The series, set in a world following an event called the Cataclysm follows the Dragonators, who ride on dragons in search and rescue operations.
David Perlmutter's Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows calls Dragon Flyz "a very transparent ad for a toy line, much like some of the other productions the Abrams/Gentile Studio was involved in at this time (see Happy Ness: The Secret of the Loch and Van-Pires for other examples)."[4]
Plot and setting
Set in the 41st century after an event called the Cataclysm, which is implied to have been caused by nuclear warfare, the series follows the adventures of dragon-riders, who are either human or of a race resembling reptiles, gargoyles, and demons, as they fight for control of the Earth. The Cataclysm caused the extinction of most of Earth's inhabitants, ecosystems, and species and its surface to become barren and volcanic, with rivers of lava running across the surface, making it uninhabitable except for animals adapted to the environment. The surviving human population lives in the airborne city of Airlandis, from which Dragonators regularly travel to the surface to retrieve Amber, which is used as a source of fuel and usually obtained from lava pools or directly from the ground. It is also shown that some humans escaped the Cataclysm aboard a space station, on which the protagonists' mother now resides. They are often threatened by lightning storms, air currents, and acidic clouds called Warp Winds, through which the only safe passages are hollow mountains called Wind Pits. Despite the Cataclysm, some life survived due to being sheltered in an Oasis: a pocket of life where the planet's former species live in safety.
Airlandis is an airborne city with five biospheres at its center, each simulating a different natural habitat and preserving the species rescued from the Cataclysm. The city's most important region is its power core, which is operated by the engineer Orac. Airlandis also has a runway for the Dragonators, an aviary where the dragons reside when not being used for flight, a chamber where matters of government are negotiated, Skywatch, where a team maintains the city's systems and monitors the skies, and a prison.
Characters
The main characters ride dragons for travel and combat, but also have the ability to fly short distances. The Dragonators use dragonfly-like wings known as exo-wings that sprout from the backplate of their armor, while Dreadwing and his minions, the Dramen, sprout membranous wings from their shoulders. Both types of wings disappear when not in use. The Dragonators' primary weapon is the Wind Jammer, a wrist-mounted weapon, while Dreadwing and the Dramen wield glove-like cannons.
Humans
Z'neth
Callsign: Dragonator One
Armor Color: Cerulean
Dragon Steed: Riptor
The leader of the Dragonators and the eldest of the four siblings, who values honor and integrity.
Summit
Callsign: Dragonator Two
Armor Color: Forest green
Dragon Steed: Sky-Fury
The second-eldest sibling. He is known for his witty remarks, short temper, and preference for physical strength.
Apex
Callsign: Dragonator Three
Armor Color: Silver
Dragon Steed: Blazewind
The third-oldest sibling. She prefers negotiation to conflict, and has telepathic abilities that allow her to communicate with dragons and partially manipulate half-dragons, such as Dramen. When using her powers, her eyes and those of her subject, glow silver.
Peak
Callsign: Dragonator Four
Armor Color: Orange/purple
Dragon Steed: Wingstorm
The youngest and most reckless of the siblings. He enjoys stunt-flying on dragons, which often gets him in trouble, and is egotistical and mischievous.
Amod
Callsign: Dragonator Five
Armor Color: Brown
Dragon Steed: Titan
A member of the Dragon Flyz and Peak's friend. He is skilled in battle, but initially disrespectful to dragons.
Zarkan
Callsign: Dragonator Six
Armor Color: Black
Dragon Steed: Thunder
A soldier of the Dragon Flyz who aids the Dragonators.
Nora
Callsign: Dragonator Nine
Armor Color: Light blue
Dragon Steed: Unnamed
The second female Dragonator in Airlandis, who Peak has a crush on, and who fights alongside the other Dragonators.
Aaron
Armor Color: Red
The father of the four siblings, who often acts as their advisor. He has no use of his legs and is therefore unable to walk, instead hovering above the ground. This is implied to be controlled by his staff, which has an Amber crystal. He is the strongest advocate on Airlandis's ruling council for finding a new place to live.
Orac
An engineer who maintains Airlandis' power generator.
Councillor Joshua
A ranking member of Airlandis' governing parliament, who often takes opposition to Aaron's position. Though his intentions are for the good of the populace, his impatience ultimately leads him to place Summit in prison, allowing Dreadwing control of Airlandis.
Mutants
Dreadwing
Dragon Steed: Blackheart
The main antagonist of the series, who lives in a crashed ship known as Warnado and commands a faction of Dramen.
