"CAPTAIN POWER"

There seems to be a lot of confusion over image that was posted a few Updates back about a possible series revival of "Captain Power". This confusion was exhaserbated by "Babylon 5" creator J. Michael Straczynski's newsgroup-posted indications that Landmark Entertainment - the company the image announced was bringing forth the new "Captain Power" episodes - knew nothing about the series and said it wasn't happening. Even more confusing - he seems to be right. So - how did this image come to be? What happened?

I'm about to tell you EVERYTHING I know about this, and allow you to draw your own conclusion. No matter how you cut it - I think Mr. Straczynski probably answered it best. In his own words:

"This is just some company or person who has the rights to the old episodes, and may be trying to whip up enthusiasm."

While I'm not entirely sure how the *rights* issues on "Captain Power" were resolved once the series left the airwaves (I thought Landmark Entertainment owned the rights to the series, to both old episodes and whatever else might come later), I did a little bit of snooping around and came up with the following information.

The "Captain Power" image in question was being distributed as part of a "Folder". "Folders" are distributed by people at sales conferences, etc. in order to try to whip up support for a product - engage investors, etc. For an another example of this, take a close look at the "Voyage Of The Star Wolf" folder that was also included on Monday's Update. Notice the expected arrival date of the series? "One Hour Episodes Available Spring 1997". Never happened. So - these Folders are an attempt to get people geared-up for the show. An attempt to get the show made. Sometimes things work out. Sometimes they don't. "StarWolf" being such a case.

Back to "Captain Power". I have been able to ascertain that its Folder actually got distributed in at least one convention/meeting, if not more. Indications are, the folder also made it overseas (possibly where it was initially distributed).

Now - here's the interesting part. At the bottom of the series background/pitch that is in The Folder (which includes, incidentally, a "production design" of updated series nemesis Lord Dredd) , there is the following information. Notice - it doesn't lay claim to ownership of the series, but *does* claim to be licensed to use the title and summary material which you can find further down this article.

Distributed by MediaWorks International, 1219 Morningside Drive Suite #213 Manhattan Beach, CA 90622 Captain Power TM and associated trademarks and copyrights are owned by Landmark Entertainment Group and are used under license. Copyright 1997 Landmark Entertainment Group. All Rights Reserved.

Well - I picked up the phone and called Information for Manhattan Beach, asked for a listing for MediaWorks. There was no MediaWorks. I had them switch over to Los Angeles and look up MediaWorks. There was no MediaWorks. Maybe they moved somewhere else. Maybe they never existed. While I'm not saying this company *does not* exist, I can't find any evidence (other than the "Captain Power" artwork) that the company does exist.

Which brings us to the big question. Was MediaWorks actually licensed by Landmark to be distributing this folder? If not - then Straczynski is right and it was just the case of some overzealous people trying to resurrect a series they once had fun with and believed in. If they *were* actually licensed to see what ground could be gained in getting a reborn series off the ground? Well - the implications were obvious.

I must admit being floored by the amount of excited mail "Captain Power"s potential return generated. There are a lot of people out there who want to see this happen. If the series could be resurrected with the same hard-edged but warm-hearted sensibilities it had in its initial run, the base of fan support would be large and open minded and waiting with open arms. So, if there is anyone out there that has the capacity to make a difference in bringing this taunting specter of a possibility to fruition, give it a good think through.

I think you'll find a lot of people out there will be watching. And for now, they are waiting...

A big thanks to ISIS and GURMO for helping me to shed what light they could on this bizarre-o "Captain Power" mystery. Everyone gave it their best. As always, your help is invaluable.

More to come as more comes my way...

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For a sense of the WORDING ON THE "Captain Power" FOLDER, here's a copy of some text that was on it. Again - at this point - god knows whether or not it ever indicated any true hope of seeing "Captain Power" soar once more. But for you enjoyment, here's a well conceived version of what *someone* thought could have been.

((There are some misspelled words in here. I reprinted it as I got it.))

"The original Captain Power revolutionized television in the 80s by combining live action and computer animation for the first time on a weekly basis. The Show, which ranked in the top 30% of all syndicated shows, aired in 200 domestic markets and was the winner of the Golden Reel Award for Sound Editing from the Motion Picture Sound Editors and Best Technical Achievement Gemini Award. Gene Siskel said " Captain Power was well made... I think you can see that somebody spent some money on special effects, on the dialogue - in fact, there's some real drama."

The original 22 1/2 hour episodes and two hour teleplay are now being distributed throughout the world.

In 1998, the story returns to television in an hour packed with action and adventure. The new episodes will take state of the art technology employed by previous incarnation to new heights as Dread and Power clash in a cataclysmic final battle.

In the later half of the 21st Century war was waged through armies of mechanized warriors known as BIO DREADS. Man had finally found a way to make war with minimal loss of human life. It was a good concept until the machines united and turned their fury on their creators. In the year 2199 the METAL WARS began - machine battled man, and machines won. Out of the ashes of defeat came JONATHAN POWER, humanity's last hope of defeating the mechanized warriors led by the evil LORD DREAD. Power's father, Dr STUART GORDON POWER had led the human resistance during the Metal Wars and died for the cause. Now,Captain Jonathan Power and a devoted band of freedom fighters are all that stands between Dread and the destruction of mankind. Captain Power, the noble renegade warrior, is fighting against impossible odds.

Lord Dread's most recent campaigns have left Power's fortress destroyed and one of his most trusted soldiers dead. Power and his team retreat to Eden II, the last bastion of humanity, to find new allies and develop new plans to overthrow Dread. Power also stokes the fires of vengence. Before he fought for the fate of mankind, now it's personal.

But Dread has a few tricks up his sleeve too. His endless quest to achieve mechanised perfection has left his mind encased in a powerful cyborg body. In addition, his factories have spawned a new breed of murderous machines eager to eradicate or enslave all humans. Dread and Power are on a collision course and only one can survive... will it be man or machine?"

Distributed by MediaWorks International, 1219 Morningside Drive Suite #213 Manhattan Beach, CA 90622 Captain Power TM and associated trademarks and copyrights are owned by Landmark Entertainment Group and are used under license. Copyright 1997 Landmark Entertainment Group.All Rights Reserved.

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