{{short description|American animated television series}} {{distinguish|Captain Earth{{!}}''Captain Earth''}} {{about|the TV series|the video game based on this TV series|Captain Planet and the Planeteers (video game){{!}}''Captain Planet and the Planeteers'' (video game)}} {{use mdy dates|date=April 2021}} {{Infobox television | alt_name = The New Adventures of Captain Planet | image = Captain Planet and the Planeteers logo.png | genre = {{unbulleted list|[[Superhero fiction]]|[[Action-adventure fiction|Action-adventure]]|[[Edutainment]]}} | runtime = 23 minutes | creator = {{unbulleted list|[[Ted Turner]]|[[Barbara Pyle]]}} | developer = {{unbulleted list|Nicholas Boxer|[[Thom Beers]]|[[Andy Heyward]]|Robby London|Barbara Pyle|[[Bob Forward]]|Cassandra Schafhausen}} | writer = {{unbulleted list|[[Doug Molitor]] (seasons 1–3)|[[Sean Catherine Derek]] (seasons 4–6)|Laren Bright (seasons 4–6)}} | director = {{unbulleted list|Will Meugniot (season 1)|Jim Duffy (seasons 1–2)|Stan Phillips (seasons 1 and 3)|Vincent Davis (season 1)|Marsha Goodman (voice director) (seasons 1–3)}} | producer = {{unbulleted list|Cos Anzilotti (seasons 4–6)|Larry Houston (season 1)|Jim Duffy (season 2)|Stan Phillips (season 3)}} | executive_producer = {{unbulleted list|[[Andy Heyward]] (seasons 1–3)|Robby London (seasons 1–3)|Barbara Pyle|Nicholas Boxer (seasons 2-4)}} | composer = {{unbulleted list|Tom Worrall (seasons 1–3)|Thomas Chase Jones (seasons 4–6)|[[Stephen Rucker|Steve Rucker]] (seasons 4–6)}} | company = {{unbulleted list|[[DIC Entertainment|DIC Enterprises]] (seasons 1–3)|[[Hanna-Barbera|Hanna-Barbera Cartoons]] (seasons 4–6)|[[Turner Program Services]]}} | voices = {{unbulleted list|[[David Coburn (actor)|David Coburn]]|[[LeVar Burton]]|[[Joey Dedio]]|[[Kath Soucie]]|[[Janice Kawaye]]|[[Scott Menville]]|[[Frank Welker]]|[[Whoopi Goldberg]] (seasons 1–3)|[[Margot Kidder]] (seasons 4–6)}} | country = United States | language = English | network = {{unbulleted list|[[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]]|[[Broadcast syndication|Syndication]]}} | first_aired = {{start date|1990|9|15}} | last_aired = {{end date|1996|5|11}} | num_seasons = 6 | num_episodes = 113 | list_episodes = List of Captain Planet episodes | related = }} '''''Captain Planet and the Planeteers''''', commonly referred to as simply '''''Captain Planet''''', is an American [[Animated television series|animated]] environmentalist [[Superhero fiction|superhero]] television series created by [[Barbara Pyle]] and [[Ted Turner]]<ref name="BPyle">{{cite web|url=https://www.barbarapyle.com/captain/|title=Barbara Pyle, with Ted Turner created the animated action series Captain Planet and the Planeteers|publisher=Barbara Pyle Productions|language=en|access-date=August 3, 2022|archive-date=June 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629034052/https://www.barbarapyle.com/captain/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and developed by Pyle, Nicholas Boxer, Thom Beers, Andy Heyward, Robby London, Bob Forward, and Cassandra Schafausen. The series was produced by [[Turner Program Services]] and [[DIC Entertainment|DIC Enterprises]] and broadcast on [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]] and in [[Broadcast syndication|syndication]] from September 15, 1990, to December 5, 1992.<ref name="bcdb1">{{Cite web |date=2013-01-18 |title=Captain Planet And The Planeteers Episode Guide (1990-1992) {{!}} Big Car… |url=http://www.bcdb.com/cartoons/Other_Studios/D/DiC_Entertainment/Captain_Planet_And_The_Planeteers/index.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118013816/http://www.bcdb.com/cartoons/Other_Studios/D/DiC_Entertainment/Captain_Planet_And_The_Planeteers/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-18 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=archive.ph}}</ref>
A sequel series titled '''''The New Adventures of Captain Planet''''' was produced by [[Hanna-Barbera|Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Inc.]], distributed by [[Turner Program Services]] and broadcast from September 11, 1993, to May 11, 1996.<ref name="bcdb2">{{Cite web |date=2013-01-18 |title=Captain Planet And The Planeteers Episode Guide (1990-1992) {{!}} Big Car… |url=http://www.bcdb.com/cartoons/Other_Studios/D/DiC_Entertainment/Captain_Planet_And_The_Planeteers/index.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118013816/http://www.bcdb.com/cartoons/Other_Studios/D/DiC_Entertainment/Captain_Planet_And_The_Planeteers/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-18 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=archive.ph}}</ref> The series was later rerun on [[Kids' WB!]], [[Cartoon Network]] and [[Boomerang (TV network)|Boomerang]].<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/22/arts/on-boomerang-captain-planet-wins-a-life-beyond-reruns.html|title= An Aging Superhero Wins a Life Beyond Reruns|access-date=March 13, 2010 |work= The New York Times |date= April 22, 2006| first=Elizabeth | last=Jensen}}</ref> It is currently on the [[MeTV Toons]] schedule.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch Captain Planet and the Planeteers on MeTV Toons |url=https://www.metvtoons.com/shows/captain-planet |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=MeTV Toons}}</ref> The series is a form of [[Educational entertainment|edutainment]] that advocates for environmentalism and is known for having several famous actors voice the villains.<ref name="Environment p 16">Captain Planet Zooms to the Rescue of the Environment, Washington Post – September 16, 1990</ref><ref name="Szymanski">{{cite news|title= Captain Planet: Here He Comes to Save the Day |work= The Los Angeles Times|date=February 3, 1990|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-03-ca-990-story.html|access-date=August 24, 2010 | first=Michael | last=Szymanski}}</ref> It spawned a franchise consisting of eco-friendly toys, comic books, video games, and a public charity to further promote its work.
