The Lightning League drives white and silver vehicles with assorted weaponry, and are led by a teenager named Jayce. The villains are organic green vegetable-based creatures called the Monster Minds, who tend to take the shape of black and green vehicles. They travel via large green organic vines which can grow in and across interstellar space, and sprout seeds that rapidly grow into further Monster Minds. They are led by Saw Boss.
CreatorsJ. Michael Straczynski, Jean Chalopin
Escape from the Garden of Evil
Sep 1, 1985
When one of Audric's experiments goes wrong, Saw Boss and the Monster Minds are created and set out to conquer the galaxy. Audric creates a magic root which can fight the Monster Minds but it is split into two, one half is taken by Audric, the other by his son, Jayce. The Lightning League seek the help of Herc Stormsailor to escape the planet and locate Audric.
The Vase of Xiang
Sep 11, 1985
Jayce travels to Xiang in search of a secret message left by his father in a vase. Saw Boss realises what Jayce is looking for and orders all vases destroyed and Jayce must locate the vase before the message is lost forever.
Steel Against Shadow
Sep 17, 1985
The Lightning League go in search of the Helmet of Valroth, which could be a powerful weapon against the Monster Minds but the power of the helmet starts to change Jayce.
Silver Crusaders
Sep 17, 1985
The Lightning League discover the Monster Minds about to take over a planet where all plantlife grows to many times its original size. Fearing an army of gigantic Monster Mind drones, they go in search for allies to help the fight, but find the native order of knights very hostile to all foreigners.
Ghostship
Sep 19, 1985
Jayce is led to an abandoned ship by a signal from his father. Jayce finds his father has left a message for him but he needs more power from the Pride to receive the coordinates of his father's destination. A self-destruct mechanism is activated.
Flora, Fauna and the Monster Minds
Sep 23, 1985
Monster Minds are planted aboard the Pride to contaminate the water supply. The water is jettisoned, forcing Herc to land the Pride in search of water and a Cobalt-49 crystal to repair the guidance system damaged by the vines. This is Saw Boss' trap.
Fire and Ice
Sep 25, 1985
To lure Jayce to his death, Saw Boss puts a marker in the shape of the root on an ice planet that is about to be destroyed by a volcano. Herc lands the Pride on the ice which is then nearly covered by an avalanche. The native people seek help.
Space Outlaws
Sep 27, 1985
Jayce's search for Audric leads him Taber's Belt the home of the Pirate's Guild led by Morgana, an old friend of Herc. When the Pirates, who are working for the Monster Minds, capture the Pride, the League must try to escape and break Morgana free from Saw Boss' influence.
Future of the Future
Oct 1, 1985
Having lost Audric's trail, Gillian takes Jayce to the place where all time meets in order to show him the future and track down Audric. Jayce sees a future where the Monster Minds stand unopposed and only by confronting Saw Boss can he change the future and save his father and the galaxy.
Underwater
Oct 3, 1985
Audric's image is being projected from a body of water on a planet. Jayce goes down to investigate even though Monster Minds are busy draining the water off. Jayce meets the fish people, the X'Hal, and the Old One, and they communicate by telepathy.
Frostworld
Oct 7, 1985
On the ice planet Auriga, revolutionary leader Cyrilla makes a deal with Saw Boss -- she delivers Jayce in return for Saw Boss deposing the gangster casino owner, Marduk, who's made slaves of everyone on the planet. Cyrilla realizes her error.
Critical Mass
Oct 9, 1985
After launching setting up a Monster Mind infested galaxy to collapse into a black hole, the League discovers human lifesigns on an asteroid. Jayce is determined to save him, but has less than 3 hours before it's too late.
The Purple Tome
Oct 11, 1985
The guardians of the Great Library of Hebron contact Jayce for assistance when they come under attack from Monster Minds. The Lightning League must prevent Saw Boss from stealing the Purple Tome, a book which contains the spells used by the ancient Ashvar civilisation.
Hook, Line and Sinker
Oct 15, 1985
The Monster Minds set a trap for Jayce, offering him Audric in exchange for the root. Audric proves to be just an illusion generated by King Phineas after Saw Boss threatened to destroy his planet. The Lightning League and King Phineas must work together to fight the Monster Minds and save his people.
Bloodstone
Oct 7, 1985
Saw Boss lures the Lightning League to Kyros, a planet which is being turned into crystal after the power of the Bloodstone was drained by the Monster Minds. Jayce must restore power to the Bloodstone and use it to save the planet before it is too late.
