Retro Woman...

If you've watched DC Nation on Cartoon Network before, tomorrow there's a nice surprise...

As well as shows like "Beware The Batman", the Network also had several experimental shorts.  Many of them quite interesting, including a very hip one that premieres tomorrow.  While the Bunny Suits sit around and try to figure out how to work Princess Diana into the DC Cinematic Universe, television has found a way to make a really bizarre short about the Amazon.

The new animated short done like a 70's blacksploitation film, with very good, stylized animation really is entertaining.  Hopefully, there'll be more these.  Maybe even cameo guess stars?  Would it be interesting to see Superman show up in an Afro?  Maybe the Flash and bellbottoms ?  Batman driving a big Cadillac Batmobile all pimped out? Now that would be wild.  Meanwhile, Warner Bros. struggles to figure out who'll get the next green lantern.

I mean green light...

Beware, Batfans...

 
Cartoon Network is bringing out yet another animated version of the Caped Crusader...

"Beware the Batman" is a computer generated attempt to both pay homage to, and yet, walk away from the epicness of Batman: The Animated Series.  They've released a new trailer that shows off the action with appearances by minor/obscure villains in an effort to show the series is different.  While the animation looks fine, the modeling and texture of scenes leaves something to be desired.

Here's to crossing our fingers that the writing is good...

A Hundred Wars...

The forever war...

The Clone Wars celebrated a significant milestone on Friday...

100 episodes.  That's quite an achievement.  Now, not all of the episodes are great, a few are, but many are of a higher quality than the Prequels.  Certainly better than the first two, at least.

And this is the last, and fifth season of the contract for the show to be on the Cartoon Network.  If there is to be a sixth, then it'll likely be on Disney XD now that the Mouse owns it.  The problem lies in the rerun rights to the show, which will belong to the Cartoon Network for the near future unless Disney buys them out.

It's unknown how long the show will go, but it is still very popular.  The Clone Wars were only supposed to have lasted about three years in the films, so with a six season happening you'd have to wonder what time these events take place?  Two seasons every year?  And if they go beyond that, how would that work out?  Time in the Star Wars galaxy must be different than it is here I guess.

If you'd like to see a cool montage of the episodes over the last five years then check out Entertainment Weekly's article on the show.  And prepare for more episodes, and more series for the Star Wars universe.  Besides "Star Wars: Detours," I hear they're working on other ideas for animated shows.  I still like the idea of one that takes place in the original trilogy with Luke, Han and a bad guy named Darth.

Now if they could get ABC to work out something for that live-action series...

Fifth Season, It Begins...

Five seasons away...





The trailer for Cartoon Network's "Clone Wars" has been released...

Has it really been five seasons already? Wow, time flies. I can't remember if George Lucas said how many seasons the Clone Wars would comprised, but I keep thinking I read somewhere that it would be five seasons or at least a hundred episodes. But this could also be in articles where he was talking about the rumored live-action series which he mentioned desiring to have that number as well. While, there are structural problems I have with the show, and characters I don't really care for, the storytelling in this series is far superior to the Prequels (at least the first two, and part of the third). With the new Star Wars series from Seth Green on the horizon and the continual talk of the live-action Star Wars series it appears that this universe still has a lot of life left in it. Hopefully, not just on the small screen, but the big screen as well.

And that gives me a new hope that someday we'll find out what happened after the Empire fell...

Prequels Past In Present...

A character from the very first, and very worst prequel returns to the Star Wars Universe...

This week on the Cartoon Network, the Clone Wars has two episodes featuring Qui-Gon Jinn in Obi-Wan Kenobi-like afterlife appearance. Now, while I loath most of Episode I, Liam Neeson as the mystical and wise Jedi was one of the bright and underused parts of the film. Entertainment Weekly has the scoop as well as a nice CG clip showing the animated Jedi Jinn.

While the episodes of this series has been uneven, the majority of them have been far more entertaining and watchable than the first and second prequels (as well as bits of EP III). I think the further they get away from the prequels and the more Lucas lets others take control of this property, the better.

Now, if he'll just let go of Lucasfilm and let someone else take over...

The Third Clone...

Tonight the Cartoon Network debuts the third season of The Clone Wars to a wanting audience...

