Line #73 WesternAnimation/SpiralZone


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/spiral_zone.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:''"[[ExpositoryThemeTune Earth's most powerful soldiers are Earth's last chance to fight the Spiral Zone!]]"'']]
3
4	->'''Aboriginal Leader:''' The world has been destroyed before, and will be again.
5	->'''Dirk Courage:''' Not if ''I'' can help it.
6	-->--from "Back to the Stone Age"
7
8	''Spiral Zone'' is a [[FirstRunSyndication syndicated]] SixtyFiveEpisodeCartoon from 1987 by the Kushner-Locke Group[[note]]with Animation duties handled by Creator/Visual80 and Creator/{{AKOM}}; assisted by Creator/TransArts and Creator/MookDLE (both uncredited)[[/note]], based on Tonka Toys' Americanization of a [[Toys/SpiralZoneBandai Japanese action figure line]] by Bandai. It has an unusually dark storyline for an 80s MerchandiseDriven action cartoon, complete with nods to the AfterTheEnd and ZombieApocalypse genres.
9
10	ExtyYearsFromPublication (specifically, the far-flung future of 2007), a MadScientist[=/=]DiabolicalMastermind code-named Overlord covers much of the planet with his Spiral Zone, a dense, fog-like atmosphere which envelops about half the Earth in a spiral pattern. Inside the Zone, any unprotected person becomes a yellow-eyed, disfigured "Zoner" with no free will. Overlord and his enforcers, a motley crew of hardened criminals called the Black Widows, effectively [[MindControl control the minds]] of millions of Zoners, and they won't stop until they've enslaved the entire world.
11
12	The heroes of this bleak future are the Zone Riders, an elite team of "Earth's most powerful soldiers" led by Colonel Dirk Courage. The Zone Riders are sent on dangerous missions around the world to engage Overlord and the Black Widows in battle, destroy their existing Zone Generators (which automatically frees every Zoner in the vicinity), and prevent them from conquering any more territory. However, both sides are waging a desperate war of attrition, with no end in sight.
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14	Also notable for having a theme song that ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO2Cd9tyUvY freakin' kicks]]''.
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16	----
17	!!"Earth's most powerful tropers fight the Spiral Zone!":
18
19	* TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture: The show still looks like this, even though its setting is now in the recent past.
20	%%* SixtyFiveEpisodeCartoon
21	* ActionFigureFileCard: The American toys had them in the form of small pamphlets packaged with the figures.
22	* TheAhnold: "Tank" Schmidt of the Zone Riders is an {{Expy}} of Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger.
23	* AllThereInTheManual: Parts of Overlord's past and FreudianExcuse are only revealed in the ComicBookAdaptation.
24	* AnimationBump: By Creator/{{AKOM}} of all companies as per WordOfGod via series director Peter [=DeCelles=].
25	* {{Animesque}}: A borderline example, because the show originated with the Americanized version of a Japanese action figure line. Along with most of the episodes being animated by Japanese studio Creator/Visual80.
26	* JustForFun/ApocalypseDayPlanner: 22 June 2007, the day the Spiral Zone was created -- which means the series has become AlternateHistory.
27	* AppliedPhlebotinum: The Zone Riders and the Black Widows use differing methods to [[ImmuneToMindControl protect themselves]] from the Spiral Zone's MindControl effect.
28	* AssimilationPlot: Overlord's high concept behind the Spiral Zone.
29	* ATeamFiring: Partially justified since the Zoners (the zombies produced by the Zone Generators) are mainly civilians armed with military-grade weapons by the Black Widows, who regard them as CannonFodder.
30	** Occasionally Zoners who are trained combatants appear, usually displaying competent fighting abilities. Particularly, in "The Best Fighting Men in the World", Overlord zones a Green Berets base, forcing the Zone Riders to fight on his own terms.
31	* AudioPlay: Each American action figure came with an audio cassette that had a story featuring that particular character. And yes, the tapes used the voice actors from the TV series.
32	* AwesomeAussie: Ned Tucker of the Zone Riders.
33	* BadFuture: By now, it's AlternateHistory.
