Sword & Sorcery meets Science Fiction in this deluxe DVD set!
BLACKSTAR — THE COMPLETE SERIES
COLLECTOR'S EDITION DVD SET
Released by BCI Eclipse / Ink & Paint
Featuring a documentary directed and scripted by Andy Mangels, as well as commentary tracks hosted by him!
In Stores August 22, 2006.
Click here to purchase Blackstar — The Complete Series on Amazon
Blackstar — The Complete Series includes:
• "The Magic of Filmation" — An exciting look at the history of the company and creators behind Blackstar and many other animated legends!
• Two episode commentary tracks with producer Lou Scheimer, animator Mike Bennett, writer Michael Reaves, writer Marc Scott Zicree, animator Michael Swanigan, and host/moderator Andy Mangels.
• Extensive gallery of original model sheets, sketches, and presentation artwork of heroes and villains
• Trivia
• DVD ROM Features—all 13 episodic scripts and 5 complete storyboards (PDF format, PC/Mac readable)
REVIEWS
"Here's what I like about BCI: they're willing to put the effort into even the weakest of their properties. Their collection of "Blackstar: The Complete Series" is pretty darn impressive, knowing that the show's cult following deserves more than a sloppy bare-bones package. If you're coming to this set as a lifelong fan or as someone looking for some serious nostalgia, you'll be quite pleased...Individual interviews with the various writers, artists, and producers behind "Blackstar" give an admirable chunk of behind-the-scenes information."
Read the rest of the review from DVDTalk.com
"For such a short series, Blackstar receives a top-shelf treatment... While not quite He-Man, Blackstar delivers in the sword and sorcery department, flush with all the elements necessary to a Filmation series. His sword may be dorky, and the fur might chafe, but Blackstar knows how to bring the pain. And another fantastic set by BCI."
Read the rest of the review from DVD Verdict
"What separates Blackstar from the Flash Gordon and John Carter archetypes is the infusion of magic, and the kid friendly supporting cast... The special features are a nice, but mixed, package. Grade B-"
Read the rest of the review from TheTrades.com
"Some of these shows would be lost to memory if it weren’t for the effort of BCI and Ink and Paint. What is also good about their animated TV on DVD titles is that they put as much time and energy into the lesser known titles as they do more popular titles..."
Read the rest of the review from IMissthe80s.com
"As always, BCI Eclipse's Ink & Paint brand has put together an excellent two-disc set for Blackstar, which includes a fantastic documentary on Filmation...As long as BCI Eclipse keeps putting together great cult cartoon releases like this, I think they'll have a solid fan base. Grade B+"
Read the rest of the review from DVD Snapshot
"Finally, the DVD boxed set fans have all been waiting for...The DVD quality is exceptional. If the animation looks more brightly colored than you remember, that's because the negatives have all been cleaned and fully restored. The sound quality is also excellent...All in all, the DVD is worth getting."
Read the rest of the review from the web's largest Blackstar webpage
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22nd, 2006
NAVARRE CORPORATION’S BCI ANNOUNCES
ITS NEXT DVD RELEASE FROM THE
1980s FILMATION CATALOG
“BLACKSTAR”
All 13 Episodes From Original Animated Sci-Fi Series
Available in Two-Disc Set on August 22nd for $19.98
Los Angeles, CA – BCI, a wholly owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, continues releasing 1980s animation titles from Filmation with the upcoming release of the ground-breaking animated adventure series “Blackstar.” Originally aired in 1981, “Blackstar” follows the fantastic tale of an astronaut sucked through a black hole, who finds himself stranded on a faraway planet, facing enchantment and danger! This two-disc, 13-episode set, from BCI's Ink & Paint brand, and media company and underlying rights owner, Entertainment Rights Plc (“ER”), will be available on August 22nd at a suggested retail price of $19.98.
“Filmation released an eclectic array of animated titles throughout the ‘80s, and ‘Blackstar’ was one of the more cult-type series adored by fans,” said Jeff Hayne, Director of Acquisitions, BCI. “Mixing sword-and-sorcery elements with science fiction, the show was very popular during its original run in 1981, and its creators at Filmation credit it as a direct precursor to the popular series ‘He-Man and the Masters of the Universe®.’ We’re fortunate to be able to release the entire ‘Blackstar’ series on DVD for its loyal fan base.”