Nocturna
Dragon Steed: Unnamed
Dreadwing's second-in-command, who serves him in exchange for a domain of her own. When Dreadwing offers her the Oasis in exchange for her continued loyalty, she accepts, but is angered when he destroys it. It is implied that she has a crush on Z'neth, as she is willing to ally herself with the Dragonators and help them at times.
Fryte
Dragon Steed: Skunk
A servant of Dreadwing, who is unquestioningly loyal to him. Like Nocturna, his dragon steed resembles him.
Gangryn
A mutant scientist who serves Dreadwing, but has his own ambitions and is willing to change allegiances for his own sake.
The Gremwings
Gremwings are bipedal, insect-like creatures who serve Dreadwing; they have great strength and come in hordes. Other species include a monocular, batlike species which serves to gather information and a similar species that feeds on blood.
The Dramen
Dragon Steed: Unnamed
The Dramen are large, gargoyle-like humanoids that can sprout wings from their bodies. Dreadwing's Dramen are sometimes seen supporting him and his lieutenants and riding dragons.
Dram
Callsign: None
Armor Color: Dark brown
Dragon Steed: Titan
A Dramen who Aaron raised after his village was mysteriously destroyed, and his loyalty to them has caused other Dramen to call him a traitor, much to his resentment. Although he has a dragon steed, Dram prefers to fly himself.
Vydak
The tribal leader of a clan of Dark Dramen who destroyed Dram's village and killed his family, and later enslaved another clan. In his first appearance, Dreadwing attempts to form an alliance with him, but this fails when Dram attempts to rescue the enslaved villagers. In his second appearance, his warriors meet with Dreadwing's army in a canyon before attacking Airlandis, but are unaware that their leaders are plotting to betray each other.
Dragons
There are three type of dragons that appear in the series. The most common are the Airlandian dragons, which have smooth-skinned, serpentine bodies, long, slender necks and tails, needle-like teeth, and pterosaur-like wings on which they can walk. The second type is a large-bodied, four-legged breed with short necks that Fryte, Kreigo and Nocturna ride. The third type, of which Blackheart is the only example in the series, has characteristics of both types, but is larger and has the ability to consume lava and breathe fire. All dragons are intelligent and seem to understand human speech, and are loyal to their riders. When not on duty, Airlandian dragons live in a vast, hangarlike station consisting of nesting areas and a terraformed environment, including a lake.
Riptor
Z'Neth's dragon, a blue dragon with a nasal horn and two large crests. An Arlandian dragon, he is considered the leader of the dragons, as evidenced by his larger nest, collar, and crest armor. Riptor has a personal rivalry with Blackheart and is one of only two dragons and the only Airlandian dragon that can match his power.
Sky Fury
Summit's dragon, a green dragon with two brown horns. She is the only female among the protagonists' steeds and will not hesitate to take action, even without being given a command.
Fury's Cub
A small green dragon born early in the series. While still an egg, Nocturna, sent by Dreadwing to capture dragon eggs for Gangryn's genetic experiments, steals him from Fury to use in those experiments. As a result, he has the ability to project a paralyzing blast when he hatches. Dreadwing attempts to use this ability as a weapon, but fails when Sky Fury convinces him to join her.
Wing Storm
Peak's dragon, a young, steel-gray dragon with a spiky head and a long mouth. Both Wing Storm and Peak are reckless, though Wing Storm is the more cautious of the two.
Blazewind
Apex's dragon, a white dragon with a black mane. Blazewind is closer to his rider than others because of Apex's ability to communicate telepathically.
Blackheart
Dreadwing's dragon. A massive four-legged, long-necked, dragon with red scales and the ability to consume lava and breathe fire. Riptor is his rival and is his equal in power, but he was once defeated by the leader of a pack of wild dragons who could also breathe fire.
Episodes
The first three episodes were released as a stand-alone movie titled Dragon Flyz: The Legend Begins on December 3, 1996.
Episode
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
1–3
"The Legend Begins"
Xavier Giacometti
John Gentile (ep.1) Anthony Gentile (ep.1) David Toney (eps 2-3) Savin Yeatman (eps 1-3)
September 14, 1996 (1996-09-14) September 21, 1996 (1996-09-21) September 28, 1996 (1996-09-28)
Part 1: Dragon Dawn:[5] As the Dragonators search for Amber, the Gremwings capture Peak and Dreadwing holds him hostage, and his siblings fight to rescue him. Part 2: The Day of The Dragon: After a flight, Summit learns that Sky Fury is a mother. During an attack on Airlandis, her egg is stolen and taken to Warnado, where Gangryn modifies it, but Fury and the Dragonators rescue it. Part 3: Darkness Bound: Investigation of a wreck brings the Dragonators, Dreadwing, and a faction of surface-dwelling Dark Dramen into a stand-off. After the Dragonators escape, Dreadwing negotiates a treaty with the Dark Dramen's leader, Kreigo, and attacks Airlandis with him. When Nocturna betrays Kreigo, the Dragonators return him to his followers in exchange for a record of the wreck's arrival.
