How to Draw Comics the Simpsons Way

Dean Fraser just finished up a Month of Marvel on Springfield Punx, a blog where Dean takes famous pop culture icons and turns them into Simpsons characters.

This is a great concept and I've been following this blog since it started in June. Dean covers everything from superheroes to movie and tv characters to hockey players to late night talk show hosts.

Be sure to check out the Month of Marvel for a different look at animated superheroes!

Labels: News 2008 10

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  Batman:B&B Character Designs

The November 14th premiere of Batman: The Brave and the Bold is just a few weeks away and here are some neat character designs to keep you drooling until then!

Labels: 2008 Batman Brave and the Bold, News 2008 10

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  Plastic Man is coming to DVD!

TV Shows on DVD points us toward News From Me, a blog by Mark Evanier, a comic book and animation writer.

In this post, Evanier tells the tale of how he went down to Warner Bros to record an interview for a couple of upcoming Warner Home Video animation DVD sets. One set in particular is of great importance to this site: The 1979 series Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show!

I'm sure this is very early news since the DVD features are just getting started, but I'll let you know when I find out more information!

Labels: 1979 Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Hour, News 2008 10

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  Two-Minute Batman Preview of First Episode!

Cartoon Network has posted a two-minute preview of the first episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold featuring the Blue Beetle.

Unfortunately I am unable to watch it as it is only available to American viewers. I don't understand why that is. Oh well, the show premieres only a few short weeks away, on November 14, so I won't have to wait long! In the meantime, you will have to watch the preview for me and let me know what you think!

Also, the Cartoon Network website as a nifty Brave and the Bold section where you can watch the trailer, look at character bios, download wallpapers, and play Dynamic Double Team where you team up with Batman and the Blue Beetle and take down Kanajr-Ro!

Labels: 2008 Batman Brave and the Bold, News 2008 10

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  No New Hulk vs Thor Trailer.

Marvel.com has fooled us into thinking that they have posted a new Hulk vs. Thor trailer on their website. But sadly, it is just the same trailer as before. Here it is in case you missed it the first time:

Labels: 2009 Hulk Vs, News 2008 10

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  Marvel Animation Trailer on Hulk DVD

I had a look at the Marvel Animation Trailer that is featured before the menu of the Incredible Hulk DVD that came out today. The trailer spotlights Marvel's current and upcoming productions, including Wolverine and the X-Men, Next Avengers, Hulk vs, Black Panther, Iron Man: Armored Adventures, Marvel Super Hero Squad and Marvel Anime.

There was no mention of Hulk: Gamma Corps which is rumored to be shelved although no official word has been given. It also doesn't mention Spectacular Spider-Man which doesn't seem to come up in anyone's conversations about Marvel's current animation domination for some reason.

I was hoping for a little bit more, actually. I was looking for a peek at Super Hero Squad and Marvel Anime but instead I get a whole bunch of clips that I, for the most part, have already seen. There was one shot of Loki and Enchantress from Hulk vs. Thor and two shots I didn't recognize from past Hulk vs. Wolverine trailers, but the only thing for Marvel Anime and Super Hero Squad is a title card and some licensed artwork. I guess these two productions are still in early development.

Instead of taking caps myself, I want to point you to Marvel Animation Age who has already capped all the good parts.

Labels: News 2008 10

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  Brave and the Bold Premieres November 14!

Cartoon Network has officially announced the premiere of Batman: The Brave and the Bold and it is less than a month away! Mark November 14 @ 7:30pm on your calendars because you are not going to want to miss this!

The following press release also reveals the plots of the first three episodes. Read on!

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD (TV-Y-7)
Premieres Friday, November 14, 7:30 p.m. (ET, PT)

Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. Animation present the latest interpretation of the classic Batman franchise, premiering Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The Caped Crusader is teamed up with heroes from across the DC Universe, delivering nonstop action and adventure with a touch of comic relief. Blue Beetle, Green Arrow, Aquaman and countless others will get a chance to uphold justice alongside Batman. Though still based in Gotham City, Batman will frequently find himself outside city limits, facing situations that are both unfamiliar and exhilarating. With formidable foes around every corner, Batman will still rely on his stealth, resourcefulness and limitless supply of cool gadgets to bring justice home.

Friday, Nov. 14: Rise of the Blue Beetle! - Batman and Blue Beetle team up to save an alien race from Kanjar Ro.

