Cartoon Network and DC, Sittin’ in a Tree
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?At yesterday’s upfronts (where channels go to pimp their future programming to potential advertisors) Cartoon Network announced “DC Nation.” I’ll let Deadline provide the easily cut-and-pasted details:
Cartoon Network announced the 2012 launch of DC Nation, an on-air and
online programming block of DC animation properties “populated with
event programming, interstitials, exclusive behind-the-scenes of
theatrical production and an insider look into the world of all things
DC.” The block, whose content will be produced by Warner Bros.
Animation, is the latest effort under Time Warner’s new mandate to
better integrate DC Comics with the company’s film and TV divisions.
That’s… that’s actually really, really smart for DC. Like, the smartest move they’ve made in forever. A whole hour (or two) on Cartoon Network, full of shows about DC superheroes, with promos for and behind-the-scenes of live-action DC movies and info on the comics and potential straight-to-DVD animated movies? Brilliant. Sorry, but it’s been so long that it seemed any comic company was trying to get new kids into comics I’m kind of stunned when it happens. I can’t help but think this is one of the first results of Diane Nelson becoming DC president — a move which actually partners DC with other AOL/Time-Warner companies, to the benefit of both. If so, well done. I’m impressed.
As for the shows, I assume DC Nation will contain Young Justice and the new Green Lantern series, but what else? Have I forgotten something? Did anyone see any other announcements?
About The Author
Robert Bricken is one of the original co-founders of the site formerly known as Topless Robot, and its first editor-in-chief, serving from 2008-12. He brought the site to prominence with “nerd news, humor and self-loathing” as its motto, raising it from total internet obscurity to a readership in the millions, with help from his savage “FAQ” movie reviews and Fan Fiction Fridays. Under his tenure Topless Robot was covered by Gawker, Wired, Defamer, New York magazine, ABC News, and others, and his articles have been praised by Roger Ebert, Avengers actor Clark Gregg, comedian and The Daily Show correspondent John Hodgman, the stars of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and Rifftrax, and others. He is currently the managing editor of io9.com. Despite decades as both an amateur and professional nerd, he continues to be completely unprepared for either the zombie apocalypse or the robot uprising.