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==Plot== {{blockquote|Our world is in peril. Gaia, the spirit of the [[Earth]] can no longer stand the terrible destruction plaguing our planet. She sends five magic rings to five special young people. From [[Africa]], Kwame with the power of [[soil|earth]]. From [[North America]], Wheeler with the power of [[fire]]. From the [[Soviet Union]] (later Eastern Europe), Linka with the power of [[wind]]. From [[Asia]], Gi with the power of [[water]]. And from [[South America]], Ma-Ti with the power of [[heart]]. With the five powers combined they summon Earth's greatest champion - CAPTAIN PLANET! |Opening narration, by LeVar Burton}}
Each episode is followed by at least one "''Planeteer Alert''{{-"}} clip, often connected to the plot, which discusses environmental-political and social-political issues and how the viewer can contribute and be part of "the solution" rather than "the pollution".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.fcc.gov/mediabureau/v01/tv/application/KidVid_72709.html|title=Children's Television Programming Report|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|language=en|date=December 30, 2006|access-date=March 14, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402163339/http://data.fcc.gov/mediabureau/v01/tv/application/KidVid_72709.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Characters== {{More citations needed|section|date=August 2025}} ===Captain Planet=== In situations that the Planeteers cannot resolve alone, they can combine their planetary powers to summon the titular '''Captain Planet''' (voiced by [[David Coburn (actor)|David Coburn]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/jan/20/how-we-made-captain-planet-and-the-planeteers|title=How we made Captain Planet and the Planeteers|first=Interviews by George|last=Bass|date=January 20, 2020|website=the Guardian}}</ref>), who is Ma-Ti's magnified heart power in the form of a humanoid [[avatar]] with blue skin and green hair. He possesses the Planeteers' amplified powers, along with flight and superhuman strength.
Captain Planet's weaknesses are pollution and smog. When he comes in contact with either, his powers are weakened and he has to return to the earth to recover.
===Planeteers=== [[Image:ThePlaneteers.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|The Planeteers. Clockwise from top left: Gi, Kwame, Linka, Ma-Ti, and Wheeler.]] The Planeteers are a group chosen by Gaia to protect the planet from environmental disasters and to educate humanity to prevent further disasters. Gaia uses her "Planet Vision" in the Crystal Chamber to discover where destruction is occurring, which is usually caused by the Eco-Villains, and sends the Planeteers to help solve the problem. The Planeteers use [[Solar power|solar-powered]] transportation, usually the Geo-Cruiser, to avoid causing pollution themselves.<ref name="Captain Planet: Meet the characters">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D17JpONQNV0 |title=Meet the characters |date=2009-04-01 |last=Mother Nature Network |access-date=2024-08-03 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
* '''Kwame''' (voiced by [[LeVar Burton]]) – From [[Africa]], Kwame has the power of [[Soil|earth]]. * '''Wheeler''' (voiced by [[Joey Dedio]]) – From [[Brooklyn, New York City]], United States, Wheeler has the power of [[fire]]. * '''Linka''' (voiced by [[Kath Soucie]]) – From the [[Soviet Union]] (changed to "[[Eastern Europe]]" from Season 3 onward){{efn|The location change occurred due to [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]].}}, Linka has the power of [[wind]]. * '''Gi''' (voiced by [[Janice Kawaye]]) – From [[Asia]], Gi has the power of [[water]]. * '''Ma-Ti''' (voiced by [[Scott Menville]]) – From [[Brazil]], Ma-Ti has the power of [[Kindness|heart]]. Ma-Ti was raised by his tribe's shaman. ** '''Suchi''' (vocal effects provided by [[Frank Welker]]) - Ma-Ti's pet [[spider monkey]].
===Gaia=== '''Gaia''' (voiced by [[Whoopi Goldberg]] in seasons 1–3, [[Margot Kidder]] in seasons 4–6) is the spirit of Earth, whose physical manifestation is that of a dark-skinned woman. She sends five magic rings to five chosen youths from around the world. Four of the rings have the power to control an [[Classical element#Classical elements in Greece|element of nature]] (earth, fire, wind, and water), and one controls the element of Heart. Gaia claims to have been asleep throughout the 20th century and to have awakened to a more polluted world than when she was last awake; however, this is contradicted by a flashback episode set in the 1920s in which people receive guidance from her. She draws inspiration from [[Gaia]], the goddess of the earth in Greek mythology.
