Jonny Quest (franchise)

The Jonny Quest franchise began in 1964 with the television series Jonny Quest, and has since expanded into multiple television series, films, comic books, video games, action figures, and more.

General premise
Jonny Quest is a young boy who goes on adventures with his scientist father Dr. Quest, his bodyguard Race Bannon, his adoptive brother Hadji, and his loyal bulldog Bandit.

World setting
The world of Jonny Quest is generally very similar to the present day real world, except that magic and supernatural phenomenon are real. Hadji typically has some mystical powers, such as levitation and the ability to calm animals. Ghosts and legendary creatures or monsters are not uncommon. The technology of the series, particular the inventions of Dr. Quest and some of his colleges and antagonists, are also far more advanced for their time.

1960s
Jonny Quest premiered in 1964 and ran for 26 episodes. A Jonny Quest comic book based on the first episode was also released in 1964.

1970s
Three children's books were published: Jonny Quest and the Lost City (1972), Jonny Quest's Adventure With the Secret Tunnel (1972), and Jonny Quest: Adventure with the Salt Plot (1973).

1980s
The new television series Jonny Quest was released in 1986 and ran for 13 episodes.

Comico began releasing Jonny Quest comic books: Jonny Quest (1986-1988, 31 issues), Jonny Quest Classics (1987, 3 issues), Jezebel Jade (1988, 3 issues), and Jonny Quest Special (1988, 2 issues).

1990s
The first two Jonny Quest video games were released: Jonny Quest in Doctor Zin's Underworld (1991) and Jonny Quest: Curse of the Mayan Warriors (1993).

Two Jonny Quest TV movies were released: Jonny's Golden Quest (1993) and Jonny Quest Versus the Cyber Insects (1995).

A paint-with-water coloring book was released in 1994.

In 1995, the Jonny Quest: Character Reference Guide book was released.

In 1996, the television series The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest began and ran for 52 episodes. The series also had a book series and a comic book series with new adventures. It had multiple coloring and activity books: Rock of Rages, The Robot Spies, The Continuing Adventures of Jonny Quest, and a series of Spanish-language coloring books. It also had a children's Play-A-Sound book, trading cards, an action figure line, and it's own video game Jonny Quest: Cover-Up At Roswell.

2000s
The classic Quest Team had multiple cameo appearances in the comedy animated series Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, most notably in the episodes "Bannon Custody Battle" (2000) and "Return of Birdgirl" (2005).

In 2003, the comedy animated series The Venture Bros. began, and the initial setup is parodied off the original Jonny Quest series. The series later introduced actual Jonny Quest characters, beginning with Race Bannon in episode 1.09 "Ice Station - Impossible!" (2004), in which Race dies. Jonny Quest, later called "Action Johnny", later makes an appearance along with "Dr. Z" (based on Dr. Zin) and "Rajni" (based on Hadji).

2010s
The Quest Team have cameo appearances in the animated series ''Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated'' in the episode "Pawn of Shadows" (2011) and "Heart of Evil" (2012). The Quest Team also appear in the comic book series ''Scooby-Doo! Team-Up'' in issue #10 "Quest for Mystery!" (2015).

In 2015, the direct-to-video movie Tom and Jerry: Spy Quest was released. It features Tom and Jerry in a crossover with the Quest Team.

In 2016, DC Comics launched the Future Quest comic book series, featuring the Quest Team and various Hanna-Barbera characters, which ran for 12 issues. In this same continuity, the single issue Adam Strange-Future Quest Special 1 (2017) was published as a crossover between the Quest Team and the DC Comics character Adam Strange.

2020s
In 2020, Warner Bros. launched its Hanna-Barbera cinematic universe with the film Scoob!, which referenced multiple Hanna-Barbera series including Jonny Quest. The Scooby gang uses a laptop computer with the Quest-branded "Q", an indication that the Quest Team exists in the shared universe. The credits also show a billboard for Quest Labs, and the Scooby Gang visits Dr. Quest at Quest Labs. There has not yet been any announcements regarding the Jonny Quest series being featured in future films.

Future projects
A live-action film has been in early development for years.