First-Ever Kids Sports Awards Event Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game to Debut 2011
Network Unveils 25 New Series/Movies/Specials and 13 Returning Series
Cartoon Network unveiled a substantial new line-up of content today at its annual Advertising Upfront presentation at New York’s Time Warner Center. Delivering on its promise to launch a diverse slate of programming that young audiences cannot find anywhere else, new Cartoon Network shows will incorporate a number of genres and formats that include an unrivaled, one-hour scripted action-mystery series, matchless animated and live-action comedies and an entirely new way of programming primetime for a young audience.
The network also announced its first foray into the broadcast awards arena with Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game. Premiering in early 2011, this high-energy, multi-platform experience will let viewers decide who’s got game from the world of sports. Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game will feature professional and amateur athletes as well as top-notch entertainment. This first-of-its-kind sports award event for kids is created and produced by global sports and entertainment company IMG Media. The Sports Illustrated Group will serve as the official promotional partner and also will introduce the SI KIDS' “Sports Kid of the Year Award.”
Exclusive sneak peeks at two highly anticipated scripted, live-action one-hour series—Unnatural History (Warner Horizon Television), premiering Sunday, June 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT; and Tower Prep—were revealed; as well as the upcoming CGI movie event Firebreather. Positioned as part of a unique quarter-hour comedy programming block, new animated series will include MAD, Regular Show, Robotomy and Secret Mountain Fort Awesome. The network also announced that coming later in the year would be an all-new re-imagined version of the Warner Bros animated classic shorts, Looney Tunes.
Among Cartoon Network’s Upfront celebrity guests—including a special appearance by Destroy Build Destroy host, musician Andrew W.K., and the “dudes” from Dude, What Would Happen—Atlanta Falcons tight-end Tony Gonzalez was on hand to announce the return of the successful short-form series My Dad’s A Pro which will star his nine-year-old son Nikko.
“Last spring we talked about how ‘our voice was changing’ and announced an ambitious slate of diverse and compelling content,” said Stuart Snyder, president and chief operating officer of Turner Broadcasting’s Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media division. “This year we’re delivering and adding great brands and beloved franchises that represent the breadth and scope of Cartoon Network’s ongoing evolution.”
“Today we announced some bold new content as we continue to provide advertisers with an extensive array of high profile opportunities,” said John O’Hara, executive vice president and general manager, Cartoon Network Ad Sales & Marketing. “We’ll continue to develop innovative ideas for our partners that will extend the reach of their message across our linear and digital platforms and will deliver measurable returns for their investment.”
“We’re expanding beyond the boundaries of traditional kid’s content,” said Rob Sorcher, chief content officer for Cartoon Network. “This new programming lineup brings event-quality entertainment to our prime time.”
Highlights of Cartoon Network’s new content strategy to launch across the 2010-2011 season include the following:
New Series
• MAD: Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and using the iconic MAD magazine, published by DC Comics, as inspiration, MAD is an animated sketch-comedy series utilizing a chaotic mix of animation styles and twisted humor to pull back the curtain and expose the truth behind movies, TV shows, games, pop culture and, of course, curtains! Classic MAD magazine characters and features such as Alfred E. Neuman and Spy vs. Spy pop up, and no subject matter or individual will be safe from MAD’s barrage of parodies and sketches. In the end, viewers won’t get even, they’ll just get MAD! Sam Register (Teen Titans, Ben 10, Batman: The Brave and the Bold) is the executive producer. Kevin Shinick (Robot Chicken) and Mark Marek (KaBlam! The Andy Milonakis Show) are the producers.
• Robotomy: The animated Robotomy tells the story of Thrasher and Blastus, two outsider teenage droids who are only slightly less horrific than the ultra-powerful robots that populate their planet, Killglobe. Now they face their greatest challenge yet: high school. Armed with a desire to fit in (and little else), Thrasher and Blastus navigate their lives with varying degrees of success. Created by Michael Buckley (The Sisters Grimm) and Joe Deasy and co-executive produced by Christy Karacas (Superjail), Robotomy, a quarter-hour series, will be produced in New York.
• Secret Mountain Fort Awesome: When a portal to the world opened and unleashes underground monsters, so goes the premise for Secret Mountain Fort Awesome. The human world had everything these creatures could ever want. The only problem is, humans hate monsters, and they treat them like second class citizens. How unfair! This is their world too. Created by Chowder writer and artist Pete Browngardt, Secret Mountain Fort Awesome follows this clan in their dim-witted efforts to break free of human oppression. The animated series is being produced at Cartoon Network Studios.
• The Looney Tunes Show: A new half-hour animated comedy series starring Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. No longer confined to 7-minute shorts, Bugs and Daffy are out of the woods and living in the suburbs among such colorful neighbors as Yosemite Sam, Granny, Tweety and Sylvester. In addition to each episode’s main story, The Looney Tunes Show also features “cartoons within a cartoon.” The Tasmanian Devil, Speedy Gonzales, Marvin the Martian and other classic characters sing original songs in two-minute music videos called Merrie Melodies and the Road Runner and Coyote are featured in 2-1/2 minute CG shorts. This all new series is produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Sam Register (Teen Titans, Ben 10, Batman: The Brave and the Bold) is the executive producer. Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone (both Duck Dodgers, Back at the Barnyard, Space Jam) are the supervising producers.
• Young Justice: In Young Justice, being a teenager means proving yourself over and over—to peers, parents, teachers, mentors and, ultimately, to yourself. But what if you’re not just a normal teenager? What if you’re a teenage super hero? Are you ready to join the ranks of the great heroes and prove you’re worthy of the Justice League? That’s exactly what the members of Young Justice—Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Superboy, Miss Martian and Artemis—will found out, whether they have what it takes to be a proven hero. This all-new series is produced by Warner Bros. Animation and based upon characters from DC Comics. Sam Register (Teen Titans, Ben 10, Batman: The Brave and the Bold) is the executive producer. Brandon Vietti (Batman: Under the Red Hood, Superman Doomsday, The Batman) and Greg Weisman (Gargoyles, The Spectacular Spider-Man, W.I.T.C.H.) are the producers.