===Villains=== ====Eco-Villains==== The Eco-Villains are a group of antagonists, each representing a particular way of thinking that can cause ecological problems. They endanger the planet through pollution, deforestation, poaching, and other activities that harm the environment in order to gain wealth, land, or power. While they usually work alone, they are willing to work together when it suits their plans. The only time they work as a team is in "Summit to Save Earth" where they are led by Zarm.
* '''Hoggish Greedly''' (voiced by [[Ed Asner]]) – A large pig-faced man who represents the dangers of [[overconsumption]] and greed and is the first villain that Captain Planet and the Planeteers encounter. "Smog Hog" reveals that he has a son, Hoggish Greedly Jr. (voiced by [[Charlie Schlatter]]), who is negatively affected by his polluting Road Hog plot. As a result, Greedly is forced to work with Captain Planet to save him. "Hog Tide" reveals that his grandfather Don Porkaloin (also voiced by Asner) was defeated by another group of Planeteers in the past and later became environmentally friendly as shown in "The Ghost of Porkaloin Past". ** '''Rigger''' (voiced by [[John Ratzenberger]]) – Greedly's main henchman. Though he sometimes questions Greedly's orders and is concerned when his actions hurt the environment, he remains loyal to him. In "The Ghost of Porkaloin Past", Rigger claims that the main reason he works for him is because no one would hire him. * '''Verminous Skumm''' (voiced by [[Jeff Goldblum]] in season 1, [[Maurice LaMarche]] in season 2–5) – A humanoid rat-like creature who represents urban blight, disease, and drug abuse. He can control rats and has a personal [[helicopter]] called the Scum O'Copter. ** '''Rat Pack''' – A group of humanoid rats who work for Skumm. * '''Duke Nukem''' (voiced by [[Dean Stockwell]] in seasons 1–3, [[Maurice LaMarche]] in seasons 4–5) – A doctor who transformed himself into a radioactive rock-skinned [[Mutants in fiction|mutant]] and represents the misuse of [[nuclear power]]. He generates radiation, which he can use to fire radioactive blasts from his hands, and possesses x-ray vision. [[3D Realms|Apogee]] temporarily renamed the [[Duke Nukem (character)|eponymous character]] of [[Duke Nukem (video game)|Duke Nukem]] to "Duke Nukum" to avoid possible trademark claims from the producers of ''Captain Planet''. However, the character was later found to be under no trademark and the games were restored to their original titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://legacy.3drealms.com/duke1/index.html |title=3D Realms Site: Duke Nukem I |publisher=3drealms.com |date=July 1, 1991 |access-date=November 15, 2011}}</ref> ** '''Leadsuit''' (voiced by [[Frank Welker]]) – Duke Nukem's henchman,who wears a full-bodied lead [[hazmat suit]] to withstand the radiation released by Nukem's body. He claims that he works for Nukem because he will become second-in-command when he takes over the world. * '''Dr. Barbara "Babs" Blight''' (voiced by [[Meg Ryan]] in 1990–1991, [[Mary Kay Bergman]] in 1992–1996, Tessa Auberjonois in ''[[OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes]]'') – A [[mad scientist]] who represents the dangers of uncontrolled technology and unethical [[scientific experimentation]]. As a result of self-experimentation, the left side of her face is scarred and is usually hidden by her hair. "Hog Tide" reveals that her grandmother Betty Blight assisted Don Porkaloin in the past. "Hollywaste" reveals that she has a sister named Bambi (voiced by [[Kath Soucie]]). ** '''MAL''' (voiced by [[David Rappaport]] in 1990, [[Tim Curry]] in 1991–1996) – Dr. Blight's [[artificial intelligence|A.I.]] husband and henchman. He has the ability to hack into other computer systems, allowing him to take them over and reprogram them. MAL is often the control and main power source for everything in Blight's labs and the vehicles she travels in. * '''Looten Plunder''' (voiced by [[James Coburn]] in seasons 1–3, [[Ed Gilbert]] in seasons 4–6) – A wealthy [[Poaching|poacher]] and corrupt businessman who represents the evils of unethical business actions. He is also shown to have a nephew named Robin Plunder. ** '''Argos Bleak''' (voiced by [[S. Scott Bullock]]) – Looten Plunder's main henchman and [[bodyguard]] who also works as a [[mercenary]] and does most of his dirty work. He usually travels in helicopters or other aircraft and is proficient in handling firearms. Argos Bleak once operated on his own in "The Predator", where he targeted [[basking shark]]s in [[Florida]]. ** '''Pinehead Brothers''' (voiced by [[Richard Gautier|Dick Gautier]] and [[Frank Welker]]) – Oakey and Dokey are [[lumberjack]]s who serve as Looten Plunder's henchmen in the sixth season. * '''Sly Sludge''' (voiced by [[Martin Sheen]] in Seasons 1–3, [[Jim Cummings]] in Seasons 4–5) – An unscrupulous [[waste collector]] who represents laziness, ignorance, and the dangers of apathy and short-term thinking. However, since many of his schemes involve waste management, which is a legitimate environmental issue, he often exploits this to gain apparent respectability. He is the only main villain to defect to the Planeteers after his recycling program makes him money by the end of "No Small Problem". The money allows him to propose plans to mass-produce an affordable, environmentally friendly way to dispose of waste. ** '''Ooze''' (voiced by [[Cam Clarke]]) – Sludge's henchman who is often underpaid and works for him because he has no other option. Like Rigger, Ooze does most of his heavy work. ** '''Tank Flusher III''' (voiced by [[Frank Welker]]) – Sludge's [[strongman]] servant who debuts in "A Mine Is a Terrible Thing to Waste Part One" upon answering an ad for "A heinous henchman to serve a Machiavellian master" despite not knowing what it means. * '''Zarm''' (voiced by [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] in 1990–1992, [[David Warner (actor)|David Warner]] in 1992, [[Malcolm McDowell]] in 1993–1995) – A former spirit of the Earth who left Gaia in search of other worlds and ended up destroying several planets, lacking Gaia to balance out his methods. He represents war and destruction. While lacking henchmen, he often manipulates others to do his bidding, such as in "Summit to Save Earth", where he unites the Eco-Villains under his leadership. In addition to war and destruction, Zarm also promotes hatred and [[totalitarianism]], which he believes are the most dangerous pollutants to humanity, as evidenced by his role as kingmaker to the dictator Morgar. He also tells the Planeteers that he has been the guiding force behind every despot of the 20th century except for one despot who turned him down and dares the Planeteers to guess which one that would be. He mirrors [[Ares]], the primordial Greek god of war.
