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Wildstorm's Hammerhand's Revenge SeriesHAMMERHAND'S REVENGE: ISSUE #1 
 Issued December 2003 Story by Fiona Avery. Art by D'Anda This 5 part series occurs in the same timeline as the others, but it's retro - meaning, it takes place on Third Earth and before the events of the others minis to date. As a result, Lion-O is fittingly less mature and Snarf is in ultra worry mode. This issue starts off with the action, as Hammerhand and his crew overcome Hachiman's ship and take him hostage. The Warrior Maidens caught wind of the situation and sent a very Willa-like messenger, their fastest, to alert the ThunderCats. At the same time, the Sword of Omens was warning Lion-O of danger, confirming Hachiman's predicament (I don't remember the Sword ever giving warning when non-thunderians are in danger, but what do I know). With Hachiman being a dear friend to the 'Cats, they set off for his family's island kingdom on a rescue mission. With just a forest between them and the sparkling ocean, they stop in the Tank to ponder their next move. That's when Lion-O notices something odd about the 'clouds' and finds out with the Sword that it's really a group of flying Griffins heading toward them. Lion-O, of course, starts to ready the Sword for a fight, but his friends urge him to be patient - at least until they know for sure whether they're dealing with friend or foe. Just when they thought the Griffins meant them no harm, one scoops Lion-O up and carries him away. After a debate of whether to retrieve their Lord or go on after Hachiman, the ThunderCats head off once again for the Samuri realm. Their reasoning being multi-pronged - Lion-O has the Sword and can warn them if he's in imminent danger; Lion-O would want them not to waste time saving him when time is of the essence in saving Hachiman; and, Lion-O is always wanting to prove how grown and capable he is, and well, here's his chance to prove it. At the book's end, Lion-O stands before what seems to be the Griffins' rulers. Boldly and with a typical touch of Lion-O smarm, he demands of those leaders to know why he was brought there. The Griffin leader cryptically tells the young Lord that he must answer things about himself and the other 'Cats (why they came to Third Earth, why they haven't left yet, etc) or risk an undesirable fate. HAMMERHAND'S REVENGE: ISSUE #2 
 Issued January 2004 Story by Fiona Avery. Art by D'Anda In this second issue, the focus is on the remaining ThunderCats and their struggle to transverse an unfamiliar forest to reach the sea - and Hachiman. Lion-O and his plight with the Griffins is given scant attention, showing his desire to escape as to help his friends and a brief appearance from Jaga. Meanwhile, the ThunderTank stalls in the middle of that creepy forest. The Thunderkittens are the first to scamper off, and soon find themselves separated and worried. Despite Panthro's protests, Tygra and Cheetara soon follow suit, only to find themselves at the mercy of the strange and silent forest. Only Panthro and Snarf (still speaking in the third person for the most part and babbling more than usual) are left behind with the Tank. Panthro gets an idea about the forest and sets about trying to help his friends without becoming a victim himself. Soon it is found that a guardian is in charge of the forest, and when he appears he explains that the forest attacked because it was angry that the ThunderCats not only trespassed, but did so violently by roaring in with the Tank. A fight between the 'Cats and the guardian looked immenant until WilyKat urged talking it out. As a side note, I don't know what the deal is with Snarf - he got electrocuted and stopped the third person references for a bit, until another mishap befell him at the end of the book. I suppose that's to say there's a reason he's been acting like a Pet on Crack, but I for one find it mega-annoying. Thus ends the comments from the peanut gallery. HAMMERHAND'S REVENGE: ISSUE #3 
 Issued February 2004 Story by Fiona Avery. Art by D'Anda The third issue of this series focuses on Lion-O's fate in the hands - or shall I say talons? - of the Griffins. Lion-O is imprisoned in what amounts to a large bird cage and bemoans his fate as being more humiliating than if he were Snarf in the same predicament. Yay, Snarf disrespectin' - I can get on board with that ;) After much debate, he is brought before their leader, the Princess Altaira. She's a dream gazer (reminded me of the Gelfling's ability to 'dreamfast' in the Dark Crystal), which means she could look into Lion-O's heart and see his true desires. She would use this power to decide if he and the other ThunderCats meant to harm Third Earth with their scary technology or if he truly did have good intentions. If so, she'd so graciously let him go - not before reminding him that she forsaw his death if he were to try to escape by force. Knowing it was his only ticket to freedom, he allows her to work her dream gazing magic. At first, Altaira sees only events from the past - the destruction of Thundera, the suspension pods, Lion-O's arrival on Third Earth. Things are going somewhat smoothly until the Eye of Thundera becomes a part of the dream gaze and Lion-O summons its powers of second sight. Then, he and the Princess are swept into the present, where they both see the other ThunderCats move forward to confront the Berzerkers. They watch the ensuing battle for some time until the Princess breaks off the dream gaze. After a brief debate, technology and its use being the core of it, she allows Lion-O to leave. Presumably he'll join his friends in the next issue. HAMMERHAND'S REVENGE: ISSUE #4 
 Issued March 2004 Story by Fiona Avery. Art by D'Anda This issue largely relies on the epic battle raging between the ThunderCats and Berzerkers minus their respective leaders. Unfortunately, that battle is painfully narrated in play by play fashion by Snarf, who is still annoyingly referring to himself in the third person as well as being largely written out of character. Mind you, he does come out with a few 'snarfingly' funny observances, but overall it damn near ruined the issue IMHO. At any rate, I'm not going to give a blow by blow of the battle because we'll be here all day. Afterward, Lion-O shows up with the Griffins and Princess Altaira in tow. The Griffins snag the fleeing Berzerkers, and after Altaira takes a moment to tell Cheetara she's pleased to meet another strong and able woman, the ThunderCats get the pirates to tell them who was helping them (Mumm-Ra) and where Hammerhand is. Turns out, Hammerhand plans on killing Hachiman after he gets the ransom from the samuri's father, and the ThunderCats rush off on the wings of Griffins to help him. The issue ends with the ransom arriving by ship and Hammerhand ordering that ship's crew murdered - with plans of killing Hachiman after that grisly task is done. We're left wondering if the 'Cats can save their friend, but Altaira already killed the suspense when she explained that Hachiman would be fine - she can see the future, which is preordained. How's that for a cliffhanger killer? HAMMERHAND'S REVENGE: ISSUE #5 
 Issued April 2004 Story by Fiona Avery. Art by D'Anda This is the final issue for this five part series. In it, Hammerhand is about to finish off Hachiman as his usefulness has run its course. Before the Berzerker leader can make good on the threat, in swoop the ThunderCats on the backs of the Griffins with Princess Altaira in tow. A battle of epic proportions breaks out and Snarf has a chance to free Hachiman but takes the chicken shit route and hides (it's not until later Snarf cuts him loose, and then it's only so he can help save Lion-O's hide). Basically, things escalate until Altaira has to intervene, using all of her power to thwart Hammerhand and save Lion-O. She falls to the water, where Panthro catches her in the Tank. This turn of events really ticks Lion-O off and just like that, the 'Cats win again. Hachiman is safe and all is well except for one thing - Altaira will not awake. Saddened, Lion-O checks in on her after he escorts Hachiman home and finds out from the Griffins that she used so much of her power, she may never awake. The issue ends with Lion-O vowing never to forget about her and that he'll try to find a way to help her.
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