Beginning in 1987, the awesome franchise of Toxic Crusaders began. It launched with the movie, The Toxic Avenger which later sparked an animated series and another film. Along with these, comic books, video games, and toys released for the franchise. The first film follows the story of Melvin Ferd III as he turns into an epic superhuman with powers. Then, the following films continue on the story through even more comedic crime fighting. While these rated R films gear towards older audiences, the animated series and Toxic Crusaders: The Movie both feature this loved story in a rated G context for children and family entertainment. The video games, comics, and toys also all received positive reviews as they added immensely to the franchise’s popularity. Follow along with us in our Retrospective of Toxic Crusaders as we dive into all parts of the franchise.
Join Us In A Retrospective of Toxic Crusaders
Join us through our Retrospective of Toxic Crusaders through all parts of the franchise. This includes all media such as the video games, comics, toys, television series, and films. Continue following along as we dive into the comedic superhuman crime-fighting franchise.
Toxic Crusaders Films
From 1984 to 2001, four Toxic Avenger films released as well as Toxic Crusaders: The Movie in 1997. All films share the same character, Toxie, a mutated man by toxic waste who turned into a grotesque but super strong being. Toxie began leading a team of creatures who fight for the environment. The four Toxic Avenger Films are all rated R and feature epic comedic crime fighting. Toxic Crusaders: The Movie released without a rating as a horror film.
The Toxic Avenger (1984)
The Toxic Avenger (1984) comes up first in the list of movies on our Retrospective of Toxic Crusaders. Directed by Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman, this film starred Mitch Cohen, Mark Torgl, Andree Maranda, and Pat Ryan Jr. This action comedy horror film released by Troma Entertainment. Although it’s release didn’t spark popularity initially, the film became popular after the midnight movie engagement in 1985.
The movie begins the storyline with the character, Melvin Ferd III. This 98 pound janitor, working at the Tromaville Health Club, got tormented by his customers: Bozo, Slug, Wanda, and Julie. His customers tricked him and tortured him until Melvin eventually jumped out of a two story window into a drum of toxic waste after they chased him around the health club. Melvin incredibly survives, despite the burning chemicals and flames. He then begins to transform into a mutated creature of superhuman strength and size. Throughout The Toxic Avenger film, Melvin the Monster Hero goes through several trials and attacks. Near the end of the film, however, the townspeople of Tromaville celebrate with acceptance of Melvin as he now holds the name of the “Toxic Avenger”. The townspeople rejoice in knowing this superhuman hero will be there to protect them.
The Toxic Avenger Part II (1989)
Next up on our Retrospective of Toxic Crusaders, we have The Toxic Avenger Part II film. This film, released in 1989, features the same iconic character through the comedic horror lens. Like the previous film, The Toxic Avenger Part II was directed by both Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz and released by Troma Entertainment. Both Go Nagai and Michael Jai White make special appearances. Along with these, the cast features the same actors and actresses such as: Ron Fazio, John Altamura, Rikiya Yasuoka, and Mayako Katsuragi amongst many others.
The events of part II take place five years after the events of the first film. The story picks up here when the Toxic Avenger, Melvin, makes his way to Tokyo, Japan as the evil Apocalypse Inc. cooperation lure him there to meet his father. As the Apocalypse Inc. in Tokyo continue to cause trouble and spread evil, the Apocalypse Inc. back in Tromaville begins causing trouble there as well. It is now up to Melvin, the super big and strong superhero Toxic Avenger to save both Tokyo, Japan and Tromville as the evil schemes spread.
The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie (1989)
The next movie, The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie, released in 1989 acts as a sequel to The Toxic Avenger Part II. The film opens with the Toxic Avenger searching for a job with nothing else to do. The Toxic Avenger’s appearance and superhuman strength off-puts any employer of a normal job. Because of this, he can’t find a job. Toxie later finds out that his blind girlfriend, Claire, might have a chance at seeing again. However, for Claire to see again, it will cost a large amount of money.
Apocalypse Inc. then offers Toxie the Toxic Avenger a job as a spokesman. Toxie accepts this position with hopes to make money for Claire to see again. However, Apocalypse Inc. took over Tromaville and enslaved all the residents by the evil nature of Toxie’s new employees. Then, shortly after Claire’s surgery, Toxie comes to the realization that the most evil person holds the position of the head of Apocalypse Inc. As things begin to escalate, the Toxic Avenger needs to transform to his original state just as a showdown with the head of Apocalypse Inc. gets placed in front of him. Lastly, the Toxic Avenger fights him through the “five levels of doom” trial.
Toxic Crusaders: The Movie (1997)
Up next on our Retrospective of Toxic Crusaders, we have Toxic Crusaders: The Movie. This animated film released 6 years after the television series with the same name. Toxic Crusaders: The Movie connects together the first three episodes of the animated children’s series into one movie-length episode. Complete with the intro and multiple special features, the DVD took the beginning of the series and made it easy to watch a small portion of it, appropriate for the whole family. With the first three episodes strung together, fans get the story of the superhuman Toxie in one seventy-six minute long film. Fans can see Toxie with his mutated friends as they fight the evil alien Dr. Killemoff and his men who try to take over the world. Directed by Bill Hutten and Tony Love, this film added to the franchise of Toxic Crusaders.
Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part IV (2001)
The last film on our Retrospective of Toxic Crusaders, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part IV, released in November of 2001. Although this film releases after two other sequels to The Toxic Avenger, the opening narration makes the claim for this movie as the official sequel.
