Just like the title says. Do you think this is a real mock up done for an unproduced lunchbox design or no. I am split on this, THe characters look like they are drawn by amatuers, and why are the costume colors skintoned. I am thinking about getting it if real (it would we a sweet addition to the merch section)
Chris here…
Hmmmm, I’m not certain about this - I wouldn’t necessarily question its authenticity, as some very early ThunderCats products did feature characters where their clothing and weaponry were either shown in a “prototype” stage or just miscoloured. But, the thing that makes me wonder is the image of Monkian atop a Skycutter, as seen in this pic:
http://i10.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/8a/27/9ada_1.JPG
I think I’d be right in saying that that image comes from early concept artwork (like the ThunderCats equivalent of Ralph McQuarrie’s Star Wars art). Quite why seeing that on there should make me su****ious of the origins of the piece I don’t know, I guess such a straight lift of an image makes me question its authenticity as a hand-painted piece…
On the whole though, there’s nothing to suggest that it isn’t accurate - maybe it was unproduced because the renderings of the characters (from a colouring perspective) were rejected and replaced with better versions? 
Take care…
I understand your concern. The drawings, in particular Lion-O and Cheetara are a tad simplistic. But the people commissioned to do work on items such as lunch boxes would not be that familiar with the subject matter I guess.
All of the figures, excluding Lion-O and Cheetara are all from the character sheets. Which suggests they were aked to copy them. But as for Lion-O and Cheetara, maybe they were asked to draw a different pose using reference material, hense why they are not as good.
I don’t know.. I don’t think you will be able to be 100% either way..
Hope that helps
To verify ask the Thundercat God…Mr. Andrew Mccabe
Thanks for the help guys. Everything you have said is in line with my thinking. Manny maybe I will pm andrew about it. I am leaning towards it being a fan based painting (since it cant really be verified and the person selling it has no idea)
That early image of Monkian on a Skycutter was used on the Hestair Jigsaw I have (though the colouring was slightly more of orange I believe)
I’ll try and get it photographed and uploaded as soon as I can
Perhaps this thread should go in the toys forum seeing as the subject might interest our civilian members as well?
Chris here…
Going totally off-topic, but - I never realised you had a ThunderCats jigsaw too, Neil! When did you pick that up?
Take care…
My nextdoor neighbour bought it for me from a car boot sale in around 1990 for 10 pence :jaw: Though the box has seen better days, but the jigsaw itself is in ok’ish condition and fully complete.
It features the Thundercats (Lion-o, Panthro, Tygra and Cheetara) pulling the Thundertank off the edge of a cliff using different coloured ropes.
I just remembered this that I bought in the Summer..
[CENTER]http://www.thundercatslair.org/staff/kyle/tcduvet.jpg[/CENTER]
![http://www.thundercatslair.org/staff/kyle/tcduvet.jpg[/CENTER]](http://www.thundercatslair.org/staff/kyle/tcduvet.jpg%5B/CENTER%5D){kind=link}
The artwork is simialr quality to that displayed in that piece you are wondering about. It also has the concept stage monkian on the skycutter. If it is intended for a lunch box then it could very well be authentic.
Hope that helps
Thanks Kyle. I am leaning more and more towards it being real. The figs look similar to the actual lunchbox released, and with this pic and the fact that Neil said he had that monkian on a puzzle. Needless to say I will be placing a bid on it.
This is that Skycutter image we keep banging on about just incase ppl haven’t seen it…
[CENTER]http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g262/kzlambert/Thundercats/Utility/Skycutter.jpg[/CENTER]
![http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g262/kzlambert/Thundercats/Utility/Skycutter.jpg[/CENTER]](http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g262/kzlambert/Thundercats/Utility/Skycutter.jpg%5B/CENTER%5D){kind=link}
Matt, I think this one could be real. The similarities in the artwork we have seen on this thread are too close
it may be real, but its damn ugly!
I second that, however I would get that myself simply because it is almost a one of a kind piece. Dont worry Matt I wont interfere with your bidding
http://thundercats.vpga.com/toys/gallery/toy_images.asp?image=lunchbox2_toy.jpg
http://thundercats.vpga.com/toys/gallery/toy_images.asp?image=lunchbox_toy.jpg
Here is what the only lunch box (apart from a crappy plastic one with no original art on it) looks like. You’ll see there are some characters on the sides who are dupes of the model sheets, similar to what was on this supposed “mock up”
Hahahahh That is so true Mark.
Anyway thanks for the help guys. If I win I will be glad to showcase it in the Merch section (or maybe the prototype section)
In my opinion this is a real mock up / early version of some legitimate ThunderCats merchandise. I have no way of knowing if its for a lunchbox, but I certainly have no reason to dispute that, and it seems as likely as anything.
I also noticed that the actual lunchbox has similar colouring for Lion-O and Cheetara as the mock up.
Cheetara is also in the nude on both the lunchbox and the mockup. I think this was lifted from an early model sheet as the design obviously changed later.
Personally I think the show would have been even more successful if the creators had decided to let her run around without an outfit for the duration of the show.
Chris here…
You’re a man after my own heart, Mark! 
Take care…
Well I got outbid dam n having to work. But I have a feeling it will be back up again sometime. This guy sells a bunch of rare/prototype stuff at big bucks
Chris here…
Just a suggestion, what about contacting the winning bidder and asking whether they’d be willing to allow the piece to be displayed here at TCL? I don’t know whether that’s bad eBay etiquette (as I don’t have an eBay account, and so would trust the judgement of someone who did), but that was just a thought I had!
Take care…