Avenger Penguins was an animated series produced by Cosgrove Hall Films

Cosgrove Hall Films

Cosgrove Hall Films was a British animation studio based in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, that once was a major producer of children's television programmes. Cosgrove Hall's programmes are still seen in over eighty countries...

 in 1993, it was animated by Alfonso Productions, a Spanish based animation studio also responsible for bringing Cosgrove's previous show Fantomcat

Fantomcat

Fantomcat was an animated series produced by Cosgrove Hall Films, it was first broadcast in 1995 and was animated after Avenger Penguins in 1994 by Alfonso Productions, a Spanish based animation studio. It aired largely on Children's ITV. The show also had a brief run on Pop...

 to life. It aired largely on Children's ITV

CITV

CITV is a British television channel from ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It broadcasts content from the CITV archive, as well as commissions and acquisitions. CITV itself is the programming block on the main ITV Network .The CITV channel broadcasts from 06:00 to 18:00...

 and was originally to be called "Hell's Penguins". It has the distinction of being the last Cosgrove Hall cartoon to be animated using hand painted animation cells, as all 2D animated series from the studio thereafter would use computers for the ink and paint process; with the animation drawings scanned and then digitally coloured.

The story revolves around three bike riding Penguins that inhabit Big City, uniting to protect it and its citizens from the evil Caractacus P. Doom, an insane and reclusive criminal scientist. The Penguins attempt to prevent Doom's schemes but find themselves often hampered by their own miscommunicating and occasional scraps with other biker gangs infesting Big City, such as The Stink Brothers, a rodent squad of Hell's Angels. As with most Cosgrove Hall cartoons, the series poked fun at the popular concepts of having creatures performing inhuman action feats and stunts in an animated medium, made popular by the then enormously successful Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a fictional team of four teenage anthropomorphic turtles, who were trained by their anthropomorphic rat sensei in the art of ninjutsu and named after four Renaissance artists...

 franchise, and at its core the show's themes heavily rung of Biker Mice from Mars

Biker Mice from Mars

Biker Mice from Mars is a science fiction animated series created by Rick Ungar that began airing in 1993 in the United States and lasted for three seasons before it was cancelled...

. The cast, like Danger Mouse and Count Duckula

Count Duckula

Count Duckula is a British animated television series created by British studio Cosgrove Hall, and a spin-off from DangerMouse, a show in which the Count Duckula character was a recurring villain. The series first aired on September 6, 1988 and was produced by Thames Television for 3 seasons and...

 had with David Jason

David Jason

Sir David John White, OBE , better known by his stage name David Jason, is an English BAFTA award-winning actor. He is best known as the main character Derek "Del Boy" Trotter on the BBC sit-com Only Fools and Horses from 1981, the voice of Mr Toad in The Wind In The Willows and as detective Jack...

, boasted a star talent in a major role, this time in the form of Mike McShane

Mike McShane

Michael "Mike" McShane is an American actor, singer, and improvisational comedian who first became known through his appearances in the early 1990s on the British version of the television show Whose Line Is It Anyway?-Biography:...

 as the Penguin's un-coordinated but brash leader Marlon, as well as the villainous Doom. To show how the series was mocking the often rushed animation style of the original TMNT series, two supporting characters known as "The Badly Drawn Brothers" were always left with the design construction lines still showing out of deliberate neglect.

Pop culture references were found in abundance in many of the episodes and in the characters, Doom himself is patterned on an elderly Orson Welles

Orson Welles

George Orson Welles , best known as Orson Welles, was an American film director, actor, theatre director, screenwriter, and producer, who worked extensively in film, theatre, television and radio...

, Harry Slime (who talks like Peter Lorre

Peter Lorre

Peter Lorre was an Austrian-American actor frequently typecast as a sinister foreigner.He caused an international sensation in 1931 with his portrayal of a serial killer who preys on little girls in the German film M...

) in the meantime is based somewhat on Harry Lime, a character from the movie The Third Man

The Third Man

The Third Man is a 1949 British film noir, directed by Carol Reed and starring Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Orson Welles, and Trevor Howard. Many critics rank it as a masterpiece, particularly remembered for its atmospheric cinematography, performances, and unique musical score...

. The season 2 episode, "The 23rd Century" also served as a parody of Star Trek

Star Trek

Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...

.

The entire series was released on a three disc DVD box set in March 2006 alongside Alias the Jester

Alias the Jester

Alias the Jester is an animated series created by Cosgrove Hall Films, airing in 13 episodes on ITV starting on November 13, 1985. The show also aired during the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's after school timeslot and is considered one of the Classic ABC shows.-Synopsis:The show follows...

.

Voices

• Mike McShane
  Mike McShane
  Michael "Mike" McShane is an American actor, singer, and improvisational comedian who first became known through his appearances in the early 1990s on the British version of the television show Whose Line Is It Anyway?-Biography:...
  
   (Marlon/Mr. Caractacus P. Doom)
• Jimmy Hibbert
  Jimmy Hibbert
  James "Jimmy" Hibbert is an English television writer and voice actor best known for his work for Cosgrove Hall.He was brought up and educated at Leighton Park School and in Henley-on-Thames and later studied at the University of Manchester achieving a BA in drama...
  
