
28 "Moon Magic" October 23, 1985
29 "Affair of Honor" October 24, 1985
30 "Doomed Flower" October 25, 1985
31 "The Stallions of Sandeen" October 28, 1985
32 "Brain Trust" October 29, 1985
33 "Lightning Strikes Twice" October 30, 1985
34 "The Liberty Stone" November 1, 1985
35 "The Vines" November 4, 1985
36 "The Space Fighter" November 5, 1985
37 "Heart of Paxtar" November 6, 1985
38 "Appointment at Forever" November 7, 1985
39 "What's Going On?" November 8, 1985
40 "Dark Singer" November 11, 1985
41 "Swamp Witch" November 12, 1985
42 "Deadly Reflections" November 13, 1985
43 "Early Warning" November 14, 1985
44 "A Question of Conscience" November 15, 1985
45 "Life Ship" November 18, 1985
46 "The Mirage Makers" November 19, 1985
47 "Do Not Disturb" November 20, 1985
48 "Dreamworld" November 21, 1985
49 "The Children of Solarus II" November 22, 1985
50 "The Gardener" November 25, 1985
51 "Armada" November 26, 1985
52 "The Chimes of Sharpis" November 27, 1985
53 "Galaxy Gamester" November 28, 1985
54 "Circus Planet" November 29, 1985
55 "Common Bond" December 2, 1985
56 "Mistress of Soul Tree" December 3, 1985
57 "The Life Eater" December 4, 1985
58 "Wasteland" December 5, 1985
59 "The Oracle" December 6, 1985
60 "Short Circuit, Long Wait" December 9, 1985
61 "Time and Time Again" December 10, 1985
62 "The Source" December 11, 1985
63 "The Raid" December 12, 1985
64 "The Squire Smith" December 13, 1985
65 "Final Ride at Journey's End" December 16, 1985

Voice actors

Mattel Wheeled Warriors toys

Originally conceived as a line of toy vehicles with "stack & attack" as a selling point, the tagline was: "Monster Minds gone mad! Lightning League to the rescue!".[10]:106–111

The vehicles could be mixed and matched across most of the product line to allow children to create their own combinations. Accessory packs were released with extra wheels and weapons to allow for even more options. A mini comic was included with the toys, but no overarching storyline was established beyond premise of the Monster Minds versus the Lightning League. Characters included with the toys where blank human drivers as pilots of the Lightning League vehicles and green brains for the Monster Minds.[10]:106–111

Mattel ordered an animated series to promote the product, but development on this did not start until after the toys had already been produced and sales of the toys had been disappointing. When the animated series premiered, it had a vastly different storyline and, aside from the vehicles and their names, nothing linked the toys to the animated series so the show did little to boost sales.[1]

Due to the success of the animated series, Mattel developed new drivers for a second series of vehicles that more resembled their animated counterparts, as well as new vehicles, but the toys never made it to the shelves.[1][10]:109–119

Series 1 - 1985[10]:106–111
Name Log Line Alliegiance Type Itemnumber
Armed Force Lightning League Leader The Lightning League Vehicle 9001
Drill Sergeant Lightning League Escape Artist The Lightning League Vehicle 9002
Spike Trike Lightning League Scout The Lightning League Vehicle 9003
Quick Draw Lightning League Weapons X-pert The Lightning League Vehicle 9004
Saw Boss Monster Minds Tyrant Monster Minds Vehicle 9005
K.O. Cruiser Monster Minds Demolitions X-pert Monster Minds Vehicle 9006
Gun Grinner Monster Minds Enforcer Monster Minds Vehicle 9007
Terror Tank Monster Minds Cannibal Monster Minds Vehicle 9008
Trail Blazer Lightning League Combat Stalker The Lightning League Battery powered Vehicle 9407
Beast Walker Monster Minds Combat Creature The Lightning League Battery powered Vehicle 9408
Battle Base Lightning League Mobile Fighting Fortress The Lightning League Vehicle 9406
Victory Pack Lightning League X-changeable X-tras The Lightning League Accessories 9403
Attack Pack Monster Minds X-changeable X-tras Monster Minds Accessories 9403
Series 2 - 1986 Unreleased/prototypes[10]:109
Name Log Line Alliegiance Type Itemnumber
Thunderstruction Environment Set The Lightning League Carrying Case 2697
Thunderstruction Vehicle Set Environment Set with Armed Force The Lightning League Carrying Case 2696
Fling Shot Lightning League Long-range Marksman & Herc figure The Lightning League Vehicle 2514
Spray Gunner Lightning League Marine Machine & Jayce Figure The Lightning League Vehicle 2699
Grim Creeper Monster Minds Battle Spy Monster Minds Vehicle 2700
Bru-Toss Monster Minds Hurler Monster Minds Vehicle 2514
Motorvator Set Lightning League Power Pack & Jayce Figure The Lightning League Motorised Expansionpack 2701
Monstervator Set Monster Minds Power Pack Monster Minds Motorised Expansionpack 2702
Run-A-Mut Lightning League Zoggies The Lightning League Windup Pet 2078
Rev-Em-Mut Lightning League Zoggies The Lightning League Windup Pet 2079
Scraps Lightning League Zoggies The Lightning League Windup Pet 2800
Adventure Pack Jayce - Lightning League Leader The Lightning League Figure 2447
Adventure Pack Flora - Mischievous Tomboy The Lightning League Figure 2447
Adventure Pack Oon - comical Suit of Armor The Lightning League Figure 2447
Adventure Pack Gillian - Wise Wizard The Lightning League Figure 2447
Adventure Pack Herc Stormsailor - Cocky Starpilot The Lightning League Figure 2447
Adventure Pack Saw Boss - Monster Minds Leader Monster Minds Figure 2447

