Eyes of the Hawk!
Strength of the Bear!
Ears of the Wolf!
Speed of Puma!
What do you get when you mix sci-fi with the Wild West? Filmation's Bravestarr of course!
Set on the planet New Texas a battle ensues between sherif Bravestarr and outlaw Tex Hex in typical Wild Western style. The only difference is that New Texas is a far away planet accessible by star ships.
Marshall Bravestarr is the lawman of the wild-west planet "New Texas" with help from Thirty-Thirty, his cybernetic talking horse and Deputy Fuzz, his sidekick and Shaman, his mentor. Bravestarr with his special powers fights the outlaw Tex-Hex, the leader of the Carrion Bunch, who are after the mineral Kerium. Bravestarr sets out to set things right and enforce peace and justice on "New Texas".
A fight between good and evil? Cowboys, outlaws and indians? Lots of shooting, superpowers and techno stuff?
What is not to like about Bravestarr for a young boy? This action packed series succesfully combined all elements that make sci fi and Western cool. A cybernetic horse that transformsm has a big gun and even a bigger mouth, how cool is that? Cowboys shooting laser guns instead of regular guns, how cool is that! As a kid you could just imagine yourself fighint laser guns wearing a cool cowboy head.
The twist is of course also the Indian as the law man. While most western movies feature Indians as the bad guys, in Bravestarr the Indian was not only the good guys but actually the sherif.
In the regular series the origin of Bravestarr is never told. After the show was cancelled a movie was released telling the origin of Bravestarr and introducing all important characters, including Bravestarr's love interest Judge J.B. It also features the how and why of the feud between Bravestarr and Tex Hex on one hand and Shaman and Stampede on the other.
Even though the movie is pretty good, it would've been more fitting if it were released before the series.
The title character is a Galactic Marshall stationed on the planet "New Texas." He is a Native American who can call upon the power of "spirit animals." The spirit animal powers are:
Eyes of the Hawk: Enhances his vision and can also grant him an aerial view of the surrounding area.
Ears of the Wolf: Gives him super-hearing.
Strength of the Bear: Gives him super-strength.
Speed of the Puma: Gives him super-speed.
Whenever Bravestarr shouts one of these powers, he posseses that animal power.
Bravestarr didn't just become a Marshall by chance. Trained by his mentor Shaman, he learned the spirital side giving him special abilities.
Voiced by: Patrick Fraley. Born February 18, 1949. Image via Behindthevoiceactors.
BraveStarr's talking "techno horse," who can "transform" from a quadruped into a more anthropomorphic biped. He carries a giant energy rifle he refers to as "Sara Jane." He is the last survivor of an ancient civilization called the Equestroids, a cybernetic breed of sentient equines that colonized New Texas. He has strength approximating BraveStarr's bear strength. Unlike Bravestarr, Thirty Thirty is far more quick tempered and aggressive, which has led to vocal disagreements between them about the use of force in the line of duty.
Voiced by: Ed Gilbert. Born June 29, 1931. Died May 8, 1999. Image via Behindthevoiceactors.
A member of the Prairie People, native prairie dog-like civilization of New Texas. His specialties, like all others of his kind, are digging, with even the miners of New Texas not coming close to the speed in which he moves through the ground, as well as high mechanical aptitude for building and repairing all manner of devices. BraveStarr affectionately calls him "li'l pardner". Fuzz seems to have trouble pronouncing Thirty-Thirty's name, rendering it "Doody-Doody". On the other hand, Fuzz is an expert impersonator who can duplicate Bravestarr's voice.
Voiced by: Charlie Adler. Born October 2, 1956. Image via Behindthevoiceactors.
The town's female judge and romantic interest for BraveStarr. The two kiss each other twice in "BraveStarr the Legend." She comes to BraveStarr's aid from time to time, using a high-tech gavel given to her by the Prairie People (referred to as a "hammer of justice" in the series) as a weapon. The Prairie People also gave her a Turbo-Stallion vehicle as well as windbreaker clothing.
Voiced by: Susan Blu. Born July 12, 1948. Image via Behindthevoiceactors.
An unnamed Native American shaman who is capable of extremely powerful magic. He raised Bravestarr and is still his mentor. Shaman lives in a towering animal-carved mountain called Starr Peak (in reality the remains of his crashed starship, covered by meteorites), under which is a large Kerium deposit. Shaman is capable of teleportation as well as time travel.
Voiced by: Ed Gilbert. Born June 29, 1931. Died May 8, 1999. Image via Behindthevoiceactors.
A hulking, 14-ton, green-skinned bartender and former space pirate from the Rigel star system, with a bright orange handlebar mustache and a Brooklyn accent. He mostly serves BraveStarr and Thirty Thirty a drink called "sweetwater" in his bar. Other times he acts as a reserve law enforcement officer. He has a pet cyborg steer named Rampage.
Voiced by: Alan Oppenheimer. Born April 23, 1930. Image via IMDb.
