Zorak
Zorak is a fictional character who first appeared in the Hanna-Barbera animated series Space Ghost. Zorak appeared as a 7-foot (2.1 m) green-ish mantis and depicted as the archenemy of the show's titular superhero, Space Ghost.
| Zorak | |
|---|---|
 Zorak as he appears in the 2012 revival of Cartoon Planet | |
| First appearance | "Zorak" (Space Ghost segment) |
| Created by | Alex Toth William Hanna Joseph Barbera |
| Voiced by | Don Messick (1966–68) C. Martin Croker (1994–2016) Dave Willis ("Woody Allen's Fall Project") |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Zorak Robert (in "Cahill") Zorak Jones (in "Braklet, Prince of Spaceland") Zorak Robert Jones |
| Alias | Wallace in "Fire Ant" |
| Species | Dokarian |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Bandleader (in Space Ghost Coast to Coast) |
| Family | Mr. Pong (father) |
| Relatives | Raymond (deceased nephew) |
| Powers | Criminal mastermind Master strategist Master of weaponry and technology Super strength Enhanced agility Enhanced stamina Razor sharp claws |
Space Ghost
Zorak originally appeared in the animated series Space Ghost and Dino Boy in 1966. He was one of Space Ghost's most feared enemies and appeared in 6 episodes, starting with "Zorak". Zorak was voiced by Don Messick, who spoke in a buzzy monotone meant to evoke his insect-like features.
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
Cartoon Network revived the Space Ghost characters in 1994 for Space Ghost Coast to Coast, a talk show where the main characters' roles were re-invented. On the new show, Space Ghost had released Zorak from prison, but forced Zorak to act as his leader of the band The Original Way Outs from a "prison pod" with an installed keyboard. Zorak's villainous mentality remained, and he would heckle Space Ghost in most episodes. In rare instances, the two would have moments of compromise, such as when Space Ghost believes he is dying. On the Cartoon Network shows, Zorak was voiced by animator C. Martin Croker. Croker originally imitated the monotone of Messick, but over the years took Zorak's voice in his own direction. He and Moltar appear in almost every episode, with the exception of "Story Book".
Personality and traits
Zorak is usually grumpy and sarcastic sometimes with a sick sense of humor. He relishes insulting Space Ghost whenever possible and winding Space Ghost up so much that he blows Zorak up with his Power Bands (a running gag in the show). Zorak simply regenerates from this each time. Zorak had a small nephew at one point called Raymond. Zorak devoured him (apparently typical of his species) and then laughed about it. He has a gun, a Matter Intensifier, which he keeps hidden in his keyboard and sometimes gets out to give Space Ghost a zap for all the times he has blown him up. The Space Ghost Coast to Coast episode "Cahill" has a good spar between the two. The episode also suggested that Zorak has a surname, Roberts (or Space Ghost could just have been nicknaming him that). He is a fan of Metallica, although when the band came on the show he told them to "Bite me!" — one of his favorite phrases (though he's revealed to be a big fan of the Ramones). Others include: "I am the Lone Locust of the Apocalypse, think of me when you look to the night sky" and "I'm Egyptian!". He gets on best with Moltar but has low tolerance for Space Ghost, other characters and guests. He has flirted with a few of the female guests but it was mostly to annoy Space Ghost. He gains satisfaction from using Brak in The Brak Show. Brak thinks of Zorak as a friend; Zorak likes to think he has no friends.
Zorak was initially referred to by Space Ghost as a locust; it was not until the seventh episode, "Punch", when guest Dian Parkinson mistook him for a grasshopper that he mentioned that he is actually a mantis. He explained that he did not notice Space Ghost was calling him a locust until Space Ghost brought it up. Zorak also refers to himself as "The Lone Locust of the Apocalypse", but does not explain the meaning of this title, although it could be an allusion to his destructive tendencies.[1] It is notable that Zorak has an apparent rivalry with fellow Space Ghost villain Lokar, who is quite obviously a humanoid locust; Lokar is portrayed as elitist and more cultured than the vulgar and crude Zorak, whom Lokar insultingly refers to as an arachnid.
Footage from the original series for Zorak is taken from his entire crew, meaning Zorak's gloves and vest have a tendency to change color for no reason. He also has his own unique sound (which he once tried to sue Space Ghost for stealing) that he makes whenever he blinks.
