Last Updated: Sun Apr 7 1996 SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron Frequently Asked Questions =========================================================== _SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron_ (SK) is an animated series created in 1993 by two French-Canadian brothers, Christian Tremblay and Yvon Tremblay. Using their self-taught drawing skills and their own money, they managed to sell their creation of anthropomorphic felines, otherwise known as "Kats", to Hanna-Barbera (H-B). H-B produced 23 episodes of the SWAT Kats, 13 for the first season (1993-94) and 10 for the second season (1994-95). The second season fell three episodes shy of a full set (normally 13 per season) because, in the middle of production, Turner Entertainment ordered H-B to cancel production of the series and begin immediate layoffs, including half the background department and design team. Former employees were being told that this was because the show wasn't moving merchandise -- although the series then hardly had *any* merchandise (save for a handful of posters and Taiwanese trinkets with "SWAT Kats" labels on them)! Therefore, Turner decided to yank the show even though it had been doing very well in the ratings. Go figure. A 24th episode, the "S.K.I.Q." episode, which contains clips from the first and second seasons' episodes, was also made and aired. It was originally set to lead the second season, but aired *after* the other second-season episodes did. It has yet to air on the Cartoon Network. So why did Turner *really* cancel the series? Enquiring minds want to know; unfortunately, we haven't been able to get a straight answer from Turner Entertainment. Rumor has it that the series was canned because Ted Turner "suddenly realized how violent it was" and *not* because of its lack of merchandise. In fact, there's quite a bit of stuff out there, but you may have to hunt for it: - Action figures (produced by Remco) of T-Bone, Razor, Dark Kat and Doctor Viper - Video releases of some of the episodes (3 videos released to date, 2 episodes available on each video) - Video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (none for Sega yet, unfortunately) Check out a local toy store for the action figures (they were formerly available at the Toys R Us and Kay Bee, but they may no longer be there). The videos should be available at your local video store; Suncoast Video was carrying them locally (L.A. area) last time I checked. A SK poster *was* available in early 1995 at various K-Marts around the U.S. (and Canada), but the stores have apparently been cleaned out of posters due to fan demand. However, you might get lucky if you check out a local poster store or write the poster's publisher at: American Arts & Graphics Inc 10915 47th Ave W. Mukilteo WA 98275 The identifying number on the poster is: PC1270 SWAT KATS Common abbreviations: FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions, SK = SWAT Kats, FWIW = For What It's Worth, OTOH = On The Other Hand, DYN = Did You Notice, IM(H)O = In My (Humble/Honest) Opinion, BTW = By The Way, ROFL = Rolling On the Floor Laughing, LOL = Laughing Out Loud, TCN = The Cartoon Network. If you're not sure about a particular abbreviation, ask the person who used it. Generally speaking, it's okay (or should be okay, at least!) to abbreviate an episode title, *provided* you spell it out in full in your message first. The Cartoon Network (email: toonnet@aol.com) is currently running episodes of the Kats -- Monday through Friday, 4:30 PM Eastern/1:30 PM Pacific and Saturday, 2:00 PM Eastern/11:00 AM Pacific. The animation studios involved in 'Kats production are a Taiwanese studio and Japanese studio (Hanho Heung-Up and Mook, respectively). Both seasons' episodes show an anime (Japanimation) influence, especially the second season's episodes, which were animated entirely by Mook. Christian Tremblay apparently wanted Mook to do all of the episodes, but found it uneconomical to do so. What's the proper spelling of 'SWAT Kats'? While its full title is "SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron", there's been some question as to whether the word "SWAT Kats" should be written as a single word (i.e.,"SWATKats"), *although* the TV listings I've seen have spelled its title as two separate words. And yes, it's with a "K", not a "C". T-Bone's and Razor's ages? According to Christian Tremblay, they're both in their mid-20s, but T-Bone is most definitely older. DYN: Razor and T-Bone were initially named "Chuck" and "Yaeger", after the famous test pilot. If you don't know who Chuck Yaeger is, check out any book on the history of aviation. SWAT Kats: The Movie? Nope, sorry (yes, it'd be nice to see one made, but no go). Why? There just doesn't seem to be enough public interest to warrant making one (yes, the mailing list and/or newsgroup can get vocal at times, but we're only a very small part of Joe Q. Public). Tell H-B how much you like the Kats (after all, "Kids love SK, so tell us what you think!"): Hanna-Barbera Cartoons Inc. 3400 Cahuenga Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90068 Attn: Fred Seibert FAX: (213) 969-1201 You might want to include such demographic information as your age, gender and geographic location in your correspondence. Although it's probably wishful thinking at this point, we have been told that the series could possibly be revived if enough people show interest in it (so pass the word along!). Pet peeve: Animations are NOT just for children!!! Check out the Fall '94 issue of _Toon Magazine_, if you can get ahold of a copy. There's an article on the SWAT Kats near the back of the magazine, along with copies of model sheets of T-Bone, Razor, Callie, Commander Feral, Felina Feral, Mayor Manx and the Turbokat. For back issues, you can write _Toon Magazine_ at: Black Bear Press 2828 Cochran St. Suite #152 Simi Valley, CA 93065 Mark Lungo has written an article on the Kats in _Animato!_ (Spring 1995, Issue #32). The issue contains episode summaries (and comments by the article's author) of the 23 aired episodes (no mention of the "SKIQ" episode, probably because it aired after the issue went to press). Also included in Lungo's article are titles and synopses of three episodes which *should* have aired during the second season, but *didn't*. If you can't find the magazine, try writing its publisher at: Animato! 17 Spruce St. Springfield, MA 01105 Kats On The Net! Check these out, if you can: - alt.tv.swatkats (newsgroup) - HTTP/FTP address for the Kats: "http://rat.org/kats." The site contains a *ton* of SK-related stuff and is constantly being updated. It also includes links to other Kat- related pages (I'm not going to list them all because I'd otherwise be constantly updating the file). - SK fan club on Prodigy - possible SK fan club starting up on FurryMUCK (telnet furry.org, port 8888) - Megakat City on FurToonia (telnet red_panda.tbyte.com, port 9999), started up by none other than yours truly! ;-) - SWAT Kats IRC For the really die-hard 'Kats fans: - To join a fan club (currently unofficial): email Walt Koziol (wkoziol@ix.netcom.com). - A fanzine, KAT'S ALIVE, is also in the works and will be available for a limited run (contact Timothy Fay [fayxx001@maroon.tc.unm.edu] for details). Initial intended release date was January 1996, but the fanzine's release date has apparently been postponed. ======================================================================== FAQ maintained by: Razor (razor@netcom.com/razor@rat.org) ======================================================================== Acknowledgements/Contributors To The FAQ: chance (chance@unix.infoserve.net) Timothy Fay (fayxx001@maroon.tc.unm.edu) Ratman (rat@rat.org) Mark Lungo (Animato! article writer) Matt Weber (matt_w@mci.newscorp.com)