34	* TheBadGuyWins: Besides the Black Widows controlling half the planet, there are episodes such as "Duchess' Treat", in which Duchess Dire [[ISurrenderSuckers pretends to surrender]] to the British government. Surprise! It's just an EvilPlan that allows her to turn 500,000 British soldiers into Zoners.
35	* BadassBookworm: Ben Davis of the Zone Riders.
36	* BigGood: General Steven [=McFarland=], the Zone Riders' BenevolentBoss.
37	* CatchPhrase: Two: Dirk Courage's "Zone Riders, hit it!" and Overlord's "Black Widows, withdraw!", much to his consternation.
38	* CharacterInTheLogo: It features Dirk Courage firing his futuristic weapon.
39	* UsefulNotes/{{Chicago}}: The home of Max Jones of the Zone Riders, and setting of "Zone with Big Shoulders".
40	* ClipShow: Five of them over a 65 episode run.
41	* ComicBookAdaptation: It was published by Creator/DCComics while the show was still in production. It was also the only medium to show Overlord's origin.
42	** Long Island publisher A-10 Comics [[http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150884490001813&set=a.10150884055051813.401717.363854976812&type=1&theater announced]] a new ''Spiral Zone'' comic for October 2012, but [[WhatCouldHaveBeen it was never published]].
43	* CompanyCrossReferences: In one episode, Tank gives a hospitalized girl a ''[[WesternAnimation/PoundPuppies1980s Pound Puppies]]'' plushie. At the time, both the ''Spiral Zone'' and ''Pound Puppies'' toy lines were made by Tonka.
44	* CoolBike: The Zone Rider, a OneWheeledWonder motorcycle used by the Zone Riders.
45	* CoolChair: The Black Widows' Sledgehammer vehicle combines this with CoolTank, since it's effectively ''a weaponized throne'' on tank treads.
46	* CrazyCulturalComparison: Razorback is captured but appears to be organizing his fellow inmates. The Zone Riders plan to send someone undercover to learn what he's up to, and Katarina volunteers. Dirk appreciates her enthusiasm but has to gently explain to her that American prisons aren't coed.
47	* DarkerAndEdgier: This show wasn't afraid to be scary. A couple episodes mentioned that some people would rather enter the zone and lose their free will rather than starve or some such.
48	* DragonLady: The titular gangster in "Lair of the Jade Scorpion."
49	* {{EMP}}: The Black Widows use one to disable the Zone Riders' equipment in "Back to the Stone Age."
50	* EmperorScientist: Overlord, formerly Dr. James Bent, used to be a UsefulNotes/{{NASA}} engineer before his FaceHeelTurn.
51	%%* EspeciallyZoidberg: Used in "Small Packages".
52	* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: In "Overlord's Mystery Woman", we learn that Overlord still has a (one-sided) thing for his ex-wife, which goes into unsavory territory when he attempts to Zone her.
53	* EvilMakesYouUgly: The Black Widows' method of keeping themselves from being zombified means developing patches of red chitin on their skin, discolored yellow eyes and in some cases hair loss.
54	* ExtyYearsFromPublication: As noted above, the show is set exactly 20 years after it was released.
55	* FailedFutureForecast: It's the early 21st century, but the [[UsefulNotes/SovietRussiaUkraineAndSoOn Soviet Union]] still exists. However, they're working with the Western powers in an EnemyMine setup to destroy the Spiral Zone.
56	* FamousAncestor: According to a character bio from the DC comic, "Recent evidence of family genealogy reveals that [Dirk] Courage is directly descended from Tecumseh, the renowned Indian leader and battle tactician."
57	%%* FogOfDoom: The Spiral Zone itself.
58	* GadgeteerGenius: Dr. Lawrence, the British inventor who provides the Zone Riders' equipment.
59	* HelicopterPack: The Zone Riders' [[XtremeKoolLetterz Kopterpack]].
60	* HeroesRUs: The Zone Riders and Mission Command Central, the organization they work for.
61	* HumbleHero: In the ClipShow episode "Profiles in Courage", a reporter tries to get each of the Zone Riders to describe his/her own heroism. Instead, they praise their teammates and the brave civilians who have helped them out. {{Lampshaded}} when the frustrated reporter asks Dirk "Don't you people ever talk about yourselves?"; Dirk responds with a LittleNo, then takes off his mic and walks out of the room to go back on duty.
