Blackstar Explored - Forgotten Epic Sci-fi Sword & Sorcery Cartoon From '80s, A True Hidden Gem

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Күн бұрын

The animated science fantasy series Blackstar graced the screens in 1981. It was produced by Filmation, a studio that had previously worked on another fantasy epic called The Freedom Force. Norm Prescott and Lou Scheimer were at the helm of its production.
The series takes heavy inspiration from the iconic cartoon series Thundarr the Barbarian. It ran for thirteen episodes after which, it was discontinued and replaced by He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe, a show that went on to become a lot more popular than Blackstar.
In the story of Blackstar, John Blackstar found himself stranded on a new planet called Sagar which was overrun by the evil villain - the Overlord. He made many friends on the way and decided to go against the cruel Overlord.
In this video, we will go over the lore that surrounds Planet Sagar and its natives, John Blackstar’s origin, and his adventures on the alien planet.

Пікірлер: 205

@pipkinrahl7264 2 жыл бұрын

A small forgotten fact, the sword of Grey-skull in the He-Man toys had a tab on it's flat back which allowed it to combine with Skeletor's sword

@johnloftin2461 2 жыл бұрын

I remember that.

@Fenris30 2 жыл бұрын

The Origins figures still have that.

@Theopheus 2 жыл бұрын

It's such a massive fallacy these days to call He-Man a 20 minute toy cartoon, but Lou Scheimer of filmation insisted on creative control and the toy line ended up emulating the show by the time it was all said and done, as well as the comics that came with the figures. One of the first things Scheimer did was say "No" to the "two halves of the power sword" lore because they had just done Blackstar. Another famous one was refusing to have Stinkor in the cartoon. The technical aspects of the animation may have aged, but the stories are still very much relevant today.

@rreason9611 2 жыл бұрын

Galtar, Thundarr, blackstar... Make sure name ends with ar✅Impressively powerful and smart villain but somehow only feels comfortable around dumb henchmen ✅Come up with an apocalyptic or otherworldly sci-fi fantasy backstory. ✅Make sure the sorceress lady or valkyrie is a pin-up model.✅ Weapon has to be able to level up. ✅=80s Hit! Good ol' days.

@sidneyd.dacosta4361 2 жыл бұрын

I remember there was a indigenous space sheriff called Brave Star too hehe

@rreason9611 2 жыл бұрын

@@sidneyd.dacosta4361 lol the'80s fantasy formula is real!

@mattmarzula 2 жыл бұрын

@@rreason9611 swords. Must have swords! Sword 🗡️⚔️🗡️⚔️🤺⚔️

@1968joseph1 2 жыл бұрын

The 80's movie "Sword and the Sorcerer" awesomely bad with that formula. Lol

@dawg065 2 жыл бұрын

@@sidneyd.dacosta4361 what if Brave Star is Black Star's ancestor?

@censorshipsucks9493 2 жыл бұрын

I loved Blackstar. I always wished there were more episodes.

@benhill4real 2 жыл бұрын

story of his life lol

@mikevivian3648 2 жыл бұрын

so did I!

@user-vo5kv9qi6k 2 жыл бұрын

One of the last great Sat Morning Cartoons. I was 17. Gods Blessings to all

@jay-quinthunder7967 2 жыл бұрын

👋😳👍 I am African-American and 47 years old I clearly remember this show and the cool name of the character it was unique and nice to know and inspired some things of He-Man and it came before He-Man be nice to see a new updated set of all the action figures from the show and movie done of this 💪🤪👍😌

@gdubsterz1238 2 жыл бұрын

I loved this show! Wow haven't seen this in 40 years..crazy!

@thebrownbaldy 2 жыл бұрын

Oh man, Saturday morning memories revisited

@Dorelaxen 2 жыл бұрын

The hero outsmarting various villains was a trademark of Filmation toons. He-Man and She-Ra were much the same, as was BraveStarr.

@808Wood 2 жыл бұрын

THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!! I have been trying to remember this show for ever. Man I .loved this back in the day!

