History Of Space Ghost

Space Ghost is a fictional character created by Hanna-Barbera Productions and designed by Alex Toth for CBS. This was the first superhero who originated from a TV series, unlike other famous superheroes who originated from a comic book. Space Ghost was a series designed with intelligence and was a combination of smart storyline, good costume and crisp dialogue. It gave a new dimension to the superhero cartoons and the industry of animation. The character gained such popularity that a TV show called ‘Space Ghost Coast to Coast’ was eventually produced. Space Ghost is the only character in the cartoon industry that single-handedly popularized the superhero cartoons in the 1960s. It was a true example of a beautifully drawn series, with an apt story line and imagination, which made the kids stick to the CBS television, every Saturday morning. This article will provide you with interesting and amazing information on the history, origin and background of space ghost.

 

The history of the origin of the fictional character “Space Ghost” is quite different from its counterparts. It was one of the famous superheroes that came out of the Saturday morning show, unlike Superman, Batman and Spiderman, who originated from comic books and then entered the television and movie world subsequently. Space Ghost was created by Hanna-Barbera Productions and was designed by Alex Toth for the CBS Pictures. The use of baleful costumes, bright colors and sleek lines by Alex Toth gave Space Ghost immense popularity and made him the first fictional character that originated on television to have a large number of fan followings. Space Ghost gave a new dimension to the concept of cartooning and animation in the 1960s.

 

Space Ghost debuted in 1966 with the series ‘Space Ghost and Dino Boy’. The character got the name ‘Space Ghost’, as he was able to make himself invisible by using the high-tech wizardry. His powers included heat rays, cold rays and plain old power blasts from the wrist bands. Cruising his way in the ship, ‘The Phantom Cruiser’, Space Ghost traveled along with the teenage duo, Jan and Jayce, who assisted the superhero in his endeavors. Like Space Ghost, the duo could get invisible as well. Gary Owens gave his voice for the character Space Ghost, along with Tim Matheson and Ginny Tyler voicing for Jace and Jan, respectively. This Space Ghost series got quite popular and conquered the television screen from 1966 until 1968. Space Ghost also shared the screen with a segment called ‘Dino Boy in the Lost Valley’.

 

Space Ghost even had its comic history. In the late 1960s, Gold Key Comics published an issue of Space Ghost in its own comics for the first time. The character appeared even in the compendium titled ‘Hanna-Barbera Super TV Heroes’, which featured other Saturday morning heroes as well. The character got place in the third Marvel Comics’ “Hanna Barbera TV Stars” that was a special superhero series. It was NBC that got back Space Ghost with the repeats of the series in 1976. This repeat series was accompanied by new episodes of Frankenstein Jr. He also appeared in a totally new segment of space stars in 1981, continuing its era of fame and success.

 

With the increasing popularity, Space Ghost was reinvented by Cartoon Network in a hilarious nighttime talk show called ‘Space Ghost Coast to Coast’. The show began its broadcast on Cartoon Network in the year 1994. Zorak and Moltar, one time villains, shared the desk with Space Ghost and acted as his sidekicks. The talk show was intended to spoof few late night shows such as David Letterman's Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra. Space Ghost interviewed celebrities in his own hilarious ways. In 1997, Archie Comics published Space Ghost with an art by Scott Rosema, based on Coast to Coast. Latest publication of the character was in 2004 by DC comics as a mini-series. These series featured a serious science fiction, space opera version of the character.