I can't wait to see how this ends. I sure hope the Republic beats back those evil Separatist. I want the Republic to win because they're in the right, you know. Don't know what would happen if those nasty rebels won. Gosh knows what would happen then, hmmm?

I've actually enjoyed this show far more than I expected. That said, I wish Lucasfilm would do some stories that involve a plot we don't know the ending to. How about some future adventures of Luke and Han? Or some forgotten tales of the Old Republic? The Star Wars Universe is vast and filled with opportunities that have yet to be explored. As much fun as I have watching this show, I find it hard to cheer for a man that kills a bunch of young kids when he turns out to be too ignorant to realize what he's been fighting for is a farce. For being so all powerful, Jedi Knights seem incredibly bad at noticing the obvious.

Watch it and give in to the Dark Side...

Star Wars World War Three...

The Cartoon Network has announced when we get to see the premiere of Season 3 of the Clone Wars...

I wonder what season we get to find out what happens to Ahsoka? Now that's an episode I want to see. Perhaps Jar jar can join her? Imagine the possibilities. Hmmm.

Here's the press release:

Secrets Are Revealed In All-New Season of Star Wars™: The Clone Wars™ Premiering on Cartoon Network, Friday, September 17, 9 p.m. (ET/PT)

Building on the huge ratings win from last spring’s second season finale of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Cartoon Network announced today it will premiere 22 all-new episodes for season three of the critically acclaimed CG-animated series from creator George Lucas and Lucasfilm Animation. The special, one-hour season three premiere event of Star Wars: The Clone Wars airs Friday, September 17, at 9 p.m. (et/pt).

The season two finale of Star Wars: The Clone Wars was the highest-rated telecast of the season among all key kid demos—2-11, 6-11, 9-14. The one-hour special also took the #1 spot as the most-watched telecast of the day (May 2) among boys 6-14, and #1 for its timeslot with kids 6-14 versus all television. Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a thrilling, weekly 30-minute “mini-movie” created by the talented artists at Lucasfilm Animation.

Mystery, intrigue and adventure await our heroes with all-new action-packed episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. As war continues to rage throughout the galaxy, the dark side grows even stronger and the Jedi Knights are pushed to the breaking point. The lines between good and evil become blurred as secrets are revealed, truths are questioned and alliances are betrayed. Loyalties are tested as new enemies emerge and heroes rise – and fall.

In this transformative new season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, surprises wait at every turn, the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance and the destiny of the “Chosen One” will at long last be uncovered. Thrilling, unpredictable and often humorous, the exciting new adventures of the Star Wars Saga will captivate fans of all ages.

I'm sure Decadent Dave is warming up his DVR as we speak...

Earth's Mightiest Trailer...

Avengers...



The new trailer for Disney XD's "Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes" is out...

I'm glad that these shows are coming out and Marvel is in control of the content, but I sure hope the stories are better than the animation. I'm not a big fan of it in this or the previous trailer. I really did like that "Fantastic Four" series that was on Cartoon Network a few of years ago. It disturbed me at first, because of the Japanime look, but the quality of the animation and feel of the series was better than most animation. The stories were spot on Marvel as well.

Let's hope this series stories are just as good. I'm also looking forward to seeing more about that "Spider-Man" series later this year (the series will debut 2011). We probably won't hear much about the other couple of projects that they're working on until early next year. I certainly hope that Marvel starts to rely on some of the artist in the Mouse's television departments instead of farming it out to other companies.

Time will tell...

More Prep...

Prepping...


A great deal of info has come out of Comic-Con 2010...

But very little about Paul Dini's "Tower Prep" show on Cartoon Network. I figured that Ain't It Cool News would have something since Harry, who owns the site was moderating the panel. But no. Like watching tumble weeds rolling across the desert plain. Nothing. It's as if no one was there, which I know isn't true, but it's strange that no buzz has emerged.

Until now.

We finally have a bit more info. A website called BRBTV has posted a couple posts about the series from Dini and "X-Files" producer Glen Morgan, giving us a small amount of perspective into the show. I have never seen Dini do anything that I haven't liked and I look forward to this show as well with great anticipation. The one thing I did see Harry talk about in his tweet to me was that it was like Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters meets the "Prisoner," which is a great pitch. So why not elaborate?