In “Blackstar,” when his space shuttle is pulled through a black hole, astronaut John Blackstar finds himself crash-landing on the distant planet Sagar. There, he is rescued by the gentle Trobbits, a race small in stature but big in courage. Sagar's inhabitants are threatened by the brutal tyranny of the Overlord, a dark magician who possesses the Power Sword, one half of the powerful Powerstar. Blackstar soon gains the other half of the weapon, the Star Sword, and allies himself with others — the shape-shifter Klone, the sorceress, Mara, and a dragon named Warlock — to bring freedom and peace to Sagar.
Special features include:
• Interviews with creators Lou Scheimer, Michael Swanigan, Marc Scott Zicree, Michael Reaves, Robert Kline, Robby London and Ted Field.
• "The Magic of Filmation" documentary tracking the history of Filmation, and its quarter-century legacy of popular animated and live-action series
• Full episode audio commentary track for Episode 2 - “Search for the Starsword” featuring producer Lou Scheimer and animator Mike Bennett. Hosted by Andy Mangels.
• Full episode audio commentary track for Episode 13—“The Zombie Master”— featuring creators Michael Reaves, Marc Scott Zicree and Michael Swanigan. Hosted by Andy Mangels
• Image gallery of original “heroes and villains” model sheets and sketches, plus a gallery of presentation artwork and backgrounds uses in the series
• Spanish language tracks for all 13 episodes
• DVD-ROM features – scripts for all 13 episodes, 5 complete storyboards
• Trivia
• Digital restoration
As with the best-selling He-Man® and She-Ra® releases, consulting with BCI on the project and producing the special features, documentaries and most of the extra content is entertainment writer Andy Mangels, www.andymangels.com, a best-selling novelist, and author of Animation on DVD—The Ultimate Guide.
Under its Ink & Paint brand, BCI has to date released the following titles from the classic Filmation library:
The Best of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe®
[2005 TV DVD Award for Best 1980’s Series release]
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe® Season One Volumes I & II
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe® Season Two Volume I
The Best of She-Ra, Princess of Power®
He-Man and She-Ra: A Christmas Special
Prince Valiant
Flash Gordon
Space Sentinels & The Freedom Force — The Complete Series
And now:
Blackstar — The Complete Series
About BCI
BCI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is an independent entertainment video and audio supplier. BCI has continually redefined the standards and concepts of this industry, often introducing national success categories through its marketing programs. Its vast collection of titles represents both exclusively licensed titles from around the world, as well as in-house produced CDs and DVDs. Under its Ink & Paint brand, it releases classic animation on award-winning DVD sets. www.InkAndPaintDVD.com.
OTHER FILMATION & HEARST DVDs
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And scroll down this page for Press Releases and more fun!
THE BEST OF HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE:
TOP 10 COLLECTOR'S EDITION DVD SET
Click Here to Go to this Page!
2005 TV DVD AWARDS — Best 1980s Release
Two new half-hour+ documentaries directed and scripted by Andy Mangels!
Released July 12, 2005.
Click here to purchase The Best of He-Man at Amazon
Click here to purchase Best of He-Man 1 PSP at Amazon
Click here to purchase Best of He-Man 2 PSP at Amazon
HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE:
SEASON ONE, VOLUME ONE BOXED DVD SET
Click Here to Go to this Page!
Two new half-hour+ documentaries directed and scripted by Andy Mangels!
Released October 18, 2005.
Click here to purchase He-Man Season 1 Volume 1 at Amazon
HE-MAN AND SHE-RA
A CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Click Here to Go to this Page!
Two new half-hour+ documentaries directed and scripted by Andy Mangels!
In Stores December 6, 2005.
Click here to purchase He-Man and She-Ra A Christmas Special at Amazon
Click here to purchase the UK/BRITISH version of He-Man and She-Ra A Christmas Special at Amazon UK
HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE:
SEASON ONE, VOLUME TWO BOXED DVD SET
Click Here to Go to this Page!
Two new half-hour+ documentaries directed and scripted by Andy Mangels!
In Stores February 14, 2006.
Click here to purchase He-Man Season 1 Volume 2 at Amazon
HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE:
SEASON TWO, VOLUME ONE BOXED DVD SET
Click Here to Go to this Page!
