NEW YORK — If you grew up in the 1980s, you probably remember ThunderCats. The characters can evoke powerful feelings today, even among those who were only slightly familiar with the TV show and its wider franchise. The feeling is called nostalgia, and it’s probably the single biggest reason the collectibles market has been soaring as a whole during the last few years.
The ThunderCats story focuses on a family of catlike humans — Lion-O, Cheetara, Panthro, Tygra and also a fifth creature named Snarf — who are forced to leave their dying home planet of Thundera. After a long journey that they endure asleep in suspended animation, they arrive on a new planet, Third Earth, where they continue to fight a group of aliens known as the Mutants and also a powerful mummy. As the show progressed, other characters were added.
Produced by Rankin-Bass, the TV series debuted in 1985 and delivered a whopping 65 episodes in season 1. It was followed by a TV movie in 1986 and three more seasons that had 20 episodes each. Cartoon Network rebooted the show in 2011, but it only lasted for one season.
Comic books often provide the source material for TV shows, but in the case of the ThunderCats, the chicken came before the egg. The TV show came first and generated a range of toys, collectibles and several comic book series. A copy of Marvel Comics’ ThunderCats #1, released in December 1985 and graded 9.6, earned $400 plus the buyer’s premium at Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers in September 2021. The comic was published in the 1980s by Marvel under its Star imprint. DC Comics, Marvel’s rival, also produced ThunderCats comics under its Wildstorm imprint in the early 2000s.
In the mid-1980s, American toy maker LJN, which was active in New York City from 1970 to 1990, produced a line of ThunderCats toys and figures. All had a function dubbed “Battle-Matic Action” that was wildly popular with children. The figures had articulated limbs and a so-called “secret” lever that made an arm move. Bandai also produced a small line of ThunderCats figures, but its toys don’t tend to realize prices in the same range as LJN’s.
Not surprisingly, action figures of the lead ThunderCats character, Lion-O, attract the highest bids in the category. Sold separately at first, the Lion-O figure was re-released in 1987, paired with a Snarf figure. In the cartoon show, Snarf served as a nanny to young Lion-O and later became a comic foil and mascot. A seven-inch action figure of Lion-O and a three-inch tall Snarf from the 1980s that were authenticated as hard copy prototypes sold for $2,750 plus the buyer’s premium in February 2021 at Hake’s Auctions. The figures reportedly came from a former employee of LJN, and while the date when they were sanded and hand-painted is unknown, they retain enough details to prove they came from LJN’s original silicon molds.
Serious ThunderCats collectors want mint-on-card (MOC) action figures. A 1985 MOC Panthro figure with “Battle-Matic Action” sold for $600 in June 2021 at Weiss Auctions. The sum represents a significant advance on the original retail price for Thundercats action figures, which was $5.99.
The central ThunderCats characters, particularly the good guys, perform the best on the secondary market, but action figures of marginal ThunderCats characters can bring good money. An example is Ben Gali, who was rescued from the doomed planet of Thundera by a friendly group of aliens and ultimately rejoined Lion-O and his crew on Third Earth. A 1986 mint-on-card action figure of Ben Gali realized $1,150 plus the buyer’s premium in August 2021 at Weiss Auctions.
While action figures are typically the most valuable type of ThunderCats memorabilia, collectors also favor play sets as they make a great backdrop for displaying figures. New old stock or toys that were never played with can be hard to find, so even those that are gently used or missing a few small parts can bring low three-figure sums at auction. An example is a circa-1986 LJN ThunderCats Cat’s Lair vehicle play set that brought $475 plus the buyer’s premium in April 2020 at Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers.
Demand for ThunderCats collectibles demonstrates the power of nostalgia. For now, the material remains accessible. Buyers can find ThunderCats toys and figures at all price points, with the most expensive being the most pristine. And at least some collectors must be tempted to yell Lion-O’s battle cry, “ThunderCats, ho!” when they place a winning bid.