@iwasanangryyoungman 2 жыл бұрын

Heck, Blackstar had his seven dwarfs...including one with overtly large ears. Good thing these slipped by Disney's lawyers

@cheayunju 2 жыл бұрын

Ah yeah, I never realized that flying trobbit was a Dumbo rip. Watching Blackstar recently, liked the grumpy (more whiney) trobbit that could make fire. What an annoying complainer!

@iwasanangryyoungman 2 жыл бұрын

@@cheayunju then again Filmation has had a history of getting under The Mouse House's litigious skin with its big-screen attempts at "sequels" to Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs as well as Pinocchio

@marhawkman303 2 жыл бұрын

@@iwasanangryyoungman Well, see, part of this is that Disney can't sue just because you made a Snow White story. They don't own the original work. You have to use something unique to the Disney version for them to have grounds to litigate. Which, if it doesn't even use the same names would have to be nearly identical visually.

@carlosnievas1220 2 жыл бұрын

I remember that he-man had these star wars type, storm troopers, and a tie fighter looking drone, for sword training. Why do these companies take such cheap shots ar each other?

@marhawkman303 2 жыл бұрын

@@carlosnievas1220 because who else would they take cheap shots at? :D

@kratoscraken5614 2 жыл бұрын

Bravestar and Blackstar 💪👍💪

@nishies 2 жыл бұрын

i remember Blackstarr i used to wonder what happened with that cartoon; it was good. I miss the 80s, we will never have this type cartoon again..

@yisraelcoachlamont 2 жыл бұрын

I remember this show

@catyear75 2 жыл бұрын

OmG I Loved this cartoon when I was little ...!

@billberndtson 2 жыл бұрын

So, earlier today when watching some of your other content I thought to myself "what was that cartoon where the good and bad guys each had 1/2 of a sword? I remember liking that." Thanks for this and others 😃

@Kal-Grayskull 2 жыл бұрын

This show looks really decent, despite I've never heard of this classic show. It does kinda give me combination vibe to Masters of the Universe and Conan the Barbarian. I don't expect to see this show get revived, but at least it is great to see KZfaqrs like yourself reminiscing tv show nostalgia.

@ricardoredway 2 жыл бұрын

first cartoon i remember i was 4 years old

@toddtaylor6506 2 жыл бұрын

I loved this as a kid. Warlock was so cool.

@djcrimmy 2 жыл бұрын

have it on dvd love this show

@joerawlings2824 2 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite cartoons as a kid. I wish the DVD collection was not so expensive.

@Gammatube23 2 жыл бұрын

I got that action figure still

@PrinceoftheAbyss 2 жыл бұрын

Holy crap, proto-Thundarr? How have I not heard of this before?

@douglasnieblas74 2 жыл бұрын

I loved Blackstar on Saturday mornings and collected the Galoob toy line. Some of the creatures and sound effects did make it over to the He Man series.

@akiraasmr3002 2 жыл бұрын

This looks so similar to Ralph Bakshis Fire and Ice 1983

@ryanvouche254 2 жыл бұрын

Great movie

@erikc7267 2 жыл бұрын

Blackstar's DRIP was epic with the necklace/chest piece demonstration he wears.

@dravenvandross8281 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video I remember watching the reruns of Blackstar back in the late '80s and I loved it just like Thundarr the Barbarian two phenomenal cartoons from my childhood definitely I would love to see them get some kind of remake.

@ricardoredway 2 жыл бұрын

don't they'll just make him gay

@kilroywashere513 2 жыл бұрын

I remember this cartoon and the toy line based on it too, and I watched some of these episodes back when they aired on Saturday mournings back then🙂👏🏻💯.

@BlackArroToons 2 жыл бұрын

Filmation's Blackstar was a classic animated show, thanks. Glad I was able to get the complete series DVD set back when it was sold at retailers and eventually went out of print.

