THUNDERCATS was originally an animated television show that aired from 1985-1989 featuring catlike humanoid alien refugees from their dying planet Thundera who relocate to the planet Third Earth and continue to come into conflict with their mortal enemies who followed them, the mutants of Plun-Darr, as well as with a powerful native of Third Earth, the demonic, mummified sorcerer, Mumm-Ra. A key item in possession of the ThunderCats--and sought by their enemies--is the 'Eye of Thundera', a gem embedded in the hilt of the 'Sword of Omens' and the source of the ThunderCats' power. Marvel Comics published a comic book series under their Star imprint in 1985 that ran 24 issues, Marvel UK published a ThunderCats comic book from 1987-1991 that ran 129 issues with some reprints and much original material, and DC/Wildstorm published several comic book mini-series beginning in 2002. The ThunderCats had a cross-proverty crossover with Battle of the Planets in 2003, with Superman in 2004, and with He-Man in 2016. Merchandising has been a large part of the franchise since inception, and a new animated television show aired in 2011 on Cartoon Network, lasting only one season. The original animated television show was a children's' favorite of the day and--like many franchises of that era--has enjoyed a nostalgic resurgence.