Koch Vision today released the DVD debut of the innovative 1986 animated action series, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers, featuring animation by famed anime house TMS and the voices of Jerry Orbach, Bob Bottone, Laura Dean and Earl Hammond. The show has been completely restored and re-mastered and includes 5.1 Surround Sound and a host of special features.
Produced and created by Robert Mandell, director of the 1986 action flick, F/X, and the 1993 pilot episode of The X-Files, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers takes place in the year 2086 as two peaceful aliens journey to Earth seeking help. In appreciation for Earth’s assistance, the aliens share the plans for the planet’s first hyperdrive, allowing mankind to open the doors to the stars. With the fantastic device in hand, a team of unique individuals is assembled to protect Earth and preserve law and order across the new frontier.
The animation was completed in Japan by the famed Tokyo Movie Shinsa, but The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers was one of the first anime-style shows to be created, storyboarded, voiced and produced in the U.S. The show originally aired as a series of sixty-five 30-minute episodes that combined elements of the Hollywood Western, the space opera and the epic sword-and-sorcery fantasy.
In addition to the DVD debut, Koch Vision is planning an extensive 2005 brand rollout which will include publishing, apparel and an official website launch this month.
Two volumes, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers: Tortuna and The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers: Supertroopers are now available for the suggested retail price of $14.98.
Also arriving on DVD today is the 1992 animated feature, Bebe’s Kids, based on the comedy of Robin Harris and featuring the voices of Tone Loc and the late Nell Carter. The Paramount Home Video release includes the bonus cartoon Itsy Bitsy Spider and lists for $14.99.
A compilation of nine episodes from popular Cartoon Network series comes to disc and tape with Warner Home Video’s Cartoon Network Christmas: Yuletide Follies, featuring The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Ed, Edd ‘n Eddy, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Dexter’s Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken and I AM Weasel. Fans can pick it up for $14.97.
Warner gets Nickelodeon into the act with The Fairly Oddparents: Channel Chasers, which spoofs such classic cartoons as Peanuts, Fat Albert, Strawberry Shortcake, The Jetsons, Rugrats, Invader ZIM, SpeedRacer, Blues Clues, DragonBall Z and Pokemon. Fans also get deleted scenes and a "How to Draw Timmy" tutorial, all for a list price of $16.99.
Finally, there’s more holiday fun with Warner Home Entertainment’s release of the family special, Nine Dog Christmas. Produced by Peter Keefe E-Content/JRS Properties LLC., the toon is narrated by James Earl Jones (The Lion King) and tells the story of nine extraordinary stray dogs who come to Santa’s rescue when the reindeer flu threatens to cancel Christmas. It retails for $19.97.
