For years now, classic cartoons from the 1980s and sometimes 1990s have been all the rage. They get rebooted, they get new, updated cartoons, and sometimes they get big budget movie adaptations! The latest attempt to cash in on that nostalgia is serious, epic comic book runs. I’ve always known that comics are a great medium for this kind of thing, and am excited to see what’s coming.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic at IDW is about to hit issue #150, and will have a soft relaunch with a new, famous creative team. The ThunderCats comic is making news for a ton of pre-orders for their upcoming #1 issue launch from Dynamite. And both the Transformers and G.I.Joe are getting a big push with the Energon Universe through Image and Skybound. It’s a great time to be a fan of the cartoons from my youth. So what other cartoons could use a fun, modern comic book reboot? I’m glad you asked!

Join me after the jump for six cartoons from my childhood in the 1980s and 90s that could use a modern, serious, comic book relaunch! Also, if any comic companies are reading this, I’m currently available to hire to write these myself!

6. SilverHawks

The ThunderCats are cool and all, but let us not forget the SilverHawks, who also existed. I don’t remember much about them, but it was the same general premise: a squad of fancy-looking space warriors who fight the bad guy and get up to classic 1980s syndicated madness. They’ve all got flashy, shiny costumes and generic powers and they don’t look nearly as memorable as the ThunderCats. But they could be anything the writer or company wants! Make up some new, serious lore about these weirdos and bank on that good, good nostalgia.

5. Pirates of Dark Water

I don’t really remember anything about the specific story behind Pirates of Dark Water, I just remember that it had some great character designs and epic storytelling, at least for what it was. There was real drama and action adventure. There was this literal dark water that would consume anyone and anything, so it was this ever-present threat to our heroes. That would be fun to utilize. Then just give everybody modern updates and looks, and tell some high seas adventure stories!

4. Darkwing Duck

Darkwing Duck already has a couple of ongoing comics these days, ever since his revival in that awesome DuckTales cartoon from a few years ago. But I think Darkwing Duck could support a gritty, modern superhero retelling. I know a gritty Darkwing is an inherently silly idea…but why not give it a try? Treat Darkwing Duck as seriously as Batman. He’s got a big Rogues Gallery, he’s got supporting characters; just try it and see what kind of fun can be had.

3. Masters of the Universe

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe have a lot going on right now. Their Netflix cartoon is about to come back for a second season. There was a separate, more childish cartoon not too long ago. And I think DC Comics published a big modern comic revival a few years ago. But that was before the pandemic, so it might as well have been a lifetime ago. Bring back He-Man and the Masters of the Universe as an independent comic series, starting from scratch and exploring the mythos in a new and awesome way. So many characters, so much lore; really dig in deep and have some fun with it.

2. Captain Planet and the Planeteers

The Planeteers are long overdue for a modern reboot. Their message is just as important today as it was in the 1980s. They’re got an awesome, diverse cast of characters, cool super-powers and a great set of villains. Modernize that whole deal and make it a comic about fighting global warming, plus all the other important environmental messaging. Get in depth, really flesh out the characters, give them better backstory, and tell a real story about saving our planet. Somebody’s got to do it!

1. Street Sharks

Does anybody other than me even remember the Street Sharks? Do they only exist as part of that Vin Diesel commercial meme? I don’t know, and I don’t care. I was obsessed with the Street Sharks when I was a kid. Honestly, I was probably only obsessed with the idea of the Street Sharks. I’d loved the Ninja Turtles to death in the 1980s, and it wasn’t yet the period of constant, never ceasing TMNT reboots. So the Street Sharks were the next best thing I had and I glommed on like a maniac. It’s just a cheap Ninja Turtles knock-off, but sharks because those are more badass. And then it’s infused with so much ’90s nonsense that I can’t imagine it holds up. But I don’t care. There’s a plethora of main characters, side characters, mutant villains and more. There’s so much that could be done, so much that could be fleshed out and expanded upon. There’s a chance it could be…jawesome!

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