Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa

Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa

Promotional poster
Genre Western
Created by Ryan Brown
Voices of Pat Fraley
Jim Cummings
Jeff Bennett
Joe Piscopo
Michael Greer
Charity James
Kay Lenz
Troy Davidson
Danny Mann
Michael Horse
Theme music composer Billy Dean and Verlon Thompson[1][2]
Country of origin USA
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 26
Production
Running time 23 minutes
Production company(s) King World Productions
Greengrass Productions (Season 1)
Ruby-Spears Productions (Season 2)
Flextech Television
Mini Mountain Productions
Release
Original network ABC
Original release September 12, 1992 – December 4, 1993

Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa is an American animated television series created by comic book artist Ryan Brown, known for his work on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Airing as part of ABC's Saturday morning lineup, it was produced by Greengrass Productions, Gunther-Wahl Productions, Ruby-Spears Enterprises and finally Mini Mountain Productions in association with King World Productions and Flextech Television and animated by Gunther-Wahl Productions for its first season, and Ruby-Spears Productions for its second season.

First broadcast on September 12, 1992, the show ran for two seasons of thirteen episodes each. It also aired on YTV from 1992 to 1999 in Canada. The series was featured in reruns on Toon Disney from 1998 to 2001.

Plot

Like many cartoons during its time, Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa dealt with a mutation of some kind. In this case, an irradiated comet struck the late 19th century Western plains creating a miles high mesa shrouded in clouds. Everything trapped on top of the mesa was "cow-metized" by the light from the "cow-met" and "evolved" into a "bovipomorphic" state. Inspired by old tales of the Wild West, this new bovine community developed to the point where they emulated that era's way of life, including the requisite ruffians and corrupt sheriffs. However, their knowledge of Wild West living was limited, and as such, many things about their culture had to be improvised to 'fill in the blanks'. The concepts of steampunk and Weird West were utilized throughout its run.

The series focuses on trying to keep justice in the frontier territory. The lawbreakers were too much for the corrupt regulators of Cowtown (namely Mayor Oscar Bulloney and Sheriff Terrorbull) to handle by themselves. Helping them out, whether they wanted it or not, were a group of peacekeepers known as C.O.W.-Boys (the C.O.W. part is short for "Code Of the West"). Led by Marshal Moo Montana, the C.O.W.-Boys also included the Dakota Dude and the Cowlorado Kid. Marshal Moo Montana and his deputies had their hands full with various ruffians and outlaw gangs that plagued the otherwise peaceful town.

Characters

C.O.W.-Boys

Supporting characters

Villains

Episode guide

Several of these episodes or episode titles are parodies of popular Western films or books.

Season One (1992)