Preparing for Prep...

The Darkening Seasons...

There's always room for Star Wars, we like to say...

At Comic-Con this year, they showed a preview of the upcoming Season 3 of the "Clone Wars" animated series on Cartoon Network. Here it is for your enjoyment. I'm sure that Decadent Dave is already getting his DVR ready as I type.

Say what you will about this show, the quality and story are becoming far better and more interesting than the Prequels ever were (save for some of Sith). Of course, that in and of itself isn't saying very much. Season 3 starts this October.

And Lucasfilm is already planning the fourth...

Being Prepped...

Sunday is usually a light day for Comic-Con...

But with the popularity of the event there are a lot more panels to go to and cover on this last day. That said, only one panel would have interested me.

The one with Paul Dini talking about his new live-action program for the Cartoon Network. He was there to discuss his new series, "Tower Prep" and show some sneak previews, but I'm sure someone had to ask about "Arkham Asylum 2," because he's the writer on it.

Here's the teaser for the series, which doesn't show much, but I'll still check it out because Dini created it and I have rarely seen anything he's done that I don't like. In fact, I usually love anything he's involved in. I'll be sure and watch for anything new, revealing and interesting coming about about this show.

Prepping now...

More Than A Galaxy, A Whole World...

$$$, $$$, $$$, $$$, $$$...


Young Padawan's everywhere will be happy to hear this...

As with the announcement of the release of "Clone Wars: Season Two" comes the news that Lucasfilm and SOE have partnered to let fans of the Cartoon Network series actually enter that world/galaxy(?).

So, from the press release:

Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) today announced the development of Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures, a free-to-play, action packed virtual world for fans of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated television series on Cartoon Network.

Developed and published by SOE, creators of the critically acclaimed kids' game, Free Realms, and licensed by LucasArts, in conjunction with Lucasfilm Ltd., Clone Wars Adventures will launch online and in retail stores this fall.

For more info check out the full announcement here.

Cloning Available...

And so marches on the ever growing Lucas empire...

Lucasfilm is releasing the DVD/Blu-Ray of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" Season 2. While it is imperfect and uneven, the series is far better than the prequels that began/disappointed fans a decade ago. It has steadily improved and could offer a new hope that there is a positive future for that galaxy a long, long time ago. I'm sure Decadent Dave and THX-1138 will be first in line.

The Star Wars universe grows and grows...

Episode 3...

Wow, those folks up north at Lucasfilm really aren't wasting any time...

With the second season of the Clone Wars just ended, they've already got a teaser trailer out for the next season of the series (the Third Season if you haven't been counting). That's working fast and using great marketing. In this ADD world, keeping people interested in what is waiting ahead is very important. Even for something as world renowned as Star Wars.

Nice Jedi mind trick...

Exceptional Exceptions...

For the last couple of years, the Cartoon Network has started programming live-action series in addition to its animated offerings to try and become a clone of the Disney Channel...

And I've totally been against it. TOTALLY. Until now. Kinda.

Well, there is that rule that goes "there's an exception to every rule." And this is that exception. I don't know if this will be good or mediocre, but it's created by someone of whom I'm a huge fan.

Paul Dini.

The man is a great writer and has created some of my favorite shows, from "Batman: The Animated Series," his comic book writing, his episodes of "The Clone Wars" and his episode of "Lost," "The Moth," was quite awesome too, btw. Plus there is that animated "Indiana Jones" series he wants to do (Please listen to him, George). Anyhoo.

For you that aren't as geeky as me, the Cartoon Network announced it's schedule the other day and a couple things stood out. One was an animated series by Genndy Tartakovsky called "Sym-Bionic Titan." We'll talk about that another time. But the other series they have coming out that I was interested in was called "Prep Tower" and it was created, produced and written by Paul Dini. My interest was peaked. What is the show about? From the CN press release:

Release Date: 7/21/2009

Cartoon Network Announces Cast for TOWER PREP First Live-Action Series Pilot for Cartoon Network written by Paul Dini Cartoon Network has announced casting for the live-action scripted pilot Tower Prep (working title). Production on the network’s first hour-long live-action drama is slated to begin this August in Vancouver, Canada.