• Run It Back Sunday: Cartoon Network takes The NBA on TNT’s game of the week and remixes it for basketball fans of all ages. Run It Back Sunday is a full NBA game in one power hour, complete with fun facts, amazing highlights and explosive special effects. From jams, passes and steals to fun facts and unique analysis, Run It Back Sunday presents an all new way to catch the game of the week.
New Special Events/Movies:
• Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game: Cartoon Network’s first foray into the broadcast awards arena, Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game will premiere in early 2011. This high-energy, multi-platform experience will let viewers decide who’s got game, by honoring their favorite sports stars and sports moments of the year. From the red carpet, to the never-before-seen stunts and surprises on stage, this unconventional celebration will be led by a celebrity host and feature icons from television, film, music and sports, as kids experience an evening of humor and fun at the most raucous and biggest sports awards show ever presented on television. This first-of-its-kind, sports award event for kids, is created and produced by IMG Media. Sports Illustrated will be serving as the official promotional partner and will also introduce the SportsKid of the Year Award.
• KROG (working title): KROG is a half-hour scripted live-action comedy pilot from Cartoon Network Studios. To their fans, KROG is an awesome monster costume band sent from Middle Earth to conquer and enslave the human "surface dwellers.” Their fans love them! In reality, however, the members of KROG are indeed monsters sent to conquer mankind. For the life of them, KROG can't understand why people aren't more afraid of them. Luckily, they're a much better band than invasion force and their missions always manage to go afoul. KROG only succeeds in rocking out. KROG is created by Mark Rivers (Metalocolypse, TV Funhouse).
• Lords Of Bad Axe (working title): Created and written by Derek Guiley and David Schneiderman (both credited for Chasing Liberty, The Parent Trap 2), Lords Of Bad Axe, a 90-minute original movie, is a fantastical comedy for the videogame age. When a glitch in the system releases the baddies from an online game into the real world, three high school gamers must join forces and tap their skills to combat evil. Lords Of Bad Axe is directed by Peter Lauer (Sons Of Tuscon, Chuck).
• My Dad’s A Pro: Cartoon Network and the NFL today announced that 10-time NFL Pro Bowler and Atlanta Falcons Tight-End Tony Gonzalez and his 8-year-old son Nikko will appear in the next installment of the short-form series, My Dad’s A Pro. My Dad’s A Pro had its successful first run in 2009 and featured NBA Champion Boston Celtics guard Eddie House and his son Jaelen. The live-action series follows a professional athlete’s son and his father, offering a unique perspective on what day-to-day life is like with a father in professional sports. My Dad’s A Pro, featuring Tony Gonzalez and his son Nikko, is part of Cartoon Network’s ongoing relationship with the NFL. My Dad’s A Pro is being produced for Cartoon Network by Left/Right.
Soon To Debut Series
• Unnatural History: Cartoon Network’s first live-action mystery series delivers a new case of cinematic, action-packed comedic adventure each week. Unnatural History centers on Henry Griffin (Kevin G. Schmidt), a teenager with exceptional skills acquired through years of globetrotting with his anthropologist parents. When his parents think it’s time for him to lead a normal high school life, they pack him off to live with his Uncle Bryan (Martin Donovan) and cousin Jasper (Jordan Gavaris) in Washington D.C. But this isn’t just any high school; it’s located on the grounds of The National Museum Complex. And as Henry, Jasper and their friend Maggie (Italia Ricci) soon learn, this museum is chock full of mysteries that will put Henry’s worldly skills to the test. Created and written by Mike Werb (Face/Off, The Mask), the pilot episode is directed by Emmy® Award winner Mikael Salomon (Band of Brothers, The Andromeda Strain, The Company). Thania St. John (Eureka, Drop Dead Diva) serves as executive producer for the series produced by Warner Horizon Television. Unnatural History will air Sunday Nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network beginning June 13, 2010.
• Generator Rex: From the creators of Ben 10 comes Generator Rex, a new half-hour animated series that takes viewers on an adventure full of fun, action, wish fulfillment and teenage drama. Generator Rex is a young super agent who, with his incredible ability to create mechanical weapons and vehicles from his own body, must balance his adrenaline-fueled adventures with the everyday ups and downs of being a teenager. Generator Rex revolves around 15-year-old Rex, as he attempts to balance his duty as a soldier in a super-spy team with just being a teenager. Generator Rex was created by Man of Action (Joe Casey, Joe Kelley, Duncan Rouleau, and Steven T. Seagle) with supervising producer John Fang (Ben 10: Alien Force, The Batman) and is produced at Cartoon Network Studios. Generator Rex will air Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network beginning April 23, 2010.
• Ben 10: Ultimate Alien: The series follows 16-year-old Ben Tennyson as his secret identity has been revealed to the world and he’s now an international mega-star super hero, loved by kids the world over but distrusted by many adults. Armed with a mysterious new Omnitrix, Ben is able to transform into hyper-evolved versions of his aliens and will see action in places he’s never been. Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, a 30-minute animated series, was created by Man of Action (Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, Duncan Rouleau, Steve Seagle) with Glen Murakami (Teen Titans) as the supervising producer and story editor Dwayne McDuffie. The series is produced at Cartoon Network Studios.
• Tower Prep: A one-hour, live-action scripted series premiering this fall, Tower Prep tells the story of a rebellious teen, Ian (Drew Van Acker), who wakes up one morning to find himself trapped at a mysterious prep school that offers no escape. He forms a secret group with CJ (Elise Gatien), Gabe (Ryan Pinkston) and Suki (Dyana Liu), intent on discovering what they’re being trained for and how to escape. Tower Prep is produced by Cartoon Network Studios in association with Dolphin Entertainment. The series is executive-produced and created by Paul Dini (Lost, Batman Beyond). Glen Morgan (Bionic Woman) and Bill O’Dowd (Zoey 101) serve as executive producers.
• Sym-Bionic Titan: From creator Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack) comes an exciting hybrid of giant robot battles and high school comedy. Sym-Bionic Titan follows the lives of three alien teenagers who crash-land on Earth and must protect their new home from alien invaders while navigating the perils of high school life. Sym-Bionic Titan is being produced at Cartoon Network Studios and will premiere on Cartoon Network this summer.
