Warning: contains spoilers for Thundercats #13!

It turns out the most important member of the Thundercats is the last one you would expect. Since launching last year, Dynamite’s Thundercats book has continually defied fan expectations, giving fans a bold new take on this beloved franchise. Thundercats has seeded a number of storylines that are now coming to fruition, and the most unlikely member of the time finds themselves in the thick of it in issue 13.

Thundercats was created by Tobin Wolf.

Thundercats #13 was written by Declan Shalvey and drawn by Drew Moss. The largely dialogue-free issue focuses on Snarf. Shalvey and Moss’ run has hinted there is far more to Snarf than fans thought, and this issue confirms it. Snarf has the ability to travel through space and time, including to a realm where more of his kind dwell. After being forcibly removed from it, Snarf wanders a barren landscape before meeting Apex, the future version of Lion-O. Apex warns Snarf he must return to his own time, and “gather his forces,” as darkness awaits.

Snarf, the Thundercats' Sometimes Comic Relief Character, Explained

Many Thundercats Fans Do Not Like Snarf

Snarf, the diminutive furry friend of Lion-O and the Thundercats, may seem to be the last character capable of saving his teammates, but this issue makes it clear that is what must happen. Introduced in the original Thundercats cartoon, Snarf was a nursemaid and guardian for a young Lion-O. He made the pilgrimage to Third Earth with the Thundercats team after their homeworld was destroyed. During Thundercats late 1980s heyday, Snarf was played largely for comic relief, leading to a negative image among fans. Other iterations of the Thundercats franchise featured a far less grating version of Snarf.

Dynamite’s Thundercats title has been a hit with fans and critics, thanks to its balancing of nostalgia and breaking new ground. Shalvey and Moss have hemmed close to the source material, even trotting out its more obscure of the Thundercats. At the same time, new innovations to the mythos have been introduced, namely new characters such as Calica, who, as seen in Thundercats #13, is approached by Snarf to his army. Shalvey and Moss’ have ensured Thundercats is not merely a trip down memory lane, and instead a vital, engaging and fun read.

Dynamite's Thundercats Comic Has Given Snarf An Awesome New Ability

The Mystery Surrounding Snarf Deepens, and Only Makes Him Cooler

And Snarf, a character written off by many fans, has maybe benefitted the most from this approach. While the trend was to make Snarf less annoying over time, no other has given him the importance he now carries at the end of Thundercats #13. Snarf was absent from the first few issues of Thundercats, but when he returned, it was clear there was more going on with Snarf than he let on. Snarf, whose whiny voice was like nails on a chalkboard to fans in the 1980s, is now quiet, only adding to his mystery.

The enigma that was the new Snarf only deepened with the revelation that he could travel seemingly anywhere in space and maybe even time.

The enigma that was the new Snarf only deepened with the revelation that he could travel seemingly anywhere in space and maybe even time. This was completely new, and there was no precedent for it elsewhere in the franchise. Giving Snarf an awesome ability such as god-level teleportation not only elevates him to the big leagues, but exemplifies Dynamite, Shalvey and Moss’ take on this beloved franchise: give fans what they want, just not in the way they were expecting, which has helped propel Thundercats to record-breaking sales.

Snarf Just Became the Most Important Member of the Thundercats

Snarf Has Gone from Zero to Hero

The burden that Snarf now carries is a great one. He must discover exactly what destroyed the Thundercats and turn his former friend Lion-O into the damaged Apex. This alone could break most, but Snarf must also find a way to prevent it from happening. The allies Snarf is choosing, such as Calica, are untested in battle, and have violated trust with the main Thundercats team. Snarf has his work cut out for him, but his awesome new powers and mission have elevated him to the most important member of the Thundercats.

Thundercats #13 is on sale now from Dynamite Entertainment!