4
"Son of Dread"
Xavier Giacometti
David Toney Savin Yeatman
October 5, 1996 (1996-10-05)
While he is on the surface, Dreadwing captures Z'neth and drugs him to believe he is his son in order to turn him against the Dragonators.
5
"Amber King"
Xavier Giacometti
Peter Stone Savin Yeatman
October 12, 1996 (1996-10-12)
The Dragonators encounter a group of wild dragons, including one that can turn rock into Amber. Apex negotiates with them using her telepathy, but her efforts are threatened when Dreadwing attacks.
6
"Crystal Fire"
Xavier Giacometti
David Toney Savin Yeatman
October 19, 1996 (1996-10-19)
Gangryn discovers a crystal compound similar to Amber that expands uncontrollably when exposed to sunlight, which Dreadwing gives to the Dragonators. At Airlandis, the compound covers the city, immobilizing its inhabitants until it is destroyed by electricity.
During the Dragonators' patrol, they rescue Gangryn as he flees from Dreadwing's minions and bring him to Airlandis, where the Council offers him safe haven. However, Gangryn later betrays them and reveals to Dreadwing the presence of a portable "crystal reactor", prompting Orac and Z'Neth to arrange the theft of a powerless substitute.
8
"Warnado Rising"
Xavier Giacometti
David Toney Savin Yeatman
November 2, 1996 (1996-11-02)
Modified with lava-powered nuclear engines, Warnado rises from the surface to attack Airlandis. However, Summit infiltrates and destabilizes its engines, forcing Warnado to the ground.
9
"Bugz"
Xavier Giacometti
James Adner David Toney Savin Yeatman
November 9, 1996 (1996-11-09)
Blackheart falls ill after being bitten by a mysterious insect, which Dreadwing takes advantage of by breeding the insects to attack Airlandis. Apex invades Warnado to force Gangryn to create an antidote.
10
"Lost Eden"
Xavier Giacometti
Peter Stone Savin Yeatman
November 16, 1996 (1996-11-16)
After being shot down by Dreadwing in a dogfight, Z'neth falls into a lava chasm to avoid his attackers. After Apex finds him, they venture into a nearby tunnel for cover, where they discover an Oasis. The Oasis is later destroyed by Blackheart when Z'neth challenges Dreadwing for control of it.
Airlandis discovers a series of mesas called Mount Alayas and attempts to colonize them, but Dreadwing attacks. It is also discovered that the native plants are hallucinogenic, making the area uninhabitable.
12
"Scavenger"
Xavier Giacometti
James Adner Peter Stone Savin Yeatman
November 30, 1996 (1996-11-30)
The Dragon Flyz are joined by recruit Amod, but his distrust of dragons hinders their mission. Tensions rise when Orac's prototype Amber-retrieval aircraft, "The Scavenger", is taken for a test flight, offending Airlandis' dragons, but are resolved when the Scavenger is destroyed in battle.
13
"Dark Dramen"
Xavier Giacometti
Savin Yeatman Peter Stone
December 7, 1996 (1996-12-07)
After Dram spots plumes of smoke in the distance, they lead him to a village that has burned to the ground. Remembering his own past, Dram sets out to find his fellow Dramen, but the Dragonators follow him, and the local Dramen aid the Dragonators in their defense.
14
"The Eclipse"
Xavier Giacometti
James Adner David Toney Savin Yeatman
December 14, 1996 (1996-12-14)
A solar eclipse triggers the appearance of an Amber sphere, which Apex investigates. She discovers that the Amber is guarded by robots who obey her, but not her brothers.
15
"There Can Be Only One"
Xavier Giacometti
Peter Stone Savin Yeatman
December 21, 1996 (1996-12-21)
Dreadwing banishes Nocturna from Warnado for her repeated failures to stop the Dragonators' Amber runs. Nocturna goes to Airlandis and offers to form an alliance with them, but later returns to Dreadwing.
16
"Cifex"
Xavier Giacometti
David Toney Savin Yeatman
December 28, 1996 (1996-12-28)
The Dragonators discover a bunker on the surface, in which they find a human survivor who identifies himself as Cifex. They take him back to Airlandis, where Apex becomes his guide. However, Dreadwing captures them and reveals that Cifex is an android. In the ensuing battle, Cifex is separated from Apex and presumed dead, but survives in secret.
