The Captain Planet and the Planeteers animated action series released in 1990. The series broadcasted on TBS from September 15, 1990 to December 5, 1992. This series’ sequel, The New Adventures of Captain Planet, began airing the next year from September 11, 1993 to May 11, 1996. Since this long running popular series, toys, comics, and even a video game came out for these heroic characters. Follow along in this Retrospective of Captain Planet to go through the years of this widely loved and popular storyline.
The storyline of Captain Planet begins with the character, Gaia, who embodies the spirit of the Earth. Gaia takes on the task of putting together a team of five teens from around the world. This group, called the Planeteers, have rings that represent different elements. Earth, Wind, Fire, Heart, and Water come together to help solve global and environmental issues. Although these characters work together to solve problems, they cannot always do it alone. The group’s ability to come together and combine their powers summons Captain Planet, an environmental protector superhero.
Join Us in a Captain Planet Retrospective
Join us in this Retrospective of Captain Planet as we go through the series, toys, comics, and video game released. Along with this, we will also mention exciting plans for Captain Planet and the Planeteers coming in the near future.
Captain Planet Animated Series (1990-1996)
The Captain Planet animated series began in September 1990 and aired for two years, ending in December 1992. The sequel then released September 1993 to May 1996. The animated series, produced by Turner Program Services, followed the Planeteers adventures as well as their goal to solve problems with the help of Captain Planet himself.
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
The American environmentalist animated series, Captain Planet and the Planeteers, released in 1990. The series consists of three seasons made up of 65 episodes. Captain Planet and the Planeteers later aired in reruns through Cartoon Network and Boomerang. Then, in 2009, Mother Nature Network aired the episodes and unreleased footage online. With the show’s popularity, the Planeteer Movement launched in September of 2010 to give fans the ability to connect and take the show’s message into people’s everyday life.
The series begins with character, Gaia, the spirit of Earth. Hoggish Greedly drills above Gaia in her sleep, awakening Gaia and making her realize the damage the drill causes. Gaia then sends five magical rings to five chosen kids all around the world: Kwame (Africa), Linka (Soviet Union/ Eastern Europe), Wheeler (North America), Ma-Ti (South America), and Gi (Asia). The five then come together to defend the earth from any kind of great disaster. Their main goal is also to educate mankind to prevent other disasters from happening.
Gaia possesses the “Planet Vision” ability which allows her to see where destruction occurs and sends the Planeteers to defend and solve the issue. In any situation the Planeteers cannot solve alone, they summon Captain Planet by combining their powers together. Captain Planet combines the power of all five elements, encouraging people that working as a team proves to be more effective than working alone. Captain Planet’s attire consists of his sea-blue skin, green-grass hair, earthy-brown eyes, fiery-red chest, and a sunny-yellow center, representing each element.
The New Adventures of Captain Planet
The New Adventures of Captain Planet released as a sequel to Captain Planet and the Planeteers. Although it released as a sequel, the producers of the series continued the storyline through this series to make it more of one long series of six seasons than two separate ones. The New Adventures of Captain Planet aired from September 1993 to May 1996. This half of the series continues with Gaia, Kwame, Wheeler, Linka, Gi, Ma-Ti, and Captain Planet as they solve disasters and problems all around the world.
This series rereleased and aired on Boomerang in 2005 with each episode running for approximately 25 minutes. With Hanna-Barbera producing these seasons, the Captain Planet storyline falls under The New Adventures of Captain Planet title for seasons four, five, and six. Since it was initially one of the longest-running cartoon series of the 1990s and consistently ranked as a number 1 Nielson rating, the Captain Planet animated series proved to be a big hit.
Captain Planet Comics (1991-1992)
Next up on this Retrospective of Captain Planet, we have the Captain Planet comics. These comics released from August 27, 1991 to August 11, 1992. Published by Marvel, this twelve issue comic series followed the animated series of the same name. Though disasters occur, the characters: Gaia, Wheeler, Kwame, Linka, Gi, Ma-Ti, and Captain Planet work together to defend the earth.
These characters’ message to work together to take care of the Earth not only affected fans through the television series but also through the comics. All twelve comics also feature a different cover by various illustrators, corresponding to the storyline in each specific comic.
