Blackstar (TV series) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Blackstar
Blackstar promotional poster
Voices of	George DiCenzo Linda Gary Alan Oppenheimer Patrick Pinney Frank Welker
Composer(s)	Yvette Blais Jeff Michael
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
No. of episodes	13
Production
Producer(s)	Norm Prescott Lou Scheimer
Production company(s)	Filmation
Release
Original network	CBS
Original release	September 12 (1981-09-12) – December 5, 1981 (1981-12-05)

Blackstar is an exciting American animated science fantasy TV show. It was made in 1981 by Lou Scheimer and Norm Prescott for a company called Filmation. This series was Filmation's second big fantasy adventure. Many people think Blackstar is quite similar to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, which came out soon after.

What is the Story of Blackstar?

The story of Blackstar begins with a brave astronaut named John Blackstar. He is from Earth. One day, his spacecraft gets pulled through a black hole. This sends him to a very old and different alien universe. He ends up stranded on a planet called Sagar.

On Sagar, John Blackstar quickly finds new friends. These friends include the Trobbits, who are small, helpful creatures. He also meets Klone, who can change his shape. Warlock is a loyal dragon, and Mara is a powerful enchantress. Together, Blackstar and his allies must fight against the evil Overlord. The Overlord wants to take over all of Sagar.

Who is John Blackstar?

John Blackstar is the main hero of the show. His background is not fully explained. However, some people think he might have Native American family history. This idea came before another Filmation show called Bravestarr.

As an astronaut, Blackstar is very smart and well-trained. He often uses his brain to outsmart enemies. He doesn't always rely on just his strength. But he does have amazing powers from his special weapon, the Star Sword. This sword gives him super-human strength and makes him almost impossible to hurt.

What is the PowerStar?

The PowerStar is a very strong magical weapon. It was somehow broken into two pieces. John Blackstar has one half, called the Star Sword. The evil Overlord has the other half, called the Power Sword.

Blackstar's Star Sword can take in, hold, and send back any kind of energy. It is also nearly impossible to break. The sword can shoot powerful energy blasts that can destroy things. It also creates an invisible "aura" around Blackstar. This aura gives him super senses, strength, speed, and makes him very tough. The Overlord's Power Sword likely gives him similar powers. In one episode, "Spacewrecked," the two halves briefly join back together to form the complete PowerStar.

What Happened to Blackstar's Girlfriend?

In the sixth episode, "Spacewrecked," Blackstar's old girlfriend from Earth, Lieutenant Katana, finds him. She spends some time on Sagar. But a dangerous adventure with the Overlord forces her to leave. Katana does not appear in any other episodes. The story ends with her asking her boss for permission to start a rescue mission for Blackstar.

Meet the Characters

Main Heroes

• John Blackstar (voiced by George DiCenzo) – He is the main hero of the series. John is an astronaut who gets stuck on Sagar. He then leads the fight against the Overlord.
• Warlock – This is Blackstar's loyal, green, winged dragon. Blackstar calls him a "dragon-horse." Warlock is very smart and can fly fast. He can also breathe fire.
• Klone (voiced by Patrick Pinney) – Klone is a tall, pale green elf-like character. He has long white hair and can change his shape. He helps Blackstar fight the Overlord.
• Mara (voiced by Linda Gary) – Mara is a purple-skinned enchantress. She is a strong ally to Blackstar. She has many magical powers. These include moving things with her mind (telekinesis), reading thoughts (telepathy), floating (levitation), creating forcefields, making illusions, shooting magic blasts, and moving instantly (teleportation). She is also very old, possibly hundreds of years old.
• Trobbits – These small creatures are a mix of troll and hobbit. They live in the Sagar Tree. They have pink skin and white hair. The Trobbits rescue Blackstar when he first arrives on Sagar. They might have been inspired by the Seven Dwarfs. Some of the known Trobbits are:
  • Balkar (voiced by Patrick Pinney) – He is the King of the Trobbits. He also guides John Blackstar. Balkar can use elemental magic and is a great alchemist.
  • Rif (voiced by Frank Welker) – Rif is the Trobbits' grumpy cook. He has a flame on his head.
  • Terra (voiced by Patrick Pinney) – Terra is the gardener who can talk to plants.
  • Burble (voiced by Frank Welker) – Burble loves to babble and swims very well. He freezes during the winter.
  • Carpo (voiced by Alan Oppenheimer) – Carpo is the carpenter. He can chew wood with his beaver-like teeth to build things.
  • Poulo – Poulo is the youngest Trobbit. He cannot speak but whistles instead.
  • Gossamear (voiced by Frank Welker) – Gossamear has huge ears and can fly. He works as a scout and lookout.