62	* ImpossiblyCompactFolding: A towering Zone Generator is produced from a pod about the size of a horse-drawn cart.
63	* IKnowYouKnowIKnow: In one episode, Dirk assumes that a brainwashed member of the Zone Riders has given information about their plans to Overlord, so he changes plans...but Overlord knows what Dirk has assumed and that Dirk must have changed his plans.
64	* ItsPersonal: Two of the Zone Riders, Max and Tank, have family trapped in the Zone. Also, several episodes feature friends and relatives of both the Zone Riders and the Black Widows getting caught up in the conflict.
65	* LandDownUnder: The Australian outback is the setting of "Back to the Stone Age", and homeland of Ned Tucker of the Zone Riders.
66	* LawyerFriendlyCameo: Promotional material strongly implies that the Black Widow "Bandit" is actually notorious terrorist [[Literature/TheDayOfTheJackal Carlos]] [[Film/TheJackal the Jackal]]. In 1987, Carlos was believed to be a criminal mastermind; when he was finally arrested in 1994, he turned out to be just a poser.
67	* LimitedAnimation: The majority of the series falls into this, largely due to poor outsourcing.
68	* MasterOfDisguise: Bandit of the Black Widows. In various episodes, he poses as both the guy who runs the PX at Zone Rider headquarters and the President of the United States.
69	* MerchandiseDriven: As noted, the franchise originated as a Japanese toy line by Bandai. Tonka (who had already worked with Bandai on ''WesternAnimation/ChallengeOfTheGobots'') brought the concept to America, albeit with several changes.
70	* MirroredConfrontationShot: On the cover of the DC comic's fourth issue. Later reused for the unofficial DVD box set shown above.
71	* MonowheelMayhem: The Zone Riders' Rimfire vehicle (usually piloted by Colonel Dirk Courage), consisting of a giant wheel that the rider sits inside with a {{BFG}} on top.
72	* MultinationalTeam: Both of the major factions.
73	** '''The Zone Riders:''' Dirk Courage, Max Jones and Ben Davis are American, Katerina Anastacia is Russian, Hiro Taka is Japanese, Tank Schmidt is German, and Ned Tucker is Australian.
74	** '''The Black Widows:''' Overlord, Razorback, Reaper and Rawmeat are American, Duchess Dire is an EvilBrit, Crook is a FrenchJerk, and Bandit is from an unspecified country in UsefulNotes/TheMiddleEast.
75	* MyGreatestFailure: Tank deeply regrets losing his son to the Zone.
76	* NamedAfterSomebodyFamous: Ben Davis' full name is Creator/BenjaminFranklin Davis.
77	* NeverSayDie: Results in dialogue such as Reaper exclaiming that the Zone Riders are "as good as done for!"
78	* UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity: The Black Widows' headquarters are in the Chrysler Building.
79	* NoEnding: As was typical of many 80s action cartoons, the 65 episode order never wrapped up the ongoing plot so it could potentially keep running as long as it was profitable, with the final produced episode "Countdown" being another "thwart Overlord's newest scheme" plot.
80	** The DC comic expansion did give an ending where Dick and Tank were able to infiltrate the Chrysler Tower and destroy the controls for the Zone Generators through the Americas. However, Overlord suggests that he'll be back since 50% of the world is under Black Widow control.
81	* NoOneGetsLeftBehind: Because he lost his son Josef when the Zone went up, Tank has a hard time leaving children behind if he can help it.
82	* NoOntologicalInertia: Once Zoners are freed, either through the destruction of a Zone Generator or by being physically removed from the Spiral Zone, they quickly return to normal with no lasting effects. The worst they seem to get is needing to be hospitalized for a couple of days.
83	* NonLethalWarfare: A JustifiedTrope because the Zone Riders don't want to hurt the victimized Zoners, and the Black Widows need LifeEnergy to power their Zone Generators.
84	* OneWordTitle: "Breakout", "Behemoth", "Seachase", "Oversight" and "Countdown".
