Biker Mice? Primer Who's Who Where...? Gadgets and Gizmos BM Voice Cast One of the great strengths of "Biker Mice" that has caused fans to stick with it years after its cancelation is its great cast of characters. In modern animation, far too many series are populated by soulless ink and paint mannequins whose looks and personalities are all carbon copies of some earlier prototype. If it's an action series, it's even worse. The heroes all tend to be very stern and serious about their business, and the villains are flat and uninteresting. Please note: obviously, I am not talking about such excellent series as "Batman: The Animated Series", "Batman Beyond", "Superman", or "Gargoyles." These are all well-written, ,thoughtful series with staffs dedicated to creating cartoons that break the mold and are enjoyable on a variety of levels. But as for the rest of 'em, BORING! The writers of "Biker Mice", however, created heroes and villains filled with individuality, wit, humor, and sparkling creativity. For starters, the good guys--Throttle, Modo, and Vinnie--are bikers, traditionally viewed as criminals and bad-asses living in the fringe of society. We have a trio of heroes here who love fighting the bad guys--not because of their sense of justice or morals or anything like that, but because it's a good time! The villains--the Plutarkians--are the literally two-faced Plutarkians, who masquerade as human businessmen (and women) to tear up and steal all of Earth's natural resources. They have an almost comical bureacracy filled with ridiculous, pointlessly formal traditions (the Traditional Plutarkian Greeting, in which the two parties rub their rumps together and make armpit noises, come to mind. It's stupid, but no business can be conducted without it). The characters have strong personalities that go far beyond mere stereotypes. Sure, Throttle is the stern, serious leader-type, but he's also a very forlorn young man whose sense of duty keeps him from the woman he loves. Modo is the gentle giant, but he's also got a tendency toward violent mood swings. Vinnie is an egomaniac whose inflated sense of self sometimes hides feelings of inadequacy. All three of the mice are laughing, jovial guys, but they've also been scarred by growing up on a planet engulfed in war. I'd keep going like this, but I think you get the idea. We can laugh with and at these characters, but also feel a great deal of empathy with them. So take some time to get aquainted with the cast of "Biker Mice." Whether you're a newcomer to the series or a fan from the first "Rock and Ride!", you're bound to learn something you didn't know before. If there's something you'd like clarification of something you read here, then feel free to e-mail me. GOOD GUYS! BAD GUYS! THE BIKER MICE Very obviously, our heroes. Former Freedom Fighters, they crash-landed on Earth while trying to return to Mars, and are now rockin' and ridin' through the Windy City, stopping Plutarkian Lawrence Limburger and having a good time doing it! HUMAN ALLLIES Given that the show takes place on Earth (well, most of the time), it's only logical that some of the Biker Mice's allies in their struggles against the Plutarkians (or, in the case of one, their struggles against their own raging stomachs) would be of the human persuasion. FREEDOM FIGHTERS Years ago, when Mars came under siege by the Plutarkians, the Freedom Fighters were the red planet's only real defense against the planet plunderers. This motley crew is still fighting to save their beleagured home to this very day (although under different management). THE PLUTARKIANS Good villains are just as necessary as good heroes. After all, if you didn't have them, then there wouldn't be any reason for heroes, now would there? The Biker Mice's greatest (and most numerous) adversaries are the Plutarkians. This race of planet-plundering pirahnas is responsible for the destruction of Mars, Venus, and who knows how many other planets? VILLAINS Actually, a more apt title would be "villains who aren't Plutarkians." Fishy foes aren't the only ones the Biker Mice have gone up against. Many odd and interesting supervillains have been called on by Limburger to torment our heroes and tear up Chicago. HENCHMEN Villains who are in a class all by themselves. The henchmen listed here differ from the villains above in that they are consistently in the employ of someone, be they Plutarkian or otherwise. basic information episodes in-depth fun MAIN