🦁A collector’s guide to the feline force that defined a generation.

The wild, nerdy legacy of Third Earth’s fiercest feline warriors.

“Thunder, thunder, ThunderCats—HO!” If just reading that gave you chills, you’re not alone. Whether you grew up glued to a tube TV in the 1980s or discovered Lion-O’s crew later through reruns and reboots, ThunderCats holds a special place in pop culture – and in the hearts (and display shelves) of collectors everywhere. This franchise isn’t just an old cartoon; it’s a decades-spanning phenomenon with a legendary footprint in TV, toys, comics, and now even digital collectibles. Let’s dive into how ThunderCats was born, roared into the toy aisles, clawed back in modern reboots, and continues to electrify collectors in the digital age.

In the golden era of Saturday morning cartoons, a strange yet thrilling blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and feline mythology burst onto screens. ThunderCats was created by Tobin “Ted” Wolf and produced by Rankin/Bass Animated Entertainment (the same studio behind those classic claymation holiday specials). It premiered in January 1985 and ran until 1989, totaling 130 episodes across four seasons.

The premise was bonkers (in the best way): a noble race of cat-like humanoid aliens flee their dying homeworld, Thundera, and crash-land on a mysterious planet called Third Earth. There, the ThunderCats – led by young Lord Lion-O – face the evil, mummified sorcerer Mumm-Ra and his mutant minions, battling various threats while imparting lessons about courage, honor, and teamwork. The show mixed futuristic tech with ancient mysticism, but always made time to highlight moral values for its young audience. With vibrant Japanese animation provided by Pacific Animation Corporation and an unforgettable theme song by composer Bernard Hoffer, ThunderCats became an instant cult hit.

Let’s be honest – ThunderCats wasn’t just a TV show, it was a merchandising machine. Toy company LJN handled the original ThunderCats action figure line from 1985 through 1987, and today those vintage toys are absolute grails for collectors. The figures were innovative for their time, each featuring some kind of action gimmick (Battle-Matic arm swings, etc.) and even a unique light-up element that interacted with playsets.

For example, the Lion-O figure came with a battery-powered “Sword of Omens” and a red battery ring; when inserted into his back, it made Lion-O’s eyes glow with Sight-Beyond-Sight. His archenemy Mumm-Ra similarly had light-up eyes and a real fabric cape to enhance his undead evil look.

LJN didn’t stop at figures – they produced awesome vehicles and playsets as well. The ThunderCats’ tank-like assault vehicle, the ThunderTank, could seat two figures and transformed into battle mode, complete with spring-loaded paws and hidden cannons. In 1986 LJN also released the massive Cat’s Lair fortress, which featured electronic laser cannon effects and moving paws. On the villain side, there was Mumm-Ra’s grotesque Tomb Fortress playset, among other items. Even smaller sidekick characters got love: Snarf was sold both as a small companion figurine and as a plush doll.

If you’ve got any of these classic toys in great condition – especially mint in box – you’re sitting on nostalgia gold. Prices for sealed ThunderCats items have surged in recent years, with some high-grade figures and playsets fetching hundreds or even thousands of dollars at auction.

Pro tip for collectors: Keep an eye out for the legendary unreleased pieces. LJN had planned several variants and characters that never made it to retail. For instance, a “Young Tygra” figure was developed but never officially released to the public – making any existing prototypes ultra-rare grails for hardcore collectors.

You can’t keep a good cat down. After the original series, ThunderCats went quiet for a while, but it roared back to life in the 21st century with new incarnations:

Marvel Comics launched a ThunderCats comic series through its Star Comics imprint in 1985. It ran for 24 issues over three years. (Issue #1 of that 1985 Marvel/Star series is a key collectible today.) Marvel UK also produced a 129-issue ThunderCats comic series in the late ‘80s.

In the early 2000s, DC Comics (via its WildStorm imprint) revived ThunderCats with mini-series and one-shots. These included titles like Reclaiming Thundera and The Return. WildStorm also published crossover specials, including one with Battle of the Planets, featuring painted cover art by Alex Ross. In 2016, DC published a He-Man/ThunderCats crossover series, with art by Freddie E. Williams II, whose signed prints are popular collector items.

Fast-forward to today – the ThunderCats are clawing their way into the future. In July 2025, Funko is launching a ThunderCats Digital Pop! NFT series on the Droppp platform. This marks ThunderCats' first NFT drop, and collecting these digital cards can unlock real, physical Funko Pop! figures.

Digital packs (Standard for $9.99 or Premium for $29.99) will include chances to pull Legendary or Grail NFTs. If pulled, these NFTs can be redeemed for exclusive, limited-edition physical ThunderCats Funko Pops like Lion-O, Mumm-Ra, and more – styled in the classic 1985 look. These figures won’t be sold in stores and can only be claimed through NFT redemption.

Collectors should note: first appearance NFTs, especially from beloved retro franchises, tend to gain long-term value – especially when they come with a physical component. The drop goes live July 15, 2025 at 11 AM PT.

ThunderCats isn’t just a cartoon you watched as a kid – it’s a legacy. From the TV adventures on Third Earth, to the treasure troves of vintage LJN toys, to comic book crossovers and modern NFT innovations, ThunderCats has proven its nine-lived resilience. Each collectible – whether a battered 1986 ThunderTank or a mint-condition Funko Pop redeemed in 2025 – is a piece of that enduring legend.

So unsheathe your Sword of Omens, proudly display that collection, and shout it loud:

ThunderCats—HO!

Written by Ceelow G

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