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Entries in Cartoon Network (6)

Monday

Aug222011

The 'Plastic Man' That Might Have Been

Monday, August 22, 2011 at 12:25PM |

Batman: The Brave and the Bold has ended its run on Cartoon Network, but the DC Universe will have a very strong presence in the months to come, from a second season for Young Justice to the upcoming Green Lantern animated series and beyond.

All very cool things.

But this 2006 Plastic Man pilot, that Warner Bros. commissioned but ultimately decided not to pick up, is seriously awesome. From its nonstop comedy to its almost underground art style, reminiscent of Ren and Stimpy and Peter Bagge's Hate, is a fantastic modern interpretation of Jack Cole's stretchy superhero. Check it out, and let me know what you think!

tagged

Cartoon Network,

DCU Animation,

Plastic Man

Thursday

Jul282011

'Green Lantern' Animated Series Preview Clip

Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 10:35AM |

Matt Sager

There's Hal Jordan, in all his CG glory, from the Comic-Con preview clip for the upcoming Green Lantern animated series on Cartoon Network. My initial impression is that while the series looks action-packed - always a good thing - Bruce Timm's amazing character design and flair for architecture that worked so well on Batman, Superman, and Justice League Unlimited, neither needs nor benefits from a CG update. Hal looks a little bit like a Nintedo Mii, and it just kills me because Green Lantern has just come off of a critical and commercial failure in the theaters - and as usual, the tie-in game was a dud - and a poorly executed animated series would be a multimedia trifectat of fail. And the Green Lantern Corps, frankly, deserves better.

Check out the trailer, and let me know what you think.

tagged

Green Lantern: The Animated Series,

SDCC

Wednesday

Mar302011

Sym-Bionic Titan Canceled

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 1:38AM |

Matt Sager

... And that's not even the most disturbing part of the story.

Sure, it's upsetting that we're losing the excellent animated series from Genndy (Dexter’s Lab, Samurai Jack) Tartakovsky; But why is the Cartoon Network canceling a series that's not only quality TV, but a genuine commercial ratings success to boot?

Apparently, because there's no merch!

The relationship between art and commerce has always been both symbiotic and adversarial - after all, without a property that attracts a loyal following, there's nobody to buy all those action figures, maquettes, T-Shirts and statues - but that hunger for easy money has tainted some otherwise great television shows and films, calling for entire scenes to be scripted based around the need for a variant costume chase figure, and if you're scripting a series just for the sake of quality TV, especially in the world of animation, that's apparently no longer enough for CN's parent company Warner Bros.

An anonymous Cartoon Network associate tells the TAG Blog:

“Genddy’s moved on to Sony Pictures Animation. Titan got competitive ratings with other action shows, but what shut it down was it didn’t have enough toys connected to it. If you don’t have the [toy sales], the studios don’t want to renew for another season.”

Nothing in that should be especially surprising to anyone who knows how the business works; it is, however, disheartening, and for the show's many fans it's a damn shame.

tagged

Cartoon Network,

Genndy Tartakovsky,

Sym-Bionic Titan

Wednesday

Mar232011

DC Nation Coming to Cartoon Network in 2012

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 9:14PM |

Matt Sager

Just in time for the end of the world and/or the election of President Michelle Bachmann (same thing, really), DC heroes are coming to Cartoon Network in a big way. Kind of hard to believe it took this long, what with both companies being Warner Bros. subsidiaries, and DC being a goldmine of proven licensed characters - but I guess the ball really got rolling with the shake-ups at DC last year that resulted in half of their staff relocating to the West Coast, establishing "DC Entertainment."

DC Nation, along with ThunderCats and Green Lantern: The Animated Series, are all debuting in 2012 under the auspices of producers Warner Bros. Animation.

Here are the official descriptions of the shows:

DC Nation: A multi-platform, branded block of original programming and exclusive content based on the DC Comics library of legendary character properties, DC Nation is developed in partnership with Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment. The all-new venture will harness the publishing, theatrical and television assets together for one powerful on-air block on Cartoon Network with exclusive online content.

