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

ThunderCats fans, retro animation lovers, and artists alike — this may be one of the most personal and emotional episodes of the Beyond Thundera Podcast yet.

Join ThunderCats writer/story editor Peter Lawrence and author Sean “Buddha” McKeone as they sit down with longtime ThunderCats fan artist Celesta Johnston for a deeply honest conversation about fandom, creativity, animation, preserving classic cartoons, and what ThunderCats meant to an entire generation growing up in the 1980s and 1990s.

Celesta shares how ThunderCats became a “permanent home” during a childhood filled with constant moving, how VHS tapes and technology helped preserve that connection, her history creating ThunderCats artwork and fan stories, the realities of pursuing animation as a career, art school disappointments, industry burnout, and why keeping the spirit of the original ThunderCats series alive matters so much to fans decades later.

The episode also explores animation production culture, the struggles artists face behind the scenes, thoughts on future ThunderCats continuations, Mumm-Ra, Pumyra, Tygra, New Thundera, preserving the original art style, and the emotional connection fans still have to these characters today.

If you love ThunderCats, SilverHawks, 80s cartoons, animation history, fandom culture, artist interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, retro animation, or nostalgic pop culture discussions, this is an episode you do not want to miss.

Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more ThunderCats interviews, rare creator discussions, fan stories, and behind-the-scenes animation history.

See more of Celesta’s art on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/celestas.art

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

https://www.gpeterlawrence.com/celesta-johnston-thundercat-of-the-day/

Celesta is a featured artist in Hall of Omens: Thunder-Verse

https://thundercatstoyguide.com

ThunderCats, SilverHawks, and 1980s animation fans — this episode is packed with rare behind-the-scenes stories, honest creator reflections, and deep discussion pulled directly from the ThunderCats Reddit and Discord communities.

In this special AMA episode of the Beyond Thundera Podcast, ThunderCats writer/story editor Peter Lawrence and author Sean “Buddha” McKeone answer fan-submitted questions about Tygra, Mumm-Ra, Pumyra, Bengali, storytelling decisions, lost character potential, convention appearances, animation production realities, and how ThunderCats episodes were actually written during the intense Rankin/Bass era production schedule.

Peter also gives candid answers about criticisms surrounding Tygra’s role in the series, the challenges of balancing large ensemble casts, why serialized story arcs were difficult in 1980s syndicated animation, how characters like Mumm-Ra became so iconic, and more!

If you love ThunderCats, SilverHawks, retro cartoons, animation history, voice acting, behind-the-scenes TV production stories, or classic 80s nostalgia, this is an episode you do not want to miss.

Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more rare ThunderCats, SilverHawks, and 80s/90s animation interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, animation history, creator conversations, and exclusive archival discussions.

Be sure to get in on the conversions on Reddit & Discord

ThunderCats on Reddit

https://www.reddit.com/r/Thundercats/s/6LWgrJHCQQ

SilverHawks on Reddit

https://www.reddit.com/r/SilverHawks/s/PReI1SJ9Fn

ThunderCats on Discord

https://discord.gg/4C3uuheGM

Peter Lawrence’s official website

https://gpeterlawrence.com

Hall of Omens: Thunder-Verse

https://thundercatstoyguide.com

In this episode of the Beyond Thundera Podcast, Sean “Buddha” McKeone and Peter Lawrence sit down with Scott Cook of Epic Entertainment U.S., the live event agent who represents ThunderCats legends Larry Kenney, Peter Newman, Lynn Lipton, Pete Cannarozzi, and more.

Scott shares how he got started in the convention world, why he only represents properties he personally loves, and what it is like helping bring beloved ThunderCats, SilverHawks, Ninja Turtles, and 1980s pop culture icons to fans at live events across the country.

The conversation also explores the evolution of comic cons and toy shows, the emotional connection fans have with ThunderCats, the importance of collectibles in keeping fandom alive, and why smaller shows like Retro Toy Con can create some of the most meaningful fan experiences.

Scott also discusses his work on likeness rights and action figure deals, including NECA Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures, his background growing up around the film industry in Wilmington, North Carolina, and the possibility of a ThunderCats-themed convention someday.

If you love ThunderCats, SilverHawks, 1980s cartoons, retro toys, comic cons, celebrity guests, voice actors, convention culture, or behind-the-scenes stories from the entertainment industry, this is an episode you do not want to miss.

Scott Cook & Epic Entertainment US official website

www.epicentertainmentus.com

Before ThunderCats became one of the most iconic cartoons of the 1980s… there was a small New York recording studio, reel-to-reel tape machines, razor blades used to cut audio by hand, and a production crew trying to invent a completely new way to make animated television.

In this fascinating episode of the Beyond Thundera Podcast, Rankin/Bass production staff member Tony Giovanniello pulls back the curtain on the creation of ThunderCats and SilverHawks like never before.

From directing actors and building soundtracks to timing battle scenes before animation even existed, Tony shares the chaotic, creative, and groundbreaking process that helped define an entire generation of animation.

You’ll hear stories about:

* The making of ThunderCats Episode 1

* Working with Lee Donoghue and Matthew Malach

* The intense production schedule at Rankin/Bass

* Creating sound and music for classic episodes

* Old-school analog editing techniques

* Why ThunderCats felt different from every other cartoon of its era

This is the kind of behind-the-scenes history fans thought was lost forever.

If you love ThunderCats, SilverHawks, voice acting, sound design, cartoon production stories, or behind-the-scenes interviews, this is an episode you do NOT want to miss.

Watch & listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio.

Step behind the scenes of Fox’s cult classic animated series Peter Pan and the Pirates with legendary writer/story editor and ThunderCats creative force Peter Lawrence.

In this fascinating deep-dive conversation on the Beyond Thundera Podcast, Peter shares never-before-heard stories about joining the series after Rankin/Bass, moving from New York to Los Angeles, working with Buzz Potamkin, Lee Dannacher, Takashi, Sid Iwanter, and Margaret Loesch, and helping reshape Peter Pan and the Pirates into one of the most unique animated shows of the 1990s.

Peter also discusses:
• How he became story editor on Peter Pan and the Pirates
• The creative struggles behind the show’s scripts
• The East Coast vs. West Coast animation divide
• Building the show’s pirate language and nautical world
• Working with Emmy-winning actor Tim Curry as Captain Hook
• The similarities and differences between ThunderCats, SilverHawks, and Fox Kids productions
• Hollywood executives, writers rooms, creative control, and network notes
• The reality of making animated television in the late 80s and early 90s

Fans of ThunderCats, SilverHawks, Peter Pan and the Pirates, Fox Kids, Rankin/Bass, retro cartoons, 80s animation, 90s animation, Tim Curry, and behind-the-scenes animation history will not want to miss this episode.

Watch & listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.