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CHUCK NORRIS KARATE KOMMANDOS

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Full Name: Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos
Series Name: Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos
Nationality: American
Organization: None
Occupation Agency

Creator: Chuck Norris
Time Span: 1986 - 1987

ABOUT THE SERIES

Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos is a small cadre of U.S. government agents.

It is led by, obviously by the name, Chuck Norris who answers only to the Director, though what he is a director of is not mentioned as far as I could find except for calling it 'the Agency'. That man in turn, according to Norris and who would be crazy enough to argue with him, only to the President.

The team is a "small group of martial arts specialists" though in one adventure Norris describes them as really a family, all of whom live in a large house which functions as their bases and training facility. It is from there that they will respond to the call to take on the enemies of the country that pose the biggest threats.

Assisting Norris as members of the group are:

- Tabe, a very large and impressive looking Japanese sumo wrestler. In addition to being a former champion in the sport, he is also "an accomplised poet, pratical joker, and ... well, let's just say that Tabe likes to eat".

- Pepper, technology expert and mechanic. He describes her to one visitor as his niece and she calls him uncle. In addition to keeping their various vehicles in prime condition, she is also the best driver in the group, except for Norris. She is a young very attractive and fit brunette.

- Reed, Norris's young apprentice and twin brother of Pepper. He is their computer and electronics expert. He and Pepper live with Norris as their legal guardian as their father, a good friend of Norris, is out of the country for an extended period.

- Kimo, a samurai warrior adept with all the weaponry of ancient Japan and a master at Kendo. He is also the team's tactician.

- Too Much, Norris' adopted son, aged likely around 12, who is just learning the martial arts and is more of an honorary member of the group.

Leading the field for those that this group will go up against, and the only real enemy we actually see the Kommandos fight, is would-be world conqueror, the Claw, head of the evil organization VULTURE. The Claw is a oriental (exact nationality unknown) who has a metal claw for his right hand.

He is aided by a martial arts expert called the Super-Ninja. We know nothing more about this man except for his being the right-hand (no joke meant) to the Claw.

VULTURE also has a seemingly endless collection of ninja foot soldiers.

Norris begins each of his televised episodes with a intro such as: "There are people in the world who believe violence is the answer to every problem; who think they always have to fight. They never like to play fair. I don't like having to resort to violence; it's always my last option. And sometimes it's not a lot of fun."

YOUNG ADULT BOOKS

Number of Books:5
First Appearance:1986
Last Appearance:1987

The first two items were storybooks taken from, I am guessing, unaired episodes of the show.

The next three items were juvenile books. Evidence points to this set recounting adventures likely novelized from the television show. Whether all three were actually produced is unknown at this time.


1 Skycraper Assault Skycraper Assault
Written by Jack C. Harris
Copyright: 1986

A Big Looker Storybook printed by Marvel Books based on the animated TV series.
[Plot Unknown]

2 The Cavern Of Darkness The Cavern Of Darkness
Written by Jack C. Harris
Copyright: 1986

A Big Looker Storybook printed by Marvel Books based on the animated TV series.
[Plot Unknown]

3 Menace In Space Menace In Space
Written by Larry Weinberg
Copyright: 1986

Novelization of the 4th episode in the television series (notice the name change).
Super-Ninja has hijacked the space shuttle Invincible for the Claw's plan to hold the world hostage. Chuck Norris and his Karate Kommandos have the difficult task of getting it back.

4 Island of the Walking Dead Island of the Walking Dead
Written by Larry Weinberg
Copyright: 1987

Novelization of the 5th episode in the television series.
After the Claw has stolen a US satellite so he can reprogram it to control all of that country's military bases, Chuck Norris and his Karate Kommandos must head to Voodoo Island to recover it. On that small island they will have to deal with a large number of walking dead.

5 Caverns Of Darkness Caverns Of Darkness
Written by Larry Weinberg
Copyright: 1987

Not sure if this title actually existed. I saw a reference to it that indicated it was the first in the series in Germany. Beyond that, no clue.

TELEVISION


Number of Episodes:5
First Appearance:1986
Last Appearance:1986
Network:Syndicated

REGULAR CAST
Chuck NorrisChuck Norris [ 1 ]
Kathy GarverPepper [ 1 ]
Sam FontanaReed [ 1 ]
Alan OppenheimerKimo [ 1 ]
Robert ItoTabe [ 1 ]
Mona MarshallToo Much [ 1 ]

1 Deadly Dolphin
Episode 1-1, first aired 09/15/1986
Directors: John Kimball, Charles A.Nichols
Writers: Dan DiStefano, Janis Diamond

While helping scientist Dr. Sanford test new equipment for breathing underwater which converts water into oxygen, Chuck Norris and his teammates must stop Super-Ninja, sent by the Claw, from snatching the inventor and destroying the facility.

2 Target: Chuck Norris
Episode 1-2, first aired 09/16/1986
Directors: John Kimball, Charles A.Nichols
Writer: Jack Bornoff

The Claw is fed up with Chuck Norris stopping him all the time so he puts a price on Norris' head. He also sends the Imposter to steal a computer chip which would give him control of all of NATO's defenses. Add to that, Super-Ninja kidnaps Too-Much.