• Regular Show: Created by J. G. Quintel, Regular Show was developed as an animated short for Cartoon Network’s Cartoonstitute. Two groundskeepers, Mordecai (a six-foot-tall blue jay) and Rigby (a hyperactive raccoon) are best friends who spend their days trying to entertain themselves by any means necessary, much to the displeasure of Benson (their boss, who is a gumball machine) and to the delight of Pops (an older, lollipop-headed gentleman). Their everyday pursuits often lead to things spiraling out of control and into the surreal: they open portals to other dimensions, summon demons via an ‘80s arcade game and accidentally use choreographed dance moves to send co-workers to the moon. All in a typical day’s work on Regular Show. J.G. Quintel served as creative director of The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack for two seasons and was a storyboard artist on the Emmy-winning animated series Camp Lazlo. Regular Show, a 15-minute animated series, is produced at Cartoon Network Studios.
• Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated: With the animated Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and their talking dog Scooby-Doo are back, solving mysteries in the spooky town of Crystal Cove, a sleepy coastal village that boasts a long history of ghostly sightings, werewolves and glowing deep sea divers. From Warner Bros. Animation, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated features the voices of Frank Welker (What’s New, Scooby-Doo?) as Fred/Scooby-Doo, Mindy Cohn (The Facts of Life) as Velma, Grey DeLisle (Batman: The Brave and the Bold) as Daphne and Matthew Lillard (the Scooby-Doo films) as Shaggy. Sam Register (Teen Titans, Ben 10, Batman: The Brave and the Bold) is the executive producer. Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone (both credited for Duck Dodgers, Back at the Barnyard, Space Jam) are the supervising producers.
Soon to Debut Movies
• Firebreather: Cartoon Network’s first original all-CG animation adventure presents Duncan Rosenblatt, a rather typical, awkward high school kid, except that his dad is a fire-breathing monster who tells Duncan that he is destined to protect the earth. Firebreather is created and co-executive-produced by Phil Hester (The Wretch), co-executive-produced by Andy Kuhn (Freedom Ring) and executive-produced by Julia Pistor (Lemony Snicket). Jim Krieg (Ben 10: Alien Force) joins as writer with Peter Chung (Aeon Flux) directing.
• Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster: Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster continues the Mystery Inc. gang’s adventures from the 2009 live-action hit Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins, which premiered as the most-watched telecast in Cartoon Network history. Director Brian Levant, producer Brian Gilbert and writers the Altiere Brothers return in this Warner Premiere production. The Atlas Entertainment production also has the live-action cast returning with Robbie Amell (True Jackson, VP) as Fred, Kate Melton as Daphne, Hayley Kiyoko as Velma and Nick Palatas as Shaggy. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will distribute the film on Blu-ray, DVD, OnDemand and For Download. Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster will premiere on Cartoon Network in fourth quarter 2010.
• Totally Spies! The Movie: In the animated Totally Spies! The Movie, Sam, Clover and Alex, three clueless Beverly Hills teens, are recruited to become international spies for WOOHP: The World Organization of Human Protection. Their mission is to locate Peppy Wolfman, a missing pet motivational speaker from Beverly Hills. The girls quickly discover that Peppy, as well as many of their classmates, were abducted after being "Fabulized." With some clever thinking and girly gadgets, will the girls be able to save Beverly Hills and the world? A film directed by Pascal Jardin, Totally Spies! The Movie, a Marathon Media and Studio 37 production, premieres Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network.
Additional Series Debuts
• Total Drama World Tour: From the creators of Total Drama Island and Total Drama Action, Cartoon Network brings Total Drama World Tour. All the best moments of reality TV shows are back with exciting larger-than-life elimination competition, stomach curdling challenges, scheming and sabotage, death-defying stunts, romances and friendships. In this season, 17 lucky contestants are in for one more round of drama, and this time, it’s worldwide! That’s right, we’re taking the drama global. Total Drama World Tour is a 30-minute animated reality series created by FreshTV Inc. Tom McGillis and Jennifer Pertsch serve as executive producers.
• BEYBLADE: Metal Fusion: Boys action phenomenon, BEYBLADE, is making a much anticipated return after taking the world by storm with its enormous global success in the early 2000s. BEYBLADE: Metal Fusion features new 30-minute episodes from Nelvana and d-rights offering a fresh take on the original series with new characters competing for dominance with their spinning BEYBLADE tops, battling against an evil organization, The Dark Nebula.
• The Amazing Spiez: Lee, Megan, Marc and Tony Clark are tightly knit siblings who juggle their family life with intense international spy missions in the half-hour animated series The Amazing Spiez! Outfitted with next generation gadgets and super cool vehicles, the young Spiez! secretly travel around the world and confront the most outrageous villains ever. With a unique comic book graphic style, The Amazing Spiez is a Marathon Media, Canal J, Image Entertainment co-production, in association with TF1 and Teletoon Canada. The series premieres on Cartoon Network Monday, April 26, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT.
• Metajets: Metajets fuels the need for speed and sport in the skies with high-flying competition and combat. In a world where aviation is paramount, young flying aces compete on the Aeronautical Racing Circuit while secretly waging a high stakes battle for air supremacy. Metajets if from Cookie Jar Entertainment and Sunwoo Entertainment.
Recently Premiered
• Adventure Time: The animated comedy series premiered earlier this month as the #1 show on all television among boys. The series introduced viewers to unlikely heroes Finn & Jake, buddies who traverse the mystical Land of Ooo and encounter its colorful inhabitants. From the mind of creator Pendleton Ward, Ooo is a land built for adventure. Whether it’s saving Princess Bubblegum, defeating zombie candy, mocking the “oxy-moronic” Ice King or rocking out with undead music wiz Marceline the Vampire Queen, for Finn & Jake it’s always Adventure Time. The half-hour Cartoon Network series, which airs Monday Nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT, is executive produced by cable and animated television veteran Fred Seibert (The Fairly OddParents, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!).
Returning Cartoon Network Series
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Dude, What Would Happen
Destroy Build Destroy
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Flapjack
Johnny Test
6teen
Stoked
Bakugan
Pokémon
Battle Force 5
Pink Panther & Pal
Totally Spies
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 animation 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.