No. Title Original airdate
1"Bang'em High"TBA
Mayor Bulloney and The Masked Bull make a plan to get rid of Moo Montana with literally explosive results.
2"A Snake in Cow's Clothing"TBA
A mysterious bull named Jacques La Beef arrives in town who has all the women drawn to him. Moo and Dakota are suspicious of him, especially after Miss Lily is robbed of the items in her new safe by The Masked Bull in a plot to discredit Jacques La Beef (who is secretly a notorious con artist named Barney Finkleberg).
3"Bulls of a Feather"TBA
During an attack on the stagecoach bound for Cow Town, Puma sees that The Masked Bull is actually Sheriff Terrorbull after Boothill Buzzard accidentally unmasks him. In order to save his identity after his attempt on Puma's life is thwarted by J.R., Sheriff Terrorbull must break his younger brother Horribull out of Sinquitten Federal Prison to pose as The Masked Bull and fool everyone.
4"School Days"TBA
A new teacher (actually Boot Hill Buzzard in drag) has the children help The Masked Bull commit crime through her strange assignments.
5"A Sheepful of Dollars"TBA
Cowlorado volunteers for Miss Lily's cattle drive only to find out his "cattle" is actually a bad tempered sheep named Miss Ewebaby. Moo and Dakota discovery that the cattle drive is a front to delivery the money for the Elbow's Bend Hospital Veterinary Clinic where it is under Miss Ewebaby to keep it from being stolen by The Masked Bull.
6"Thoroughly Moodern Lily"TBA
When Mayor Bulloney discovers oil that is secretly buried deep beneath Lily Bovine's Tumbleweed Saloon, he quickly dispatches Lily's arch-rival Sadie Wowcow to run her out of town.
7"Wetward, Whoa"TBA
Cowtown dries up and only Mayor Bulloney has water. When Cody finds the real reason for this, it is up to him to bring water back to everyone.
8"Wedding Bull Blues"TBA
When Cowlamity Kate doesn't receive a letter from her father who has been exploring the Mesa for 7 years, Mayor Bulloney claims he will be taking all her property since her father had no will. But when a page of one of her father's old letters shows up, stating Kate will inherit the ranch and his gold, though only if she is married, Kate plans to make Dakota her husband.
9"Legend of Skull Duggery"TBA
When Cody, Carly, and Jake find a treasure map in Cowlamity Kate's attic while cleaning it, they decide to follow it to find Tom Duggery's lost silver on Skull Mountain. While competing against Saddle Sore and Boot Hill Buzzard, Cody, Carly, and Jake encounter Tom Duggery's ghost in the form of Skull Duggery. Now Moo, Dakota, Cowlorado, and Cowlamity Kate must rescue the kids from Skull Duggery.
10"Stolen on the River"TBA
In an attempt to get his own deputy star, Cowlorado goes undercover as Johnny Slim to catch Five Card Cud all by himself when he and his henchman Short Change take control of the Dixie Trixie river boat while in collaboration with the Dixie Trixie's captain.
11"Dances with Bulls"TBA
Moo Montana and Sheriff Terrorbull get in a mess when they both try to capture the Gila Hooligans after the crashed the party in Cowtown that followed Mayor Bulloney's re-election. To catch the Gila Hooligans, the C.O.W.-Boys and Sheriff Terrorbull have to work together to apprehend the Gilla Hooligans.
12"The Big Cow Wow"TBA
The C.O.W.-Boys work to catch two snakes that make up the Hole in the Ground Gang after they robbed some bison at Mini Soda Flats. Cody is really excited about going to the Pueblo's annual Cow-Wow with J.R. and Tejua as the threat of the Hole in the Ground Gang could disrupt the whole fiesta. When Moo and the other C.O.W.-Boys run into some trouble trying to catch the gang, Cody and Tejua help to bring them to justice.
13"Another Fine Mesa"TBA
No one cares that it is Moo Montanta's 10th anniversary as marshal. Then, Moo receives a telegram from Bessy Bluebell from his hometown of Miller Glen where the retiring sheriff T-Bone wants Moo to take over even at the time when Bat Blastagun and his henchmen are causing trouble in Miller Glen. Now Moo must decide between Miller Glen where he is beloved by the townsfolk and Cowtown.

Season Two (1993)

