| Mike Germakian | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Role | character designer |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Died | October 22, 2001 |
| Spouse | Alice |
| Children | Victor, Margo, Nicole Gray |
| Page | List of all Cast & Crew |
Michael "Mike" Germakian was an American illustrator and graphic designer, responsible for designing much of the ThunderCats' initial look.
An alumnus of the School of Visual Arts, Germakian was gifted with artistic hands as well as a keen eye for design. In 1970, together with his friend Stan Weston, Germakian went on to form Leisure Concepts Inc. (LCI), a licensing company that handled many well-known properties, including "Star Wars" and "Legend of Zelda". Weston handled the business aspect of the company while Germakian took care of the artistic duties.
During the mid-1980s, Weston's good friend Ted Wolf pitched his idea about a group of half-cat, half-human superheroes to him. Weston then presented the concept to Rankin/Bass, who approved of it and ThunderCats was born.
As LCI handled all of the ThunderCats' licensing and marketing, Germakian was given the task of creating the original concept designs of the characters, their weapons and theri powers. Germakian also is responsible for designing the now iconic ThunderCats logo. Germakian's designs were then sent to Pacific Animation Corporation in Japan to be adapted into cartoon format.
After completing work on ThunderCats, Germakian went on to design characters for SilverHawks and The Comic Strip, both Rankin/Bass shows.
Germakian passed away on October 22, 2001 at the age of 74. He is survived by his wife Alice and his three children, Victor, Margo, and Nicole.