The beginning of the film begins with the infamous Diaper Mafia capturing the Tromaville school for the very special. It is now up to the Toxic Avenger and his sidekick to save Tromaville. Unfortunately, with a turn of events, an explosion happens and creates a dimensional tear between Tromaville and it’s mirror image town, Amortville. From this, the Toxic Avenger gets trapped in Amortville and swaps places with his evil superhuman doppelganger, Noxious Offender (Noxie). This causes many problems with the citizens in Tromaville unaware of the switch between Toxie and Noxie. Still trying to save Tromaville, Mayor Goldberg decides to call up every superhero for “Toxie”. It is now up to the Toxic Avenger to escape from Amortville and return to Tromaville to stop Noxie from dooming the town forever.
Toxic Crusaders Animated Television Series (1991)
Now, on our Retrospective of Toxic Crusaders, we have the Toxic Crusaders television show. This animated series released in 1991 after a few trial runs of episodes in 1990. The series consists of 13 episodes, each lasting 30 minutes. Toxic Crusaders features the same epic characters and story as the films but in an animated appearance with a child-friendly spin. Just like the feature films, though, these 13 episodes became fan classics. These even began lines of different merchandise for the franchise.
The featured character in the series, Toxie, the mutilated being with superhuman powers shows up again as the good, rule follower he is. Different from the films, the Toxic Avenger’s mop also transforms by the toxic waste into a helper for Toxie. It did this by fighting off enemies and helping form plans of defeat. Dr. Killemoff and Czar Zosta appear as bug-like evil creatures along side the evil Psycho and corrupted Mayor Grody who try to pollute and take over the world.
Voice cast for this series includes Rodger Bumpass, Susan Blu, Gregg Berger, and Paul Eiding. Along with these, Ed Gilbert, John Mariano, Chuck McCann, and Michael J. Pollard all appear as voice actors. Lastly, Hal Rayle, Susan Silo, Kath Soucie, and Patric Zimmerman have roles as voice actors. Also for the television series, Cindy Akers takes the role of the Assistant Dialogue Director. Susan Blu then takes the role of the Dialogue Director.
Toxic Crusaders Toys (1991)
The Toxic Crusaders toys take the next spot on our Retrospective. Following the animated television series in 1991, Playmates developed a line of toys based off the crime-fighting characters. Sculpted by Varner Studios, these Playmates Toxic Crusaders toys feature both good and evil teams for ultimate play. Although only one line of figures and toys released, a second line developed but never released. Those unreleased in line 2 include two variants of Toxie along with a wind-up Toxie. Czar Zosta, Mayor Max Grody, Polluto, General GarBage, Mrs. Junko, Snailman, and Mower Man also appeared in development for line 2. Only one vehicle, the Junk Car developed in the plans for line 2.
The line of toys that released by Playmates featured 9 action figures and 5 vehicles. These toys feature great detail and design with bright neon colors to showcase the characters from the series. The 9 figures that released include Toxie, Radiation Ranger, Psycho, Nozone, Major Disaster, Junkyard, Headbanger, Dr. Killemoff and Bonehead. The vehicles that released include the Smogcycle, Toxic Turf Surfer, Hideous Hovercraft, Crusaderskater, and Apocalypse Attackopter. Each of the action figures comes complete with accessories suitable for the character. The cardboard backing of the bubble packaging features Toxie in his bright neon appearance holding his mop upright in action. Oozing toxic waste slime glides off the side of the mop down the packaging for more awesome design. The boxes of the vehicles also come in bright neon packaging with a picture of the vehicle in action printed on the front.
Toxic Crusaders Comics (1992)
In 1992 Marvel released an eight issue comic book series for the Toxic Crusaders. A total of seven different writers take part in making this comic book series. Simon Furman wrote issues #1, #4, and #6. Hilary Barta wrote issue #2 while Steve Gerber wrote #3 and #5. Lastly, Ann Nocenti wrote #7 and David Leach & Jeremy Banks with David Michelinie wrote #8. The comics feature incredible art by Sam Keith, Dane McCart, Derek Yaniger, Joe Staton, Fred Fredericks, Bruce Zick, Bob Petrecca, Jeremy Banx, and Marie Severin. Each cover and page features the characters in detail with action poses and bright colors, fitting for the scenes. These comics were based off the animated television series of the same name and feature the same crime-fighting characters from the show.
Toxic Crusaders Video Games (1992, 2024)
Last up on our Retrospective of Toxic Crusaders, we have the video games. The first game released for Nintendo in 1992. This game, developed by Realtime Associates and published by Bandai, features side scrolling and action battle scenes. Also in 1992, a handheld LCD game released by Systema as well as a game for SEGA Genesis. The last video game to release for the franchise came out in 2024 and was developed by Retroware. This 2024 game features surprise cameos across the game universe, seven different stages throughout the town of Tromaville and planet Smogula, seven playable characters each with their own abilities, as well as more features.
Do You Have New And Old Toxic Crusaders Toys?
If you have a collection of old and used toys, you can turn those toys into cash. There is no reason to let those old toys collect dust. Contact us today to sell your Toxic Crusaders toy collection.
Made in Collaboration with:
Chris Ingledue
Contact: email
Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab Pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!
The post Toxic Crusaders Retrospective appeared first on Wheeljack's Lab.