The Slaves of Adelbaren
Oct 21, 1985
The people of Adelbaron are forced to slave in mines that produce rich nourishment for the Monster Mind vines. Saw Boss captures the young brother and sister of Kumari to force her to brig Jayce to him. Kumari is picked up in space by the Pride.
The Hunt
Oct 23, 1985
Saw Boss agrees to allow Orion, a hunter who hunts only the most worthy prey, to hunt for Jayce. Orion captures Jayce and takes him to the planet Mortaros to carry out the hunt. Flora undergoes a dangerous procedure to heighten her sensitivity to the root and help the Lightning League find Jayce.
Blockade Runners
Oct 25, 1985
The planet Baz sprays all their plants with pesticide to keep the Monster Minds from invading their planet, but the Monster Minds send vines to cut them off from outside shipments of food. Zena, the princess of the planet, contacts Jayce for help, but when the Lightning League arrives on Baz the pesticides begin to kill Flora, and the Monster Minds prevent them from taking her to safety.
The Sleeping Princess
Oct 29, 1985
In search of a message from Audric, Jayce lands on a planet protected by telepathic plants which keep the planet concealed. Saw Boss makes a deal with a wicket wizard who has put a sleeping spell on the princess who controls the plants.
Deadly Reunion
Oct 31, 1985
By using a lock of Audric's hair, Saw Boss creates a clone which tricks Jayce into a trap. Gillian suspects the truth and convinces Jayce to leave the root behind as a precaution. Jayce is captured and a clone of Jayce is sent back for the root.
Sky Kingdom
Nov 4, 1985
Computer calculations give Zartan Omega as the probable location of Audric. This planet is covered with blue light from the red dwarf sun and grows only giant flowers. Upon reaching it, though, they discover Monster Minds have set up a satellite.
Quest into Shadow
Nov 6, 1985
An unconquered planet in the midst of Monster Minds intrigues the Lightning League and they go to investigate. Upon crash landing they discover the energy of the Pride and the vehicles and their own energy is being drained.
Unexpected Trouble
Nov 8, 1985
The Lightning League heads for the junk planet, Xeron III, to use the metal as a giant antenna to send radio signals throughout the universe in an attempt to contact Audric. An old woman, Iana, lives on the planet with an odd assortment of creatures.
Bounty Hunters
Nov 12, 1985
Saw Boss offers a huge reward to pirates and cut-throats if they will deliver Jayce to him. A pirate scratches Herc with his special ring which causes Herc to become evil and start plotting against Jayce. Jayce must take the Pride to Planet Hippo.
Double Deception
Nov 14, 1985
Neetra manages to get a message out regarding her planet, Tekka. Monster Minds are about to attack to acquire their powerful fuel, miran, to power his missiles. The Vertim and Batim colonies rival each other for control of the pyramid made of miran.
Gate World
Nov 18, 1985
Lost and dangerously low on fuel, the Lightning League searches for Gate World, a legendary gateway to any spot in the universe. Gillian adapts the scanner and the Pride lands in the centre of some stonework on a beautiful planet.
Space Thief
Nov 20, 1985
Two planets, one full of people, are on a collision course. Gillian devises a potion to make the Monster Minds on the deserted planet grow only on one side. The unevenly distributed weight will cause the planet to split, avoiding a collision.
Moon Magic
Nov 22, 1985
Gillian and all the wizards of the universe gather together to combine their powers in the orb which then receives strength from the night moon. Saw Boss has captured the night moon and hopes to capture power for evil doing.
Affair of Honor
Nov 26, 1985
Jayce pleads with Herc's former intergalactic commando leader, General Zhest, to help them fight Monster Minds. The general is too afraid of Saw Boss and Jayce persuades Zhest's son to join the fight. Saw Boss poisons the water of the planet.
Doom Flower
Nov 2, 1985
While investigating convoys of slaves and equipment heading for the Black Nebula, the Lightning League hear rumours that the Monster Minds are building Doom Flower, a space station that will carry them to another universe with more suns and nutrients, allowing them to grow powerful and return unstoppable.
The Stallions of Sandeen
Dec 2, 1985
Saw Boss invents a thermal ray which dangerously overheats the Pride's engines forcing the Lightning League to land on Sandeen in search of amethysts, a cooling gem which can protect the engines.
Brain Trust
Dec 4, 1985
Saw Boss is capturing all the scientists of a Brain Trust by luring them with a false message from Audric to his radiation surrounded base. Jayce stumbles upon the plan and smuggles himself, Flora, Gillian, Oon and the vehicles onto the base.
