Why Bucky O’Hare Deserves a Comeback: The ’90s Cartoon Ahead of Its Time
Remember the wild and unique animated series from 1991 called Bucky O’Hare and the Toad Wars!? It’s a quirky space adventure that feels surprisingly relevant today, especially with its themes of fighting a hypercapitalist AI and saving planets from oppression. While Netflix is finally reviving another ’90s classic, Captain Planet, fans of Bucky O’Hare are hoping for a similar comeback for this cult favorite.
- The origins and creators of Bucky O’Hare
- Plot and characters: a space-faring green rabbit and his crew
- The show’s unique take on politics, AI, and capitalism
- Why it deserves a revival despite its flaws
A Blast from the Past: Bucky O’Hare’s Origins
Bucky O’Hare started as a comic book character in 1984, created by Larry Hama and Michael Golden. These two legends brought Bucky to life in the Echo of Futurepast anthology. Later, Roger Allen Slifer, a writer known for Jem and Lobo, adapted it into a 13-episode cartoon series in 1991. The show featured a green rabbit captain leading a crew of anthropomorphic animals on the spaceship The Righteous Indignation, battling the oppressive Toad Empire.
Space Battles and Political Parody
Bucky O’Hare’s universe is a fun yet sharp parody of Star Wars, complete with a green rabbit hero, a toad empire, and mechanical villains like Toadborg. The Toads’ society is controlled by a rogue AI named Komplex, who uses hypnotic TV to enslave mammals. This plotline touches on themes of AI gone wrong, hypercapitalism, and environmental destruction, making the show’s message surprisingly modern.
The serialized storytelling was ahead of its time for a kids’ cartoon, with episodes exploring character backstories and complex plots. For example, the season starts with Bucky discovering that his home planet Warren has been captured and turned into a toxic swamp by the Toads’ “climate converter.” The season finale sees Bucky and his crew freeing the enslaved hares and defeating Komplex’s schemes.
Meet the Crew
Besides Bucky, the show features memorable characters like Jenny, the confident and psychic feline first mate; Bruiser, a fierce baboon warrior; and Dead-Eye Duck, a former space pirate. Jenny stands out as a strong female character who isn’t a damsel in distress but a key player with secret psychic powers.
Toad TV: The Show’s Satirical Heart
One of the most unique aspects of the series is “Toad TV,” a brainwashing channel full of ridiculous commercials for disgusting products like wart-enhancing creams and fly-based Spam. This satirical take on consumerism and media manipulation adds depth and humor to the series, contrasting sharply with Bucky’s progressive values.
Why Bucky O’Hare Deserves a Comeback
Despite some annoying characters like Bruiser and the human kid Willy DuWitt, who sometimes slows the pace with his Earth-bound adventures, Bucky O’Hare remains a bold and engaging show. It was originally created to sell toys by Hasbro, but its anti-capitalist themes and serialized storytelling set it apart from many contemporaries.
Sadly, the show was canceled after just one season, and although its creators like Roger Allen Slifer and Neal Adams tried to keep it alive, there hasn’t been much demand for a revival. However, with current concerns about climate change, AI, and corporate greed, Bucky O’Hare’s themes are more relevant than ever.
Imagine a new series that expands on the original’s progressive values, deeper character development, and serialized plotlines, introducing a new generation to the joys of “croaking some toads.” It’s a space fantasy free from big franchise ties, offering something fresh and daring in today’s animation landscape.
For fans interested in revisiting the series or learning more about its history and impact, the original comics and attempts at revivals are worth exploring. Neal Adams republished the original comic in 2006 and teased a CGI movie that never came to fruition.
Check out this classic trailer to get a feel for Bucky O’Hare’s quirky universe:
For more about the live-action Captain Planet adaptation on Netflix, which might signal a renewed interest in ’90s animated revivals, see Deadline’s report.
