Solarman?

[Jon T]

Does anyone here know anything about this show? As far as I've been able to find out it was a single pilot episode animated by Marvel Productions in the late 80s/early 90s and featured an original super-hero by the name of...Solarman!

Apparently, it was shown at least once by Fox (I think), shortly before the launch of the Saban-produced X-Men series in 1992. There were two Marvel comics made based on the character in 1989, and both were scripted by none other than Stan Lee himself! The second issue even features an appearance by Doctor Doom!

I'd just like to know if anyone had any more info to share. Was Solarman created by Marvel to be their new animation star, or was he a prospective character licensed by Marvel from another company? The fact that his show was animated by Marvel, and the comic had Doctor Doom in it doesn't really prove if Solarman was a full Marvel creation one way or another since even their licensed comics often interacted with Marvel characters (like Thanos appearing in a Logan's Run comic!).

Considering that Solarman was awarded the very rare distinction of a full-length pilot episode like the "Pryde of the X-Men" pilot, it would be interesting to find out if it had anything in common with that episode (like the Stan Lee narration or exceptional animation that was in "Pryde..."!)

[trance33]

I looked it up on the Internet and it looks like it was for Marvel. It would be a good addition for the Marvel Animation Page. Also on a side note, why isn't there a link for Spidey and his Amazing Friends on the main page? It would be easier to get to the page than having to go through the '81 Spidey page or the '82 Hulk page. Just wondering.

[Zebi]

I did a Google search, but didn't find much information. IMDB.com has a page (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0244218) for it, but there aren't very many details. The only thing listed is:

Original Music by
Robert J. Walsh

(You'll need to click on "Full Cast & Crew" as this isn't listed on the main page.)

I looked up Robert's page (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002886), and he's done music for a number of cartoons in the 80s.

[Boyd Kirkland]

This jogged a memory! I drew storyboards for Solarman. If I remember correctly, Stan Lee wrote it for another client who funded it (I can't remember who). The intention was to create a new series/toy franchise independent of the Marvel Universe. It never took off.

[Spider-Friends]

This jogged a memory! I drew storyboards for Solarman. Hey Boyd! I had no idea that you posted on these boards. I know you did layout for Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, Spider-Man & Hulk and would love to discuss these shows with you. Please e-mail me at webhead@spider-friends.com. (webhead@spider-friends.com) It's great to have a pro coming to these boards!

[Boyd Kirkland]

Hey Boyd! I had no idea that you posted on these boards. I know you did layout for Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, Spider-Man & Hulk and would love to discuss these shows with you. Please e-mail me at webhead@spider-friends.com. (webhead@spider-friends.com) It's great to have a pro coming to these boards!
You've been around awhile if you remember those shows! Seems like another lifetime ago that I worked on that stuff! I had a layout studio that subcontracted work from Marvel, Ruby Spears, Hanna Barbera, etc., for several years. Then the Layout portion of the business got outsourced overseas, and I moved the family to LA to work as a storyboard artist for Marvel on G.I. Joe and many others. The early Marvel shows you mentioned were a lot of fun to work on, as I had been a fan of Marvel Comics as a kid. Spiderman & His Amazing Friends also had lots of humor.

I don't often post, but do like to visit the boards once in awhile to get feedback on stuff I'm working on. If you have any specific questions, ask away! :)

[Martianinvader]

Gee, I remember the ad for the Solarman video, which showed up in a lot of comics. That cover looked terrible and so did the ad itself. He looked like one of those overly happy people you see on fitness videos.

"The FACE OF EVIL--Warlord Gormagga Kraal!!"

"Special interview with Stan Lee, creator of Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men and--destined for greatness--SOLARMAN!!"

I never heard of a "Solarman" again, until now.

[Martianinvader]

*looks at previous posts*

Ugh, I have the worst luck putting my foot in my mouth around here. That's NOT the first time I've posted about how bad something is and then I look up and see some guy that worked on it above me.

I did this to Paul Dini :o

[Spider-Friends]

I don't often post, but do like to visit the boards once in awhile to get feedback on stuff I'm working on. If you have any specific questions, ask away! :)Boyd, honestly, I'm THRILLED to even know you visit these boards, much less post in them. What I would love to do is conduct an interview with you that would eventually be featured on all three of the 80s Marvel cartoon sites. If you are interested I could start a new thread in the forum simply titled "Boyd Kirkland Interview". I'd ask the moderator if it could be "controlled" meaning you'd only have one question to answer each time you come to the board. (I wouldn't want you to get bombarded.) Also, you could take as much time between answering the questions as you like.

I know there are a lot of X-MEN:EVOLUTION fans here and we could get to those questions down the line as well.

Please let me know if you'd be interested!
Thanks!

[Stu]

An "Ask Boyd" thread can lead to numerous complications, both for him and for Toon Zone. I'm not sure of his current employment, but, if Mr. Kirkland is still employed by WBA, then X-Men: Evolution questions might not be able to anwsered.

As a fan of his work, I'd love an ask Boyd question thread. We've had this come up with creators here at TZ before, it doesn't always go well.

An input, Mr. Kirkland?

[Spider-Friends]

As a fan of his work, I'd love an ask Boyd question thread. We've had this come up with creators here at TZ before, it doesn't always go well.
I just want to clafify that I said a "controlled" thread. In other words, no questions allowed that didn't pass through my hands first. People could e-mail me their questions then I would post them and limit the amount of questions that would be asked to 15 or 20. Also, the focus of the interview would be Mr. Kirkland's work on the 80s cartoons, NOT X-Men: Evolution.

[Jon T]

Thanks very much for all your replies, and especially to you Mr. Kirkland! It goes without saying that I (like most people here, I imagine) am a big fan of your work on shows such as X-Men: Evolution and Batman, so it's quite an honor to have attracted your attention with this question!

As I suspected, it seems that Solarman was intended as another merchandising opportunity rather than a traditional super-hero concept. The fact that the show seemed to revolve around one, rather than a horde of (very collectible) characters like other licensed shows of the time piqued my interest in it, especially considering Marvel and particularly Stan Lee's involvement with the show. Also, that the show made it to full pilot status like the 80s X-Men is another thing that gained my interest, since I (and many others) feel that that particular pilot looked a little better than the resulting Fox series.

Anyway, as co-creator of the 1981 solo Spidey and 1982 Hulk sites along with Spider-Friends, I too would be extremely interested to ask a few questions pertaining to your 80s work at Marvel Productions. The older animated productions you worked on are indeed fondly remembered, and our websites are designed to be the best possible tributes to those wonderful shows. If you would be willing to answer questions on them, then we'd have even more info on the sites to boast about!

[Martianinvader]

Also, the focus of the interview would be Mr. Kirkland's work on the 80s cartoons, NOT X-Men: Evolution.
Well, that puts me out. I'm too young.

[Spider-Man]

Hey Boyd! I had no idea that you posted on these boards. I know you did layout for Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, Spider-Man & Hulk and would love to discuss these shows with you.
You did work on those series? How does that compare to doing your current work? Especially with the advances made in animation and changes in storytelling, etc. How would your 1980's work compare to your 1990's/2000s work?

[Spider-Friends]

You did work on those series? How does that compare to doing your current work? Especially with the advances made in animation and changes in storytelling, etc. How would your 1980's work compare to your 1990's/2000s work?
I am currently conducting an interview with Mr. Kirkland and this question is pretty similar to one I will be asking. If anyone has any questions RELATED TO THE 80s CARTOONS that they would like for me to ask then please PM or e-mail me to let me know your question. I can't promise that I will ask all of them, but I will certainly ask it if I think that it is relevant.