Home video releases

In France, the entire series was released on two VHS box sets[11] and later released as two DVD boxed sets by Manga Distribution.[12] In 2014, the entire series was re-released as two DVD box sets by IDP Home Video.[13] In America, several compilations were released on VHS in the 1980s by Magic Window, a sub-division of RCA-Columbia Pictures Home Video.[14]

1980s Magic Window Jayce & the Wheeled Warriors VHS tapes.

On October 7, 2003, NCircle Entertainment released a single disc release on DVD in Region 1 entitled Escape from the Garden of Evil, which contains four episodes from the series.[15]

On August 9, 2007, Shout! Factory announced that they had acquired the rights to the series[16] and released Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors  Volume 1, a four-disc set containing the first 33 episodes of the series, on March 25, 2008.[17]

On July 22, 2011, Mill Creek Entertainment announced that they had acquired the rights to the series and planned to release it in its entirety.[18] They subsequently released Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors  Volume 1, containing the first 32 episodes of the series, and a 10 episode "best of" collection on DVD in Region 1 on February 21, 2012.[19] Volume 2, featuring the final 33 episodes of the series, was released on February 19, 2013.[20]

Comic

An uncredited, unfinished comic based on the series was published in the French comic magazine Pif Gadget #922. The 13-page adventure ended on a cliffhanger as the next issue did not include the follow-up story and the conclusion to that story was never published in Pif Gadget. It included characters created specifically for the comic, such as a white-haired young sorceress called Algora who was an ally of Saw Boss. The story, entitled "Le Sortilège d'Algora" ("Algora's Spell") was later re-printed and completed in Poche Junior, a free supplement for younger readers in the French television listing magazine Télé Poche, in several installments: Poche Junior #1 (May 1987),[21] Poche Junior #2 (May 1987),[22] Poche Junior #17 (August 1987),[23] Poche Junior n° 23 (October 1987),[24] and Poche Junior n° 25 (October 1987).[25]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Eluasti, Maroin; Zemrak, Nordine (2012). Les séries de notre enfance: "Ulysse 31", "Les cités d'or", "Inspecteur Gadget". Wambrechies: Pollux. p. 171. ISBN 978-2954336305.
  2. "Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors, Vol. 1 : DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video". Dvdtalk.com. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
  3. Compuserve. June 26, 1998.
  4. "THEMES & SCORES Shuki Levy". Shukilevy.com. Retrieved 2015-10-12.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Uzan, Benjamin (2003). Declic Images - Magazine 2. NMPP.
  6. "TV listings". TV Guide. 42. 1994-07-02.
  7. "TV listings". TV Guide. 55. 1995-08-19.
  8. "DHX Catalogue - page 21" (PDF). Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Escape from the Garden". Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors. September 1985.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Mattel Dealer Catalogue 1985. Mattel.
  11. "Manga Distribution". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on August 18, 2001. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  12. "Manga Distribution". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on May 13, 2005. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  13. "Jayce - Série TV, Film : DVD & Blu-ray". Anime-Store.fr. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  14. "Trademark". www.tmfile.com. Retrieved 2016-09-09.
  15. "DVD Release". tvshowsondvd.com. TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  16. "Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors DVD news: Announcement for Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors". TVShowsOnDVD.com. 2007-08-09. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
  17. "Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors DVD news: Announcement for Jayce & The Wheeled Warriors - Volume 1". TVShowsOnDVD.com. 2007-12-06. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  18. "Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors DVD news: DVD Plans for Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors - Volume 1". TVShowsOnDVD.com. 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  19. "Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors DVD news: Announcement for Volume 1 and The Best Of". TVShowsOnDVD.com. 2012-01-05. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
  20. "Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors DVD news: Announcement for Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors - Volume 2". TVShowsOnDVD.com. 2012-11-12. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
  21. "Poche Junior" (1). May 1987: XIV–XV.
  22. "Poche Junior" (2). May 1987: XIV–XV.
  23. "Poche Junior" (17). August 1987: XII–XIV.
  24. "Poche Junior" (23). October 1987: X.
  25. "Poche Junior" (25). October 1987: VI.
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