3 Terror Train
Episode 1-3, first aired 09/17/1986
Directors: John Kimball, Charles A.Nichols
Writer: Matt Uitz

The Karate Kommandos are given the job of guarding a robot laser while in transit. The Claw wants his hands on it and sends some of his best people to snatch it. To assist the theft, Super-Ninja has planted explosives on the train.

4 Menace From Space
Episode 1-4, first aired 09/18/1986
Directors: John Kimball, Charles A.Nichols
Writer: Mike Chain

Super-Ninja has hijacked the space shuttle Invincible for the Claw's plan to hold the world hostage. Chuck Norris and his Karate Kommandos have the difficult task of getting it back.

5 Island of the Walking Dead
Episode 1-5, first aired 09/19/1986
Directors: John Kimball, Charles A.Nichols
Writer: Janis Diamond

After the Claw has stolen a US satellite so he can reprogram it to control all of that country's military bases, Chuck Norris and his Karate Kommandos must head to Voodoo Island to recover it. On that small island they will have to deal with a large number of walking dead.

COMIC BOOKS, GRAPHIC NOVELS, AND MANGA

Number of Stories:4
First Appearance:1987
Last Appearance:1987

1 The Super Cruiser The Super Cruiser
Published by Star Comics
Contributors: Jo Duffy (writer), Steve Ditko (pencils), Art Nichols (inks), Phil Felix (letters), Glynis Oliver (colors)
Copyright: 1987

Published in Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos #1, January 1987.
The school that Too Much attends is planning to send a group of students on a field trip to the International Anti-Terrorist Conference to get a look at the new Super Cruiser, an RV filled with state-of the-art weaponry and electronics. Before they can go, ninjas from the Claw kidnap them to exchange for the vehicle.

2 Margie Margie
Published by Star Comics
Contributors: Jo Duffy (writer), Steve Ditko (pencils), Mike Esposito (inks), Phil Felix (letters), Glynis Oliver (colors)
Copyright: 1987

Published in Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos #2, March 1987.
Chuck Norris heads to a dockside bar to find someone interested in the new Banana 7000 computer prototype. He wants to know who the buyer is and who the seller is.

3 Tabe's Story Tabe's Story
Published by Star Comics
Contributors: Jo Duffy (writer), Steve Ditko (pencils), Mike Esposito (inks), Phil Felix (letters), Glynis Oliver (colors)
Copyright: 1987

Published in Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos #3, May 1987.
Too Much tells Tabe that he worries about losing a good friend when the two have to compete in a spelling contest. Tabe in turn recounts how he first came to meet, compete with, and then become friends with Chuck Norris, all on a log over a stream.

4 Kidnaped! Kidnaped!
Published by Star Comics
Contributors: Howard Mackie (writer), Alex Saviuk (pencils), Sam Delarosa (inks), Phil Felix (letters), Petra Scotese (colors)
Copyright: 1987

Published in Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos #4, July 1987.
After giving a new liaison officer around the compound, Chuck Norris and his team receive a new mission from the Director. The daughter of a prominent scientist working for the agency has been kidnapped to force the man to come over to the side of the Claw

COLLECTIBLES

Number of Collectibles:4
First Appearance:1986
Last Appearance:1987

1 Karate Corvette Karate Corvette
Item Type: Toy Car
Created by: Kenner
Copyright: 1986

A toy version of the "Karate Corvette" that was driven by Chuck Norris in the animated TV series.

2 Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos Action Figures Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos Action Figures
Item Type: Action Figure
Created by: Kenner
Copyright: 1987

A series of action figures complete with "dual flashing karate chops action" based on the animated television series.

3 Chuck Norris Karate Kommands Zipper Clip Chuck Norris Karate Kommands Zipper Clip
Item Type: Zipper Clip
Created by: H.G. Toys
Copyright: 1987

A zipper clip for jackets or backpacks consisting of a small action figure of Chuck Norris in his Kommando outfit.

4 Chuck Norris Karate Kommands Sunglasses Chuck Norris Karate Kommands Sunglasses
Item Type: Sunglasses
Created by: H.G. Toys
Copyright: 1987

Sunglasses bearing the logo for Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos on it.

MY COMMENTS

     This very short series came along a couple decades past my cartoon-watching days so I never saw it until it came time to write it up for this compendium. Looking at what I can find and reading the comics, I did not miss anything back then. Apparently, going by the fact that it was dropped after only 5 episodes were aired, lots of other people thought the same.

     I could see Norris in an action cartoon - everything the man ever did was action-oriented and I loved a bunch of it. But seeing him constantly put his adopted son, Too Much (who names their child that?), in danger over and over is a bit much.

     I leave this entry with a handful of Chuck Norris jokes that have NOTHING to do with this entry except they are fun:

- Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.

- Chuck Norris never sleeps. He waits.

- Chuck Norris can dribble a bowling ball.

- The Bogey Man looks under his bed for Chuck Norris.

- Chuck Norris makes onions cry.

- Chuck Norris is the reason Waldo is hiding.

GRADE

My Grade: C

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