Lightning Strikes Twice
Dec 6, 1985
With a few clues and a little conjuring, Gillian produces a map showing the destination of the original Lightning League that disappeared years ago. In a far off place untouched by Saw Boss, Jayce is disgusted to find them playing war games.
The Liberty Stone
Dec 10, 1985
The powerful liberty stone protects Aloar from all invaders by creating the spidereen whirlpool. Gillian brings the league to this planet to see his old magician friend Axilar and to use the stone to seek Audric's whereabouts.
The Vines
Dec 12, 1985
The Lightning League stumbles upon a parasitic colony of creatures living on Monster Minds vines; Gillian discovers that the vines are concealing the Liberty Stone.
The Spacefighter
Dec 16, 1985
Vantu's sorcery continues. Flora is still sick and very contagious. They head for the planet Andarin with it's powerful energy strong enough to save Flora. Unfortunately, they are heading right into a trap of Vantu's. They find the wizard, Warp.
Heart of Paxtar
Dec 18, 1985
The Lightning League discovers the Liberty Stone on Paxtar and once again they go in search of it, hoping that its power will lead them to Audric. Gillian alters their body structure so they can withstand the gravity pressure on Paxtar.
Appointment at Forever
Dec 20, 1985
Gillian and Flora sense Vantu's presence again and Gillian also senses a great deal of power. Vantu has captured the magic of the world and put it in a pyramid. When he delivers Jayce to Saw Boss, the power will be his to use without interference.
What's Going On?
Dec 24, 1985
After intercepting a message to Saw Boss regarding the rich soil of a planet, the Lightning League lands there to warn the inhabitants. They are confronted with hundreds of toys and toy people.
Dark Singer
Dec 26, 1985
The Lightning League stops on a planet to warn its two occupants of Monster Minds taking over the galaxy. Selena has the rare gift of song -- she can sing anything into being, or destroy it.
Swamp Witch
Dec 28, 1985
To save time the Pride goes through, instead of around, the Phantom Nebula to warn the legendary Swap Witch of Saw Boss' imminent arrival. Flora feels her presence and Swamp Witch reveals herself to Flora.
Deadly Reflections
Dec 31, 1985
The Lightning League install a shield around the planet Eldor to protect its inhabitants from the Monster Minds. As they leave the planet Saw Boss lures them into a trap, a portal to a negative universe.
Early Warning
Jan 2, 1986
Saw Boss learns the Vine Stopper, a weapon created by Audric, could be reversed to speed up the vines' growth and sends troops to capture it. When the Lightning League hear of Saw Boss' plans they race to where Audric has hidden the device to secure it before the Monster Minds can but accidentally trigger a self destruct sequence that threatens to destroy the device and the whole planet.
A Question of Conscience
Jan 6, 1986
Years ago Ghash was turned into a winged monster by a wizard when his greed led him to attempt to take the wizard's book of magic spells. Ghash makes a deal with Saw Boss to lure Jayce into a trap.
Life Ship
Jan 7, 1986
The Lightning League try to stop Saw Boss from taking control of the Edro Lifeship, a vessel which has been transporting the Edro civilisation towards a new home for 5000 years. The Edro defence system, Myrmidon, seems oblivious of the Monster Minds presence and refuses to let Jayce speak to the Edro and warn them of the danger they face.
The Mirage Makers
Jan 8, 1986
The Lightning League lands on a desert planet with no plant life, assuming that is where Audric would be. They are mistakenly led by a mirage of Audric to try and rescue him but they are attacked by the native nomads who have been tricked.
Do Not Disturb
Jan 9, 1986
While teaching the cat people of a planet war strategy, Oon wanders from lecture to lecture feeling unneeded and worthless. Gillian discovers the planet houses a Nightwalker, which is kept behind enormous tall doors and sealed with a gold symbol.
Dream World
Jan 10, 1986
Unknown to Herc, he falls into a trap set by Saw Boss when he wins a bet and the map to Dream World. Helicia, keeper of Dream World, must accept them or face destruction from Saw Boss. Everything goes beautifully.
The Children of Solarus II
Jan 13, 1986
The root is starting to wither and the only cure for it is a dose of the ion winds on Solarus II, a planet controlled by Saw Boss. He destroyed the Solarian people and now uses the healing powers of the winds for his vines.
The Gardener
Jan 14, 1986
While stopping on a dead planet looking for Audric, the Lightning League crosses path with one of the Vizani, a gardener named Faro who with a few seeds and his own power brings life to the planet.
Armada
Jan 16, 1986
Saw Boss has developed a new vine, a madness vine, which drives men crazy, and he is luring the greatest Armada of the Tengu to fight him. Jayce tries to warn Prince Akeer not to fight but they are insulted by the thought of defeat or not accepting.