@joerawlings2824 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I didn't have the cash when I say the DVDs at Best Buy. Went back the next week and it was gone. Never restocked and I assumed out of print. Now on ebay it's anywhere from $80 - $150

@yinzertoyguy3678 2 жыл бұрын

Own this series on DVD. One of my favorites as a kid. Always wanted the toys, but parents never got me any. Also...Trobbit rhymes with Hobbit, among other mispronunciations. His dragon is named Warlock, it's not "The Warlock". I feel like this guy is definitely reading a script someone else wrote.

@ramonvandebeek 2 жыл бұрын

Indeed..

@josebrown5961 2 жыл бұрын

Yea it is weird when the things we loved as kids get remembered by young people. We should just be happy that they are trying.

@mikevivian3648 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Good comments! I agree! I don't think he watched the show! Very poor production! Lazy production and takes away from the piece!

@Marinanor 2 жыл бұрын

I have NEVER heard of this.

@Fragment38 2 жыл бұрын

Remember this, but don't know if I was into it as a kid (not sure how I couldn't be though!) I remember the toy line too.

@mathewguglielmi8451 2 жыл бұрын

Shogun is not a science fiction novel! It's a historical novel set in feudal Japan that was adapted as a tv mini series. The Freedom Force was a superhero adventure animated series made by Filmation.

@trence5 2 жыл бұрын

Loved this show.

@AdamTehranchiYT 2 жыл бұрын

I've heard of the show before but never had a chance to see anything about it. Pity it looks so cool!

@snorpenbass4196 2 жыл бұрын

Blackstar also borrows heavily from the old Edgar Rice Burroughs "Barsoom" novels, in which John Carter, a human, ends up on Mars, makes friends and gets superpowers due to reasons (lower gravity, IIRC). *Edit:* Also, in a store in the town I grew up in (in the 80's) they had Blackstar toys on sale in the bargain bin. Nobody bought them.

@spiderlime 2 жыл бұрын

true. it's also highly influenced by robert e. howard and tolkien.

@buckster2575 2 жыл бұрын

I had that dragon he rode.i did see those toys here and there . some people had them not many thou.

@themadatheist1976 2 жыл бұрын

Had the toys while I was 5-6 back in the day. Most of the toys used glow in the dark as a feature. Finally been able to find the name of this series a year or 2 ago. You should do Rock & Rule next, another fond childhood memory.

@cheayunju 2 жыл бұрын

Rock & Rule was intense as a kid. I've since rewatched it multiple times as an adult. Love the animation and tracks, especially Blondie's Angel's Song.

@themadatheist1976 2 жыл бұрын

@@cheayunju I just finally found it again after decades. Had bits and parts of the end song nibbling away on my mind trying to find the movie.

@dawg065 2 жыл бұрын

imagine what a blackstar he-man crossover would've been like? one can only dream.

@Kal-Grayskull 2 жыл бұрын

It would probably been similar to DC's He-Man/Thundercats crossover comic series.

@dolobrolic6066 2 жыл бұрын

I didn’t forget this. 👍🏽

@christopherhudson2288 2 жыл бұрын

I never saw this show but looks 😎

@japinheiro 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic Cartoon! Thanks for the video.

@shadyganley8877 9 ай бұрын

I really miss being a kid.😢

@phohead 2 жыл бұрын

John Blackstar was originally conceived of as an African American. There is a Lou Scheimer documentary that has the actual concept art. The network did not feel that American audiences were ready for a Black lead on a Saturday morning cartoon. Blackstar was changed to Native American, while never really mentioning his race.

@nishies 2 жыл бұрын

Wow I did not know that and come to think about it most of the filmations cartoons the action ones I noticed the leads have a dark complexion such as Tarzan he-man black star they all have dark complexions

@navbuoy 2 жыл бұрын

Reminds me of the other cartoon that turned up later BraveStarr.

@Fenris30 8 ай бұрын

Yeah the only Black Leads in Saturday Morning Cartoon were always based on Real People. Mr.T, The Cosby Kids, Gary Coleman, The Jackson 5, MC Hammer and Kid and Play. It was never any Newly created Heroes or Characters, Those were always in Ensemble projects like Astrea (The Space Sentinels), Black Vulcan (Superfriends) Valerie (Josie and the Pussycats) and Microwoman and Superstretch (The Super Seven) Kwame (Captain Planet) and many more.

