PUNCHMAN AND THE KNIGHTS OF ALTERNIA

Woohoo! The second episode of the KoA reboot is now on YouTube. Check it out!

https://youtu.be/C5fCzWH0-4I

IT HAS ARRIVED!!!!! The first episode of the Knights of Alternia reboot is here! Stand by for a post where I ramble on about all its Glory. For now, enjoy it for yourself:

It’s here. It’s actually here. There is a new KoA series and there is a trailer!

I haven’t been this happy since the refrigerator started working again. There’s no word on when or where the new series will air. But believe me, I’ll be looking into this.

I was searching through some old boxes and I came across a page of an old Knights of Alternia comic! There were always comics included with an action figure (still trying to find those). I often tore out my favorite pages and it looks like this lone one has survived!

Last week I was lucky enough to sit down with the legendary Chad Templeton, one of the co-creators of The Knights of Alternia. I met him for a quick coffee at Grand Central Station in New York City and was so lucky to have this experience. Once I calmed down I was able to ask him some questions:

KoA Blog: Hello sir, first I must say that this is an honor.

C. Templeton: Ok

KoA Blog: Secondly, I must comment on how stunning your windbreaker is.

C. Templeton: Thank you

KoA Blog: I think it goes without saying that Knights of Alternia played a huge role in the childhood years of folks that are adults today. How does that feel to know you helped create something that touched people when they were just discovering who they were?

C. Templeton: At the time it was a job, and a way to keep some jobs for people we knew in the area. We never thought people would still be thinking about it today.

KoA Blog: You mentioned Jared Stevens, the other co-creator of KoA. Are you two still in contact today?

C. Templeton: Well, we both live in New York and hang out in the same socials so it’s not crazy if we bump into each other here and there, but we’re not nearly as close as we used to be---especially not as close as we were when creating the KoA.

KoA Blog: Was there some sort of falling out?

C. Templeton: Falling out? No, we just went on to work on different projects. He started his now very successful coloring book career and I continued writing other comics and eventually began working on Punchman in Space.

KoA Blog: I’m so glad you brought that up!

C. Templeton: I’m already regretting it.

KoA Blog: Jared was very vocal about his opposition to the potential 90s reboot that was space themed. Didn’t that put pressure on your relationship?

C. Templeton: Not really. By that point, we saw each other rarely and when we did see other the last thing we wanted to discuss was KoA. Speaking of which, my train is about to leave.

KoA Blog: Quickly, before you go, what is your reaction to rumors of a KoA reboot in the works? Are you involved at all?

C. Templeton: I really have to go.

Yes, you read that title correctly. I’ve just heard rumors (through the good old fashion grape vine) that there is a reboot of The Knights of Alternia in the works.

I don’t know much more than that. BUT THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT I CAN ASK CHAD TEMPLETON HIMSELF. 

Yes, this post is full of suprises! I’ve finally gotten Chad Templeton, one of the original creators of the Knights of Alternia, to agree to an interview that I will post on this blog. I am BEYOND excited that he has dropped the charges against me and has agreed to do this. Perhaps he’ll know more about the reboot.

The High Priestess of the Church of Alternia speaks on behalf of the gods of Alternia.  She bestows her mystical wisdom to the Knights when needed.  She often receives visions from the gods about the evil schemes of Negamancer, which she imparts to the Knights.

The High Priestess resides in the Temple of the Ancients, where the knowledge and secrets of the gods are kept.  Punchman has to make frequent trips to the Temple in order to receive the blessings that gives him the super strength and vitality he needs to defend Alternia.  However, does Punchman really need these blessings from the Temple?  Or does the power really reside within Prince Eric himself?

Baron Nardrok is a super villain that has united the factious Aberrant tribes to war with the Knights of Alternia.  He’s charismatic and able to sway people to his side. Unfortunately, he’s often unable to have any successful plans, but that doesn’t make him any less dangerous.

Baron Nardrok often reminds me about my multiple unsuccessful attempts to scare the local neighborhood children. Perhaps I need to hire a Negamancer figure to help deal with this problem. All I want is that they’re too afraid to enter my yard to retrieve their baseballs (and other sports balls) that have gone astray. Is that is too much to ask?

Anyway, check out dat ass on the Baron.

Layla Oppenheimer is Armsman’s idealistic young daughter. She fights bravely by her father’s side but the secret of Punchman’s identity is still kept from her.

Negamancer is the main villain of the series. He leads the Aberrant tribes against the Knights of Alternia. Negamancer often finds systematic weaknesses in Alternia’s society, and finds ways to exploit those instead of overt attacks.

I managed to find my old VHS copy of Punchman episodes. I’m so excited to watch it! Does anyone else out there have old videos?

Armsman Oppenheimer is Punchman’s right hand man and mentor. He uses his double bladed axe to fight enemies of the Knights of Alternia. He also invented vehicles and devices including the Air Speeder.

I believe that Armsman serves as a father figure to Prince Eric more than King Paldor. That makes sense of course, because a king can’t really do much fighting and that would be a boring toy. Armsman would often suggest to Eric when it was time to transform by whispering “Looks like we might need the help of Punchman!”

Eric is Prince of Alternia. His father, King Paldor, depends on him to defend their home from evil. One day, The High Priestess of Alternia gives him a magical amulet that when activated transforms Eric into Punchman!

Punchman leads the Knights of Alternia to fight against the Legion of Aberrants including the fiendish Negamancer and his evil master, Baron Nardrok.

Only the High Priestess, Armsman Oppenheimer, and Flerbal the Flerbling know Prince Eric’s secret.

In the television series Prince Eric has an epic transformation sequence when he turns into Punchman. He shouts the words “For the gods of Alternia, I am Punchman!”. I can’t tell you how many times I shouted this as a kid. I ran into my parents room once and yelled it in the middle of the night and will never forget the silly outfit my dad was wearing!

I, of course, had the action figure as well. I’m not sure where it is now, but if I find it, I’ll be sure to post a picture. I took that thing everywhere: the yard, the beach, to school, the bathtub...etc. A Prince Eric figure was never made, but I was content with the man with magical powers.

Welcome to the Punchman and the Knights of Alternia Tumblr page! This blog will contain all things that I know and love pertaining to the old 80s cartoon, Punchman and the Knights of Alternia. Here you can find stills from the show, rare storyboards, anecdotes of show’s production and much more!

Don’t be afraid to join the discussion. Please join me in celebration of this wonderful show from our childhoods!