Villains of Sagar

• Overlord (voiced by Alan Oppenheimer) – The Overlord is the main bad guy. He is a large, strong, purple-skinned tyrant. He wants to rule all of Sagar. He has one half of the PowerStar, called the Power Sword. He constantly tries to get the other half, the Star Sword, which Blackstar has.
  • Vizier (voiced by Alan Oppenheimer) – Vizier is the Overlord's short, blue-skinned helper. He wears purple robes. He is very good at controlling minds and creating magic.
• Lava Locs – These creatures can turn into volcanic stone. They come out of volcanic stone. They worship the Overlord and bring him gifts.
• Alien Demons – These creatures look a bit like evil gremlins. They sometimes work for the Overlord.
• Palace Guards – These guards have beak-like faces. They protect the Overlord's Ice Palace.
• Taleena (voiced by Linda Gary) – Taleena is a high priestess from the Demonlands. She works for the Overlord.
• Shaldemar (voiced by Alan Oppenheimer) – Shaldemar is an ally of the Overlord. He rules a place called Marakand.
• Isogul – He is the king of the Vampire Men. He can blast the Star Sword with evil magic, making it unstable.
• Nihilis (voiced by Alan Oppenheimer) – Nihilis is the captain of a flying whaling ship. He tries to capture the Air Whales for the Overlord.
• Kadray (voiced by Alan Oppenheimer) – Kadray is a time lord who rides a flying bull named Triton. He uses a time scepter to control time.
• Neptul (voiced by Alan Oppenheimer) – Neptul rules Aquaria and serves the Overlord. He tried to steal the Star Sword from Blackstar.
• Typhot (voiced by Alan Oppenheimer) – Typhot is the captain of undead pirates. He is an ancestor of the Overlord.
• Breelorand – This is a giant demon that eats magic. The Overlord accidentally summoned it. It went out of control and forced the Overlord to team up with Blackstar to defeat it.
• Crios (voiced by Alan Oppenheimer) – Crios is an Ice King. The Overlord sent him to capture Lelanna to get a special key. This key would open the Box of Seasons and give the Overlord the Weatherseed.

Other Important Characters

• Amber (voiced by Linda Gary) – Amber is an old sorceress. The Overlord forces her to help him. Blackstar and Mara help her realize her mistakes.
• Storm (voiced by Linda Gary) – Storm is the Queen of the Amazons. She is an ally of Blackstar.
• Tholen – Tholen is the king of the Desert Sprites. They are peaceful people who protect the Fountain of Fire.
• Queen Brindell – She is the Queen of the Mermanites. She is an ally of the Trobbits.
• Puffin – Puffin is a very talkative Mermanite child. She becomes friends with Poulo.
• Tyson – Tyson is an Elder of the Desert Dwellers. They guard the Healing Stone.
• Emerald Knight – She first worked for the Overlord. But she realized her mistake and decided to help guard the Healing Stone.
• Leilanna (voiced by Linda Gary) – Leilanna keeps the key to the Box of Seasons. She might be a demigoddess.
• Flame People – These are fire elementals. They help Blackstar and the Trobbits fight Neptul.
• Delia – Delia is a Wood Sprite, also called a dryad. Her forest is harmed when the Overlord creates an evil copy of the Sagar Tree. She becomes an ally.
• Lyla – Lyla is Nihilus's daughter. She falls in love with Blackstar and helps him defeat her father.
• Grogon – Grogon is an Ape Man who helps Blackstar fight Nihilus.
• Warhoun – Warhoun is a very old and powerful Air Whale. He becomes friends with Gossamear.
• Thorg – Thorg is the leader of people imprisoned by Taleena's evil magic. He becomes Blackstar's ally.
• Prince Dal and Princess Loweena – They ruled the city of Gondar. After their city was destroyed, they claimed the floating city of Marakand as their new home. They become strong allies to Blackstar.

Where Does the Story Happen?

The adventures of Blackstar take place on the planet Sagar. Here are some of the places you might see:

• Anchar – This area is home to the Air Whales and some vampire men tribes.
• Aquaria – This is an undersea kingdom ruled by Neptul.
• Demonlands – A dry, empty land in the west where demons live.
• Flame Mountain – A chain of volcanoes near Tamboriyon.
• Gondar – A city ruled by Prince Dal and Princess Lowena.
• Gorge of the Winds – A deep canyon with strong winds.
• Highlands – This is where the Druids live.
• Ice Castle – This is the Overlord's main base.
• Kaymus- The kingdom that Taleena took over.
• Magnetic Sea – The city of Aquaria is here. Compasses do not work correctly in this sea.
• Marakand – This is a floating city of zombies.
• Red Crown Reef – A reef shaped like a crown in the Sea of Tranquility.
• Sagar Tree – A giant tree that is a source of powerful white magic. The Trobbits live here.
• Sea of Tranquility – The Mermanites live in this sea.
• Tamboriyon – This is a ruined city of the Ancient Ones. It holds many old secrets.
• Tree of Evil – An evil copy of the Sagar Tree. The Overlord created it as a trap.

When Did Blackstar Air?

The first episode of Blackstar aired on September 12, 1981. The show ran until December of that same year. Even though it was canceled, Blackstar was shown again in 1983–84. This happened because He-Man was very popular then. Despite good ratings during these re-runs, plans for a second season had already been stopped.

Episodes List

Blackstar Merchandise

Toys and Action Figures

Galoob made action figures for Blackstar from 1983 to 1985. This was after the show ended. They hoped to use the popularity of He-Man toys. The first set of figures was re-released with "laser light" action. This made them spark like stones. Bad characters came with small demon figures. Good characters came with Trobbits. You could also buy Trobbits separately.

You could get Warlock the dragon and the Space Ship in two different colors. Other toys included Triton, Kadray's flying bull, the Trobbit Wind Machine, and the Battle Wagon. The Ice Castle toy was made of thin plastic and was very fragile. In Greece, Blackstar action figures were sold under the name "Masters of the Universe." This was before He-Man toys became popular there.

Blackstar Comics

Two different comic book versions of Blackstar were made for the French market. One was a three-episode series by artist Christian Gatignol. It was published in a comic magazine called Pif Gadget. The other was a longer, 46-page comic by artist Jean-Yves Mitton. Mitton's version added new enemies for Blackstar. He also suggested that Blackstar and Mara had a romantic relationship. While Katana wasn't in it, Blackstar's old Earth girlfriend, Leia, appeared in a flashback. The comic explained that Blackstar partly forgot Leia after his crash on Sagar.