---

WHO ARE THE CUYAHOGA RIVER RIDERS?

The American Revolution is raging. While the early fighting has centered around the fledgling new nation's urban eastern shore, those on the rural western pioneer (the modern states of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky) find themselves increasingly involved in the sprawling conflict. Lacking the resources and communication networks enjoyed by much of the east, the patriot pioneers are far less protected by the Colonial Army-- and largely left to fend for themselves.

Enter the Cuyahoga River Riders-- a band of costumed war orphans, runaways & defectors who work together to spread communications and intel throughout the western settlements. Bringing resources, ambush alerts, and protection to those most in need, these masked riders stay one step ahead of the British Army in aid of the patriot cause.

Led by Rebecca St. Clair (Thunderbird), Frederick Cain (Dispatch), James Grant (Banshee) & Ahote (Restless), the Cuyahoga River Riders bring hope to a frontier consumed by war.

---

CHARACTERS

REBECCA ST. CLAIR aka THUNDERBIRD 

The daughter of a former British Colonel (turned Patriot, who served under American General Anthony Wayne), Rebecca St. Clair was orphaned following her father's death at the Battle of Paoli (or "Paoli Massacre") in 1777. She attempted to follow her brother into the Colonial Army in guise as a young man, but was quickly discovered as a woman, and barred entry. She instead left her father's modest fortune in Philadelphia and fled to the western pioneer, where she encountered other young people, affected by the horrors of war, and worked to create an infantry of inclusion all their own to save lives and aid in the patriot cause.

APPEARANCES

FILM
Super Science Showcase segment "The Navigator"
SHORT STORIES 
"Thunderbird's War"
COMICS 
Super Science Showcase Stripped: "Thunderbird's Tools of the Trade"
GAMES 
Cuyahoga River Riders: "Thunderbird's Ride"
BOOKS
Super Science Showcase Stories #1
Super Science Showcase Coloring Book
Super Science Showcase Character & Education Guide
MAGAZINES
Super Science Showcase Spotlight #1

---

FREDERICK CAIN aka DISPATCH

Born into enslavement, Frederick escaped his bondage in adolescence and fled to the Western Frontier to start life as a freeman, focusing on self-reliance and self-education. A decade or so later, he encountered Rebecca St. Clair, and (at first) reluctantly joined the ranks of the Cuyahoga RIver Riders-- where his skills and cunning would eventually lead him to serve as Thunderbird's top general, Dispatch.

APPEARANCES

FILMS
Super Science Showcase segment "The Navigator"
​SHORT STORIES 
"Thunderbird's War"
​"The Lost Mare"
BOOKS
Super Science Showcase Coloring Book
Super Science Showcase Character & Education Guide
MAGAZINES
Super Science Showcase Spotlight #1

---

GIDEON SYNN

Though little is known about Gideon's origins, in 1779 he served six months with the British's 8th Regiment of Foot, based at Fort Detroit, in disguise as the company's drummer-- though he was really a plant for American Patriots. Discovered by the British as a spy prior to an ambush of Ft. Laurens that winter, Gideon escaped, encountering the Cuyahoga River Riders, who helped him warn the fort of the upcoming danger-- after which he joined their ranks.

APPEARANCES

FILMS
Super Science Showcase segment "The Navigator"
SHORT STORIES
"The Lost Mare"
BOOKS
Super Science Showcase Coloring Book
Super Science Showcase Character & Education Guide

---

JEREMIAH DAWKINS

A prominent member of the Colonial Army stationed at Fort Henry in the Virginia colony, Dawkins has encountered the Cuyahoga River Riders several times, including working with Thunderbird to reclaim lost cargo on the Ohio River in 1780.

APPEARANCES

COMICS 
Super Science Showcase Stripped: "Thunderbird's Tools of the Trade"
MAGAZINES
Super Science Showcase Spotlight #1

---

OTHER CHARACTERS

James Grant aka Banshee: A runaway of loyalist parents from arosticratic Boston, James fell in with the Cuyahoga River Riders while adventuring through the Western Pioneer.

Ahote aka Restless: A Shawnee Brave who joined the Cuyahoga River Riders following the death of Cornstalk, a prominent leader of the Shawnee Nation, and a mentor to Ahote. Cornstalk, prior to his murder by American militia men at Fort Randolph, was a vocal advocate for neutrality and peace for the Shawnee Nation. After his death, many Shawnee chose to side with the British-- while out of respect for his former mentor, Ahote has chosen to maintain his desire for neutrality and peace by helping the Cuyahoga River Riders protect the innocent-- but refuses to directly aid either side of the conflict.
​
Daniel Boone (Real Historical Figure): Militia officer and frontiersman whose exploits have brought him in contact with the Cuyahoga River Riders.

---

CANON

The Cuyahoga River Riders appear in

TIMELINE

APRIL 19, 1775: Battles of Lexington and Concord
JUNE 17, 1775: Battle of Bunker Hill
JULY 4, 1776: Continental Congress issues the Declaration of Independence
SEPTEMBER 20, 1777: Battle of Paoli (Paoli Massacre); Colonel Dalton Sinclair Dies
NOVEMBER 10, 1777: Cornstalk, Prominent Leader of Shawnee Nation, murdered by Patriot militiamen at Fort Randolph, Virginia
WINTER 1779​: "The Navigator" Occurs (FILM); "The Lost Mare" (SHORT STORY)
SPRING 1780: "Thunderbird's Tools of the Trade" Occurs (COMIC)
SUMMER 1780: "Thunderbird's War" (SHORT STORY); "Thunderbird's Ride" (GAME)
SEPTEMBER 3, 1783: Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Revolutionary War

---

FOR PARENTS & TEACHERS

Stories featuring the Cuyahoga River Riders focus on teaching children of all ages about the American Revolutionary War period. Stories include a mix of fictional characters & events and real history & science-- including real events, locations and historical figures important during that era. Stories feature a diverse assortment of characters, many orphaned, from different backgrounds and ethnicities.

In addition to specific science curriculum addressed in each Cuyahoga River Riders' adventure (see our Character & Education Guide for more information), students can expect to develop an understanding of:

• American History
• The American Revolutionary War
• Why/when/how the war was fought 
• Facts about and historical figures from the Revolutionary War

While stories featuring the Cuyahoga River Riders are intended for all ages, the curriculum in the stories are geared for grades 4-9 as the main subject focus.

NOTE: Unfortunately, during this period of American history, while the country fought for freedom from the British, many of the young nation's people were still prejudiced against, oppressed-- even enslaved-- and viewed as "lesser" than those in established power. While we condemn these antiquated views, we do try and depict an honest vision of our past, and at times, stories do deal with characters encountering this ugly reality.

---

BEHIND THE SCENES

CREATED BY Lee Fanning
MUSIC BY David James Nielsen
REBECCA ST. CLAIR/THUNDERBIRD Sara Morgan
FREDERICK CAIN/DISPATCH Princeton Drake
GIDEON SYNN Cody Reed