ThunderCats Books

Here are scans and summaries of various books published about the ThunderCats from the '80s.
I don't have quite everything, and will keep looking to collect missing bits that aren't included here. But you can help too!
If you have any books not accounted for here and have access to a scanner, feel free to email me the pics (generally, I at least do the cover and one or two interior scans), publishing/author/illustrator information, and a summary of the issue as well as the year of release. Or if you'd like to send the whole darn thing, that'll work too. I'll be happy to give you credit, of course, complete with links back to your site if you have one. Thanks!
When possible, click on the cover thumbnail to download the entire book in zipped pdf format. You will need adobe reader to view them.

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ThunderCats Adventures

Attack of the Mutants
Hard cover, November 1985, 29 Pages


Published by: Random House
Story by: Ann Hodgman. Adapted from the teleplay by Julian P. Gardner.
Illustrated by: Mones

Summary: [Verbatim from the back cover] S-S-Slithe commands a hideaous Mutant army of Jackalmen, Monkians, and Reptilians. Mumm-Ra is a seven-thousand-year-old bundle of evil who can change his shape at will. Sivided, they are no match for the awesome ThunderCats. But united...?
It's based on the episode Pumm-Ra, telling the tale in grand story book style.

Escape to Third Earth
Hard cover, November 1985, 29 Pages


Published by: Random House
Story by: Cathy East Dubowski. Adapted from Teleplay by Leonard Starr.
Illustrated by: Fernando

Summary: Combines the basic premise from two episodes - Exodus and Unholy Alliance - and condenses them into this illustrated book.

Quest for the Magic Crystal
Soft cover, November 1985, 32 Pages



Published by: Random House
Story by: Cathy West. Adapted from the teleplay by Peter Lawrence.
Illustrated by: Amador

Summary: Despite its title, this story recalls the Time Capsule episode - the one where the ThunderCats go on a quest for the item that contains the history of their destroyed home planet. My guess is its title alludes to the magic crystal that powers the Capsule's holographic projector.

The Evil Chaser
Soft cover, November 1985, 31 Pages



Published by: Random House
Story by: Regina King. Adapted from the teleplay by William Overgard.
Illustrated by: Stephen Berger

Summary: This book deals with the same story depicted in the episode Mandora: Evil Chaser. The story introduced CONTROL's top cop, Mandora, as she worked to undo the damage Lion-O had done by unwittingly releasing three of the galaxy's most dangerous prisoners from a holding tank.

Lion-O Walks the Plank
Soft cover, September 1986, 31 Pages


Published by: Random House
Story by: Regina King. Adapted from the teleplay by William Overgard.
Illustrated by: Mones

Summary: This book deals with the same story depicted in the episode Mandora and the Pirates with only a few modifications. Mainly, a few trivial scenes were cut from the book and minor details changed.

Visitors From Space
Soft cover, June 1987, 24 Pages


Published by: Happy House
Story by: Cathy West. Adapted from the teleplay by Peter Lawrence.
Illustrated by: Mones

Summary: It's based on the episode Good and Ugly, staying pretty true to the screenplay.

The Invisible Castle
Soft cover, 1987, 32 Pages


Published by: Tempo Books Ltd, London
Story by: Adapted from a screenplay by Peter Lawrence.
Illustrated by: Colin Petty

This is a retelling of "The Astral Prison".
Summary: Please see the episode guide for a summary of this episode.

ThunderCats Ho! The Movie
Soft cover, 1988


Published by: Tempo Books Ltd, London
Story by: Adapted by Edward Kelsey from five screenplays by Leonard Starr.
Illustrated by: Colin Petty

This is a retelling of the "ThunderCats Ho!" episodes.
Summary: Please see the episode guide for a summary of these episodes.

ThunderCats Thrillers

The Spear of Azzurra
Soft cover, March 1986, 64 Pages


Special thanks to Wolfra for the scans and information.
Published by: Random House
Story by: Megan Stine and H. William Stine.
Illustrated by: Martin Sauri

Summary: [verbatim from the book's back cover] The Cave of Azzurra is sealed only by an ancient magical spear. Remove it for more than twelve hours and the cave will open - unleashing unspeakable horrors on all of Third Earth.
But Lion-O must remove the spear, or the Wilykittens may perish. He vows to return it in time, unaware that deadly terrain, dark Mutant mischief, and a fierce samurai bent on destroying him are just a few of the obstacles that stand in his way...


The Invisible Castle
Soft cover, March 1986, 64 Pages


Published by: Random House
Story by: Les Martin. Adapted from a screenplay by Peter Lawrence.
Illustrated by: Esteban Maroto

This is a retelling of "The Astral Prison".
Summary: [verbatim from the book's back cover]
The castle lies in a ghostly realm. It is a place of dark shadows and darker powers, guarded by a creature who delights in twisted magic. Avoid this castle, whatever you do. Unless, of course, you are Lion-O, Lord of the Thundercats - and your beloved teacher Jaga is locked insided...

ThunderCats Find Your Fate Fantasies

The Ghost Warrior
Soft cover, November 1985, 80 Pages


Published by: Random House
Story by: Megan Stine and H. William Stine.
Illustrated by: Esteban Maroto

Summary: Remember those Choose Your Own Path type of adventures? Well, this book took the essense of the "Ghost Warrior" episode, and turned it into just such an adventure.
[verbatim from the book's back cover] Here comes Grune the Ghost Warrior! Can you help the ThunderCats defeat him?
Hundreds of years ago Grune the Destroyer swept across Third Earth, looting and burning everything in his path. No one was a match for his terrifying power - not even the devil-priest Mumm-Ra, who finally trapped him and sealed him in a tomb.
But now someone has opened the tomb, the ghost of Grune is on the loose, and he's just dying to pick up where he left off!
The mighty ThunderCats must find Grune and put him back in his tomb, and it's up to you to help them! But beware - enemy Mutants, poisonous bats, and vicious gargoyles await you as you find your fate!

ThunderCats Books With Recordings

Tempo Gift Box
Four mini-book collection w/ audio tape, 1985


Published by: Tempo Books, London
Books included are:
Exodus
Soft cover, 1985, 24 Pages


Published by: Tempo Books, London
Story by: Based on Teleplay by Leonard Starr.

Summary: It's a book version of Exodus that follows the screenplay closely.

The Mutants' Alliance
Soft cover, 1986, 24 Pages


Published by: Tempo Books, London
Story by: Based on Teleplay by Leonard Starr.

Summary: Basically, this is a book version of Unholy Alliance that follows the screenplay closely.

The Evil Chaser
Soft cover, 1986, 32 Pages


Published by: Tempo Books, London
Story by: Regina King. Adapted from a Teleplay by William Overgard.

Summary: As you might guess, it's a version of the episode Mandora: Evil Chaser.

Quest For The Magic Crystal
Soft cover, 1986, 32 Pages


Published by: Tempo Books, London
Story by: Cathy West. Adapted from a Teleplay by Peter Lawrence.

Summary: The final book is also an episodic adaptation, this time of The Time Capsule.

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