Romance was never a major priority in the original ThunderCats cartoons. Beyond the fact that the team numbered only three true adults, their story was one of survival in a new home. Despite this, a romantic subplot between two elders of Thundera is introduced in the preview of ThunderCats #11.
Written by Declan Shalvey with art by Drew Moss, ThunderCats #11 finds Lion-O embarking on a bold quest alone. Sick of the secrets tearing his team apart, he seeks the wizard Mumm-Ra. He believes that Mumm-Ra is responsible for most of the troubles plaguing his people and that slaying him will save them. However, as Lion-O leaves his allies behind, a love kept secret for too long is revealed — the love shared by the architect Tygra and the cleric Cheetara.
The first five pages of ThunderCats #11 may be viewed below.
Cheetara/Tygra romance in ThunderCats explained
The original 1985 ThunderCats cartoon was more concerned with selling toys than serious storylines. However, many fans of the show saw something between Tygra and Cheetara. The two seemed to spend a lot of time together, though they were never confirmed as a couple.
Tygra and Cheetra did eventually become a couple in the Wildstorm Comics’ miniseries based on the original show. They also became parents to the next generation of ThunderKittens. However, these comics, published in the early 2000s, are not considered canon due to various inconsistencies with the show’s lore.
The romance between Tygra and Cheetara was developed more naturally in the 2011 animated reboot. Here, Tygra was Lion-O’s adopted older brother, and a love triangle arose between the two brothers and Cheetara. She ultimately chose Tygra, though this reboot was canceled before the drama could be fully resolved.
Hints of a romance between Cheetara and Tygra were also made in the recent Cheetara miniseries published by Dynamite Entertainment. However, it is unclear if this comic was a prequel to the current ThunderCats comic, which depicts a noticeably older Tygra. In any case, the love between the two elders has been firmly established in the new series.
ThunderCats #11 arrives in comic shops everywhere on December 18, 2024.