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90-Minute Broadcast Event to Feature Pro and Amateur Athletes and Top-Notch Entertainment
Renowned Sports, Entertainment and Media Company, IMG to Produce Event
Sports Illustrated Group’s SI KIDS to Serve as Media Partner
Cartoon Network is announcing its first foray into the broadcast awards arena with Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game. Premiering in early 2011, this high-energy, multi-platform experience will let viewers decide who’s got game, by honoring their favorite sports stars and sports moments of the year. This first-of-its-kind, sports award event for kids, is created and produced by IMG Media, the production arm of global sports, entertainment and media company, IMG. The Sports Illustrated Group’s SI KIDS franchise will be serving as the official media partner and the show will also feature SI KIDS’ SportsKid of the Year Award.
From the red carpet, to the never-before-seen stunts and surprises on stage, this unconventional celebration will be led by a celebrity host and feature icons from television, film, music and sports, as kids experience an evening of humor and fun at the most raucous and biggest sports awards show ever presented on television.
“This type of event is part of Cartoon Network’s DNA and continues our mission to give kids the type of programming that they can’t find anywhere else,” said Stu Snyder, president and chief operating officer of Turner Broadcasting Inc.’s Animation, Young Adults & Kids Media. “Working with IMG, Sports Illustrated and Turner Sports, who have some of the strongest partnerships in the sports arena, will help us produce an exciting, action-packed and star-filled event.”
Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game will also be supported by a long-lead, robust marketing and promotional campaign executed across all media platforms, including on-air, digital, radio, wireless, print, social media, VOD and gaming.
About Cartoon Network
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 animated entertainment for kids 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 animation 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.
About IMG Media
IMG Media operates from over 30 offices worldwide and distributes content across all forms of media including TV, Audio, Fixed Media, Inflight and Closed Circuit, Broadband and Mobile. IMG Media Production generates 6000 hours of programming, over 200 projects in locations around the world. These include coverage of: New York City Marathon, Masters, PGA Championship, ATP and WTA Tennis, Professional Bull Riding, television and digital production for both Wimbledon and the R and A, Premier League Soccer Productions, Total Rugby for the IRB, Transworld Sport, FIFA Futbol Mondial and FIFA World Cup Preview Series. IMG Media also has produced entertainment specials such as: Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials, World’s and Year’s Funniest Commercials for TBS, Christmas in Rockefeller Center, and Boston Pops 4th of July Spectacular. IMG Media also maintains the world’s largest sports archive with more than 250,000 hours of footage.
About the Sports Illustrated Group’s SI KIDS Franchise
The SI KIDS franchise is anchored by the flagship monthly and includes the website (www.SIkids.com), books, events, licensed products and the annual “SportsKid of the Year” platform. For 21 years SI KIDS has helped young fans (8 and up) learn about positive values, good sportsmanship and healthy lifestyle through sports. The franchise delivers SI’s in-depth reporting, action photography, first-person athlete accounts and features to a monthly audience of 4.9mm. Today, more than 60% of current Sports Illustrated readers have subscribed to SI Kids.
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Friday's episode of The Clone Wars continued the story of the Zillo beast, and this two-parter is one of my favorite story arcs of the series. Both last week's "The Zillo Beast" and this week's "The Zillo Beast Strikes Back" are a loving homage to Japanese giant monster movies. At the end of last week's episode we saw the beast captured and ready to be sent to Coruscant, a decision made with the typical lack of judgement of characters in a giant monster story. Whether it's King Kong, Gwangi, or Mothra, it's never a good idea to bring a giant monster to town.
Like any most great monsters, the Zillo beast is as much a victim of man as it is a destructive force. We see some very intense scenes in this episode of the Beast locked up and subjected to cruel experiments and, finally, gassed to death at Palpatine's orders. The episode nicely captures the fundamental theme kaiju stories in which man suffers for being grossly out of harmony with the natural world. These two episodes make me wish the people who made this episode were in charge of the new Godzilla movie because they really get the genre.
These episodes mark a turning point for Palpatine's characterization on the show and the makers are far less coy about his true nature, even to the point where he shares an evil grin with the camera. He comes off as a real bastard in "The Zillo Beast Strikes Back." A running joke in the episode is that the Beast seems to be on to him when no one else is and the monster pursues him through a big chunk of the city. He could have done the galaxy a big favor if not for the Jedi.
Speaking of Palps, he has a great scene in this episode. Padme and the Jedi get wind of his plans to kill the Zillo Beast and, in a foreshadowing of Revenge of the Sith, they try to get Anakin to talk him out of it. Anakin and Padme go into the meeting on the same side, but at some point Palpatine pulls him to his point of view. It's a great scene because there are lots of things going under the surface and it really showcases Anakin's uncomfortable, shifting loyalties.
While the Zillo Beast's design is a little odd-looking in static poses, he was quite impressive moving and spinning through the sky lanes and buildings of Coruscant. That extra arm gives him the ability to move on another axis, which is visually interesting. It was really cool seeing this kind of kaiju urban destruction in a Star Wars setting.
Ultimately, the Beast is a confused and terrified creature which has been taken out of its element and meets its end at the hands of man (and aliens) like many great movie monsters before it. This great Zillo beast story arc gives me hope that The Clone Wars will continue to be adventurous in exploring different genres and ways to tell stories set in the Star Wars universe. After all, Star Wars itself is mix of many disparate styles and influences, and The Clone Wars offers a low risk venue for storytelling experimentation.
Patrick Garone
Creative Director
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The Clone Wars episode from last Friday combined two of my favorite things: Star Wars and Japanese kaiju movies. Kaiju movies are a genre featuring giant monsters, usually let loose in urban areas where they fight and destroy buildings, with Godzilla and Gamera being the most famous of the bunch. The Clone Wars supervising director Dave Filoni is reportedly a huge Godzilla fan and "The Zillo Beast" is a loving homage to Godzilla and other kaiju movies.
"The Zillo Beast" takes us to the planet Malastare, and features the Dugs who were first introduced with Sebulba in The Phantom Menace. The Dugs were one of the coolest and most alien races introduced in the prequels and I'm happy to see them reintroduced in The Clone Wars. They have some very memorable scenes where they ride mounts and fight droids using electrostaffs.
