TANKMEN (Series)

**TANKMEN** is a Macromedia Flash animation comedy series produced by Jeff Bandelin (a.k.a. JohnnyUtah) that was published on Newgrounds. TANKMEN depicts several groups of survivors fighting each other for resources in a barren desert wasteland after an unknown apocalyptic event destroyed every nation on Earth. The series primarily ran from 2006 to 2008, and while it hasn't seen an official instalment since the 2000s; various shorts, pieces of merchandise and fan-made media and cameos have been created since, including a major inclusion in the Newgrounds rhythm game, Friday Night Funkin', in 2021.

## Setting

> In the year of 20XX, the world has been destroyed, all nations obliterated. All that survives are random factions of warriors that fight for..well, who the hell knows. They are the TANKMEN.
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> In the year 20XX, the world lies in ruins, all nations obliterated. All that survives are random factions of warriors... one of which are simply known as Tankmen — led by the brave and handsome Sergeant John Captain.
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TANKMEN takes place during an unspecified year before the end of the 21st century, and all episodes are set in a barren desert devoid of civilization. It's unknown where this desert is, exactly, but it is close to several bodies of water and surrounded by the ruins of high-rises, presumably part of city housing at some point. The desert is littered with ruins, abandoned vehicles, corpses, and various artefacts left over from previous civilization - such as a DVD of Titanic. The desert is occupied by the Tankmen, the Enemy Tankmen, the Thugmen and various civilians. The majority of characters in TANKMEN traverse the desert by tank, if not by foot. The only exception are the Thugmen, who travel in a heavy vehicle reminiscent of a modified bus or semi-truck.

Somewhere in the desert is *Franks' Spirits & Bowling,* a two-in-one bar and bowling alley operated by a mysterious Frank, who's never seen. The bar is frequented by Tankmen, as well as Thugmen, but does not appear to be taken patronage of by Enemy Tankmen. Mentioned, but never seen, is an area known as 'Sector 5'. It's unknown if this is a unique name for one specific part of the desert, or if there are more sectors able to be travelled to.

Despite the setting being an post-apocalyptic desert, there are multiple bodies of water, including some that may be safe to drink. Notably, Skittles' father is seen successfully fishing in TANKMEN .5, and Ted has a glass of water in the unfinished storyboard for TANKMEN 2.5. Whether water is potable at the source or has to be purified is unknown. Water at least seems to be scarce enough that Ted insists that sometimes, you have to drink your own urine.

The residents of the desert have frequent access to cigarettes and beer, but how and where this is produced is never indicated. They also have access to pretzels and candy, including what may be the Skittles confectionery, despite the fact civilization has long since been destroyed. Additionally, never mentioned is the weather in the desert, and as every character of a specific faction wears a full-body suit of armour at all times, either the temperature is manageable, or the inhabitants just don't care.

## Episodes

The TANKMEN series currently consists of 4 official episodes, 2 unfinished episodes, 1 short and 1 self-parodical episode.