ThunderCats: The re-imagined animated series based on the beloved 80s classic tells the tale of a hero’s epic journey to fulfill his ultimate destiny. On Third Earth, the kingdom of Thundera is being threatened by the evil sorcerer Mumm-Ra and young heir to the throne Lion-O embarks on a great quest to take his rightful place as king. The unlikely champion, joined by his faithful comrades Tygra, Cheetara, Panthro, WilyKit, WilyKat and his loyal pet Snarf, must work together to save their world from darkness.

Green Lantern: The Animated Series: Based upon the DC Comics super hero, the series is an all-new CG animated action series from Warner Bros. As Earth’s Green Lantern, Hal Jordan is used to being in dangerous situations—but he’s never faced anything like this! Set at the farthest reaches of deep space, Hal must face down an invasion from the Red Lantern Corps. Hal is soon joined by an all-new group of heroes on a mission to protect Guardian Space —and the Green Lantern Corps itself!

tagged

Thursday

Sep232010

Cartoon Network and Adult Swim Panel and Event Lineup for New York Comic Con

Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 6:38PM |

Matt Sager

Wow. Every day my upcoming convention marathon of Big Apple Comic Con and NYCC gets more exciting. And 10 billion slave Leias aren't as awesome as this latest announcement from NYCC: ladies and gentlemen, Adult Swim is in the House!

(Well, maybe 10 billion Leias would be kinda sweet - but my point remains. Read on!)

Press Release:

Cartoon Network and Adult Swim hosts a number of highly-anticipated panels, fan events and autograph signings at 2010 New York Comic Con at the Jacob K. Javits Center, Friday, October 8 through Sunday October 10, 2010. See the full lineup for both networks below; please note all times, dates and locations are subject to change.

CARTOON NETWORK & ADULT SWIM PANELS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8

ADULT SWIM: Childrens Hospital
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Room 1A06
Talent: Rob Corddry, Jon Stern, Rob Huebel and Erinn Hayes (additional guests TBA)

Check out the Childrens Hospital panel and hear from the show’s creative team led by Rob Corddry (Hot Tub Time Machine, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) and Jon Stern (producer of The Ten and Scotland, PA). They will be joined by members of their ensemble cast including Rob Huebel (I Love You Man, Human Giant) and Erinn Hayes (Parenthood, Worst Week). Childrens Hospital is a live-action comedy that explores the emotional struggles and sexual politics of a group of doctors charged with healthy libidos. Their dedication to their personal lives is relentless, interrupted only by the occasional need to treat sick children. Childrens Hospital airs Sundays at midnight (ET/PT) on Adult Swim.

ADULT SWIM: Robot Chicken
6:45 – 7:45 p.m.
Location: Special Events Hall
Talent: Seth Green, Matt Senreich

Adult Swim panel featuring Robot Chicken show creators, Seth Green and Matt Senreich. They will discuss their original series, answer questions and give a sneak peek from the next season of Robot Chicken and the upcoming one-hour special, Robot Chicken Star Wars: Episode III, which premieres December 19.

ADULT SWIM: The Venture Bros.
8:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Special Events Hall
Talent: Jackson Publick, Doc Hammer

Come see Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer talk about all things Venture, show some clips and take audience praise and questions. Season 4.5 of The Venture Bros. premiered Sunday, September 12 at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT on Adult Swim. The Venture Bros. first premiered on Adult Swim in August 2004 and has been a fan favorite every since.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

ADULT SWIM: Delocated!
5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Room 1A14
Talent: Jon Glaser, Kevin Dorff, Jerry Minor, Steve Cirbus, John Lee (additional guests TBA)

Adult Swim panel featuring Delocated! show creator/executive producer and star Jon Glaser. After testifying against the Russian Mafia, “Jon” and his family are uprooted and start living undercover through the witness protection program. After existing quietly in an anonymous suburb, “Jon” accepts an offer for the family to participate in a reality show based on their lives. In order to protect their identity with television audiences—and more importantly, the Russian mob family the Mirminsky’s—they wear ski masks and have their voices disguised. As part of the deal, the family is relocated to a sweet loft in New York City, where the series will be filmed.