The Chimes of Sharpis
Jan 22, 1986
Curious as to the persistence of Monster Minds attacking a force field, Jayce lands on the protected planet and discovers the creatures there live by the chimes which are keyed to the growing frequencies of plants.
Galaxy Gamester
Jan 24, 1986
Jayce follows a clue to Audric and meets up with the gambler Vendetta who has a tape regarding his father, but Jayce has to win it in a game. It is a trap laid by Saw Boss. Vendetta plays a game with Herc to settle an old debt of Herc's.
Circus Planet
Jan 28, 1986
Jayce finds a message from Audric telling him to go to the circus planet. The root reacts to the nearness of Audric. Everyone splits up to find him, but unfortunately Saw Boss has followed Jayce there.
Common Bond
Jan 30, 1986
Gar lies to his son and daughter, Octo and Seena, saying Audric stole the root that he developed and that Jayce has taken credit for everything. Gar is taken by Saw Boss and instructs Octo to get help from the Lightning League.
Mistress of Soul Tree
Feb 3, 1986
Saw Boss tricks Iridel, the Mistress of Soul Tree, telling her Jayce is evil and the root belongs to him. Iridel gets the root and uses the plant life to imprison Jayce. Saw Boss' evil is revealed to her but not before he gains control of Soul Tree.
The Life Eater
Feb 5, 1986
Saw Boss enlists the aid of the Life Eater to be rid of Jayce, but the job must be done by the Life Eater's conditions: he causes his subjects to face their worst fears and if they weaken even for a moment, give in to their fears, and betray their friends, their life force is trapped forever by the Life Eater.
Wasteland
Feb 7, 1986
Jayce, suspicious of a trap, is nevertheless lured to a radiation hot planet by Dr. Zorg, a bitter rival of Audric's. Flora and Herc stay behind as backup, but their vehicles are damaged by an enormous mutation and they are exposed to radiation and rendered useless to Jayce where he, Gillian and Oon are indeed trapped.
The Oracle
Feb 11, 1986
The planet Pax refuses to take the Lightning League's warning of an invasion of Monster Minds preferring to listen to the oracle -- a hologram of Audric. Turns out the oracle is actually a handicapped princess who has been ruling the planet since her father's death.
Short Circuit, Long Wait
Feb 13, 1986
The Lightning League visits a planet which harbors the greatest computer ever built, hoping its terminals hold information on Audric's whereabouts. The computer, Logos, keeps switching back Audric forth between helping and fighting Jayce.
Time and Time Again
Feb 17, 1986
A tussle with a comet hurls the Pride and crew twenty-five years back in time to Jayce's home planet. They search and find Audric when he was a student. Jayce tells him he is his son and after much hesitation, Audric almost believes him.
The Source
Feb 19, 1986
Saw Boss and Monster Minds are blocking sunlight to a planet making it too cold for that planet's defensive humruns (large bugs) to be capable of fighting and eating the Monster Mind vines.
The Raid
Feb 21, 1986
Jal Rorda, Audric's loyal friend, is tricked and captured by Saw Boss where the evil scientist, Dr. Zorg, is zapping him with the mindsifter to discover Audric's whereabouts. Jayce defies Saw Boss and goes to the planet Nar to rescue Jal Gorda.
The Squire Smith
Feb 25, 1986
Oon is recalled by the Squire Smith for his obvious fear in the face of Monster Minds. Oon fears he will be melted down. Upon arriving on the Squire Smith's planet, Oon walks into a trap set by Monster Minds.
Final Ride at Journey's End
Feb 27, 1986
Answering a plea for help in fighting Monster Minds, the Lightning League heads for the planet Argus Four, along with an arrogant loner, Aragon. Aragon, full of anger and pain, is out to destroy Saw Boss and the Monster Minds no matter what the cost.
GenerationofSwine
@GenerationofSwine
I remember playing with the toys in the car on the way to the Field Museum as a child, and growing up in the sticks, that was a LONG drive. So, I was about 5 and that was prime territory for a cartoon about people that drive cool vehicles and fight people that drive grotesque vehicles that look like nightmarish monsters, which always appeals to little boys doesn't it? It was like they had a check list and hit all the little boy boxes. Kind of a Knight in shining armor story, check. Magic powers. Check. Disgusting monsters. Check. Violence. Check. Cars. Check. Cool MacGuffin. Check. Science. Check. Science Fiction. Check. Check. Check. Check. I have no idea what I would think of it now as an adult, but as a kid it hit everything that I obsessed over.