No. Title Original airdate
14"No Face To Hide"TBA
Many trains have been stolen by Shock Holiday's gang where Shock Holiday is holding them hostage until the Railroad President pays a huge ransom. When Marshall Moo fails at capturing the thief, Sheriff Terrorbull challenges him to see who catches Shock Holiday first and the loser will have to leave Cowtown.
15"The Down Under Gang"TBA
Cow Belle and her sons have an underground hideout called Sidewinder City which allows other outlaws to use it in exchange of a share of what they steal. When Cowlorado Kid is captured during the infiltration, Moo Montana and Dakota Dude must find Sidewinder City and rescue him while also dealing with the Masked Bull.
16"Cow Pirates of Swampy Cove"TBA
The pirate captain Longhorn Silver and his band of buccaneers have been robbing trains and causing trouble on Moo Mesa's waterways. With a gold shipment and Cody's money for new boots in their possession, Moo Montana, Dakota Dude, and Cowlorado Kid have to go to Newportleans to track these pirates down. While trying to get back the money, Cody is caught by the Masked Bull as part of his plan to work with Longhorn Silver to dispose of the C.O.W.-Boys. Now the C.O.W.-Boys must rescue Cody, reclaim the stolen loot, and defeat Longhorn Silver.
17"The Cacklin Kid"TBA
Moo Montana, Dakota Dude, and Cowlorado Kid apprehend the Cacklin Kid after he was nearly disposed of by the Baying Bunch led by Scavenger who are seeking the location of where the Cacklin Kid hid the Baying Bunch's loot. At the courthouse, Cacklin Kid gets sympathy from Judge Overrule who instructs that Moo Montana, Dakota Dude, and Cowlorado Kid safely transports Cacklin Kid to the federal penitentiary to serve out his one year sentence. Now the C.O.W.-Boys must get the Cacklin Kid to the penitentiary safely while evading the Baying Bunch who have tricked Sheriff Terrorbull into helping them.
18"Skull Duggery Rides Again"TBA
On Halloween, Skull Duggery returns upon emerging from the cave-in of his mine at Skull Mountain in order to get revenge on Moo, Dakota, and Cowlorado. This time, he is obtained an age accelerating spell with the help of his fellow ghosts where they start aging everything in Cowtown.
19"Billy the Kidder"TBA
The C.O.W.-Boys get word from Warden Gordon Bordon that Billy the Kidder and his lizard henchmen Lester and Kisser have escaped from prison. When Lily's uncle Rocky gets caught in a cave-in upon finding the lost treasure of the Concudsadors, she plans to enlist Cowlamity Kate to help rescue him only to end up captured by Lester and Kisser so that Billy the Kidder can steal the lost treasure of the Concudsadors. Now the C.O.W.-Boys and Calamity Kate must rescue Lily and Rocky, apprehend Billy the Kidder's group, and recover the lost treasure of the Concudsadors.
20"How the West was Shrunk"TBA
Bat Blastagun and his gang have escaped from prison where they find a shard of the comet that created Moo Mesa outside of Cowtown. Enlisting the help of the mad scientist Dr. Wolfgang Wolfenstein, Bat Masterson uses the shard to shrink everything.
21"Circus Daze"TBA
The Great Bovini's Wild West Circus comes to Cowtown, but amusement of the masses is the last thing on the mind of the ringmaster The Great Bovini as he uses a special stone to mesmerize anyone into stealing money. In order to keep the Cowinoor Diamond from being shipped to the Jersey City Museum, Mayor Bulloney, Saddle Sore, and Boot Hill Buzzard approach The Great Bovini to help them steal it which doesn't go well as Boot Hill Buzzard is unaffected by The Great Bovini's stone. Now the C.O.W.-Boys must work with Boot Hill Buzzard into thwarting The Great Bovini and freeing the townspeople from his control.
22"No Way to Treat a Lady"TBA
Moo Montana, Dakota Dude, and Cowlorado Kid have to deal with four masked marauders who happen to be ladies of the Sewing B. Ranch led by Barb Wire Babs (the criminal alias of Miss Barbara). As Cowlorado Kid goes undercover in Barbed Wire Babs' group, Wild Bill Barker is kidnapped as part of Barbed Wire Babs' plot to make counterfeit money.
23"Night of the Cowgoyle"TBA
After Cowlorado Kid was unable to catch a gold thief, he, Moo Montana, and Dakota Dude look for the thief and end up escorting a wagon train led by Rooster Cogsbull through a valley where a creature called the Cowgoyle (a cattle/gargoyle creature) dwells. To make sure that the C.O.W.-Boys meet their end and the Cowgoyle is blamed for the action, Mayor Bulloney sends Saddle Sore and Boot Hill Buzzard to get the Masked Bull to dispose of them. Following the Cowgoyle's attacks, the C.O.W.-Boys work to catch the Cowgoyle while suspecting that it might be one of the suspicious wagon train travelers.
24"Boom Town or Bust"TBA
Cowlorado Kid discovers gold in a river causing the Gold Rush on Moo Mesa which even gets Mayor Bulloney, Saddle Sore, and Boot Hill Buzzard to work on claiming the gold. Upon Boom Town being formed as part of the gold rush, the C.O.W.-Boys work to keep the settlement in line. When a claim-jumper named Big Bucks and his henchmen Digalong and Stub plot to steal everyone's gold, the C.O.W.-Boys spring into action to protect Boom Town.
25"The Fastest Filly in the West"TBA
In preparation for the 11th Annual Cowtown Cross Country Race, Cowlorado Kid encounters some competition Cowlamity Kate's cousin Cowleen and her horse Tornado as well as encountering his old rival Swifty Buckhorn. Fast Willy and his henchmen plan to steal Tornado so that they can rob the Pony Express with one of the packages being the trophy for the Cross Country Race. Now Cowlorado Kid and Swifty Buckhorn must put aside their differences to help Moo and Dakota catch Fast Willy and reclaim Tornado.
26"The Wild Wild Pest"TBA
J.R. takes Cody Calf and Buffalo Bull to the Invention Convention on the Dixie Trixie. Using his airship, Mules Verne and his henchmen steal the Dixie Trixie so that he can force all the inventors onboard to help him take over Moo Mesa by building a giant robot cowboy that will help in his plans by starting with raiding the governor's mansion.

