Complete series cast summary: | |||
Jeffrey Meek | ... | Jonathon Raven 20 episodes, 1992-1993 | |
Lee Majors | ... | Herman 'Ski' Jablonski 20 episodes, 1992-1993 | |
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Andy Bumatai | ... | Big Kahuna 12 episodes, 1992-1993 |
Jonathan Raven is a ninja, former member of the Black Dragons clan and also a former Special Forces agent. Now he lives in Hawaii, helping those in trouble and searching for his long-lost son, while avoiding assassins sent to kill him by the Black Dragon clan. Herman "Ski" Jablonski, an extravagant private investigator and Jonathon's best friend, is helping him. Written by Lady Andromeda <starqueen@usa.net>
The character Raven feels like a marriage between Batman and Don Johnson. Like the former, he is a vigilante crimefighter seeking justice for murdered love ones. Also, he is cultured and disciplined in martial arts and surrounding philosophies. As the latter, he happens to be a mullet-rocking glamor boy with a penchant for women and fun. It may not sound like it, but this is a very happy marriage.
This is a lower-end action production that is uniquely inspired. Due to surprisingly tight direction, never is it a going-through-the-motions bottom shelf actioner like it would seem. It may not be strikingly original, but "Raven" is fast-paced and well-layered. It gets the job done nicely without being over the top or pretentious.
"Raven" delivers the goods in style, outweighing the guilty in the term guilty pleasure. It knows what its audience wants (hot women, fast action, fun characters and exciting locations). It is more than deserving of a late night CBS spot, but still I don't think it got the respect and attention it deserved.