ThunderCats fans, animation historians, and aspiring artists will love this conversation with Jim Meskimen. Before becoming known for his incredible impressions and voice acting, Jim worked behind the scenes at Rankin/Bass as a secondary character designer on ThunderCats, later contributing to SilverHawks, The Comic Strip, and more.

In this episode, Jim Meskimen tells the incredible story of how a young artist with big dreams found himself working at Rankin/Bass during the creation of ThunderCats. He discusses his early influences, working at Hanna-Barbera, his memorable meeting with Jules Bass, and what it was really like creating characters during one of animation's most iconic eras.

The conversation also explores the unique Rankin/Bass production process, the creative freedom that shaped ThunderCats, and fascinating stories from Peter Lawrence about learning animation writing directly under Jules Bass. This episode offers a rare look inside the people and processes that helped create some of the most beloved cartoons of the 1980s.

If you enjoy animation production, ThunderCats, SilverHawks, Rankin/Bass history, voice acting, and behind-the-scenes storytelling, be sure to like, subscribe, and share.

Jim Meskimen’s official site

www.jimmeskimen.com

Follow Jim Meskimen on Facebook

https://facebook.com/djwjourneymanartist

Follow Jim on Instagram

@jimpressions

Check Out Jim featured on “ThunderCat of the Day” on Peter Lawrence’s official website

https://www.gpeterlawrence.com/dennis-woodyard-thundercat-of-the-day/

Be sure to check out the EXCLUSIVE interview with Jim in the pages of Hall of Omens: Thunder-Verse

https://thundercatstoyguide.com

Lion-O, Tygra & Janice from Friends Together? Yes, It Happened!

What happens when these castmates reunite for a their first conversation in 40 years? A lot of stories you've probably never heard before.

A lot of stories you've probably never heard before.

This episode starts with a surprise guest appearance that even the other guests didn't know was coming and quickly turns into a fascinating look behind the curtain of ThunderCats, SilverHawks, Rankin/Bass, voice acting, commercials, Friends, Saturday Night Live, and the wild way these shows were actually made.

From Maggie Wheeler's journey before Friends to Larry Kenney's 40 years as Count Chocula and Peter Newman's unexpected path into ThunderCats, this episode is packed with funny stories, nostalgia, and entertainment history that rarely gets documented.

Whether you're a lifelong fan or just curious about how classic cartoons were made, there's a good chance you'll learn something you've never heard before.

Special Thanks to Ryan Hunter of the Radical Retro Rewind Podcast for creating the image & thumbnail for this episode!

See an exclusive interview with Maggie Wheeler in the pages of Hall of Omens: Thunder-Verse

www.thundercatstouguide.com

Peter Lawrence’s official website

www.gpeterlawrence.com

ThunderCats, SilverHawks, The Comic Strip, Galaxy Rangers, Gargoyles, ExoSquad, and 1980s animation history all collide in this incredible behind-the-scenes conversation with writer and character designer Dennis Woodyard.

In this episode of the Beyond Thundera Podcast, Dennis Woodyard joins Peter Lawrence and Sean “Buddha” McKeone to discuss his work on ThunderCats, SilverHawks, The Comic Strip, TigerSharks, Galaxy Rangers, Gargoyles, ExoSquad, and the rise and fall of the legendary Rankin/Bass animation studio.

Dennis shares rare stories from inside the New York animation industry during the 1970s and 1980s, including how he got hired onto ThunderCats, learning the Rankin/Bass design style, reviewing animation footage from Japan, working alongside Pacific Animation Corporation, the chaos surrounding TigerSharks and The Comic Strip, and the failed CVTV project that preceded the closure of Rankin/Bass.

The conversation also dives into the reality of animation production during the era, Japanese outsourcing, Warner Bros., cult cartoon fandoms, Galaxy Rangers, Karate Kat, SilverHawks, and why ThunderCats became “lightning in a bottle” that could never truly be replicated.

Dennis also discusses designing fan-favorite ThunderCats villains Zaxx and Jagara — both now receiving their first-ever Super7 Ultimates figures — along with writing classic episodes like “The Shadowmaster” and “The Well of Doubt.”

If you love ThunderCats, SilverHawks, retro cartoons, animation history, behind-the-scenes production stories, 80s nostalgia, cartoon documentaries, or creator interviews, this is an episode you absolutely do not want to miss.

Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more rare animation history interviews, ThunderCats discussions, and behind-the-scenes stories from the creators who helped shape a generation of cartoons.

SUBSCRIBE to Dennis on YouTube

https://youtube.com/@denniswoodyard-dragonflyent

Follow Dennis J. Woodyard - Journeyman Artist on Facebook

https://facebook.com/djwjourneymanartist

Check Out Dennis featured on “ThunderCat of the Day” on Peter Lawrence’s official website

https://www.gpeterlawrence.com/dennis-woodyard-thundercat-of-the-day/

Be sure to check out the EXCLUSIVE interview with Dennis in the pages of Hall of Omens: Thunder-Verse

https://thundercatstoyguide.com