Thanks to Sosai Tim for passing on this information! In the current issue of Justice Society of America, a group of heroes are trying to come up with a name for their Team. Here's the panel: Good to know someone in current comics remembers!

Yes, it is. I collect comics, but that's not one of them. There was a cartoon version of Teen Titans a few years ago shown on Cartoon Network. Robin had a 'birdrang' that strongly resembled Ken's. When mentioned somewhere (I don't remember where) the artist admitted that it was in honor of Gatchaman.

I think Alex Ross credits BotP with his becoming a comics artist.

Originally posted by Becky Rock Yes, it is. I collect comics, but that's not one of them. There was a cartoon version of Teen Titans a few years ago shown on Cartoon Network. Robin had a 'birdrang' that strongly resembled Ken's. When mentioned somewhere (I don't remember where) the artist admitted that it was in honor of Gatchaman.

It is my understanding (and I'm no expert) that there have been a number of Gatchaman references in Teen Titans.

I think this is so cool! It's funny to see then sitting around trying to think of names, too!

A team name must be short, punchy, and not sound silly. Unless that's intended.

Came in to post this and you beat me to it TJ. Funny stuff ^.^

Good to know that our Science Ninja Team will never die ... they will always live in our hearts and in other's!

Neat! I find it amusing that they're referring to our Birdies as "that show," when they themselves are comic book characters. If I recall, in episode 85, Jinpei is shown reading comics -I will assume that he was reading about the fictional "Justice Society of America"!

Don't forget, in the Cataroller ep, Jinpei was interrupted from his comic book reading to answer the call to action!

Speaking of comic books, one time there was a Sonic The Hedgehog comic book that featured a Gatchaman parody. It's uploaded to some website, but I forgot which one.

That would be great to see, Martin!

HAHA .... I think there is another thread on that one ... LOL!! Move over Sonic the Hedgehog, I think ... Or is there a different one? SJ

Originally posted by SJ_SwanJun HAHA .... I think there is another thread on that one ... LOL!! Move over Sonic the Hedgehog, I think ... Or is there a different one? SJ

Yeah, I saw that not long after I made that reply.

Heh ... don't fret it Dark Writer ... I think I've done it more times than I can count. I actually originally posted a link to the picture on wiki last night ... then scrolled down through the messages and went "OOPS! Must edit my post" LOL! SJ

Originally posted by Becky Rock Yes, it is. I collect comics, but that's not one of them. There was a cartoon version of Teen Titans a few years ago shown on Cartoon Network. Robin had a 'birdrang' that strongly resembled Ken's. When mentioned somewhere (I don't remember where) the artist admitted that it was in honor of Gatchaman.

Thank You. My 12 year old daughter and I are both huge Teen Titans fans (comics and video). Now daddy made Gatchaman her new favorite show as well. And the question came up.... which came first??? Cuz Teen Titans were out in the comics before 1972. But I couldn't find when the Bird-a-Rang was introduced. That confirmed my assumptions because you are right...... there are quite a few Gatchaman references made in the Teen Titans show which is still currently on the air on Cartoon Network primetime.

'Birdrang' is fanon. Probably by association with the 'Batarang' of Batman. And the Japanese pronunciation of 'Bird Run!' can sound like 'Birdrang'. The SNT was modelled on American superheroe teams, making who influenced whom something of a problem to sort out. They set the template for the five-person team, right down to the characteristic members. The Hero (Ken), the Lancer/Rebel (Joe), the Action Girl (Jun), the Big Guy (Ryu), and the Mascot/Kid (Jinpei). These days, the formula varies more, but these guys started it.

I don't know about Teen Titans, but I do believe that Tatsuo Yoshida and his brothers were heavily influenced by Batman and Superman and other comics of the 1940's.

Originally posted by UnpublishedWriter The SNT was modelled on American superheroe teams, making who influenced whom something of a problem to sort out. They set the template for the five-person team, right down to the characteristic members. The Hero (Ken), the Lancer/Rebel (Joe), the Action Girl (Jun), the Big Guy (Ryu), and the Mascot/Kid (Jinpei). These days, the formula varies more, but these guys started it.

You know, that reminded me of a conversation I had with friends some time ago (and I'm talking back when the Lord of the Rings moves came out). Some of my younger friends went and saw the first one, but didn;t like it because it was "full of cliches". We explained gently that those cliches were original when this book was written. The same people didn't like Gatchaman because it was "formula anime". Once again, we pointed to the date it was made and explained the Truth.

Originally posted by Madilayn Some of my younger friends went and saw the first one, but didn;t like it because it was "full of cliches".

My DH said the same thing when I showed him the Godfather! What do you mean 'sleep with the fishes' isn't cliche?

Well, off the top of my head, IIRC, Teen Titans originally started as a team of big sidekicks in the late 60s-70s. It wasn't until the 80s that it became the Young Superhero team the cartoon is based off of. I remember reading a couple issues from the whole Trigon saga when my grandfather would get comic books at the Auction. I thought the cartoon was *okay*. I thought the "HAY GUYZ WE R ANIMAY" style was a little much at times. I recall Amano saying at a convention a while back that Tatsunoko were inspired by Batman when coming up with the team's bird motif.