Two new half-hour+ documentaries directed and scripted by Andy Mangels, plus commentary tracks hosted by him!
In Stores June 6, 2006.
Click here to purchase He-Man Season 2 Volume 1 at Amazon
THE LEGEND OF PRINCE VALIANT: THE COMPLETE SERIES, VOLUME 1
COLLECTOR'S EDITION DVD SET
Click Here to Go to this Page!
Featuring interviews and commentary tracks directed and hosted by Andy Mangels!
In Stores July 4, 2006.
Click here to purchase The Legend of Prince Valiant, Volume One on Amazon
THE BEST OF SHE-RA: PRINCESS OF POWER:
TOP 5 EPISODES &
"SECRET OF THE SWORD"
COLLECTOR'S EDITION DVD SET
Click Here to Go to this Page!
Featuring a new documentary directed and scripted by Andy Mangels, as well as commentary tracks hosted by him!
In Stores July 18, 2006.
Click here to purchase Best of She-Ra on Amazon
FLASH GORDON — THE COMPLETE SERIES
COLLECTOR'S EDITION DVD SET
Click Here to Go to this Page!
Featuring a new documentary directed and scripted by Andy Mangels, as well as commentary tracks hosted by him!
In Stores July 18, 2006.
Click here to purchase Flash Gordon — The Complete Series on Amazon
SPACE SENTINELS & FREEDOM FORCE — THE COMPLETE SERIES
COLLECTOR'S EDITION DVD SET
Click Here to Go to this Page!
Featuring interviews and documentary directed and hosted by Andy Mangels!
In Stores August 22, 2006.
Click here to purchase Space Sentinels & Freedom Force — The Complete Series on Amazon
BLACKSTAR — THE COMPLETE SERIES
COLLECTOR'S EDITION DVD SET
Click Here to Go to this Page!
Featuring interviews, documentary, and commentary tracks directed and hosted by Andy Mangels!
In Stores August 22, 2006.
Click here to purchase Blackstar — The Complete Series on Amazon
HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE:
SEASON TWO, VOLUME TWO BOXED DVD SET
Click Here to Go to this Page!
Two new half-hour+ documentaries directed and scripted by Andy Mangels, plus commentary tracks hosted by him!
In Stores September 19, 2006.
Click here to purchase He-Man Season 2 Volume 2 at Amazon
DEFENDERS OF THE EARTH: VOLUME ONE BOXED DVD SET
Click Here to Go to this Page!
Featuring interviews and commentary tracks directed and hosted by Andy Mangels!
In Stores October 10, 2006.
Click here to purchase Defenders of the Earth: Volume One at Amazon
GROOVIE GOOLIES: SATURDAY "MOURNING" COLLECTION BOXED DVD SET
Click Here to Go to this Page!
includes Special Features co-produced by Andy Mangels!
In Stores October 24, 2006.
Click here to purchase Groovie Goolies — The Saturday "Mourning" Collection on Amazon
JOURNEY BACK TO OZ:
SPECIAL EDITION DVD
Click Here to Go to this Page!
Featuring a commentary track hosted by Andy Mangels, as well as Special Features produced by him!
In Stores October 24, 2006.
Click here to purchase Journey Back To Oz — Special Edition on Amazon
SHE-RA: PRINCESS OF POWER:
SEASON ONE, VOLUME ONE
BOXED DVD SET
Click Here to Go to this Page!
Featuring a new documentary directed and scripted by Andy Mangels, as well as commentary tracks hosted by him!
In Stores November 7, 2006.
Click here to purchase She-Ra S1V1 on Amazon
ARK II — THE COMPLETE SERIES
COLLECTOR'S DVD SET
Click Here to Go to this Page!
Featuring a new documentary directed and scripted by Andy Mangels, as well as commentary tracks hosted by him!
In Stores November 7, 2006.
Click here to purchase Ark II on Amazon
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS — THE COMPLETE SERIES
COLLECTOR'S DVD SET
Click Here to Go to this Page!
Featuring a new documentary directed and scripted by Andy Mangels, as well as commentary tracks hosted by him!
In Stores December 5, 2006.
Click here to purchase Dungeons & Dragons: The Complete Series on Amazon