It turns out that Malastare and its fuel supplies are crucial the the Republic war efforts and the Republic is fairly desperate to sign a treaty with the Dugs, which will give them access to the needed fuel. I really like that The Clone Wars has dug pretty deep into Star Wars and given us a situation that is complex and believable with parallels to our own geopolitical situation.
To thwart the massive Confederation force that has invaded the planet, the Republic unveils a new weapon, an Electro-Proton bomb, designed to take out the droids with little or no effect on organics. Mace Windu and Anakin look on skeptically as the bomb is deployed and takes out the droids but also creates a huge sinkhole on the planets surface and ultimately releases the Zillo beast, which is huge, combines features of a reptile and a segmented worm, and is imperious to almost all weapons (including lightsabers). The beast has a sort of awkward, spindly design and even sports a third arm from its back.
Like Godzilla, the Zillo beast is awakened by the use of a "doomsday" weapon and unleashed upon the land. The Dugs are dead set on destroying the creature but Windu insists on capturing this monster, the last of its kind, and taking it to a remote world where it is allowed to run free. We get some great scenes that showcase how out of sync the Jedi are with the more worldly and military forces. Their role as preservers of life is not always comfortable when they are also generals with military and diplomatic responsibilities. We see some nice foreshadowing of conflict between Windu and Palpatine as the Chancellor will not allow the Jedi to ruin the chances of having the treaty signed which will allow access to Malastare's resources.
The Zillo beast eventually escapes from its pit and is knocked out by the Jedi using some vehicles that are clearly inspired by the ubiquitous Maser tanks featured in the Godzilla movies. As they are preparing to beast to be taken off world, Windu receives a message from Palpatine that the creature will be taken to Coruscant for study, setting up next week's no-doubt kaiju-tastic second part. Palpatine has taken an interest in the monster and its nearly impenetrable armor. Obviously, he has never seen King Kong or any other monster movie to know that creatures and big urban areas do not mix well.
"The Zillo Beast" is a really fun and surprising episode that plays to what is the absolute strength of The Clone Wars: the ability to present a wide variety of stories that span wildly different tones and genres all set in the Star Wars universe. Never in a million years did I think I would see a Star Wars kaiju story, so I was sold just on the premise. Again, the opening scenario for the episode-putting a pair of Jedi in the middle of a war for resources-feels very contemporary and real and hints at things going on in the background of the Star Wars stories that we don't really ever think about. After all, those Star Destroyers don't fuel themselves. This enriches the "used universe" concept of Star Wars that has been present since the very first film in 1977.
Patrick Garone
Creative Director
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Bounty hunters have been a part of Star Wars since A New Hope was released in 1977, with Greedo attempting to bring in Han Solo at the Mos Eisley Cantina. In 1980, The Empire Strikes Back introduced us to Boba Fett and his compatriots who were hired to track down the Millennium Falcon. Bounty hunters are part of the big Western influence on Star Wars but for people my age, when we think of bounty hunters chances are you think of Star Wars before anything else.
This season of The Clone Wars was billed as "Rise of the Bounty Hunters" but apart from the Cad Bane episodes at the beginning of the season, we haven't really that much bounty hunter action. "The Bounty Hunters" is a bit of a surprise, as there is not any bounty hunting going on in the episodes, and these bounty hunters are the most sympathetic we have seen in the the Star Wars galaxy.
Obi-Wan, Anakin and Ahsoka are investigating a clone medical facility that has disappeared over Felucia while they are attacked by vulture droids launched from a very dispenser pod. They crash land on the planet and encounter a group of farmers who have hired some bounty hunters to defend their settlement from a group of pirates who are lead by the Weequay Captain Hondo Ohnaka. The Jedi reluctantly join the bounty hunters to fight off the pirates and defend the villagers.The whole episode is a Star Wars version of The Seven Samurai, which was directed by the legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurasawa, to whom the episode is dedicated. Kurasawa's movies have been a huge influence on the whole Star Wars series. It's safe to say that Star Wars is 1/4 American Western,, 1/4 Kurasawa Samurai movie, 1/4 Flash Gordon, and a mix of World War II movies and other miscellaneous stuff for the rest. There are whole sequences and plot lines taken directly from Kurasawa's movies (The Hidden Fortress was a huge source of inspiration for both A New Hope and The Phantom Menace). What with director's influence on Star Wars, I've always wanted to see The Seven Samurai given the Star Wars treatment, and with its relative freedom to explore different narratives and tones, The Clone Wars provides a perfect venue.
The episode feels strangely like last season's "Jedi Crash" and "Defenders of the Peace" story arc, which found Anakin, Ahsoka and Aayla Secura defending a village against a Separatist attack, although narratively much tighter without the thematic complication of the pacifist villagers. The villager's in "The Bounty Hunters" are not pacifists, just kind of beat down and victimized. The episode also brings back Hondo Ohnaka and his band of pirates from last season's episode "Dooku Captured," who has apparently still managed to elude Count Dooku's revenge. Hondo has a lot of old-school pirate swagger but is not really effective as a villain, particularly with his rapid and lame retreat at the end of the episode.
The bounty hunters felt a little off as well, and not at all what we have been lead to expect from the hardened, cutthroat Star Wars bounty hunters we have been shown up until now. That being said, some of the character design on these mercenaries is pretty cool. They are lead by a female Zabrak named Sugi. There is also cool new character named Embo, who wears an armored shield on his head like a hat. These bounty hunters have a pretty cool battle against the pirates at the end of the episode, and the action is quite good.
The setting is the planet Felucia, which appeared briefly in Revenge of the Sith and was featured prominently in The Force Unleashed. The Felucians seen in this episode, are nothing like the wild and strange creatures seen in that game. I suppose the story called for cuter less ferocious aliens. Personally, I would love to see some TFU characters or references in the series. Although, the big jungle rancors were a nice nod.
Overall, "The Bounty Hunters" is a decent episode with an interesting pedigree. Unfortunately, as we get towards the end of the season, the "decent" episodes are starting to outnumber the good and great ones. Lets hope the new month delivers the promised slam bam conclusion to season two of The Clone Wars.
Patrick Garone
Creative Director
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The second season of Clone Wars continued Friday night in good form with the new episode "Cat and Mouse" which pits Anakin and Obi-Wan against a cunning new enemy, Admiral Trench. One of the great things about the series is that there is a kind of anthology vibe to the show as it jumps around in character focus, style and even time. 