@johnknighthawke2098 2 жыл бұрын

Regarding He-Man and the split power sword: I need to remind everyone that the He-Man franchise was toys first, and in those toys, the power sword was indeed split. Skeletor had half, He-Man had half. A lot of our memories of that franchise are about the show, but the toys came first, then were altered later to fit the show. Regarding Blackstar, I think the influence of the John Carter of Mars books was way, way stronger than the host gives credit for.

@transitengineer 2 жыл бұрын

In 1981, I was an upperclassman in college working toward a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering. Which meant, I had to study or be in class daily from 8 a.m. through 11 p.m. So, I did not learn about this TV cartoon until about 15 years ago. Have now watched all its episodes and it would have been one that, I would have enjoyed on Saturday mornings (smile...smile).

@thundarrisaboss2725 2 жыл бұрын

watched the show, had the toys. still watch the show.

@isabellalive2.081 2 жыл бұрын

I really loved this!

@TheCarltoons 2 жыл бұрын

I'm a big fan of the show, I wished they did more episodes. I really like your sayings toward the end. It is so true. Just a side point I learned earlier, is that, originally, John Blackstar was to be black. but the makers felt that advertiser would shy away.

@thundarrisaboss2725 2 жыл бұрын

he was actually supposed to be native american. they were gonna play off his heritage, but ignored it instead.

@TheCarltoons 2 жыл бұрын

@@thundarrisaboss2725 Yes. they did decide, to go with a Native American instead. Although, it was not emphasized in the show.

@ericpowell4350 2 жыл бұрын

OMFG! I totally forgot about this! ♥️

@lamarravery4094 2 жыл бұрын

I totally forgot about this. No wonder, it didn't last that long. But I remember that Star sword.

@Pharto_Stinkus 2 жыл бұрын

Why don't I remember this one? I grew up watching cartoons in the '80s and early '90s. I thought I remembered them all, but I don't remember Blackstar.

@GeoffNelson 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video

@HinokasArabfan1 2 жыл бұрын

Black star looks like kenshiro from hokuto no Ken.

@michaelallenross4191 2 жыл бұрын

Weeb Alert

@NPC-nn4qe 2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelallenross4191 Indeed.

@MrChupacabra555 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely LOVED his 'Dragon Horse' ^_^ So they changed the name of the little people from 'Trollkins' to "Trobbits' (and it was pronounced like 'Hobbits', but eith a 'TR'), and Tolkien Estates never contacted them? ^_^

@juggernaut3338 2 жыл бұрын

Love it

@magictricks6235 2 жыл бұрын

Reminds me of Conan the barbarian

@christopherdaniel5919 2 жыл бұрын

I remember watching this show. Always thought the geometry of the sword would make it uncomfortable to wield. No ergonomics at all.

@marhawkman303 2 жыл бұрын

same. but cartoon weapon in a cartoon.

@christopherdaniel5919 2 жыл бұрын

@@marhawkman303 Well, of course. 😀 But if that thing was recreated in real life, it would be more likely to injure the user, than the attacker.

@marhawkman303 2 жыл бұрын

@@christopherdaniel5919 like many cartoon swords. :p

@TheMaskedheel 2 жыл бұрын

Blackstar is a cartoon I actually forgot about until I saw a video last year. Thundar I could remember and I swore it came out later. I think with Blackstar I couldn't stand the trobits or whatever they are.

@PozerAdultRacingTeam 2 жыл бұрын

Wish I still had my figures.

@kharnthebetrayer1575 2 жыл бұрын

Never got to see this….🥺😭😭😭

@scotttrammell3913 2 жыл бұрын

I never watched the show,But I owned the figures.