Captain Planet Toys (1991-1994)
Next up on our Retrospective of Captain Planet, we have the toys. From action figures to vehicles to playsets, many toys showed popularity among fans in 1991 and continue to bring joy to fans today. These toys, released by Tiger Toys, resemble different characters and bring the cartoon storyline to life.
Captain Planet Vehicles
Tiger Toys released six different vehicles from the animated series in 1991. These include the Eco-Jailer, Eco-cycle, Eco-Sub, Garbage Cannon Truck, Geo- Cruiser, as well as the Planeteer Copter. As mentioned in the series, these vehicles in the show intentionally powered solely by solar power. This way, the Planeteers could defend the Earth from disasters without damaging it even more. Each vehicle comes in bright colored packaging with the words “The Power is Yours!” written on the front of the box. This catchphrase shown in the series intended to speak on the matters that working as a team proves to be better and more effective than working alone.
Captain Planet Playsets
Tiger Toys also released four different accessories/ playsets for the characters from Captain Planet and the Planeteers. The playsets released include Duke’s Exploding Reactor, Toxic Cannon, Toxic Sludge Dump, and Toxic Trap. All four playsets came out in 1991 and also contain the well known catchphrase on the front of the box. The front of the packaging features bright colors with characters using the playset in action.
Captain Planet Action Figures
Tiger Toys released a wide variety of action figures to go along with the series, Captain Planet and the Planeteers. From 1991-1993 action figures came out for many characters from the series as well as nine different versions of Captain Planet. These versions include Captain Planet in different attire such as: All-American, Artic, Color Changing, Exploding Meteor, Flying, Pollution Armor, Light and Thunder, Tornado, and Power Commands. Other characters such as: Argos Bleak, Captain Pollution, Commander Clash, Kwame, Dr. Blight, Duke Nukem, Gi, Hoggish Greedly, Linka, Ma-Ti, Wheeler, Sky Sludge, and Verminous Skumm also came out from 1991-1992. Each figure came out in bubble packaging with a colorful cardboard backing which includes the logo, catchphrase, and character name.
After production changed the name of the series from Captain Planet and the Planeteers to The New Adventures of Captain Planet, Tiger Toys released three new Captain Planet action figures for the series. The New Adventures of Captain Planet figures include Captain Planet with Thunder and Lightening, Firestorm, and Anti-Radiation Armor. While the previous figures feature a colorful blue and yellow cardboard back, this series features a red and black cardboard back to go along with the character and new title. Each cardboard back includes the logo, catchphrase, and character name as well.
Captain Planet Video Game (1992)
Next, on this Retrospective of Captain Planet, we have the 1992 Captain Planet and the Planeteers video game. This 1992 video game followed the characters of the animated series with the same name. This action game, published by Sega, developed by NovaLogic, and released by TBS Productions and DIC Enterprises, was created for the Sega Mega Drive. The game consists of 5 different levels, 4 of which the player takes on the role of a randomly chosen Planeteer. The player then takes on the role of Captain Planet in the last level. The game level starts off with the chosen character riding in a vehicle to get to the fortress. The player then summons Captain Planet and guides him through the fortress.
The first 4 levels each contain a specific mission. First, the player destroys all computers, next, the player closes all valves, then, the player destroys the mining devices, and finally, the player’s goal is to reach the end of the stage. The bosses, Hoggish Greedly, Doctor Blight, Mal, Looten Plunder, Argos Bleak, and Duke Nukem await the player at the end of each mission. After the first four levels, the player takes on the last mission. During this last level, the player takes on an extended boss fight. The entire game is played with an overall time limit. Any remaining time left after the missions gets added to the final score, making the game more challenging and exciting for the player.
Captain Planet in the 21st Century
Lastly, on this Retrospective of Captain Planet, we mention exciting news for the loved characters. American actor, Glen Powell, announced his plans for a live action Captain Planet movie back in 2018. Glen Powell, co-writer of the new film, mentioned his anticipation in making the film. The Captain Planet movie is expected to be produced by both Paramount Pictures and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way production company. This film, expected to release in the near future, might appear from a different direction than the animated series. Since the film will be live action, Powell expects a “dark and irreverent” vibe to the movie.
Do You Have Old Captain Planet Toys?
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Made in Collaboration with:
Chris Ingledue
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Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab Pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!