====Captain Pollution==== '''Captain Pollution''' (voiced by [[David Coburn (actor)|David Coburn]]) is an evil counterpart to Captain Planet who appears in the two-part episode "Mission to Save Earth". Dr. Blight steals the Planeteers' rings and creates polluting duplicates of them with the opposite power of the Planeteers, which she gives to most of the Eco-Villains.
* Duke Nukem has a Super Radiation Ring (counterpart of Fire). * Looten Plunder has a [[Deforestation]] Ring (counterpart of Earth). * Sly Sludge has a Smog Ring (counterpart of Wind). * Verminous Skumm has a [[Toxicity|Toxic]] Ring (counterpart of Water). * Dr. Blight has a [[Hatred|Hate]] Ring (counterpart of Heart).
Captain Pollution resembles Captain Planet, but has pale yellow skin covered with brown lesions and red hair and eyes, and wears a costume similar to his, except that the globe on his chest is torn in the middle. Captain Pollution is Captain Planet's polar opposite in personality, as he is arrogant and sees himself as a god and his creators as servants rather than partners, which Captain Planet says is his downfall. Captain Pollution is weakened by contact with pure elements, such as clean water or sunlight, and gains power from contact with pollutants, being able to absorb pollutants and emit radioactive rays. When he is summoned, he says "By your polluting powers combined, I am Captain Pollution!!", and when he disappears, he states "The polluting power is yours!"
In his first appearance, he is sent by the Eco-Villains to destroy the Planeteers, but is chased off by Commander Clash, and after a fight with Captain Planet, he returns to the evil rings, causing them to explode. In "A Mine is a Terrible Thing to Waste", he is brought back to life by the toxins of the five evil rings, which seep into the planet, but is defeated again and destroyed by Captain Planet.
====Other villains==== * '''The Slaughters''' – A family of poachers who debut in "The New Adventures of Captain Planet" and represent the endangerment of animals and the evils of poaching. While they are often in direct monetary competition with Looten Plunder, they work with him and Argos Bleak in "Horns A'Plenty". ** '''Mame Slaughter''' (voiced by [[Theresa Saldana]] in the first appearance, [[Mitzi McCall]] in the second appearance) – The leader of the Slaughters. ** '''Stalker Slaughter''' (voiced by [[Charlie Adler]]) – One of Mame's sons and her second-in-command.
===Other characters=== * '''Commander Clash''' (voiced by [[Louis Gossett Jr.]]) - A Cold War veteran who has aided the Planeteers in the two-part episode "Mission to Save Earth" and "Summit to Save Earth" Pt. 2 * '''Sky Runner''' (voiced by [[Robby Romero]]) - A Native American rock singer that the Planeteers know. In "Stardust", Sky Runner is tricked by Hoggish Greedly into funding his land-ravaging surface mining operation. In "Bitter Waters", Sky Runner calls the Planeteers when Looten Plunder and Argos Bleak plan to trick his people into selling their land for their urban development. * '''Dr. Derek''' - A paraplegic scientist and friend of the Planeteers whose inventions are often targeted by Dr. Blight.