@coreeeey420 2 жыл бұрын

I used to have some of the Blackstar toys when I was a kid. The good guys came with a Trolbit, and the bad guys came with a demon, each varied depending on which figure you got. And they all had glow in the dark weapons and see-through plastic on the front and a cigarette lighter mechanism in the back that would make sparks that would light up the plastic in the front.

@bradhilton2283 2 жыл бұрын

The adventures of "Johnny Blackstar"

@torpedoboy4 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, however the toys you showed at 16:58 and 17:01 are NOT Infaceables toys. Those were simply groupings of Blackstar toys. The Infaceable toys were molded in a similar fashion to the Blackstar toys as both toylines were produced by the Galoob toy company. Even though Infaceables is considered a sister line to Blackstar, the lores of both were completely unrelated. Also it's weird to mention Alan Oppenheimer's achievements without mentioning his most famous voice role.....Filmation's SKELETOR

@RoBDeeZL42 2 жыл бұрын

damn, i remember watching this cartoon when i was really really little and having the toys. I can still remember the smell of them toys and the plastic

@Remoniq 2 жыл бұрын

I don't remember watching this show much growing up, I think I were more into Galtar and the golden lance but I'm not sure.

@DCMarvelMultiverse 2 жыл бұрын

My mom loved this show. I have noticed it was mostly women who loved it over boys and girls. My mom thought to buy me Blackstar for Christmas. I hated it. So, I used him as a henchman for Skeletor. But the castle glowed in the dark.

@josephjperkins973 2 жыл бұрын

mannnn i remember this

@martinlove4534 2 жыл бұрын

I loved his dragon!!!!

@JPTyler 2 жыл бұрын

Thundarr? How about taking influence from John Carter of Mars & The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings?

@bradhilton2283 2 жыл бұрын

I smell a live action series.

@akibabe09 2 жыл бұрын

looks like Bravestarr! ,mixed with he-man, and whatnot

@6581punk 2 жыл бұрын

Don't tell Kevin Smith about this show, another one for him to ruin.

@jareesuber6978 2 жыл бұрын

I beg to differ

@DD8842 2 жыл бұрын

Kevin used to be my guy let me tell you. Now he just crys

@lewisgraham4174 2 жыл бұрын

you didn't actually watch Masters of the Universe Revelations did you? The show was awesome didn't disrespect the legacy of He-man at all.

@jareesuber6978 2 жыл бұрын

@@lewisgraham4174 thank you, I exactly enjoyed it

@josebrown5961 2 жыл бұрын

@@lewisgraham4174 Yes he did, and you are blind not to see it. The HE-MAN show should have been about He-Man not Teela and Evilynn. I know this sounds funny but He -Man was a show for boys. They made toys to sell to the boys who watched the show. I am all for “ inclusion” but She-Ra was made for girls. So much so that they already made that show. They made it for girls, trans, and others. It had multiple seasons. Why is it that all the things we ( boys ) like, we have to share? They don’t change Barbie, or My Little Pony to please boys,then boy shows shouldn’t have to change to include them.

@davestevens2908 2 жыл бұрын

Ok I got one for you! The pirates of dark water. I think that's what it's called.

@toddtaylor6506 2 жыл бұрын

Great show.

@michaellsmith5880 2 жыл бұрын

The shape shifter is called Klone

@psgary6622 2 жыл бұрын

It was cool that John Blackstar was Native American/First Nations as opposed to another "great white savior" like John Carter. Golden Age Marvel had several white explorers like Bruce Dickson Thin Man, the Fin, Red Raven, Ka-Zar & others getting lost, finding hidden civilizations, winning the throne and the hand of the beautiful princess.

@ikediz 2 жыл бұрын

I had a toy of his dragon/horse thing. I honestly thought it was from Thundarr all this time.

@wwetnabamafan194 2 жыл бұрын

George DiCenzo has a much bigger connection with Filmation, he played a Vegan soldier freed from suspended animation in an episode of Space Academy.

@coreydarden4176 2 жыл бұрын

So basically, he-man killed thundarr the barbarian and blackstar.