85	* OurZombiesAreDifferent: The Zoners are essentially mindless TechnicallyLivingZombie slaves at the service of Overlord and his Black Widows, although they can still perform complex tasks. Promotional material explicitly states that Zoned humans follow the commands of anyone with a stronger will, which includes not just the Black Widows but the Zone Riders as well, as they are able command Zoned humans to get to safety during a cave-in.
86	* UsefulNotes/{{Philadelphia}}: Setting of "Overlord's Mystery Woman".
87	* {{Plaguemaster}}: Overlord is a high-tech variation of this trope, intending to take over the world via the Spiral Zone's mind control effect.
88	* PowerAtAPrice: The Black Widows' "Widow Maker" device immunizes them from the Spiral Zone's MindControl effect -- but it leaves them hideously disfigured, in a variation of EvilMakesYouUgly.
89	* PowerPincers: The Black Widows' Snapper Claws backpack has them.
90	* PsychoKnifeNut: Razorback of the Black Widows. He's an aggressive loudmouth whose specialty is bladed weapons.
91	* QuirkyMinibossSquad: While the Black Widows are serious villains, it's amusing to watch them continually insult and betray each other as they curry Overlord's favor.
92	* ResistanceIsFutile: The TitleSequence begins with Overlord [[BreakingTheFourthWall looking directly at the audience]] and saying "Surrender, or pay the consequences!"
93	* RockBeatsLaser: After the {{EMP}} attack in "Back to the Stone Age", the Zone Riders still save the day even after the Black Widows disable all their equipment, thanks to a group of Australian aborigines who teach them how to use primitive weaponry. However, they end up doing so with a fresh allotment of working weapons and vehicles.
94	* ShipTease: In the first episode. Katerina and Dirk talk about how after the Spiral Zone is no longer a threat they'll have time for "other things". There are a few hints in other episodes as well.
95	* UsefulNotes/StLouis: Setting of "Island in the Zone".
96	* SixthRanger: Ned Tucker and Ben Davis for the Zone Riders, Crook and Rawmeat for the Black Widows. The characters were added to the cast roughly midway through the series and were planned as action figures for the canceled second year of the toy line.
97	* SixtyFiveEpisodeCartoon: As was typical of cartoons of the time. 65 episodes were produced over a single season, and after that, nothing more.
98	* TheSmurfettePrinciple: The Zone Riders and the Black Widows have one female member each. Naturally, the heroic Zone Rider, Katerina Anastasia, is a Russian hottie (with a science degree to boot) because BeautyEqualsGoodness. Meanwhile, evil Black Widow Duchess Dire is grotesquely disfigured by a patch of red chitinous carapace covering half her skull (and sports an ominous "zoner" yellow eye as well), although her male teammates are equally ugly.
99	* SpidersAreScary: Presumably why the villains call themselves the Black Widows.
100	%%* TheSquad: The Zone Riders.
101	* SyntheticPlague: What the Spiral Zone boils down to, as it was created by MadScientist Overlord.
102	* ThereAreNoGlobalConsequences: [[SubvertedTrope Oh, there are]]. Aside from the obvious, in one episode it's a big deal when it's mentioned they might be able to get a baseball league going again with ''four'' whole teams.
103	* TronLines: They cover the scenery in the simulated battle zone in "Holographic Zone Battle".
104	* TwoFaced: All the Black Widows have their faces partially deformed by ThePlague, but Duchess Dire is probably the most classic example.
105	* {{Unobtainium}}: Neutron-90, the rare material that the Zone Riders' uniforms are made from; it protects the soldiers from the Spiral Zone's MindControl effect. The extremely limited amount of material is why the Zone Riders are such a small group.
106	%%* VillainExclusivityClause: Overlord trying to TakeOverTheWorld.
107	* WellIntentionedExtremist: The show [[DependingOnTheWriter occasionally]] attempts to depict Overlord as a sympathetic villain who only wants to rule the world so he can bring peace and order to it, but most of the time his supposed motivations tend to go ignored by the writing staff.
108	* WholePlotReference: "Zone of Darkness" is based on ''Literature/HeartOfDarkness''. As an additional ShoutOut, the two main guest star characters are named [[Creator/JosephConrad Conrad]] and Marlow.
109	%%* YouCantMakeAnOmelette: Ned uses this exact phrase in "Oversight."

Context WesternAnimation / SpiralZone