Jon Glaser (“Jon”) and series co-stars), Kevin Dorff (Mike), Jerry Minor (Mighty Joe Jon, the Black Blond), Steve Cirbus (Sergei), and series executive producer John Lee will discuss the series and answer questions. Now expanded to 30 minutes, season two of Delocated! airs Thursdays at midnight and Sundays at 10:00 p.m. on Adult Swim.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10

CARTOON NETWORK: Firebreather Exclusive Screening and Panel
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: 1A08
Talent: Phil Hester (co-executive producer), Andy Kuhn (co-executive producer), Peter Chung (writer/director)

Fans will get the first look at Cartoon Network’s original CGI movie, Firebreather, with an exclusive screening! Be the first to see the film, then stay for an in-depth panel discussion featuring creator and co-executive producer Phil Hester (The Wretch), co-executive producer Andy Kuhn (Freedom Ring) and writer/director Peter Chung (Aeon Flux). Firebreather is based on the popular comic book series and will premiere on Cartoon Network in November.

CARTOON NETWORK: Ben 10 10.10.10 Celebration
12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
Location: 1A06
Talent: Yuri Lowenthal, Greg Cipes, Ashley Johnson

Come celebrate Ben 10 on 10.10.10 with the cast of Ben 10: Ultimate Alien! Fans will be treated to a never-before-seen episode of the series with voiceover dialogue performed LIVE by Yuri Lowenthal (Ben), Greg Cipes (Kevin) and Ashley Johnson (Gwen)! Other panel highlights include a sneak peak at the new season of Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, cast Q&A, and a chance to win lots of Ben 10 Prizes!

ADULT SWIM AUTOGRAPH SIGNINGS

Friday, October 8

3:00 – 4:30 p.m.                                  Robot Chicken Signing
Location: Room 1C02
Talent: Seth Green, Matt Senreich

5:45 – 6:45 p.m.                                  Childrens Hospital Signing
Location: Show Floor – Autograph Alley
Talent: Rob Corddry, Jon Stern, Rob Huebel and Erinn Hayes (additional guests TBA)

Saturday, October 9

11:00 – 12:00 p.m.                             Venture Bros Signing
Location: Room 1C01
Talent: Doc Hammer, Jackson Publick

3:45 — 4:45 p.m.                                  Delocated! Signing
Location: Show Floor – Autograph Alley
Talent: Jon Glaser, Kevin Dorff, Jerry Minor, Steve Cirbus (additional guests TBA)

ADULT SWIM – BUS INFORMATION
Adult Swim will be offering complimentary shuttle buses from several hotel locations around Manhattan for drop off at the Jacob Javits Center between the hours of 7:30 AM and 11:30 AM (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and hotel returns from 4:30 PM through 8:30 PM (Friday and Saturday) and 2:30 PM through 6:30 PM (Sunday). Please check www.newyorkcomiccon.com/en/NYCC/Hotels--Travel/ for more details on the shuttle buses. For more information on the Adult Swim booth, panels and signings please go to www.AdultSwimPresents.com
CARTOON NETWORK – LOUNGE INFORMATION

Cartoon Network and Ben 10: Ultimate Alien will take over the registration lobby of the Jacob Javitz Center at New York Comic Con from October 8 – 10, with the CARTOON NETWORK ULTIMATE ACTION LOUNGE. The CARTOON NETWORK ULTIMATE ACTION LOUNGE will feature plasma televisions with Cartoon Network shows, exclusive giveaways, video games (Ben 10 Cosmic Destruction), photo-ops for fans with a custom Ben 10 go-kart by Bandai and digital sampling stations.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 97 million U.S. homes and 166 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for youth and families. Nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults 18-34.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

tagged Adult Swim, Ben 10, Big Apple Comic Con, Cartoon Network, Children's Hospital, Comic-Con, Delocated, Firebreather, NYCC, Robot Chicken, Venture Bros., Wizard World

Sunday
Sep052010

MAD debuts tomorrow on Cartoon Network

Sunday, September 5, 2010 at 3:46PM | Matt Sager

The long-running humor magazine MAD is coming to Cartoon Network in the form of a new 15-minute TV series. The cartoon show will feature various new comedy sketches inspired by the magazine as well as old cartoons such as Spy. Vs. Spy. The LA Times has an interview with the show’s producers Mark Marek (Crank Yankers) and Kevin Shinick (Robot Chicken) about how they went about bringing the show to television, what sort of humor that they’re going for and what type of audience they’re expecting for the series to have. MAD debuts tomorrow on Cartoon Network at 8:30 PM EST.

via animatedviews.com

tagged Cartoon Network, Mad