==Episodes== {{main|List of Captain Planet episodes}}
==Development== ===Conception=== According to Barbara Pyle, the inspiration for the five Planeteers came from real people that she met during the show's pre-production in 1989. Gi was inspired by Malaysian environmental activist Chee Yoke Ling of [[Sahabat Alam Malaysia]], while Ma-Ti was inspired by [[Paulinho Paiakan]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Alhadjri|first=Alyaa|date=2021-09-26|title=Captain Planet to Family Frontiers – Activist's long journey to save forests, families|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/592836|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Malaysiakini}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Captain Planet to Family Frontiers|url=https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/planeteer-family-frontiers-activists-long-020000665.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS51eS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAH1y7vP7_OE6dWhxRukFDuMb8vbFGQveig_Brz3RnPJyIfwFmKwmCBXipobGYWcJ8bL9QoWofxZatfthURbS6St8XcR4H76ZRbtjIi0q-fI_Z5HN8eGf2Y8k1_xA-uImE0koaCugb-Dp2nEXybCiVoxgjD9o1AQJaH39fz6mGmx-|access-date=|website=Yahoo News Malaysia| date=September 26, 2021 }}</ref> She also stated that Wheeler was based on her father, and made him to be environmentally unaware based on the view she had of the attitudes displayed by the United States at the [[Earth Summit|1992 Rio Earth Summit]]. Kwame was inspired by the survivors of the [[Rhodesian Bush War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D17JpONQNV0|title=Meet the Characters|author=Mother Nature Network|website=YouTube |date=April 2009 }}</ref> In a September 2012 interview with Barbara Pyle and co-developer Nicholas Boxer, it was stated that Hope Island was located near the [[Bahamas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.interviewly.com/i/barbara-pyle-sep-2012-reddit|title=We are Barbara Pyle and Nick Boxer, Co-creators and Exec. Producers of "Captain Planet and the Planeteers." AMA!|date=September 15, 2012|publisher=Interviewly|language=en|access-date=March 15, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305004940/http://interviewly.com/i/barbara-pyle-sep-2012-reddit|archive-date=March 5, 2015}}</ref>
===DIC history (1990–1992)=== The original series, produced by [[Turner Broadcasting System|TBS Productions]] and [[DiC]], was the second longest running US-cartoon of the 1990s, with three seasons and 65 episodes under the name ''Captain Planet and the Planeteers''.
The show's theme song was composed by Tom Worrall, with lyrics written by show producer Nick Boxer,<ref>[https://www.treehugger.com/family/raising-a-family/mnntv/captain-planet/captain-planet-the-theme-song Captain Planet: The theme song]{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }} Mother Nature Network</ref> and performed by Murray McFadden and Timothy Mulhollan.
===Hanna-Barbera history (1993–1996)=== In 1993, the show switched production companies to [[Hanna-Barbera Cartoons]], which had been acquired by Turner in 1991. The title changed to '''''The New Adventures of Captain Planet'''''. During this time, it aired as part of TBS' '' Sunday Morning in Front of the TV '' block, alongside other H-B series ''[[SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron]]'' and ''[[2 Stupid Dogs]]''. The revamped series revealed more of the past of each of the characters and expanded on them dramatically. The tone of these episodes was more mature than the initial series. The animation style was of considerably higher quality than the DiC seasons.
The DiC seasons' synth-rock soundtrack was replaced by a large number of orchestral pieces, and while the end credits theme was retained, the ending sequence now showcased footage from the Hanna-Barbera episodes. Full-time voice actors replaced most of the major celebrities that had voiced Gaia and the Eco-Villains during the DiC seasons. The opening narration was spoken by [[David Coburn (actor)|David Coburn]] (Captain Planet) rather than [[LeVar Burton]] (Kwame) and, in the final season, was replaced by a [[Rapping|rap]] by [[Fred Schneider]] of [[The B-52's]].
===Legacy=== The ''Captain Planet Foundation (CPF)'' was founded in 1991, when series producer Barbara Pyle negotiated a percentage of the show's merchandising revenue to empower young people. The concept allowed schools and organizations around the world to present their environmental projects to the Foundation and receive seed money to grow their ideas. In 2001, [[WarnerMedia|Time Warner]] decided to shut down the CPF due to a challenging merger with [[AOL]]. Laura Seydel and her husband Rutherford Seydel worked with Time Warner to orchestrate the transition of the [[Private foundation (United States)|corporate foundation]] to a public charity – the Captain Planet Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://captainplanetfoundation.org/|title=Captain Planet Foundation {{!}} Supporting Environmental Education|website=captainplanetfoundation.org|language=en-US|access-date=April 18, 2017}}</ref> In 2007, CPF acquired the rights to exhibit previous episodes of Captain Planet and the Planeteers online and on-air, thus "allowing this valuable resource to reach out and educate the children of today!"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://captainplanetfoundation.org/about/our-story/|title=Our Story|date=August 3, 2016|publisher=Captain Planet Foundation|access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> {{as of|2017}}, the organization's board is chaired by Laura Turner Seydel, daughter of [[Ted Turner]]; the board includes [[Barbara Pyle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://captainplanetfoundation.org/board/|title=Board|publisher=Captain Planet Foundation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419103757/https://captainplanetfoundation.org/board/|archive-date=April 19, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Reception == [[File:Captain Planet (22782032954).jpg|thumb|upright=.75|At the Atlanta Peoples' Climate March.]] In 1990, ''[[The Los Angeles Times]]'' described the show as having "not much originality", although also saying that "there's a passion behind this series, which adapts a conventional super-hero formula to an unconventional theme", also stating that the celebrities voicing the series "also sets the series apart". The newspaper also described the show as being part of "the increased awareness of Earth as endangered".