Thus far, the ThunderCats comic book reboot has been a smashing success for Dynamite Entertainment. The new series used the classic animated series’ pilot as a starting point but quickly went in exciting new directions. Those new directions continue in the second issue, with the introduction of a new hero named Calica.
As her name may imply, this new young Thunderian is inspired by the appearance of Calico cats. She has a tri-color fur pattern and a distinctive black patch around one eye. The new hero will be found among the wreckage of a Mutant ship, where she was a prisoner. She will also be established as a potential love interest for the ThunderCats’ leader Lion-O.
The design sheet for Calica can be viewed below.
Why Dynamite Created a New ThunderCats Hero
According to writer Declan Shalvey, the chief reason for Calica’s creation was to expand the ensemble and the franchise mythology. “Not only has it been great to play with the classic ThunderCats characters, having the opportunity to contribute to the lore has been a wonderful experience,” noted Shalvey. He also praised the character’s design by artist Drew Moss. Shalvey further promised that Calica will “add a new dynamic that will keep the ThunderCats (and readers) on their toes.”
Adding another woman to the ThunderCats’ male-dominated ensemble may have been another reason for Calica’s creation. Animated action-adventure programs of the 1980s frequently had only one or two female protagonists. This was nominally because the purpose of such shows was to sell action figures and young boys presumably didn’t like to play with the girl characters. It was also felt that girls were uninterested in fantasy series. However, this truism was disproven by the subsequent popularity of She-Ra and Sailor Moon. Whether intentional or not, Calica’s introduction to the ThunderCats should address this issue.
ThunderCats #2 arrives in comic shops everywhere in May 2024.
