Friday the 13th has been reworked as a 1980’s era cartoon series in a new fan-made video. The horror franchise is easily considered one of the most iconic brands of the genre, with the first entry having arrived in 1980 and eleven more films following.
Ranked as the most profitable horror franchise in the world until 2018 when it was overtaken by Halloween, Friday the 13th has managed to turn the very basic concept of Jason Vorhees – a young boy who drowned at Camp Crystal Lake, only to return as a homicidal, hockey mask-wearing maniac – into an instantly recognizable symbol of horror. In addition to the films, Friday the 13th has managed to make an impact through a variety of mediums, including video games, a television series, comic books, and novels. There’s also been a steady stream of merchandise for those who simply can’t get enough of the mask-clad Vorhees. Yet despite all this, some fans would argue that one element that’s been missing after all these years is an animated Friday the 13th TV series.
Sadly, the concept is still not currently in the works, but thanks to Twitter user Franks Kid, a glimpse into just what sort of bizarre world a Friday the 13th cartoon would inhabit is now available. Jason and Friends is designed to ape the classic Saturday morning brand of cartoons that were the norm in the 1980s and follows the teen-slaying hi-jinx of the eponymous character. There’s a definite tongue in cheek sense of humor to it all, yet at the same time, it’s undoubtedly something that many Friday the 13th fans would love to see become a reality.
In addition to doing its best to look like something out of a 1980’s Saturday morning, Jason and Friends looks as though it takes some of its cues from the very real (yet no less bizarre) Mike Tyson Mysteries, which ended its four-season run earlier this year. Of course, that series contained far less violence than what a potential Friday the 13th animated series would offer, but it does seem arguable that Jason and the Friday the 13th franchise has a more dedicated fan base than Mike Tyson does. Could a real Friday the 13th cartoon ultimately be made? It’s a difficult question to answer for certain, but past efforts to create a new, live-action Friday the 13th TV series have had a long and unsuccessful road.
If a live-action Friday the 13th TV series isn’t likely to see the light of day any time soon, perhaps venturing into animation is the right move for Jason and the Camp Crystal Lake counselors. It would certainly add a new and very different perspective to Friday the 13th’s storied existence. At the same time, however, there’s also the risk of an animated Jason Vorhees not hitting the mark with a certain segment of Friday the 13th fans. Still, it’s hard to deny that the Franks Kid clip offers a very intriguing prospect for a horror franchise that is always looking for ways to remain relevant.
Source: Franks Kid