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Howard |date=1990-09-14 |title=Saving Mother Earth: An Entertaining Concept |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-09-14-ca-292-story.html |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> [[L. Brent Bozell III]], a conservative activist, accused the show of "seeking to scare children into political activism",<ref name=":0" /> along with accusing the show of having "[[Left-wing politics|leftist]] slants";<ref>{{Cite news |date=1991-06-22 |title=Rightists Battle Sabers Over 'Bias' |pages=49 |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110565354/rightists-battle-sabers-over-bias/ |access-date=2022-10-02}}</ref> Barbara Pyle responded, saying "I don't think 'Captain Planet' is scary ... it shows kids that every action counts ... I consider [environmental issues] bipartisan."<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=1991-09-22 |title=Captain Planet, earth friend or business foe? |pages=44 |work=Asbury Park Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110507962/captain-planet-earth-friend-or/ |access-date=2022-10-01}}</ref>
Diane Holloway from ''[[Austin American-Statesman]]'' wrote, "The animation is crude and jerky, but the messages are important and clear enough for a 4-year old to understand",<ref>{{Cite news |date=1990-09-14 |title=Captain Planet is the superhero for the '90s |pages=18 |work=Austin American-Statesman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110508395/captain-planet-is-the-superhero-for-the/ |access-date=2022-10-01}}</ref> while Rebecca Coudret from [[Evansville Courier & Press]] said she "wondered if [children] were simply responding to the basic good vs. evil clash."<ref>{{Cite news |date=1990-09-30 |title=TBS hoping kids will understand the message in 'Captain Planet' |pages=103 |work=Evansville Courier and Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110508375/tbs-hoping-kids-will-understand-the/ |access-date=2022-10-01}}</ref> In 1993, the episode "Dream Machine" won an award at the [[Environmental Media Awards]], and in 1994, the episode "Gorillas Will Be Missed" likewise did.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EMA Awards – Past Recipients and Honorees |url=https://www.green4ema.org/ema-awards/ema-awards-past-recipients-and-honorees |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=Environmental Media Association |language=en-US}}</ref> Reviewing season one in 2012, ''[[IGN]]'' gave the show a rating of 5 out of 10, describing the animation as "pretty weak" and the stories as "too hokey".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaffer |first=R. L. |date=2011-04-19 |title=Captain Planet and the Planeteers: Season One DVD Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/04/19/captain-planet-and-the-planeteers-season-one-dvd-review |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
==Educational goals== Various episodes were constructed to touch on relevant themes to a younger audience:
* "'''Mind Pollution'''{{-"}} The episode titled "Mind Pollution" (1991) was notable<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ramblingbeachcat.com/2011/12/terrifying-moments-in-childrens.html|title=Terrifying moments in children's television|website=Rambling Beach Cat|access-date=May 11, 2016}}</ref> for dealing with the issue of drug abuse. This was explained by the fact that the characters thought of drug addiction as "pollution of the mind". The episode revolved around an epidemic of a designer drug known as "Bliss" created by [[Verminous Skumm]]. It included a scene of Linka's cousin Boris jumping through a window and dying from a drug overdose.
* "'''Population Bomb'''{{-"}} "Population Bomb" (1991) continued the trend of tackling controversial subject matter atypical for a children's cartoon, in this instance the [[Malthusianism|problem with overpopulation]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=II|first=Juan Michael Porter|date=September 24, 2020|title=30 years ago, Captain Planet and the Planeteers imagined a kinder world. What can we do better now?|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/captain-planet-and-the-planeteers-30-year-anniversary-lessons|access-date=October 25, 2020|website=SYFY WIRE|language=en}}</ref> Using mice as substitutes for humans, the episode sets Wheeler on a ''[[Gulliver's Travels]]'' style adventure where he encounters a tribe of sentient mice who are destroyed by overpopulation and irresponsible leadership. It turns out that the ordeal is something that Wheeler dreamed up, though it serves as a warning for the audience about sustainability and over-consumption.
* "'''A Formula for Hate'''{{-"}} The episode titled "A Formula for Hate" (1992) was also unusual for the series in that it was the first episode in an American children's animated series to directly deal with the [[HIV/AIDS]] pandemic.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-21-ca-626-story.html|title='Capt. Planet' Tackles the AIDS Crisis|last=Mendoza|first=N.F.|date=November 21, 1992|access-date=August 24, 2010|work=The Los Angeles Times}}</ref> In the episode, Skumm and one of his rat henchmen brainwashes a local community into thinking the virus can be spread through casual contact and thus causing people to hate and fear a young man, infected with HIV, named Todd Andrews (voiced by [[Neil Patrick Harris]], with his mother voiced by [[Elizabeth Taylor]]). Captain Planet tells the truth about AIDS to the entire basketball team with help from Todd's coach. Then Captain Planet catches Skumm and his rat henchman and handed them over to the police.
==Franchise extension== Pyle and Boxer requested that the series' [[merchandising|merchandise]] be made sustainably, and hence the companies producing ''Captain Planet''-themed merchandise completely overhauled their means of production to manufacture recycled and recyclable products.
===Toys=== ''Captain Planet'' had a line of toys released by [[Tiger Toys|Tiger]] in 1990, which lasted long enough to tie into the ''New Adventures'' series. The toys were packaged and sold by Grand Toys in Canada and [[Kenner]] throughout Europe. The action figures could be posed at the common five points – neck, shoulders, and hips.
The action figures consisted of the Planeteers, the Eco-Villains, Commander Clash, and several versions of Captain Planet, each with a different gimmick or paint scheme. A toy ring with lights, sound and interchangeable lenses for the five elements was also released, as were several vehicles.
Four additional toy vehicles were also sold through a [[Burger King]] promotion.
