World Events Productions ("WEP"), best known for
Voltron: Defender of the Universe, has announced that they are selling DVDs for their 1987 cartoon
Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs. This release is not available in stores, but rather is available - in a limited run - as of yesterday for purchase in
WEP's online webstore.
Yesterday's announcement comments that
Saber Rider has been described as "
Voltron in an outer space Wild West environment"...and why wouldn't it? Story Editor Marc Handler conducted the conversion of both
Voltron and
Saber Rider from the original Japanese properties they were produced from. Veteran voice actors from
Voltron (and other animated series, such as
The Transformers) can be found among the voice cast: Peter Cullen, Jack Angel and Michael Bell, for instance. Another notable voice is that of Cam Clarke, who went on to voice both "Leonardo" and "Rocksteady" in the original
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, "Die Fledermaus" in the animated version of
The Tick, and "Prince Adam/He-Man" in the re-worked 2002
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Here is WEP's description of the 52-episode
Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs series:
Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs explore the new frontier, the wide-open ranges of outerspace, where the legendary honor and virtue of the Wild West combine with vibrant extraterrestrial adventure. Saber Rider is the dashing leader of the Star Sheriffs. Their mission is to establish peace and unity against the Outriders, mysterious vapor beings led by the powerful Nemisis. Joined by assorted rustlers and desperados, the Outriders challenge the Star Sheriffs to action-packed attacks. Independently, the Star Sheriffs' efforts to maintain justice are admirable — but when united, they are invincible.
WEP is direct-selling a 2-DVD set featuring the Top 10 episodes as selected by the fans (the method of that selection was not mentioned, nor the actual list of episode names, but we'll try to get that information for you). Besides "key episodes spanning the series from the premiere to the finale", you'll also get several extras:
- Clips from the Japanese series that Saber Rider was produced from
- Production Art
- Rare Contest Commercials
- Trailers
The cost is $29.00, a price that includes shipping and tax on all domestic orders. This is billed as "Volume 1", indicating that more of the episodes could be released to DVD later if demand warrants it. We've got a small look at the box art and discs for you, and hope to have a bigger shot for you soon:
