Dino-Riders
Dino-Riders is an animated television series that first aired in 1988. "Dino-Riders" was primarily a promotional show to launch a new Tyco toy line. Only fourteen episodes were produced, three of which were produced on VHS for the United States. The show aired in the U.S. as part of the "Marvel Action Universe" programming block. The series focuses on the battle between the heroic Valorians and the evil Rulon Alliance on prehistoric Earth. The Valorians were a superhuman race, while the Rulons comprised several breeds of humanoids (ants, crocodiles, snakes, and sharks were the most common ). Both races came from the future but were transported back in time to the age of dinosaurs. Once on Earth, the Valorians befriended dinosaurs, while the Rulons brainwashed them. Overview. The Valorians were a species of peaceful humanoids that lived on the planet Valoria until they were invaded by the predatory Rulons. A group of Valorians lead by Questar attempted to escape the Rulon invasion using a spaceship equipped with their "Space Time Energy Projector" (S.T.E.P.); however, something went wrong. They were sent back in time and space, to the planet Earth 65 million years back to the age of  the dinosaurs. Unknown to them, the Rulon flagship, the "Dreadlock", locked in with a tractor beam, was also sent back through time when the S.T.E.P. was activated. After successfully landing on prehistoric Earth, the Valorians used their AMP ("Amplified Mental Projector") necklaces to telepathically communicate with the dinosaurs they encountered and eventually befriended them. On the other hand, the Rulons - led by the warlord Krulos - used brainwashing devices known as brain-boxes to control dinosaurs for their own needs. The Rulons then launched an attack on the Valorians, who called upon their dinosaur friends to assist them in fighting back . After ultimately defeating the Rulons, the Valorians renamed themselves "Dino-Riders". In regard to the dinosaur (and other animal) species present, the series is extremely anachronistic, showing late Cretaceous species like "Tyrannosaurus rex" alongside species from earlier eras, including the Permian genus "Dimetrodon", which lived 200 million years earlier, before dinosaurs existed. It also show several Ice Age animals such as the Woolly Mammoth and the Smilodon, living alongside Archaeotherium, which lived during the Eocene 16 million years before the Ice Age. Plus it shows Neanderthals coexisting with Smilodon, and the Megatherium which lived in North and South America, while  Neanderthals lived in Eurasia. Characters. Valorians. The Valorians are a race of superhumans from the planet Valoria who were renamed as the Dino-Riders and the main protagonists of the series. Commandos. The Commandos are a special forces military unit within the Dino-Riders. Cro-Magnons. The Valorians have also made allies with a tribe of Cro-Magnons. Among the known Cro-Magnons are: Rulons. The Rulons are a race of aliens that are the enemies of the Valorians and the main antagonists of the series. Neanderthals. Zar's tribe of Cro-Magnons have been at war with a rogue  tribe of Neanderthals. Among the known Neanderthals are: Episodes. The "Dino-Riders" series consisted of a single season of 14 episodes. The first two episodes were produced for release on VHS as standalone specials, the first in 1987 and the second in 1988. Also in 1988, the series transitioned to television, with a further 11 episodes being produced and added to the specials to create a standard season's worth of 13 episodes. Lastly, in 1990, an additional VHS special was produced to promote the new range of "Ice Age" figures, released as "Ice Age Adventure" (but with the on -screen title "Dino-Riders in the Ice Age"). Below is a list of each episode along with the date it first aired. Toys. In total, there were four series of Dino-Riders toys: "Series 1" (1988), "Series 2" (1989), "Series 3" and "Ice Age" (1990). The "Ice Age" line focused on Ice age mammals rather than dinosaurs. The larger toys in the range also had a motorized walking action with the dinosaur's head swaying from side to side. Each Rulon faction toy came with a different self-automated trap. The dinosaurs were acclaimed for their highly detailed bodies and  color, and impressed the Smithsonian Institution, who contacted Tyco to reproduce the dinosaurs (without the motorized mechanisms and wheels) for their "Dinosaur and other Prehistoric Reptile Collection". Dinosaur illustrator William Stout was credited for dinosaur design on the show's credits. Series 1 (1988). The release of the first series of Dino-Riders toys was timed to coincide with the cartoon series on television. It initially consisted of 5 Valorian and 6 Rulon toys, along with eight 2-figure packs. A sixth Valorian toy, Torosaurus, would be released at the end of the series. The "Diplodocus", Torosaurus, "Tyrannosaurus Rex", and  Triceratops all had motorized walking mechanisms. Action figures Series 2 (1989). The second series of Dino-Rider toys consisted of 7 new Valorian toys and 3 new Rulons, along with eight more 2-figure packs as well as 6 "Commandos". The Commandos consisted of a human figure with unique weapons and accessories. The most notable toy from this series was the "Brontosaurus", which was the largest toy in the entire range, measuring 34 inches long and 15 inches tall. In an effort to keep costs down, Tyco had to abandon several features that were originally intended to be part of  the figure. These included motorized walking action, four figures instead of three, and an entirely different weapons system. The "Stegosaurus" toy had motorized walking action, while the "Pachycephalosaurus" and "Saurolophus" both had a mechanism that allowed their bodies to thrust from a horizontal position with their tail in the air into a vertical position with their tail on the ground. Action figures Series 3 (1990). The third series of Dino-Riders toys was split into two assortments: 3 new dinosaurs for the regular series and 4 prehistoric mammals for the new "Ice Age" concept. The dinosaur sets are among the  rarest of the entire range due to a limited production run. The "Quetzalcoatlus", originally released as a Valorian in "Series 1", was re-released as a Rulon with a new yellow and spotted black paint scheme. The "Pachyrhinosaurus" had motorized walking action. Ice Age. The Ice Age subline was unique in that all of the animals produced belonged to the Valorian faction and, with the rest of the "Series 3", are very hard to find. This line also included six more 2-figure packs. The Woolly Mammoth, the largest figure in the range, had motorized walking action. Action figures Rulon  Warriors Battle Pack (2020). In 2020, Mattel released an Entertainment Earth exclusive battle pack, called the Rulon Warriors Battle Pack, modeled after Army Men. The kit, designed for children aged 6 and up, is described as: "It's the heroic Valorians versus the evil Rulon Alliance in this exciting Dino-Riders Rulon Warriors Battle Pack - Entertainment Earth Exclusive. Recreate epic battle sequences inspired by the 1980s toy line and "Dino-Riders" animated series or create your own new adventures! This special edition collection contains 6 dinosaurs and 15 other figures, including such classic characters as Rulon leader Krulos, Bitor, Boldar , and Dino-Riders hotshot Llahd. Whether you're discovering "Dino-Riders" for the first time or you've been a fan since you were a kid, you do not want to miss this sensational opportunity to Harness the Power of Dinosaurs! Each figure measure approximately 1-inch tall and the dinos measure approximately up to 7-inches long" (Entertainment Earth) Comics. Apart from the miniature comics included with each of the dinosaur toys, Marvel released a 3-part miniseries of "Dino-Rider" comics. The comics' storylines were considered to be much darker than the cartoon, sometimes focusing on conflicts between  the Valorians. For instance, one storyline involves Questar being accused of murdering his jealous, scheming brother, Tark. The first comic book issue, "The Path", was released in February 1989 and was 23 pages long. A "Dino-Riders Annual" was later released as a hardcover book that contained both the first and second issues in one collection. Film adaptation. In October 2015, Tracking Board reported that Mattel has teamed with Solipsist Film to develop a live action Dino-Riders movie with Alissa Phillips and Stephen L’Heureux producing. As of 2018, there is no indication in the media that the film is  going forward.