===Video games=== {{main|Captain Planet and the Planeteers (video game)}}
A video game based on the series was developed for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] by [[Mindscape Group|Mindscape]] titled ''[[Captain Planet and the Planeteers (video game)|Captain Planet]]'', and it received negative reviews from game critics which led to a [[Sega Mega Drive]] (Genesis) version of the game being cancelled. A side-scrolling game was developed by [[Novalogic]] for the [[Mega Drive]]/Genesis, and released exclusively in Europe and Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.mobygames.com/game/genesis/captain-planet-and-the-planeteers-|title=Captain Planet and the Planeteers on MobyGames|access-date=August 24, 2008}}</ref>
[[David Perry (game developer)|David Perry]] and Nick Bruty developed a [[ZX Spectrum]] and [[Amstrad CPC]] game based on the show, a 3-level shoot 'em up. Another game, a platformer, was released in 1990 for the [[Amiga]] and [[Atari ST]], written by [[Tony Crowther]]; this game was briefly bundled with the [[Amiga 500]] "Cartoon Classics" pack released in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a7sH_jz1bg | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211111/3a7sH_jz1bg| archive-date=2021-11-11 | url-status=live|title=Amiga Longplay Captain Planet and the Planeteers |publisher=YouTube |date=July 26, 2007 |access-date=August 17, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> A [[Commodore 64]] game was planned but never released. [[Tiger Toys]], owners of the action figure license, also created an LCD hand-held game.
Captain Planet appears as a playable character in the fighting game ''[[Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion]]'' for [[Nintendo 3DS]], [[Wii]], [[PS3]], and [[Xbox 360]].
===Home media=== [[Turner Home Entertainment]] originally released VHS tapes of the series, which contained a single episode on each. DIC's main home video distributor [[Buena Vista Home Video]] would also release single-episode VHS releases as well.
A DVD with four episodes and bonus features exists but was only available as part of a "Planeteer Pack" purchased from the Captain Planet Foundation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://captainplanetfoundation.org/planeteerpack.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517120152/http://www.captainplanetfdn.org/planeteerpack.html|title=Captain Planet Foundation|archive-date=May 17, 2008|work=captainplanetfdn.org}}</ref> This promotional DVD contained the episodes "A River Ran Through It", "A Perfect World", "Gorillas Will Be Missed", and "The Big Clam Up". A short clip titled "Planeteers in Action", which is about the Captain Planet Foundation, is also included.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.costore.com/cpf/welcome.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217203926/http://www.costore.com/cpf/welcome.asp|archive-date=February 17, 2008|title=Welcome to Captain Planet Foundation's Co-Store|access-date=August 17, 2016}}</ref> The "Planeteer Pack" special is no longer available.
[[Shout! Factory]] under license from Turner and [[Warner Bros. Home Entertainment|Warner Home Video]] released a DVD set of the complete first season in the U.S. on April 19, 2011. The DVD packaging is made of 100% recycled paper.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=5257373|title=Captain Planet And The Planeteers: Season One|website=Shoutfactorystore.com|access-date=August 17, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405173051/http://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=5257373|archive-date=April 5, 2012}}</ref>
[[Madman Entertainment]] released the first season on July 6, 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/35945/captain-planet-season-1|title=Captain Planet Season 1 – DVD|website=Madman.com.au|access-date=August 17, 2016|archive-date=August 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808151133/https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/35945/captain-planet-season-1|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the complete collection on October 25, 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/40739/captain-planet-complete-collection|title=Captain Planet Complete Collection – DVD|website=Madman.com.au|access-date=October 25, 2017|archive-date=October 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025074127/https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/40739/captain-planet-complete-collection|url-status=dead}}</ref> in Australia.
As of March 25, 2017, it is available on [[iTunes]] for purchase. The whole series was made available on [[Amazon Instant Video]].
On October 15, 2024, [[Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment]] (through [[Studio Distribution Services]]) released the complete series on a DVD box set, featuring all 113 episodes from both the DIC and Hanna-Barbera seasons. Not only does this reissue the first season, but this marks the first time that the remaining five seasons have been released to DVD in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/08/captain-planet-the-complete-franchise-box-set-unites-the-eco-adventures-on-dvd/|title='Captain Planet: The Complete Franchise' Box Set Unites the Eco Adventures on DVD|website=[[Animation Magazine]]|date=August 27, 2024 |access-date=August 27, 2024}}</ref>
The series was also released on Blu-ray on April 22, 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Captain Planet and the Planeteers: The Complete Franchise Blu-ray |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=36199}}</ref>
===Film=== Multiple attempts have been made to create a film adaptation of the series. The first occurred in 1996 when Boxer and Pyle wrote a [[film adaptation]] of ''Captain Planet'' originally titled ''Planet''.<ref name="MReaves">{{cite web|url=http://www.animationartist.com/2000/Interviews/Screenwriters/Michael_Reaves/MReaves.html|title=Michael Reeves interview, in which he recalls the title as simply "Planet"|publisher=AnimationArtist.com|access-date=February 8, 2007|archive-date=February 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211171116/http://www.animationartist.com/2000/Interviews/Screenwriters/Michael_Reaves/MReaves.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Five years later, [[Michael Reaves]] revised the concept as ''Dark Planet'' or ''Planet''. The storyline was darker than the series, and set in a post-apocalyptic time period. However, the script was lost when Turner and Warner Bros. merged in 1996.<ref name="MReaves2">{{cite web|url=http://www.michaelreaves.com/movies.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219225814/http://michaelreaves.com/movies.htm|archive-date=February 19, 2009|title=Michael Reaves's website, listing the script as "Dark Planet"|url-status=usurped|access-date=April 20, 2008}}</ref> The film reached the design stage before it was abandoned.