"Cat and Mouse" feels a lot like a tense submarine thriller, along the lines of The Hunt for Red October or Crimson Tide, with Anakin, Admiral Yularen, and their clones in the dark and claustrophobic confines of a small stealth ship attempting to outmaneuver their better-armed opponent. While it doesn't have the awe factor of some of the better episodes this season, "Cat and Mouse" is a strong piece of Star Wars storytelling.
Continuity is a difficult thing to nail down in The Clone Wars, as episodes are not necessarily aired in their chronological order, although there is apparently some sort of timeline present. "Cat and Mouse" seems to represent the earliest events in the series and take place prior to the events in The Clone Wars theatrical movie with served as a pilot to the series and introduced us to Ahsoka and the Battle for Christophsis. Last season's episode "Traitor" was set immediately before the movie, and "Cat and Mouse" is set even before "Traitor."
This episode introduces us to a great new villain, Separatist Admiral Trench, a member of an arachnid species that I believe has not been seen in Star Wars before and who sounds like a cross between Darth Vader and John Rys-Davies. Like any villain who is worth his salt, Trench is smart and competent and the episode is built around his search for Anakin and the stealth ship. Since Anakin is also (tactically) smart and competent, it makes for an interesting story to see these two worthy adversaries take each other on. Trench is also built up nicely by the normally cool Yularen's fearful reaction to him based on a previous encounter. Sadly, it is almost entirely certain that Trench is killed off at the end of the episode. But since the series does jump around a lot in time, perhaps we can see an episode based around his first encounter with Yularen.
Speaking of Yularen, it was nice to see him off the bridge for once and that he was given something to do other than standing around and being uptight. Pairing him up with Anakin for a mission was a nice touch.
Overall, "Cat and Mouse" as a solid-if not spectacular-entry to The Clone Wars as season two races toward its conclusion next month. You can check the episode out online at starwars.com.
Patrick Garone
Creative Director
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The Clone Wars returned from its hiatus with the new episode "Senate Murders," which centers around a critical vote in the senate to increase the production on clone troopers and escalate the war against the Separatists. Standing against the increase is Senator Amadala and her posse, including Mon Mothma, Bail Organa and Rodian Senator Onaconda Farr, who was introduced last year as an old friend and mentor to Padme.
Another faction of competing senators stand in favor of the escalation, including new characters Deechi and the Kaminoan Senator Halle Burtoni. When Senator Farr is poisoned, Padme and Organa team up to investigate his murder an they discover a plot at the heart of the Galactic Senate.
Overall, "Senate Murders" is one of the weaker episodes this season, and not just because it is a Padme-focused, politics oriented story (although the movies handled this kind of political intrigue in a much more satisfying way). For me a lot of the new characters fall flat and feel off in this episode. Deechi is a one note, "evil" character and does little before his demise. While I was happy that a plausible explanation was given for there being a senator from Kamino, Halle Burtoni was jarringly different from the placid, ethereal, Kaminoans we saw in Attack of the Clones. Her aging vamp personality didn't feel quite right for the character. The other new character, Detective Divo was annoyingly caricaturish and it was hard to take him seriously with his round little body and Karl Rove-like face. It turns out he is the one in charge of those goofy Bobby Droids we've been seeing.
"Senate Murders" was a lackluster episode marred by some over-the-top characters. I did like that it was a different kind of a episode, a Star Wars who-done-it and when the killer was finally revealed, that person had a good reason for doing what they did. This is another example of the show's evolving moral complexity. I just wished that this point would have been packaged in a better episode.
Patrick Garone
Creative Director
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MusicSkins gains licensing rights to offer Skins for personal electronic devices featuring Adult Swim original animated character and series
MusicSkins LLC, a leader in music-related premium vinyl skin products for iPods, MP3 players, cell phones, PDAs, laptops and gaming accessories, today announced a licensing deal with Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE), the licensing and merchandising arm of Adult Swim, that grants MusicSkins rights to offer skins featuring the artwork from Adult Swim’s portfolio of highly-popular, original, animated programs.
Adult Swim is the late-night network for adults that shares channel space with Cartoon Network between 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT) and 6:00 a.m. (ET/PT), whose shows are designed to appeal to a grown-up sense of humor and adult tastes and sensibilities. Under the new licensing agreement, MusicSkins has the rights to market skins featuring characters and artwork from the most popular Adult Swim action-adventure and comedy series such as “Aqua Teen Hunger Force”, “Robot Chicken”, “Metalocalypse”, “The Venture Bros.”, “Freaknik”, “Squidbillies”, “The Drinky Crow Show”, and more.
“This licensing deal with Cartoon Network represents a lot of ‘firsts’ for MusicSkins – our first network TV deal, our first animation artwork licensing, and our first foray into a new market sector, the adult television viewing audience,” commented Jed Seifert, MusicSkins LLC Executive Vice President. “Adult Swim already has a dedicated fan base in the 18-34 age bracket. We’ll be offering the first - and only - skins that feature the cool characters and scenes from all of their favorite programs.”
“Cartoon Network is part of the Turner Broadcasting family of networks, so this agreement also marks a very important and exciting first step for us in building a strong, long term, mutually beneficial relationship with Turner,” added Seifert. “We look forward to expanding our product line with skins that showcase more of their networks’ programming and appeal to their fans.”
The Adult Swim line of skins will be available online at www.MusicSkins.com/AdultSwim and directly from Adult Swim’s online store at www.AdultSwimShop.com. Like all MusicSkins products, the Adult Swim line of skins are made of premium quality vinyl that provides a high-gloss photo grade finish and durable, scratch-resistant, anti-UV coating. Patented 3M air release adhesive technology ensures that they apply easily, evenly and bubble-free.
Skins featuring the Adult Swim animation artwork are the latest addition to MusicSkin’s popular line of personal device skins featuring musicians such as Bob Marley, Madonna, Lil Wayne, Taylor Swift, The Beatles, Coldplay, Kiss, The Black Eyed Peas, 3Oh!3, Jay-Z, Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead, Johnny Cash, Lynryd Skynyrd, Rihanna, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Linkin Park; clothing brands such as Ed Hardy, Rogue Status, Skelanimals, Mishka, Baby Cakes, Rockett Clothing, Crooks & Castles; and artists such as explodingdog, Derek Hess, Alex Pardee, Dave White, Benny Gold and Cope 2.
