Wander Over Yonder
Wander Over Yonder is an American animated television series that aired on Disney Channel and Disney XD. Created by Craig McCracken, it follows the adventures of the optimistic Wander, who rides across the galaxy to help the inhabitants of various planets live freely, against the intentions of Lord Hater to rule the universe. The series premiered on Disney Channel on August 16, 2013. New episodes were moved during its first season to Disney XD on March 31, 2014. The series ran for two seasons until its cancellation in 2016. Plot. The series follows Wander, a nomadic and  overly-optimistic intergalactic traveller and his best friend and steed, Sylvia the Zbornak, as they travel from planet to planet helping people to have fun and live free, despite the continuing encroachment of Lord Hater, one of the most powerful villains in the galaxy, and his army of Watchdogs. The show's first season is episodic; there are very few strong ties between episodes, and they can be viewed independently of each other. In the second season, however, a more sequential story is introduced; as Lord Dominator begins to conquer the galaxy, the show's tone becomes more serious and  the focus moves from stopping the rather incompetent Lord Hater to stopping the extremely competent Lord Dominator. As a result, the episodes are more closely linked and there are several developments in the overarching plot. Development and broadcast. Craig McCracken, creator of "Wander Over Yonder", previously helmed the Cartoon Network series "The Powerpuff Girls" and "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends". "Wander Over Yonder" is McCracken's first and only foray on a Disney-owned network. McCracken's wife Lauren Faust served as co-producer and story editor for the first season. The eponymous character made his debut on sketchbooks , clothes, and patches that McCracken sold at conventions, as well as in a never-finished graphic novel. McCracken described Wander as a "nomadic, hippie, muppet man". He also said that his approach to each episode was character-driven, and that show's use of color is influenced by Hanna-Barbera. The series made its formal premiere on the Disney Channel on September 13, 2013. A sneak peek was screened at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con International. An early preview of the first episode, "The Picnic", was aired on the network on August 16, 2013, following the premiere of "". Premieres  of new episodes were moved to sister network Disney XD during its first season, on March 31, 2014. Shortly after, Disney Television Animation executive Eric Coleman announced that the series was renewed for a second season, with comic book writer ND Stevenson joining the writing team. This season premiered on August 3, 2015, with "The Greater Hater", a special half-hour episode. A set of 11 one-minute shorts were produced in promotion of this season premiere; the network released them starting in July. Internationally, "Wander Over Yonder" made its premiere on Family Channel in Canada on October 13, 2013 , on Disney XD in Australia on June 9, 2014, on Disney Channel in Israel on September 1, 2014, and on Disney XD (UK and Ireland) on March 10, 2014. Reception. The previewed episode was seen by roughly 2.9 million viewers. "The A.V. Club"s Kevin McFarland wrote that the series continues the "zany legacy" of the Cartoon Network's "golden age" on a competing network. Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media describes the series as flash and funny, stating it would "appeal to kids." She also argued it is a series that "generates laughs in opposing personalities, nonstop action, and silly  scenarios."