@thundarrisaboss2725 2 жыл бұрын

actually, thundarr bitch-slapped both of them into different worlds. lol. i love all 3, but only thundarr was a real barbarian. sexist and barbaric.

@darrylblackshear710 3 ай бұрын

The plant had lower gravity than earth, This gave black star greater strength.

@ramonvandebeek 2 жыл бұрын

The saddest part is that The black-haired hispanic looking hero was replaced by a blond new hero.. There are three episodes of He-man that had little cameo's of Blackstar. Temple of the sun features a statue of Blackstar and in the Remedy a takdryl creature resembles Warlock. In the Search a monster from Blackstar makes a comeback.

@nishies 2 жыл бұрын

Good observation I was wondering if they were attempting to do a crossover

@dennishowell5058 2 жыл бұрын

I keep asking the same question why don't you have reruns on one of these off channels

@iwasanangryyoungman 2 жыл бұрын

It was the "original" isekai...

@Exodianecross1978 2 жыл бұрын

Perhaps someone will adapt this cartoon to a real life movie, that could be interesting.

@thomasbentley4757 2 жыл бұрын

Was the badge on his flight suit used for his necklace?

@zandorvorkov986 2 жыл бұрын

Blackstar, Gandar, Shaldamar. . .I think this show would've been a hit with pirates, LOL. Arrr.

@maximushase7812 2 жыл бұрын

yeahhhhhhhhhh

@starbrand3726 2 жыл бұрын

John Blackstar was meant to be a Native American, bronze skin, long jet black hair, but the network never mentioned it.

@marhawkman303 2 жыл бұрын

I mean, it makes sense, maybe if they'd gotten a third season? :D

@coreeeey420 2 жыл бұрын

What is that Trolbit doing with his hand under the table at14:11? I'm guessing he has a thing for Mara.

@MrDevilman069 2 жыл бұрын

Imagine the disappointment, I wanted He Man toys for Christmas but ended up with a but load of Blackstar toys.

@Armand-ue7om Жыл бұрын

later years I realized Blackstar was a Native American space pilot when I started watching BraveStar way back then....

@uptownsamcv 2 жыл бұрын

I was born in 81 but I never came across this one.

@theonlymatthew.l 2 жыл бұрын

Shogun is NOT a Sci-fi novel.... 😒

@LRM23936 2 жыл бұрын

Beat me to it.

@yahnatanlevi6894 2 жыл бұрын

It needs to be brought back

@glaucioreis 2 жыл бұрын

"Thundarr the Barbarian" has more in common with "Star Wars" (lightsaber, Chewbacca) than with "Blackstar". And your reference for Filmation's Science-Fiction is "Space Academy", seriously?! They produced the animated series of "Star Trek" and "`Planet of the Apes"!

@phohead 2 жыл бұрын

I think the He-Man cartoons borrows more heavily from a 1960's cartoon called Young Samson aka Samson & Goliath.

@danielwood719 2 жыл бұрын

He man was like Doris day on steroids.

@SnatcherSD 2 жыл бұрын

Please fix the aspect ratio.

@jlionmenelik77 2 жыл бұрын

I dont remember this show.

@keyopronin4134 2 жыл бұрын

I really wish the "Mike Young" production would produce a new "Blackstar" series, they did DAMN good with that "HE-MAN series back in 2002.

@Fenris30 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah but would they have done the Original concept or the Network Mandated Concept. Lets just say it's in the Name like Bravestarr.

@keyopronin4134 2 жыл бұрын

@@Fenris30 True, at least the Young production was true too the source material unlike that Netflix fiasco.

@Fenris30 2 жыл бұрын

@@keyopronin4134 Oh contrar mon frere, The Netflix show is Hella Faithful to the Source Material ESPECIALLY the Toys and the old Mini-Comics. There are Easter Eggs Littered through out the Show if you are a Motu Head. I seriously don't get the hate.😕

@Theopheus 2 жыл бұрын

200x is so overrated. They took the core of he-man tried to make it as edgy as possible and then tried to fill in lore blanks that didn't need filled and people ate it up.