John Blackstar was an astronaut from a future version of Earth who had been swept through a black hole and stranded on the planet Sagar, where magic and sword and sorcery still ruled the day. Together with his allies, the Trobbits, Klone (a shape-shifting elfin companion), the dragon Warlock, and Mara the Enchantress, Blackstar battled the cruel Overlord, a Ming-like oppressor, who ruled by the might of the Powersword, one half of the Powerstar, an immensely powerful weapon. Fortunately, Blackstar possessed its other half, the Starsword, which kept the Overlord and his dark minions in check.
Before there was He-man, there was Blackstar. A muscled, barbarian type of hero with a sword fighting evil lords. Blackstar was also made by Filmation, that made the immensely successful He-man and the Masters of the Universe cartoons just two years later. Unlike He-man Blackstar wasn’t that big a success though. Blackstar focuses more on fantasy elements and less science fiction - not counting the fact that John Blackstar is an astronaut who crash lands on Sagar.
The Trobbits undoubtedly are inspired by the Hobbits from Lords of the Rings and perhaps even the seven dwarfs from Snow White. Each Trobbits has a distinct look and supposedly unique personality, but in reality they’re all just very irritating. Sort of like the Ewoks.
The story is very basic, with Overlord trying to conquer Sagar and defeat Blackstar only to loose every single episode. In the episode Search for the Starsword Overlord actually manages to capture Blackstar’s Starsword to reunite the two halves of the sword into one powerful sword. But like a typical cartoon villain manages to fuck up and gets beaten by Blackstar.
Dragons, magical swords, wizard, goods vs evil, barbarian, elves, Blackstar has almost every fantasy element possible. But the stories are somewhat boring, and also in terms of production value it’s just too dark and not as much fun as other Filmation cartoons.
The main character of the series, John Blackstar is an astronaut whose shuttle was sucked into a black hole and he landed on the planet Sagar. He wields one half of the Powerstar called the Starsword.
Voiced by: George DiCenzo. Born April 21, 1940. Died August 9, 2010. Image via IMDb.
An elf-like shapeshifter who assists Blackstar in fighting the Overlord.
Voiced by: Patrick Pinney. Born June 30, 1952. Image via Voicechasers
An enchantress with the abilities of telekinesis, telepathy, levitation, forcefield projection and teleportation, who assists Blackstar in fighting the Overlord. In "City of the Ancient Ones", it is revealed that she is at least a few centuries old.
Voiced by: Linda Gary. Born November 4, 1944. Died Octombre 5, 1995. Image via IMDb.
Balkar is one of the “Tree Hobbits”, the inhabitants of the Sagar Tree. They rescue Blackstar upon his arrival on Sagar.
He is the king and the mentor. He controls elemental magic and is also a great alchemist.
Voiced by: Patrick Pinney. Born June 30, 1952. Image via Voicechasers
Balkar is one of the “Tree Hobbits”, the inhabitants of the Sagar Tree. They rescue Blackstar upon his arrival on Sagar.
The grumpy, flame-capped one who is the cook
Voiced by: Frank Welker. Born March 12, 1946. Image via IMDb.
Terra is one of the “Tree Hobbits”, the inhabitants of the Sagar Tree. They rescue Blackstar upon his arrival on Sagar.
The gardener who talks to plants.
Voiced by: Patrick Pinney. Born June 30, 1952. Image via Voicechasers
Burble is one of the “Tree Hobbits”, the inhabitants of the Sagar Tree. They rescue Blackstar upon his arrival on Sagar.
The babbler who swims very well and freezes during the winter.
Voiced by:Frank Welker. Born March 12, 1946. Image via IMDb.
Carpo is one of the “Tree Hobbits”, the inhabitants of the Sagar Tree. They rescue Blackstar upon his arrival on Sagar.
The carpenter who gnaws wood with his teeth to construct things
Voiced by: Alan Oppenheimer. Born April 23, 1930. Image via IMDb.
Gossamer is one of the “Tree Hobbits”, the inhabitants of the Sagar Tree. They rescue Blackstar upon his arrival on Sagar.
The huge-eared flying one, resembling Dumbo who is the scout and lookout.
Voiced by: Frank Welker. Born March 12, 1946. Image via IMDb.
The primary antagonist of the series. He plots to rule all of the planet Sagar and he wields one half of the Powerstar, called the Powersword, and constantly seeks the other half wielded by Blackstar. A wizard in his own right.
Voiced by: Alan Oppenheimer. Born April 23, 1930. Image via IMDb
Overlord's right-hand man and companion. He is a sorcerer in his own right. He often accompanies the Overlord in his plans to take over Sagar. He is an expert at mind-control and conjuring.
Voiced by: Lou Scheimer. Born October 19, 1928. Image via Voicechasers.
The complete series has been released on DVD by BCI Eclipse, though the set is OOP now because BCI Eclipse ceased to exist.
John Blackstar, Astronaut, is swept through a blackhole, into an ancient alien universe. Trapped on the planet Sagar, Blackstar is rescued by the tiny trobbit people. In turn he joins their fight for freedom against the cruel Overlord who rules by the might of the Powerstar. The Powerstar is split into the Powersword and the Starsword. And so with Starsword in hand, Blackstar together with his allies, sets out to save the planet Sagar. His Destiny. I am John Blackstar.