Tower Prep (working title) 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. The pilot is executive-produced and written by Paul Dini (Lost, Batman Beyond), with Terry McDonough (Breaking Bad, The Street) signed on to direct.

Cast:
• Drew Van Acker (The Lake)
• Ryan Pinkston (Punk’d, In the Motherhood)
• Elise Gatien (Bionic Woman, Eureka)
• Dyana Liu (Parenthood)

Color me interested and willing to give it a change. I just want CN to understand that most of us tune in to see cartoons, hence the name of your network. That being said, I'm giving this one an exception.

For now...

Tis The Season...

The second season, actually...

I've not mentioned much about the second season of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" on Cartoon Network in a while. Even though they're closing in on the end of this season, I haven't really talked much about it.

I've only watched a few episodes. They're were quite good, especially the ones written by Paul Dini, but a couple of them just fell flat. Overall, the quality has been better than I'd expected, but I still prefer Genndy Tartakovsky's 2003 version. I can't believe that Lucas is almost ready to start a third season. Think about it, that'll happen in October. Lucas' original plan was to go for 100 episodes, but that is a very difficult thing to pull off in/on television. That many episodes would take around five seasons and most shows are lucky to last three or four. Ratings are brutal. Luckily, the ratings have been very good. By then end of this season there will be 44 episodes and it's all but given that CN will green light a third season with the ratings they're giving the cable network. That'll put the show at 66 episodes and well on it's way toward the hundred episode number. If he keeps this up George is going to have enough content to start his own channel. I don't know if it would be the Star Wars channel or a broader Lucas Channel, but that Empire keeps growing and growing.

Now, back to my point. The end is near for CW's S2 and Lucasfilm has released the trailer for The Clone Wars - Season Two's finale entitled: ". "Lethal Trackdown" Take a look at it and see what you think. It has compelling elements, but I liked the conclusion of last year's season finale "The Ryloth Trilogy,"better.

The Force is strong in this one...

Clone Wars: Take Two, Too...

Again, it comes...

Those of you, like me, who slowly grew to like the first season of the Star Wars "Clone Wars" series on Cartoon Network will remember the first trailer for the second season was pretty good. Well, now they've released a second trailer for the second season that shows even more of the bounty hunter angle they're going for this time out. As an added bonus, IGN has posted a couple clips from this season that you can see here and here. Have a look and form your own opinion; it's only days before the animated series begins.

And years before the live-action series comes to the small screen...

Cloning Available Soon...

And now we go from Surrogates to Clones...

Now I have to do this post or else Decadent Dave, THX-1138 and Mola Ram will have nothing to write about. Far be it from me to leave them bored.

Lucasfilm will release on November 3rd, the first season (volume 2) of the Star Wars "Clone Wars" that Cartoon Network airs. This time, you can give George Lucas coinage for a DVD or Blu-Ray of the series.

If you read the blog you know I've been very, very sceptical of this series. I hated the Clone Wars movie that was released and expected the series to be just as bad. I was pleasantly surprised and found the series was quite fun by the season end. My biggest complaint of course, is the Hannah Montana Padawan that tags along with young Darth Vader-to-be. Otherwise, it's fun and I look forward to the next season.

Take it way, DD...

Judge Me By My Second Season, Do You...

If you remember my comments about Star Wars "The Clone Wars" television series, I was pretty critical of it...

But slowly, after a few episodes I actually warmed to it... mostly. I still can't stand "Hannah Montana in Space," but otherwise it's been a surprisingly good series. I can only hope that the second season is even better.

The guys over at G4 have released a trailer Lucasfilm put together for the Second Season of The Clone Wars. Check it out and feel the power of the Dark Side. Now where's the news about the live-action series, Lucas?

May the Force be with you, later this year...

What The Prequels Should Have Looked Like...

If you haven't seen the trailer for the three part conclusion known as "The Ryloth Trilogy,"("Storm Over Ryloth," "Innocents of Ryloth," and "Liberty on Ryloth") of the Cartoon Network's Clone Wars series Season One, then take a look...

It's pretty swanky if you ask me, and I ain't been too kind to Master Lucas' handling of the Star Wars franchise of late.