17
"Into Hell’s Gate"
Xavier Giacometti
Peter Stone Savin Yeatman
January 4, 1997 (1997-01-04)
The volcano Hell's Gate is erupting. As its previous eruption damaged Airlandis' Amber reactor, the Dragonators enter the volcano to prevent it from causing further damage.
18
"Ground Zero"
Xavier Giacometti
Peter Stone Savin Yeatman
January 11, 1997 (1997-01-11)
After being separated from the others during a surface flight, Peak discovers a cache of pre-Cataclysm long-range ballistic missiles. Dreadwing later retrieves them and plans to attack with them. However, after he carelessly launches the missiles simultaneously, the Dragonators redirect them to the launch site, which they destroy.
19
"Betrayed"
Xavier Giacometti
Peter Stone Savin Yeatman
January 18, 1997 (1997-01-18)
Gangryn has developed a machine which simulates powerful telepathic abilities. Dreadwing claims it as his own, which he subsequently uses to unleash havoc upon the Dragonators' operations.
20
"The Portal"
Xavier Giacometti
Savin Yeatman Jeffrey Paul Kearney Lisa Morton
January 25, 1997 (1997-01-25)
When the Dragon Flyz spot a star-shaped ridge on the surface, but are denied permission to investigate, Aaron reveals that their mother, Miranda, was teleported by a machine to a space station. He and the Flyz reactivate the machine, and Peak confirms Miranda's survival aboard the station. However, Peak is forced to return alone, and the machine is destroyed by Dreadwing's followers.
21
"Dread Rules, Part 1"
Xavier Giacometti
Savin Yeatman Jeffrey Paul Kearney Lisa Morton
February 1, 1997 (1997-02-01)
Confrontations between Councillor Joshua and Summit escalate after a failed Amber run, and he is eventually imprisoned on Joshua's orders.
22
"Dread Rules, Part 2"
Xavier Giacometti
Savin Yeatman Jeffrey Paul Kearney Lisa Morton
February 8, 1997 (1997-02-08)
With Summit imprisoned and the Dragonators buried under an avalanche, Dreadwing has gained control of Airlandis. However, Aaron and Orac begin to fight back and sabotage Dreadwing's control.
23
"The Children’s Crusade"
Xavier Giacometti
Peter Stone Savin Yeatman
February 15, 1997 (1997-02-15)
Apex falls into a coma after being hit by a mutagen-based weapon developed by Dreadwing's army. Two children, Lucy and Tommy, and their dragon Clawfire, who is Blazewind's child, set out to find a cure.
24
"The Chameleon"
Xavier Giacometti
Peter Stone Savin Yeatman
February 22, 1997 (1997-02-22)
After discovering fertile ground on the surface, Airlandis dispatches settlement units and Amber generators to establish a colony. Soon after, however, an unseen entity abducts the settlers' children, who turn out to be a population of three-headed "Tri-Dragons". Because the Amber reactors disrupt the Tri-Dragons' reproductive process, the colony is abandoned.
25
"The Accused"
Xavier Giacometti
David Toney Savin Yeatman
March 1, 1997 (1997-03-01)
Dreadwing captures Councillor Joshua and Z'neth and puts them on trial to justify humanity's actions against the mutants, with Dreadwing as judge, but they are rescued by Z'neth's siblings. The episode serves as a recap of the events of previous episodes.
26
"The F.I.S.T. Fighters"
Xavier Giacometti
Peter Stone Savin Yeatman
March 8, 1997 (1997-03-08)
After being shot down by the Dramen, Nora and Peak land in a cave and discover a giant pillar of Amber. However, they are confronted by a group of underground-dwelling humanoids who call themselves the Fight, Infiltrate, Strike, and Terminate Fighters.
Toy line
There were two sets of Dragon Flyz toys released by Galoob. One set consists of the main characters in various costumes, equipped with rotating wings that enable them to fly, a launching device shaped as a dragon, and a DVD. The second set does not have the DVD, and the launcher does not look like a dragon. Variations include lone riders; lone dragons that fly by flapping their own wings; and figures that illuminate when launched. Most of the rider figures carry firearm-like weapons. Galoob released a similar toyline aimed at girls, Sky Dancers.
Home media
Dragon Flyz had five VHS releases released by Columbia TriStar Home Video, four numbered volumes with a single episode each and "Dragon Flyz: The Legend Begins", a compilation of the first three episodes. There have been two region 2 DVDs, each with three episodes, in addition to those sold alongside the toys. The series has been officially released for viewing on YouTube by Mondo World.