The Adult Swim agreement is not MusicSkins’ only recent licensing coup. The company also announced the right to offer skins featuring the Beatles logo and cover art from seven of the band’s top selling albums, all of which debuted at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show this past January.
About MusicSkins:
MusicSkins is a leading provider of premium quality illustrated vinyl protective coverings known as “skins” for personal electronic devices. MusicSkins initially offered a product line of skins featuring music-industry related images of artists, bands, musicians and DJs to appeal to music fans. Its innovative business model affords record companies and musical artists a unique mechanism to connect with a broad-based consumer audience. The company expanded its focus to offer a wide range of popular culture imagery in its skins catalog and enhanced skin personalization with its new Customizer feature, so that there will be a MusicSkin to suit every taste. For more information visit www.MusicSkins.com or call 646.827.4271 or email info@MusicSkins.com.
About Cartoon Network Enterprises:
Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) is responsible for building consumer products and merchandising programs for a wide range of brands by securing and supporting long-term licensing partnerships across all categories. As the global branding and merchandising arm of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, the division manages the consumer product programs for the networks’ award-winning original programming, brands and characters including Ben 10, The Secret Saturdays, Chowder, The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, Adult Swim and more. CNE also serves as a third party licensing agent through strategic partnerships with Nelvana Enterprises and Spin Master for the award-winning Bakugan brand, CAKE Entertainment and Fresh TV for the hit Total Drama franchise and the PGA of America for the youth marketplace.
Adult Swim (AdultSwim.com), launched in 2001, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s network offering original and acquired animated and live action series for young adults. Airing nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Adult Swim shares channel space with Cartoon Network, home to the best in original, classic and acquired programming for children and families, and is seen in 97 million U.S. homes.
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.
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The three part Mandalore story arc concluded with Friday's episode, "The Dutchess of Mandalore," which is set entirely on Coruscant and is sort of a distorted reflection of The Phantom Menace. In TPM, Amadala and her Jedi guardians travel to the capital world to petition the Senate for Republic action on the part of her world and is stymied by political bureaucracy and the machinations of Palpatine. In "The Dutchess of Mandalore," Satine makes the trip to prevent Republic interference on her world, as it would exacerbate the terrorist threat on her world...and is stymied by bureaucracy and the machinations of Palpatine. This idea that even with good intentions, going into a situation with guns blazing can make things worse is a fairly sophisticated and timely theme and a nice break from the usually absolutist Star Wars point of view.
The previous episode was so good and wrapped things up so well that "Dutchess of Mandalore" almost seems like a bit of an afterthought. The Obi-Wan/Satine story was well-capped in the last episode and this one is largely concerned with political machinations in the Senate and an attempt by the Mandalorian Death Watch to assassinate Satine. I would have like for the three episodes to have been treated more like a movie, where the resolution of the doomed romance between the Jedi and Satine was moved to this last episode. It would have made the whole thing more satisfying, and spread some of the "quality" around between the three.
We now return to Sith Span...
I for one am actually a fan of the political angle and intrigue that was present in the Prequels but in this episode, the plot is somewhat hare-brained and dependent on characters making stupid choices. The Clone Wars is often a smartly-written show but can play dumb when it wants to. I can just imagine an exhausted writer collapsing with, "Well it is a kid's show...so it doesn't have to be smart." Wrong, slacker! Lots of adults watch the show and it has proven that it can be smart, so you do have to attempt to reach that bar.
I didn't buy the whole subplot of Satine having to go on the run because someone was shot next to her. She could have easily turned herself in made a case for herself. Are the police on Coruscant that incompetent that they are unable to tell from where a shot was fired? There is a lot of very lazy writing in this episode. I was rather hoping that Satine would be killed off, as it would have great consequences for Mandalore and Obi-Wan, as well and perhaps bring us closer to where things are in the movies. I have a feeling we will be seeing more of Mandalore, if only to put pieces in place for where they need to be in the EU.
Sadly, Coruscant's finest.
Palpatine has a bigger role here than usual and the show doesn't seem to know how to treat him. I have a feeling that the writers under the "Don't let on that Palpatine and Siddious are the same person" embargo, so they are probably required to be coy with him. In this episode his plotting is so transparent as to be laughable. Anyone paying attention can see how he is manipulating things. Palpy is an evil genius and deserves better.
On the plus side, Obi-Wan and the Mandalorian assassin have great fight scene and we actually get to see a Jedi offensively using telekinesis, which they have been a bit shy about on the show. There are also a couple of nice classic Star Wars references such as the presence of Mon Mothma in the Senate chambers and a large outdoor plaza that is straight out of Ralph McQuarries original Coruscant artwork created for Return of the Jedi.
Patrick Garone
Senior Reviewer
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Marvel is proud to offer the latest SUPER HERO SQUAD SHOW clip from this week’s episode.
Last Exit Before Doomsday!
Silver Surfer’s past as Galactus’ herald is revealed as he encounters another herald, Stardust-- but Doom has plans of his own for Stardust and her big boss! Hero Up with guest stars Cheryl Hines and George Takei on Saturday, February 13th, on Cartoon Network at 7:30 PM Eastern!
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The three-part Mandalore story arc continued last Friday with the melodramatically-titled "Voyage of Temptation" which follows Dutchess Satine, her retinue, a clone squadron, and the Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker as they head toward Coruscant together so that the pacifist Satine can make her case for Mandalore's continued neutrality and against the war.
This episode arc has a lot of parallels with Attack of the Clones and Obi-Wan and Satine as a couple were faced with a lot of the same dilemmas as Anakin and Padme but made very different choices. There is even a scene as the two Jedi take the lift up to see Satine where Anakin notes Obi-Wan's anxiety that is very similar to the scene in Clones as the two are making their way to Padme's apartment. This was a very revealing episode for Obi-Wan and is full of many great character moments and some really nice dialogue which is not something for which Star Wars prequel or original trilogy) is known.