Cast

Additional voices

Crew

Theme song

The theme song was sung by country artist Billy Dean, who co-wrote it with Verlon Thompson.

Toys and merchandise

Action figures and vehicles were made by Hasbro. Story books, coloring books, and VHS home videos were put out by Random House. Halloween costumes were made by Collegeville/Imagineering LP. Farley Candy introduced a line of themed fruit snacks. Bath products by Tsumura International were also available, as well as lunch boxes by Thermos. Figural coin banks were made by Toy Dreams. Plastic dinnerware was available from Betras Plastics. Kid's Meal promotional items (3" action figures, sack, placemat, activity pack, and collectible cups) were made by Kid Stuff.

Action figures

In 1991, Hasbro Toys produced a series of ten action figures and one vehicle (Iron Horse). Marshal Moo Montana was produced heaviest while the character Boot Hill Buzzard is the rarest of the set with only a limited number released. Of the three main heroes, the Dakota Dude is the scarcest.

In 1999, to coincide with the series being broadcast on the Toon Disney channel, the Kid Stuff company manufactured a set of 3" tall action figures for its Moo Mesa Kids Meal promotion. Articulated at the shoulders, neck, and waist, the assortment consisted of Marshal Moo Montana, The Dakota Dude, The Cowlorado Kid, Miss Cowlamity Kate, Cody Calf, and the Masked Bull. These were available at participating restaurants.

Comic book series

Archie Comics released both a mini-series and regular series of Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa comic books. The first issue of the mini-series came with an exclusive pull-out wanted poster available only through the direct sales market. Three issues of both the mini-series (December 1992, January and February 1993) and the regular series (March, May and July 1993) were released.

The C.O.W.-Boys made their TMNT universe debut when they teamed up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in issue #21 of the Mirage Studios title "Tales of the TMNT." The TMNT aided the C.O.W.-Boys in stopping Sheriff Terrorbull from stealing a magic crystal shard. Moo Montana and his deputies returned in number 32 of the Tales of the TMNT series. This time the horned heroes come up against Savanti Romero and the Eye of Aga-Moo-Tu. The story takes place in the astral realm of Bov-gamesh and introduces the character Tsou-T'an-Jin an ancient sorceress tortoise that lives on Moo Mesa. The C.O.W.-Boys make their third appearance with the Ninja Turtles in the November 2008 issue of Tales of the TMNT. The story concluded in Tales of the TMNT #58 printed in May 2009.

A special event exclusive edition of this issue was sold at a one-day event on March 31, 2007 at the Wayne Center for the Arts in Wooster, Ohio. It differs from the regular release because of its alternative cover by Andre Ponce, Ryan Brown and Steve Lavigne. It also has a special message from the arts center on the inside front cover.

Home Video releases

Various episodes of the show were released onto videocassette in 1992 by Random House Home Video.

Video game

Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa
Developer(s) Konami
Publisher(s) Konami
Composer(s) Michiru Yamane
Release date(s) November 19, 1992
Genre(s) Run and gun
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer
Sound Z80 @ 8 MHz
YM2151 @ 4 MHz
K054539 @ 48 kHz
Display 384 x 224 @ 60 Hz
2048 palette colors

In 1992, Konami released a coin-operated arcade game based on the series titled Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa. The game is a side-scrolling "run 'n gun" action game similar to Konami's previous wild west-themed game Sunset Riders. Ryan Brown worked closely with Konami on the game's development.

The player characters in the game are Cowlorado Kid, Dakota Dude, Marshall Moo Montana, and Buffalo Bull. The game can be configured to allow up to four players to play simultaneously.

The game's controls consist of an eight-way joystick and two buttons for shooting and jumping. Pressing both buttons simultaneously will cause the player character to perform a stampede attack, do a spinning jump, or use any equipped item like dynamite sticks and tomahawk blades. The player can uncover a variety of power-up items by shooting flying chickens, which includes a rapid-fire Machine Gun and a Power-Up for wider bullets. Unlike Sunset Riders, the player has a three-unit life gauge that allows the player to take three hits before losing a life.

References

  1. ↑ "Cows Vs. Bandits". Chicago Tribune. September 3, 1992. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  2. ↑ http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=1762985&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID
  3. ↑ http://wildwestcow-boysofmoomesa.blogspot.com/2007/12/wild-west-c_26.html
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