   (Bluey/Harry Slime/Bella/Brown Badly Drawn Brother/Poodle Stink)
• Rob Rackstraw
  Rob Rackstraw
  Robert "Rob" Rackstraw is a British voice actor. He is perhaps best known for his various voices in the television series Bob the Builder, mainly the scarecrow Spud. He has an extensive voice over career over 15 years long and is considered to be one of the UK's leading male voice actors...
  
   (Rocky/Doc/Cecil Stink/Irv)
• Lorelei King
  Lorelei King
  Lorelei King is a United States-born actress who has been based in the United Kingdom since 1981. She has narrated audiobooks, acted in radio plays for BBC Radio 4 and appeared on television.- Early life :...
  
  

Episodes

Season One (1993)

1. The President is a Fish! - First aired: 22 September 1993
2. The Hog Jamboree - First aired: 29 September 1993
3. The Quantum Mechanic - First aired: 6 October 1993
4. Big City, Little City - First aired: 13 October 1993
5. Computer Chaos - First aired: 20 October 1993
6. I Married an Android! - First aired: 27 October 1993
7. Cat Pig-Cat of Iron - First aired: 3 November 1993
8. Nightmare at Tea-Time - First aired: 10 November 1993
9. Star Struck - First aired: 17 November 1993
10. The Labyrinth of Doom - First aired: 24 November 1993
11. The Wild, Wild, Wild, Wild West - First aired: 1 December 1993
12. A Winter's Tale - First aired: 8 December 1993
13. The Revenge of Doom - First aired: 15 December 1993

Season Two (1994)

1. The 23rd Century - First aired: 16 September 1994
2. Mummy's Boy - First aired: 23 September 1994
3. Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Penguin? - First aired: 30 September 1994
4. Surprise Fate - First aired: 7 October 1994
5. High Doom - First aired: 14 October 1994
6. The Jewel in the Crown - First aired: 21 October 1994
7. A Christmas Carol - First aired: 28 October 1994
8. Fish Finger (Dream episode) - First aired: 4 November 1994
9. Disgusting or What? - First aired: 11 November 1994
10. Rock 'N' Roll Penguins - First aired: 18 November 1994
11. The Computer of Doom - First aired: 25 November 1994
12. Sherlock's Penguins - First aired: 2 December 1994
13. Beauties and the Beast - First aired: 9 December 1994

DVD and VHS releases

• In UK
  United Kingdom
  The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
  
  , the entire two series were released on DVD in March 2006 released by Delta Media PLC.
• In Australia
  Australia
  Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
  
  , there were six videos from Reel Entertainment releasing all the episodes of series 1 and one episode of series 2. Each of them contained 2 episodes.

International Broadcast

Chile

• • Megavision
    Red Televisiva Megavisión
    MEGA, formerly known as Red Televisiva Megavisión, is the first private TV channel of Chile. It currently airs in Santiago on digital frequency channel 27 for HDTV.Among the many TV shows broadcast on MEGA are:...
    
     (1994-1996)
  • Canal 13
    Canal 13 (Chile)
    Canal 13 , is the second oldest television station in Chile. It is owned by Luksic Group associated with the Papal Catholic University of Chile. Its inaugural transmission took place on August 21, 1959...
    
     (1995-2001)
  • UCV Television (1997-1998)

Avenger Penguins was also shown on ABC.
Sweden

• • TV4

Credits

• A Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall film
• Director: Jean Scott and Jean Flynn
• Producer: Ben Turner
• Executive Producers for Cosgrove Hall: Mark Hall and Brian Cosgrove
• Executive Producer for Granada: Edward Pugh
• Written by: Phil Jackson, Malcolm McGookin, Jimmy Hibbert, Rob Rackstraw, Stefan Redfern and Roger Stennett
• Music: Phil Bush
• Vocals: Paul Young
  Paul Young (Sad Café)
  Paul Young was an English singer and percussionist who worked with several successful bands. He initially came to prominence as the lead singer of chart band Sad Café, and later enjoyed further chart success sharing lead vocal duties with Paul Carrack in Mike + The Mechanics.-Career:Young was born...
  
  
• Business and Finance Manager: Phil Slattery
• Production Co-ordinator: Laura Cosgrove
• Animation Director: Carlos Alfonso (Alfonso Productions)
• Storyboard: Keith Scoble, Ian Whitworth, Neil Graham, Wayne Thomas and Richard Nye
• Designers: Andy Roper, Jon Doyle, Maggie Riley, Alastair Fell and Mike Whaite
• Layout: Jose M. Zumel, Rafael Diaz, Jose C. Rueda, Jose Machin, Tom Bailey
• Backgrounds: Roberto Garcia, Andres Hernandez, David Jaratz, M. Jose Traver, Carlos Fernandez, Javier Mota, Angel

Chicharro, Pedro Alvarez, Carlos Blanco, Manuel Martin, Jose M. Zumel, Edwardo J. Valero, Juan Carlos Moreno, Pedro
Machin, Higashi Taruma, George Popov, Maggie Riley, Beverley Bush, Pete Hillier