Other attempts at a film version were made in 2007,<ref name="TTurner">{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/?p=3116|title=Ted is currently in talks to create a possible movie version of the cartoon – wonder who will play Captain Planet?|website=Hoolywoodtoday.com|access-date=August 17, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215232855/http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/?p=3116|archive-date=December 15, 2007}}</ref> 2011,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/07/cartoon-network-captain-planet-movie.html|title=Cartoon Network's 'Captain Planet' will be drawn into film|date=July 19, 2011|last=Zeitchik|first=Steven|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=July 19, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Rosenfeld|first=Everett|title=With Hollywood's Powers Combined, a 'Captain Planet' Movie Will Hit Theaters|url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2011/07/21/hes-our-hero-captain-planet-movie-is-in-the-works/|access-date=July 22, 2011|newspaper=Time News Feed|date=July 22, 2011}}</ref> and 2013,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/captain-planet-planeteers-movie-works-576490|title='Captain Planet and the Planeteers' Movie in the Works From Sony (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 27, 2013}}</ref> but none of these versions came to pass. In October 2016, [[Paramount Pictures]] and [[Leonardo DiCaprio]]'s [[Appian Way Productions|Appian Way]] were attempting to develop a new movie and were in negotiation with Jono Matt and [[Glen Powell]] to write the script, with Powell to star as the titular character.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/captain-planet-movie-leonardo-dicaprio-938852|title=Leonardo DiCaprio, Glen Powell Teaming for 'Captain Planet' Movie (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 17, 2016}}</ref> The status of the project remained unclear for years with no further updates. In early 2023, Powell claimed that hurdles at [[Warner Bros. Discovery]] would need to be cleared before moving forward.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/movies/glen-powell-captain-planet-movie-leonardo-dicaprio/|title=Glen Powell Really Wants To Be Captain Planet For Leonardo DiCaprio|date=January 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharf |first1=Zack |title=Glen Powell Says 'Captain Planet' Movie Isn't Dead Yet and Producer Leonardo DiCaprio Is 'Super Passionate About It': 'I Want It to Work' |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/glen-powell-captain-planet-movie-leonardo-dicaprio-1235484109/ |publisher=Variety}}</ref>
''Deadline'' revealed on July 17, 2025 that the project had become a live-action television series, which had entered development at [[Netflix]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2025-07-17 |title='Captain Planet' Live-Action Series In Works At Netflix From Berlanti Productions & Appian Way |url=https://deadline.com/2025/07/captain-planet-live-action-series-netflix-berlanti-appian-way-1236460562/ |access-date=2025-07-17 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Comic books=== [[Marvel Comics]] published a comic series titled ''Captain Planet and the Planeteers''. The series ran twelve issues, cover dated October 1991 through October 1992.
A new comic series by [[Dynamite Entertainment]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corley |first=Shaun |date=July 26, 2024 |title=New Captain Planet Series Brings Back the 90s' Ultimate Environmental Superhero |url=https://screenrant.com/captain-planet-returns-new-series-dynamite/ |access-date=January 11, 2025 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> began release on May 7, 2025, and ran for six issues. It was planned to be released on Earth Day (April 23) but,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Comments |first=Rich Johnston |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Captain Planet #1 by David Pepose & Eman Casallos from Dynamite Comics |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/captain-planet-1-by-david-pepose-eman-casallos-from-dynamite-comics/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Bleeding Cool |language=en}}</ref> was delayed. ''Captain Planet and the Planeteers'' is written by [[David Pepose]] and illustrated by Emmanuel Casallos. The series received mostly positive reviews, averaging a critic score of 8.4/10 according to ''Comic Book Round Up''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Captain Planet and the Planeteers #1 Reviews|language=en|work=ComicBookRoundup.com|access-date=October 31, 2025|url=https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dynamite-entertainment/captain-planet-and-the-planeteers-(2025)/1}}</ref>
===''OK K.O.!'' crossover=== In 2017, Captain Planet appeared in a special crossover episode of the [[Cartoon Network]] series ''[[OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes]]'', with [[David Coburn (actor)|David Coburn]] reprising his role as Captain Planet and [[LeVar Burton]] reprising his role as Kwame. The heroes battled Dr. Blight (accompanied by a silent MAL). The episode "The Power Is Yours" aired on October 9, 2017, as part of the first season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mashable.com/2017/09/13/captain-planet-ok-ko-cameo-cartoon-network/|title='Captain Planet' is coming back to TV for a super-powered cameo|last=Prudom|first=Laura|website=Mashable|date=September 13, 2017|language=en|access-date=July 4, 2019}}</ref>
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * [https://www.planeteermovement.com/ Planeteer Movement] * [https://captainplanetfoundation.org/ Captain Planet Foundation] * [http://www.toonopedia.com/caplanet.htm Captain Planet] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. [https://archive.today/20240525213103/https://www.webcitation.org/66nzi51XV?url=http://www.toonopedia.com/caplanet.htm Archived] from the original on April 9, 2012. * {{IMDb title}}
{{Clear}} {{Kids' WB}} {{TBSNetwork Shows}} {{Children's programming on TBS/TNT}} {{Former Cartoon Network original programming}} {{Hanna-Barbera Super Heroes}} {{Hanna-Barbera}}
{{portalbar|1990s|United States|Environment|Animation|Television}}
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