Toxic Crusaders - Cartoon & Toy Line Inspired by Troma's Toxic Avenger

If you're familiar with the world famous Tromavillains who are as compelling as the heroes
Studios then you might be aware of their Toxicthemselves. Toxic Crusaders didn't skimp when it
Avenger series of B movies that arrived in the middlecame to bad guys. Few returned for more than a
of the 1980's. Like Troma's other notable films suchsingle episode, but some of those were: Czar Zosta
as Class of Nuke 'Em High and Chopper Chicks inand Doctor Killemoff, two cockroach beings with four
Zombietown, the Toxic Avenger series offered uparms from a planet called Smogula; Bonehead, a
lots of gore, racy scenes and crude humor. Youstreet punk who bullied Melvin Junko, the man who
might be wondering how in the world this could bewould go on to become Toxie; and Mayor Grody,
developed into a children's cartoon series and rightlythe corrupt leader of Toxie's hometown of
so!Tromaville. Of course, like other cartoons of the era
In 1991, kids cartoon shows began to shift and newthe series had its own disposable goons, the
ideas bubbled up to the surface of the entertainmentRadiation Rangers who came in droves and nearly
world. Shows like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles andnever hit their intended target.
Captain Planet brought a new message toAs rich of a series as any on TV at that time, Toxic
youngsters: the importance of protecting ourCrusaders proved to be fertile grounds for
environment. With a bit of tweaking, Troma got theirmerchandising. In most cases, the same companies
infamous anti-industrial hero shaped into Toxie, awho held the rights to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
hideously mutated but lovable character who servedmerchandise also held it for Toxic Crusaders. As a
as the star of Toxic Crusaders.result, we saw an eight issue comic book from
Of course, competing with Teenage Mutant NinjaMarvel, trading cards from Topps, a card game,
Turtles proved to be nearly impossible and after aboard game, Halloween costumes, Colorforms and of
five run trial, FOX decided not to run the full seriescourse, video games for the original Nintendo
even though thirteen 30 minute episodes had alreadyEntertainment System, Sega Genesis and the
been created. Despite this rather gargantuan setback,Gameboy. Playmates even offered a line of action
the creepily cute Toxie made a valiant stand infigures boasting "radical" designs in bright neon colors
stores everywhere in the form of toys, collectibleon characters that retained the creepy charm of the
cards and a mountain of other merchandise thatcartoon show. These figures often came with glow in
cartoon characters often seem to get.the dark accessories and you could even get
Toxie didn't go up against evil polluters on his own,canisters of "Toxie's Toxic Waste", a goopy
though. At his side were a cast of imaginativesubstance suspiciously similar to the Turtle's
weirdos such as: Yvonne, Toxie's nearsighted blonde"Retromutagen Ooze."
girlfriend; Blobbie, a furry pink pet; Mop, Toxie'sEven these days, Toxic Crusaders still captivate fans
independently thinking instument of cleaning;and in April of 2008, Troma released a DVD of all 13
Junkyard, a human-dog hybrid of a hobo who hidepisodes so if you missed the show yourself there's
from lightning in a dog kennel only to be merged withstill a chance to check it out!
the dog once lightning struck; Major Disaster, a soldierI hope you've enjoyed this trip back to the 90's and
who fell into a radioactive swamp where he gainedthat you learned a little bit about a great cartoon
the ability to control plants; and NoZone, a pilot whoshow that tried hard to bring kids a good message
flew through a hole in the ozone layer to crash into apacked with crazy fun. Though Toxic Crusaders may
silo of nuclear peppers that gave him a legendarynot have toppled the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
sneeze!empire, they certainly offered a unique take on
Of course, no kids show could be complete without"environmentally conscious" kids' cartoons.