Digesting And Spewing Pop Culture Into Your Face

A few days ago, a leaked image of the upcoming revamped Thundercats cartoon was leaked onto the internet.

The image was definitely and eraly leak as Warner Bros. released the title image above with a press release hailing the new animated series. I’m digging the look as they appear to have retained the essence of the characters while revamping them for our 20+ years later age.

THUNDERCATS

Series Coming Soon to Cartoon Network

Roaring to life through WBA and Studio4°C’s use of the Japanese animated artistry of anime, “ThunderCats” characters Lion-O, Mumm-Ra, Panthro, Cheetara and others will spring off the screen with realistic cat-like characteristics inconceivable in previous incarnations.

The new “ThunderCats” will appeal to viewers who have loved the characters all their lives as well as young newcomers to the franchise. A sweeping tale combining swords and science and boasting ferocious battles with the highest of stakes, the grand origin story of Prince Lion-O’s ascension to the throne – and of those who would thwart his destiny at any cost – takes on epic dimensions in this sharp new telling. As the forces of good and evil battle each other in the quest for the fabled Stones of Power, Lion-O and his champions learn valuable lessons of loyalty, honor and mortality in every episode.

“ThunderCats” is executive produced by Sam Register (“Teen Titans,” “Ben 10,” “Batman: The Brave and the Bold”). Michael Jelenic (“Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” “Wonder Woman”) and Ethan Spaulding (“Avatar: The Last Airbender”) are the producers.

“ThunderCats” © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. “ThunderCats” and all related characters
and elements are trademarks of and © Warner Bros.

Apparently this artwork is from a canned spec series that would have followed Bruce Wayne in his high school exploits. The art style is quite interesting, but an emo Joker? Really? This seems to partly inspired by Teen Titans and Smallville and could have been an interesting show. The artists who were tasked with the development of the show, Celeste Green and Jeffrey Thomas, have posted these pics and some info on their blog. I love to see concept art for stuff like this and it’s even cooler when it’s failed projects that would otherwise never see the light of day. Here’s the pitch that they posted:

The Story Synopsis:
We all go through incredible changes as teenagers: growth spurts, bad skin, a sudden insatiable need to uphold justice and avenge your murdered parents…. Well, that is if you’re Bruce Wayne.
As if being a freshman at Gotham High wasn’t tough enough, Bruce’s insomnia and technological fascinations are taking their toll. Instead of spending his time studying, he has begun to obsess over an emerging personality trait: Batman. But under the watchful eye of his guardian and steward, Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce is forced to put his intelligence to good use: graduating high school. But given his classmates, can Bruce survive Gotham High?

Hit the gallery below for some high res pics. (via io9)

Also, for today, Amazon has the complete Superman; The Animated Series for just $21. That’s a pretty good deal for a great show.

This is epic in all of it’s cheese-tastic glory. I especially love the hastily put together Turtle Van. They should’ve contacted this girl to get a slightly more realistic one, but on second thought their version is just right for this whole video. On a funny side note, the guy who wrote the most radical TMNT theme song is Chuck Lorre, the prolific sitcom creator. That’s not quite as good as James Lipton’s Thundercats theme song credit but it’s pretty close. (via Geeks Are Sexy)

I love me some Pooh Bear. In fact, The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh, is one of my favorite animated Disney features. Now that John Lasseter is running Disney Animation it looks like his talent is rubbing off on the people over there. The upcoming Tangled looks like a return to form in the classic Disney animated pantheon and now comes the trailer for an all new Pooh movie. I love the look of this and I’m really excited for a beautiful hand drawn animated movie. (via Ain’t It Cool News)

I saw this post on Bleeding Cool and got really excited by the new designs. These were drawn by Jessica Borutski and I have to say that I’m impressed. Anytime something is being rebooted there is some cause for concern as what made the original classic can be lost in the transition. As far as the look goes though I think she nailed it. It retains the look of the originals while adding some pronounced features to them. When you go to Jessica’s site she has a great rundown of how she got the gig and also how it’s coming along. There is also an article from The New York Times about the show coming this fall to Cartoon Network. Also on tap are some new Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner shorts that will play in front of some Warner Bros. features in theater.

All in all I’m excited for this as the classics are the best cartoons ever produced and it’s good that kids may get a taste of the antics of the Looney Tunes.

Bahdee, bahdee, Th-th-th-that’s all folks!

As you may be able to tell, I have a certain nostalgic love for the Thundercats cartoon. It was a crazy sci-fi and fantasy amalgamation that was quite appealing as a kid. As often happens when going back to watch these 80′s cartoons now they don’t hold up well. Thundercats actually is still pretty good though definitely dated. Now, there is no need to worry about the past cartoon as Warner Bros. has issued a press release announcing the beginning of a new series to air on The Cartoon Network. The animation studio handling it has already established themselves with a great anime style in the Halo: Legends film and the fact that they are going for an anime style is exciting as the original show already had that going for it. The press release follows:

Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) has begun production on ThunderCats, an all-new animated series for Cartoon Network, based upon the iconic 1980s action classic. ThunderCats is the newest series from WBA, joining Batman: The Brave and the Bold, which was recently renewed for a third season, and the following forthcoming programs: The Looney Tunes Show, MAD, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated and Young Justice. The announcement was made today by Sam Register, Executive Vice President, Creative Affairs, Warner Bros. Animation.

“In addition to being Warner Bros. Animation’s first anime series, ThunderCats marks our most ambitious foray yet into fantasy,” said Register. “The realism and dynamic visual style we’ve achieved are sure to thrill viewers, and the cool weapons, vehicles and technology should help the show appeal to a diverse audience.”

The 21st century reimagining of the series marks a creative collaboration between WBA and Studio4°C, one of the most vibrant animation studios in Japan, with credits including The Animatrix, Gotham Knights and Halo Legends. WBA is working closely with Studio4°C, utilizing the latter’s expertise to give the ThunderCats characters a new cutting-edge look while remaining true to the compelling storylines and mythology of the original series.

“We at Studio4°C are excited to be in this creative partnership with Warner Bros. Animation to bring ThunderCats to life,” said Eiko Tanaka, President and CEO, Studio4°C. “This collaboration combines the strengths of our two companies — high production values and great storytelling — toward reintroducing this classic fan-favorite to a new audience.”

Roaring to life through WBA and Studio4°C’s use of the Japanese animated artistry of anime, ThunderCats characters Lion-O, Mumm-Ra, Panthro, Cheetara and others will spring off the screen with realistic cat-like characteristics inconceivable in previous incarnations.

The new ThunderCats will appeal to viewers who have loved the characters all their lives as well as young newcomers to the franchise. A sweeping tale combining swords and science and boasting ferocious battles with the highest of stakes, the grand origin story of Prince Lion-O’s ascension to the throne – and of those who would thwart his destiny at any cost — takes on epic dimensions in this sharp new telling. As the forces of good and evil battle each other in the quest for the fabled Stones of Power, Lion-O and his champions learn valuable lessons of loyalty, honor and mortality in every episode.

ThunderCats is executive produced by Sam Register (Teen Titans, Ben 10, Batman: The Brave and the Bold). Michael Jelenic (Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Wonder Woman) and Ethan Spaulding (Avatar: The Last Airbender) are the producers.