The great chemistry that we saw on display between Satine and Obi-Wan during last week's episode continues and the two get a lot of great digs in at each other, such as when Satine refers to Obi-Wan as a "collection of half-truths and hyperbole." This insult rings true to anyone who has ever pondered his "certain point of view" speech in Return of the Jedi. "Voyage of Temptation" has the extra level of having Anakin present to relish Obi-Wan's discomfort and to learn something about his former master that he had apparently never known. Obi-Wan and Anakin have a particularly poignant exchange in which Obi-Wan notes the remorse that comes with the Jedi rejection of attachment.
Meanwhile, a traitor in Satine's retinue has smuggled a few Separatist "assassin probes" aboard. These spider-like droids take over the cargo bay and manage to eliminate a lot of clones in a sequence that has plenty horror elements and some nice allusions to Alien. I particularly like the scene in which a clone picks up an empty helmet only to have a mini-droid leap out of it and attach itself to his face.
Some of the droids manage to make their way up to Satine but they are dispatched by Obi-Wan and Satine herself who packs a small ion pistol. The idea of pacifism pops up every now and then on The Clone Wars and is almost always handled clumsily. The show is called Star Wars: The Clone Wars, after all. Satine is one of the few pacifist characters who doesn't come off looking foolish in the show. Her pacifism leads to an interesting ethical Mexican standoff between her, Obi-Wan and the traitor which Anakin resolves in a moment that is at once shocking, immensely satisfying, and totally character appropriate. The fact that the Imperial March plays faintly during it is a great touch, as is Anakin's hilariously nonchalant reaction to it.
"Voyage of Temptation" is a great example of The Clone Wars in top form. In many ways the show manages to surpass the movies in quality. This episode presents well-drawn characters, good dialogue, and even a touching, textured, and mature love story all in a twenty-two minute "children's show," something that all of the movies have struggled to do.
Patrick Garone
Senior Reviewer
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Last week's somewhat controversial (see below) episode of The Clone Wars was "The Mandalore Plot" in which Obi-Wan was dispatched to the neutral world of Mandalore to investigate recent attacks from Mandalorian-armored warriors on the Republic. If you are only familiar with the movies this may not mean much to you but in the Star Wars Expanded Universe, the Mandolorians are the people of Jango and Boba Fett, a proud race of warriors and bounty hunters who have fought against the Jedi numerous times over the history of the galaxy.
Obi-Wan meets with the leader of the Mandalorians, the Dutchess Satine, with whom he has apparently had some sort of history. These Clone Wars episodes often have very herky-jerky beginnings and almost always leave you feeling like you've missed an episode. Although, this is a proud tradition of en medias res that goes back to 1977's Star Wars, which made you feel as though you were coming in at the middle of a story that had already started. In any case, Obi-Wan and Satine have tons of chemistry and this gives us a glimpse at the very uptight Jedi's interior life and their relationship and choices serve as a nice dramatic counterpoint to Anakin and Padme.
The Mandalorian capital and its occupants are somewhat surprising in that the city is depicted as quite big, clean, and modern (whatever that means a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away) and filled with strangely blonde and Nordic looking people, nothing like the rather swarthy Fetts that we have seen so far. There are some very subtle architectural and decorative allusions to the Mandalorian armor throughout. This is a big contrast from the way that the Mandos have been described in the EU until now, as a traditional, nomadic people who are ruled by a single Mandalore.
Shortly after a reference to a captured Mandolorian warrior's having "taken his life" we witness a Mando terrorist attack and another suicide. This season I am constantly amazed by what this "children's show" gets away with and it makes me excited to see what the live-action show will be like in a couple of years. If a kids show is going to be this dark...Anyway, Obi-Wan and Satine venture off to the moon Concordia, from where all of the problem Mandos seem to be coming. Concordia seems to more like the Mandalore that we were expecting, and itself seems to be a reference to the planet Concorde Dawn which plays a big role in Mandalorian history in the EU.
Over the course of the episode we find Separatist involvement, a Mando turncoat, some typically dry Obi-Wan humor, Jon Faveau, and a couple of good battles. Overall this was a good episode and a great return to form after the lackluster "Lightsaber Lost" episode from the previous week and it cannot be overstated how cool it is seeing Mandos in action. This is something that Star Wars fans have been wanting for a very long time. Also, it is great to have an episode that spotlights Obi-Wan, as he is a welcome departure from the youthful energies of Anakin and Ahsoka. That said, there is something discordant about the depiction of the these fancy-pants Mandalorians and the way that their culture is depicted as almost the opposite of what has been described thus far.
For the most part, this Star Wars Expanded Universe has done a pretty good job about maintaining consistency between the different media and merging all of these disparate elements into one epic story but with this new series there have been some bumps in the road. Karen Traviss, an author of several well-received Star Wars novels that focus on clones and Mandolorians, recently quit writing Star Wars largely because of the fact that The Clone Wars series and its spin off media are venturing into this territory and disregarding the hard work that she has done fleshing out this corner of the Star Wars universe. I really hope that the writers of The Clone Wars find some way to reconcile with the established continuity. If they do, the next couple of episodes from this story arc will be quite eventful.
Patrick Garone
Senior Reviewer
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It’s Captain America’s birthday, and all he wants to do is celebrate with his fellow Squaddies and ol’ buddy Nick Fury.
But when Dr. Doom gets the horrific idea to thaw out his villain idol, the infamous WWII menace Red Skull, all bets are off. This Saturday at 7:30PM Eastern on Cartoon Network, The Super Hero Squad Show brings together the Squaddies to take down not one, but two of their powerful arch nemeses. Iconic film star Mark Hamill guest stars as the voice of Red Skull, a super villain who may be arrogant enough to even frustrate Doctor Doom! The most action packed, all-ages adventure of the week teaches the Squad and Lethal Legion that old grudges and evil plots for world domination never die.
Plus, don’t miss the all-new Super Hero Squad series, jam-packed with your favorite Marvel heroes and all-ages action, in comic shops now!
Tune into the Cartoon Network at 7:30 PM on Saturday to “Hero Up!” with your favorite characters in the Marvel Universe—or any other—in an all-new episode of The Super Hero Squad Show!
To learn more about The Super Hero Squad Show, please visit www.superherosquad.com and www.marvel.com!
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