Sunday Funnies: Biker Mice From Mars (1993)

 Biker Mice From Mars turns 30 this year, and with news that a new version of the series is in development (more later), it's time to take a look back at the original, which aired on Sundays in most of the country during its 3 year run (1993-6).

Yes, there was the inevitable toy line that came out of this series, and Marvel's television arm, under the aegis of New World Television, put it on the air. Marvel produced a miniseries that lasted three issues out of a scheduled four.

The titular mice have arrived on Earth after their homeworld was overrun by the Plutarkians. Much like a certain team of sentient turtles, the Biker Mice gain a human confidante who provides plenty of assistance.

The voice cast had a decided Beverly Hills 90210 beat, with Ian Zierling, Jason Priestley, & Brian Austin Green all on the roster. Zierling voiced Vinnie, one of the Biker Mice. The cast also included Michael Dorn (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Leah Remini (ex-Saved by The Bell), and relative TV graybeard Peter Strauss (Rich Man, Poor Man).

Check the opener. Mind the French subtitles.

10 years after the series ended, the Biker Mice resurfaced in a new series produced in the Philippines and the UK, with Zierling, Strauss, Rob Paulsen, and Dorian Harewood returning when the series was dubbed for American audiences in 2008. This iteration didn't air around these parts as I can recall.

But now, with the news coming out of San Diego today, the Biker Mice's rights have changed hands again, and among the players involved this time is the Fubo streaming service and Ryan Reynolds' production company, Maximum Effort. Something to look forward to.

Rating for the original series: B.