Centurions (TV series)
Man and machine, Power Xtreme!
Centurions is an American science fiction animated series from Ruby-Spears, with animation handled in Japan by Nippon Sunrise's Studio 7. It launched in 1986 as a five-part mini-series and then expanded into a full run of 65 episodes. Ted Pedersen served as story editor, and the writing team included notable science fiction authors such as Michael Reaves, Marc Scott Zicree, Larry DiTillio, and Gerry Conway. Udi Harpaz composed the series' theme and soundtrack. A line of tie-in toys was produced by Kenner, and DC Comics published a comic book adaptation.
The story centers on the struggle between the cyborg mad scientist Doc Terror—who aims to conquer Earth and turn people into robotic slaves with the help of his cyborg sidekick Hacker and an army of robots—and the heroic Centurions. The Centurions are a team of three men: Max Ray, Jake Rockwell, and Ace McCloud. They wear specially designed exo-frames that, when they shout "PowerXtreme," fuse with powerful assault weapon systems, creating a hybrid of man and machine described as "Power Xtreme!" These exo-frames can also be equipped with space or diving gear. The Centurions operate from an orbiting space station called Skyvault, where operator Crystal Kane uses a transporter to send the team and their requested weapons to trouble spots. Ground relay stations include Ice Castle, Sand Castle, and Fire Castle. Crystal is often accompanied by Jake Rockwell's dog Shadow—who wears a harness with dual missile launchers and is more active in battles—or Lucy the orangutan. She suggests tactics and dispatches equipment as needed. All weapon systems are manufactured by a submersible aquatic Sealab.
The original team consists of three members, with two more added later.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Action / Science fiction
- Creator
- Gil Kane, Jack Kirby, Doug Wildey
- Voices
- Michael Bell / Jennifer Darling / Vince Edwards / Ron Feinberg / Pat Fraley / Ed Gilbert / Diane Pershing / Bob Ridgely / Neil Ross / B. J. Ward
- Narrator
- William Woodson (Opening Narration)
- Theme Music Composer
- Udi Harpaz
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Num Seasons
- 2
- Num Episodes
- 65
- Producer
- Larry Huber
- Executive Producer
- Joe Ruby / Ken Spears
- Company
- Ruby-Spears Enterprises
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The series follows the mad cyborg scientist Doc Terror, who seeks to conquer Earth and turn its inhabitants into robot slaves, assisted by his cyborg companion Hacker and an army of robots. Opposing him are the heroic Centurions: Max Ray (sea operations), Jake Rockwell (land operations), and Ace McCloud (air operations). They wear specially created exo-frames that allow them, upon shouting 'PowerXtreme', to fuse with assault weapon systems, becoming a weapons platform between a hard-suit and a mecha. The Centurions are based on an orbiting space station called Skyvault, operated by Crystal Kane, who uses a transporter to send them and their requested weapon systems to where they are needed. Later additions to the team include Rex Charger and John Thunder.
Reader's Guide
Centurions represents a notable entry in 1980s American-Japanese co-produced animation, combining a toyetic premise with episodic conflict between a mad scientist and heroes using modular mecha. The series was story edited by Ted Pedersen and written by several authors, including prolific science fiction writers Michael Reaves, Marc Scott Zicree, Larry DiTillio, and Gerry Conway. Its theme and soundtrack were composed by Udi Harpaz. A line of tie-in toys was produced by Kenner, and a comic book series by DC Comics. The show's format included a typical 22-minute episode, with the last few minutes sometimes dedicated to an educational segment where characters broke the fourth wall to teach real-world themes. The series began as a five-part mini-series in 1986 and expanded to 60 episodes, with additional characters introduced later.
Did You Know?
- The series was animated in Japan by Nippon Sunrise's Studio 7.
- The Centurions' exo-frames can be equipped with space gear or diving gear.
- Doc Terror's daughter Amber is a mistress of disguise who often helps her father.
- The Centurions have a hidden base in New York City called Centrum, entered through a bookstore.
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