• Animation: Alberto Conejo, Manuel G. Guliana, Segio Alfonso, Vicenia Rodriguez, Juan Torres, M.Carmen Gonzalez,

Francisco Alvarez, Basilo Gonzalez, M. Elana Marquez, F. Eugania Gomez, Edward Sasu, Bujor Stefanescu, Igancio
Amero, Miguel Alamlnlos, Francisco Alamlnos, Tierry Tarres, J Antonio Sorrano, Dimiter Tanev, M. Angel Romero,
Francisco Tens, Angel Rodgriquez, Mariana Ruada, Valentia Caim, Carmen Chanza, Angel Jerlego, Rafael Diaz, Borja
Montero, Paca Morano, Luis Varela, Manolo Doctor, Jesus Barbara

• Colourist: Joan Jones
• Xerox & Registration: Alex Alfonso, Fernando Santiago, Julio A. Gracia, Enrique Bagan, Agustin Sepulveda, Paulino Martin, Fernando Santiago, Juanjo Mora, Evandro Setmanavicius
• Painting & Checking Supervisors: Carmen Sangrador, Maribel Lopez, Asuncion Tomas, Susana Diaz, Loli Pina, Gloria

Vidal, Jalia Garcia, Pillar Sancho, Angeles Canalejo, M. Antonia Ucar, Pilaar Quesade, Maria Teruel, Mercedes Canalejo, Ananbel Rodriguez, Angoles
Vacas, Herminia Burgaleta, Elena Garcia, Berta Burgaleta, M. Jose Alvarez, M. Mar Fernandez, Marta Corrules, Inma Guerreto, M. Carmen Rivas, Elvira
Hernandez, Concha Calbuig, Maito Garcia, Ana Martin, Arancha Lopez, Alberto Vidal,

• Paint & Trace: Susana Diez, Herminia Burgaleta, Asuncion Tomas, Elena Garcia, Loli Pina, Concha Galabuic, Julia Xalma,

Mari Mar Rodriguez, Gloria Vidal, M. Jose Alvarez, Pili Quesada, Angeles Sanz, M. Carmen Rivas, Elvira Hernandez, Toni
Ucar, Inma Guerrero, Nines Canalejo, Pinar Sancho, Maria Teruel, Alicia Fleming, Kena Herrero, Eva Amat, Monica
Bosquet, Begona Alonso, Angeles Vacas, Lola Sanchez, Elisa Torres and Francisca Vicent (Colour Crew)

• Key Animation: Claire Grey, Alastair Fell, Meryl Edge, John Offord, Mair Thomas, Michael Whaite, Ian Whitworth, Manuel G. Galiana, Sergio Alfonso, Ignacio Meneu, Javier Galdos, Carmen Chenza, Baltasar Pedrosa,

Pedro Jorge, Luis Varela, Luis Martinez, Thierry Torres, Rene Arza, Miguel Palomero, Borja Montoro, Mariano Rueda,
Eduard Sasu, Alberto Campos, Ventura Rodriguez, Ignacio Amero, M. Elena Marquez, J. Antonio Serrano, F. Eugenio
Gomez, Julio A. Mayo, Yolanda Perez, Aranta P. De Mezquia, Jesus Pena, Jesus E. Minguet, Pedro Molina, Vicente
Rodriguez, Antonio Gimenez, Angel Jariego, Valentin Cain, Paca Moreno, Francisco Tena, M. Angel Romero, Manolo
Doctor, Abraham Meneu, Oscar Velasco, Francisco Aluarez and Angel Rodriguez

• Assistant Animation: Judy Pilsbury, Craig Whittle, Jennie Langley, Tim Window, Helen Smith, Helen Michael, Bill Tapp, Alan Lee Moult, Les Brooksbank, Julio Altozano, M. Isabel Fernandez, Sandra Sasu, Andres Ruiz, Juan Serrano, Paulino Giner, Asier

Agirre, M. Carmen Gonzales, Belen Mota, M. Luisa Ruiz, M. Jesus Rodriguez, J. Carlos Francisco, Samuel Ruiz, Manolo
Garrido, Enrique Morente, Lourdes Santos, Elena Arnaiz, Sacramento Martinez, J. Carlos Rueda, M. Jesus Rodriguez,
Marta De La Rosa, Belen Mota, Juan Armijo, Raul Castillo, Luis Amor, Maria Morcillo, Ismal Arrais, Silvia Abellan, J Felix
Garrido, Sagrario Cruz, Roberto Fernandez and Carmen Nunez

• Checking: Alex Alfonso
• Rostrum Camera: Pete Kidd, Phil Atack, Victorio Gonzalez, J. Manuel Guerrero
• Production Manager: Julio Diez
• Camera: Victorio Gonzalez, L Manuel Guerrero
• Video Line Test: Phil Atack, Eva Montero, Maite Alonso and Pepe Garcia
• Film Editing: FLIX
• Dubbing Mix: John Wood
• Digital Dub Editors: Darren Cox and Simon Hall