Friday, Nov. 21: Terror on Dinosaur Island! - Batman and Plastic Man thwart Gorilla Grodd's plot to devolve humans into primates.

Friday, Nov. 28: Evil Under the Sea! - Batman aids Aquaman as Ocean Master and Black Manta team up to assassinate him.

Labels: 2008 Batman Brave and the Bold, News 2008 10

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  Super Hero Squad, Marvel Anime Revealed on Hulk DVD

A special trailer for Marvel Animation will be included on the upcoming Incredible Hulk DVD which will be released on October 21st.

The trailer will cover everything from current Marvel productions like Next Avengers and Wolverine and the X-Men to upcoming releases such as Black Panther, Hulk Vs. and Iron Man: Armored Adventures. And this isn't just a rehash of old clips either. You will get to see some new footage!

But probably the most exciting of all will be a sneak peek at two Marvel projects that are still in pre-production: Marvel Anime and Super Hero Squad! Check back here for some stills from the trailer because you can bet that I'll be checking it out and sharing it with you!

Labels: News 2008 10

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  New Avengers Cartoon for 2011!

This just in! Marvel Animation, along with Film Roman, will be producing a new Avengers cartoon to coincide with the release of the Captain America and Avengers movies coming out in 2011! And if the above image is any hint, this series is gonna look a thousand times better than the one produced in 1999.

The 26-episode series, called Avengers: Earth's Mightest Heroes, will be produced by Ciro Nieli, producer of Super Robot Monkey Team Hyper Force Go! and Teen Titans, and will focus on the original Avengers line-up: Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Ant Man, Wasp, and of course, Captain America. From the press release:

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes is an all-new property featuring some of Marvel’s all-time favorite characters including Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Giant Man and Wasp. When the planet is threatened by Super Villains, time traveling conquerors, alien invaders, mythical monsters and mad robots bent on the total destruction of humanity, when forces of evil are so overwhelming that no single hero has the power to save the world, when there is no hope left…the Avengers assemble!

Labels: 2011 Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes, News 2008 10

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  All-New Super Friends Hour Volume Two on DVD

Warner Home Video has just announced that the second volume of the All-New Super Friends Hour is coming to DVD on January 27, 2009. This volume will include 8 one-hour episodes and will complete the 1977 season of the popular series.

This version of the Super Friends is really fun. It is a less serious (is that possible?) version of the show that focused more on teaching kids important lessons as well as including safety tips, magic tricks and riddles!

No bonus features have been announced yet but here are the episodes that will be included in this set:

The Invisible Menace/Initiation/Coming of the Anthropods/River of Doom

Attack of the Giant Squid/Game of Chicken/The Water Beast/Volcano

The Collector/Handicap/The Mind Maidens/Alaska Peril

The Fifty Foot Woman/Cheating/Exploration Earth/Attack of the Killer Bees

Forbidden Power/Pressure Point/The Lionmen/Day of the Rats

Man Beasts of Xra/Prejudice/Tiny World of Terror/Tibetan Raiders

Frozen Peril/Dangerous Prank/The Mummy of Nazca/Cable Car Rescue

The Protector/Stowaways/The Ghost/Rampage

It'll have been a year since Volume One was released so it is nice to see that WHV hasn't forgot about this set.

Labels: 1977 All-New Super Friends Hour, News 2008 10

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  Iron Man Voice Cast

The main cast of the new Iron Man: Armored Adventures animated series has been announced. Below is the list along with their past superhero connections.

Adrian Petriw - Tony Stark (Played the young Hawkeye from Next Avengers)

Daniel Bacon - Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes (although nothing animated, Bacon did have cameos on Smallville and in Fantastic Four)

Anna Cummer - Pepper Potts (Cummer is an accomplished voice actor but this is her first role in a superhero cartoon)

Mackenzie Gray - Obadiah Stane (Played Dr. Alistair Kreig on one episode of Smallville)

Catherine Haggquist - Roberta Rhodes (Catherine also guest starred on one episode of Smallville)

Vincent Tong - The Mandarin (This guy is new to the scene. I can't find any info on him)

I'd like to point out that this cast is made up of residents of Vancouver, BC. While looking at their imdb lists I saw that they have all been a part of several Vancouver productions including Smallville, X-Files, Kyle XY, Supernatural and The L-Word. I spotted the patterns because Vancouver is my home town, and Iron Man's hometown too, apparently.

Labels: 2009 Iron Man Armored Adventures, News 2008 10

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