Inside the comic-to-TV series heading your way in '08 and beyond
By Jake Rossen
Posted 06/05/08
Think you've had your fill of Batman, Iron Man and Wolverine when you step out of the theater? Think again.
As audiences stream out of blockbuster adaptations of marquee comic heroes over summer and into 2009, studios are hoping they'll file right in to their living rooms to witness their animated adventures. Here's a handy scorecard to the new 'toons acting in collusion with their big-screen counterparts in the coming months.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Debuting: March 2009 (Cartoon Network)
The Deal: After spending the past 16-odd years going it alone in animation, Bats is going to have to go to charm school and learn to do with a revolving door of guest stars: Each episode will feature him pairing with a fellow DC alum, similar to the format of the The Brave and the Bold comic series. Expect Green Arrow, Green Lantern and Blue Beetle, among others. Diedrich Bader ("The Drew Carey Show") will provide his Bat-baritone.
'Toon Tip: For his latest incarnation, Batman's art style owes a lot to Batman artist Dick Sprang—check the square-jawed cowl.
Iron Man: The Animated Series
Debuting: First quarter 2009 (Nicktoons)
The Deal: Hot on the turbo-powered heels of Jon Favreau's "Iron Man" feature, "Iron Man: TAS" is set to feature a teenaged Tony Stark battling adolescence along with his standard rogue's gallery. Expect appearances from James Rhodes, Pepper Potts and other regulars. (26 episodes ordered.)
'Toon Tip: Marvel (along with co-producers Gaul's Method Animation and Cinnamon Entertainment) plan to release select episodes from the first season on DVD prior to the show's premiere.
Wolverine and the X-Men
Debuting: First quarter 2009 (Nicktoons)
The Deal: After the disappearance of Professor X, Wolverine—soon the star of a summer 2009 solo movie starring Hugh Jackman—steps up to a leadership role when a future vision portends the end of civilization. Storm, Beast, Cyclops and Nightcrawler are enlisted; expect Magneto to be a recurring menace. (26 episodes ordered.)
'Toon Tip: An early, official promo trailer featuring unauthorized use of Foo Fighters music ("Best of You" and "Free Me") led the band to sue Marvel over copyright infringement.
Hulk: The Animated Series
Debuting: Spring 2009 (TBD)
The Deal: In a late '07 investor press release, Marvel dropped word that a new "Hulk" animated series was in development, with the presumed goal to piggyback on the awareness created by Universal's "Incredible Hulk" starring Edward Norton.
'Toon Tip: Hulk's episodic smashing will be supplemented by two direct-to-video feature films: "Hulk Vs.," hitting in January '09, and "Planet Hulk," scheduled for a February 2010 release. The former alledgedly pits him against Wolverine, while the latter is an adaptation of his recent comic crossover saga by Greg Pak.
Super Hero Squad
Debuting: 2009
The Deal: Based on the compressed, über-cute and cuddley features of the Super Hero Squad toy line, "Squad" is a Marvel team-up series for the 10-and-under set. While it may be the closest thing to an "Avengers" cartoon we've seen in a while, don't expect any major menaces or world-ending storylines to crop up: The Hasbro toy influence is strictly fun for all ages.
‘Toon Tip: No Marvel hero is exempt from an overdose of the cute—even the Punisher and Daredevil have been granted Bambi eyes and silly grins in the toy line.
