We met some new friends... From out of town!

Back in the late 80’s there was an overabundance of absolutely great cartoons. When you mention names like “The Real Ghostbusters”, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, or “Ducktales”, almost everyone currently between the age of 25-35 knows exactly what you are talking about. When you start mentioning titles such as “Silverhawks”, or “My Pet Monster” the number of people who know what you’re talking about seems to drop off a little. But, the greatest tragedy in the cartoon world from the late 80’s, is that when you mention a little gem called “Dinosaucers” the most common look I get is confusion. Then when I describe the show, I am frequently told that it is the dumbest idea they have ever heard. Please tell me… Does anybody remember this or am I just crazy!?

“Dinosaucers” was the brainchild of Michael Uslan in 1987 and was on for one season with 65 episodes. Now in the grand scheme of things this show is the skid in the underwear of Mr. Uslan’s illustrious career. Most notably he is one of the producers of every single Batman movie from Tim Burtons 1989 classic “Batman” to Christopher Nolan’s phenom “The Dark Knight”. Also his resume reads producing “Batman: The Animated Series”, and educational game show “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” In my personal opinion “Dinosaucers” is Michael Uslan’s most creative endeavor.

Even though the show was only on with continual new episodes for only one 65 episode season from September to December in 1987, I remember this show being in syndication up until 1997. So it shocks me when people tell me they have never heard of it.

The premise of “Dinosaucers” is complex at best. It is about a race of dinosaur aliens that came to Earth called the Dinosaucers and, their battle with the evil Tyrannos. Upon their visit they befriended a group of teenage children and became allies calling them Secret Scouts. The Scouts were each given rings that gave them each individual powers. (almost like a precursor to “Captain Planet”) So, every episode involved how the Dinosaucers could foil the Tyranno’s plans for world domination with the Secret Scouts stuck in the middle of the confrontation. Kind of sounds like the premise for every good vs. evil cartoon of the 80’s doesn’t it? Well here comes the kicker!

On the Dinosacuers and Tyrannos uniforms was this button. What does the button do? When this button is pushed the Dinosaucer or Tryranno that pushed it would transform into a full grown dinosaur and do battle old school style. None of these fancy lasers and ships but it all came down to brawn, horns, and teeth. Now what kid in the 80’s didn’t like the prospect of dino on dino violence? To me it was the apex of awesome. I dreamt of pushing a button on my shirt and turning into a full grown t-rex as a kid because I saw it on TV, and you would’ve too if you saw “Dinosaucers”.

I had no idea that the show had been cancelled when I first saw it in 1989. I looked for action figures every time we went to Toys r Us. Because of the short run, figures were never released, but they were made, just never put in retail stores. The only country where the toys were for sale was Brazil, only because the show came out in 1988 instead of 1987 there and was extremely popular. I occasionally see them on eBay from $35.00-$250.00 and it takes almost every fiber of myself not to press the “Buy it now” button. So for those of you who know me personally this is your hint for future gift ideas. Also there have only been 4 released VHS tapes featuring 8 episodes of the show. Now with every horrible show ever made getting the DVD series treatment it baffles me that “Dinosaucers” hasn’t gotten the same treatment. Now you can find the series on DVD but its bootleg. I would like a big, fat, special edition to add to my collection but no, I get nothing. The official word is that there is no plan to ever make it into a series collection and that pisses me off!

Now most of my life has been about the obscure, forgotten gems in my childhood. But how this epic show has slipped through the cracks is beyond me. I just wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to something that you may find yourself enjoying. Expand your mind, and your cartoon education. More gems to come, but the one that has stuck in my mind the longest is and will be “Dinosaucers”!