Tex Hex is Bravestarr's nemesis. Similar to Bravestarr, Tex has his own powers which includes teleportation, energy bolts, and shapefhifting. His powers were given to him by his mentor and boss, Stampede. Tex Hex was mutated, explaining his lavender and aged skin. Before being recruited by Stampede, Tex was an honest Kerium prospector with comrade Angus McBride. Tex also had a girlfriend named Ursula, who wanted to live a content, happy life with him. But Tex abandoned Angus and he also left Urusula. Tex may be evil but is often unwilling to destroy his enemies.
Voiced by: Charles Adler. Born October 2, 1956. Image via Behindthevoiceactors.
Tex's cigar-smoking henchman and cousin of Deputy Fuzz - he is apparently the only Prairie Person to have taken up a life of crime. Like Tex Hex, he was mutated by Stampede. Skuzz is often reprimanded by the others for his constant smoking. Fuzz even arrested Skuzz for this until BraveStarr pointed out that smoking isn't a crime. Why Skuzz wouldn't be kept in custody for his real crimes remains a mystery.
Voiced by: Alan Oppenheimer. Born April 23, 1930. Image via IMDb.
Stampede is the mastermind behind all evil on New Texas. The arch enemy of Shaman and creator of Bravestarr's nemesis Tex Hex.
Like Shaman Stampede also posseses super natural powers and remains hidden in his cave, letting Tex Hex do his dirty work.
Voiced by: Alan Oppenheimer. Born April 23, 1930. Image via IMDb.
Chopper is a chain-wielding thug who articulates sounds mimicking a revving motorcycle. He is sometimes depicted riding a three-wheeled motorcycle vehicle.
Voiced by: Patrick Fraley. Born February 18, 1949. Image via Behindthevoiceactors.
A serpentine female villain who has the power to hypnotize people, such as the assayer Klem in Fort Kerium, making it seem as if a Kerium deposit below Starr Peak actually belonged to Hex. Her weapon of choice is a snake-shaped "gun" that shoots a paralyzing ray. She is also an expert of locating items. She hates Tex Hex and schemes to take over his position.
Voiced by: Susan Blu. Born July 12, 1948. Image via Behindthevoiceactors.
A red reptilian alien who can exhale giant clouds of sand, which the gang usually uses to escape. His kind are sometimes called 'sand walruses' and are native to New Texas. He can also use his sand to put people to sleep and summon up sand creatures.
Voiced by: Ed Gilbert. Born June 29, 1931. Died May 8, 1999. Image via Behindthevoiceactors.
A stuttering robot with an arm cannon.
Voiced by: Patrick Fraley. Born February 18, 1949. Image via Behindthevoiceactors.
Humanoid panther-like creatures with green armor and German accents. The Krang are a threat equal to Stampede's threat. They are wanted outlaws of the Star Marines.
Voiced by: Patrick Fraley. Born February 18, 1949. Image via Behindthevoiceactors.
An overweight coyote that usually leads other coyotes in the battle.
Voiced by: Charles Adler. Born October 2, 1956. Image via Behindthevoiceactors.
One of Tex's coyotes with a notionally Aussie accent. Dan is a master of disguise with the ability to take on a human appearance but would often forget to change his distinctive "fancy hat."
Voiced by: Ed Gilbert. Born June 29, 1931. Died May 8, 1999. Image via Behindthevoiceactors.
A two headed cyborg bird.
Voiced by: Alan Oppenheimer. Born April 23, 1930. Image via IMDb.
Another coyote of Tex's gang. Like Dingo Dan he can take on human form.
Voiced by: Lou Scheimer. Born October 19, 1928. Image via Behindthevoiceactors.
A humanoid pig dressed in a Union Army uniform. He seemed to be strong, and used bolas to capture or bind his victims.
Voiced by: Lou Scheimer. Born October 19, 1928. Image via Behindthevoiceactors.
A little coyote.
Voiced by: Lou Scheimer. Born October 19, 1928. Image via Behindthevoiceactors.
The complete series has been released on DVD as a complete box set. Individual seasons are also available. The BCI Eclipse versions are OOP, but have been rereleased by Millcreak Entertainment.
Bravestarr
Bravestarr
In a distant time
And far away place
The planet New Texas floats deep in space.
Sky of three suns
Land of precious ore
The Kerium brought outlaws by the score.
Bravestarr
Bravestarr
Then one day, a lawman appeared
With powers of hawk, wolf, puma and bear
Protecter of peice, mystic man from afar
Champion of justice, Marshall Bravestarr!
Bravestarr
BRAVESTARR!
Eyes of the hawk, ears of the wolf
Bravestarr
BRAVESTARR!
Strength of the bear, speed of the puma
Bravestarr
BRAVESTARR
Bravstarr is the last show produced by American animation company Filmation. Shortly after Bravestarr the Movie was released Filmation closed its door permanently. Bravstarr was actually developed by Filmation and offered to Mattel to build a toyline around it.