Although Zorak has proven elusive concerning any parents or relatives, the episode "Hungry" introduced his likable, harmless nephew, Raymond. A miniature version of Zorak, Raymond aspires to one day be "Uh... Locust of 'pocalypse", which Space Ghost finds immensely cute. Zorak eventually devours his nephew, resulting in a brief memorial slideshow, including a photo of Moltar and Raymond in a bathtub in the middle of a busy street. Though seemingly dead, Raymond has made two appearances since his introductory episode. The first is the episode "Speck", which actually features only Raymond's voice, calling out that he's still alive, while Zorak talks loudly to mask his nephew's pleas for help (all of which goes right over Space Ghost's head). Raymond's third and final appearance was a post-credits ending to the "Zorak" episode, in which he reappears to Zorak as an angel trying to earn his wings. Raymond was voiced by C. Martin Croker, just like his uncle Zorak.
In the episode "Girlie Show", Zorak admits to being Episcopalian.[2] This claim is repeated in "Woody Allen's Fall Project", which featured a live staging of the scene in "Girlie Show" by staff members of Space Ghost Coast to Coast. In that episode Zorak was shown in live-action and voiced by Dave Willis in a Southern drawl.[3]
The Brak Show
Zorak also appeared in The Brak Show, appearing in all but two episodes. On the show, Brak considered Zorak to be his best friend, even though Zorak would often insult him and beat him up. Thundercleese would constantly blow up Zorak for ruining his yard. Zorak would often beat or blow up Brak's other friend Clarence. In some episodes he is in love with Brak's Mom, hates Dad and manages to kill the latter to marry the former in "Braklet, Prince of Spaceland", which reveals that his surname was actually "Jones".
Space Ghost (2004–05 DC Comic miniseries)
Zorak and his race, the Dokarians from the planet Dokar, appeared as antagonists in the 2004/2005 Space Ghost comic miniseries published by DC Comics. In this series, Zorak and the Dokarian army called the Zorathians were designed with a heavy emphasis on the insect aspect of their appearance. They attack the colony world Meridian — homeworld of Space Ghost's sidekicks, Jan and Jace —, intent on devouring and enslaving the population. It is also revealed that the Dokarians have a Hive-mind, and that Zorak himself is not a single member of the race, but can be embodied by any Dokarian, should his current body be destroyed. The current Zorak's appearance is distinguished by a white exoskeleton torso, as well as possessing four arms; one set with mantis pincers and the other with human hands. They speak in an alien dialect, though the dialogue boxes translate this into English. Only Zorak ever develops the ability to speak English. The Zorathian culture is built around murder and conquest, which forms the basis of the philosophy they refer to as "The Way".
Other appearances
Space Ghost Coast to Coast spawned a spin-off named Cartoon Planet, where Zorak appeared as a sidekick and foil for Space Ghost. Zorak also appeared briefly in a silent role on what is commonly dubbed as Anime Talk Show, a 15-minute cartoon airing after the first episode of Perfect Hair Forever. He had a very brief, silent cameo in Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters along with Space Ghost. Zorak was seen briefly on TV in the episode "Predator" of Sealab 2021, when Captain Murphy was flipping through channels and The Brak Show was on one of them. Zorak and Brak appeared in a commercial for Verizon Wireless. In the Adult Swim New Year's Eve Party bumpers shown in 2003, it is revealed that there are two Zoraks: one from Space Ghost: Coast to Coast and one from The Brak Show. Incidentally, during their brief fight, Thundercleese crushed the Coast to Coast Zorak and Space Ghost offers the Brak Show Zorak the other Zorak's position. Zorak also made a small appearance in the 2005 Adult Swim New Year's Eve countdown.[4] A group of Dokarians also appeared on the late 70s cartoon Jabberjaw, although Zorak was not present. Zorak also made an appearance advertising Big Red.[5]
The Perfect Hair Forever episode "Muscular Distraction - B" marks the final formal appearance of Croker playing the role of Zorak. It originally aired unannounced on April 1, 2014, before Croker's death on September 17, 2016.
References
- "Punch" Transcript at Snard.com (accessed September 25, 2006)
- "Girlie Show" Transcript at Snard.com (accessed September 25, 2006)
- "Woody Allen's Fall Project" Transcript at Snard.com (accessed September 25, 2006)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWhnQIAh6aE
- http://adland.tv/commercials/big-red-gum-adult-swim-isnt-exactly-bold-2005-015-usa