Yesterday, Takara Tomy updated their website with some new information on the 2015 Robots in Disguise series. The overseas name of the upcoming Prime sequel is Transformers: Adventure. I can't help wishing that was universal. I usually try not to immediately jump on board the "Japan does it better" train, but here I am doing exactly that. Sigh.
I haven't been the most diligent in keeping up with the developments of the upcoming Transfomers: Robots in Disguise series, but I was stopped dead in my tracks when clips of the cartoon's intro hit the Youtubes. The all-too enticing thumbnail consisted of what you see above: Thunderhoof, an impossibly magnificent new Decepticon with giant freaking antlers.
As we prepare to say our goodbyes to 2014, I feel it's the perfect time to dip into the FanArt Frenzy well once more. Below you will find 14 of my absolute favorite illustrations from the year. You're here for pretty pictures, so let's skip the blabber and get right to it!
Ahoy there, jolly internet users! Let's celebrate the Christmas season with 25 pictures of iconic pop-culture characters wearing Santa hats! Hit it, Google Image Search!
While the lovable characters, rich mythos, and hooky underlying concept keeps us invested, the hope of selling droves of toys has always been at the center of the Transformers franchise. In its 30 year history, there has been an absolute onslaught of additional promotional material hoping to aid the cartoons and comics in their quest to send the Autobot and Decepticon toys flying from the shelves. Naturally, the copious television commercials have been the most memorable.
Despite dramatic narration and dazzling robot money shots, some of the Transformers commercials stick out more for their flirtation with the bizarre. This was especially true in the 1980s, but weird moments can be found throughout the entire history of TF adverts if you dig long enough. Let's go over a few examples!
I've always had a serious love for The Powerpuff Girls. With its name and cutesy protagonists, the show's tone might've easily been misconstrued, but anyone that gave it a shot was met with great comedy, memorable characters, quality voice acting, and fantastic action that used the simplistic animation style to its fullest potential. It was the sort of show with broad appeal, where a whole family or group of friends with varying tastes could watch and get something out of it. I had a blast with every episode I took in, and I've always looked back on the series fondly.
Naturally, when I saw the recent announcement of a new Powerpuff Girls cartoon for 2016, I got pretty excited. The original run ended almost 10 years ago. While the occasional Powerpuff material (i.e. t-shirt homages, local cars with PPG artwork slapped all over them, and even footage of Christian Bale singing the freaking theme song) life has thrown my way since then has always been wonderful, it was never truly enough. The launch of the current IDW Powerpuff Girls comic series almost hit the spot, but hey, I'm a man that dreams big. If anything was to truly satisfy me, an all new television series would be it. I am immensely pleased to be getting exactly that!
Courtesy of a recent Variety.com article, we know the next Transformers cartoon series will be a follow up to Prime titled Transformers: Robots in Disguise. Hmm, that sounds familiar.
Many of us have fond memories of Fox Kids' X-Men cartoon from the early 1990s, but interestingly enough, that wasn't Marvel's first attempt at getting the beloved mutant superheroes onto the airwaves. In 1989, Marvel Productions (the studio behind shows like Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, Muppet Babies, G.I. Joe, and Transformers) created a X-Men pilot known as Pryde of the X-Men.
While the show never made it past the first episode, it managed to inspire Konami's memorable beat 'em up arcade game and has remained a notable little piece of Marvel media history. It's quirky nature makes it well worth watching. Anyway, the proof is in the pudding; here are 10 weird things from Pryde of the X-Men!
I've been talking about the upcoming DC Collectibles Batman: The Animated Series and New Batman Adventures action figures left and right. I can't help it, they just look too freaking good! I've even considered shirking all responsibility just to Pre-Order them, and now I'm even imagining how the assortment might expand. To keep my expectations realistic, here's a small 5 character wishlist for future B:TAS and TNBA toys:
Why am I only just now finding out that there were Doritos manufactured with Evangelion artwork all over the packaging? These were only recently pointed out to me by Twitter's JapanCinema. Upon further investigation, the Evangelion branded Doritos were originally on the shelves seven years ago! What was I doing with my life in 2007 that was too important to notice such wonderment? Furthermore, why do I want them so freaking bad?
Despite my love of action figures, I took a major step back from actively collecting them some time ago. I've had a much more pressing desire to get my life in order as of late. You know, boring adult stuff. Outside of taking care of the essentials like bills, groceries, and pet medicine, I've tried my best to save or only buy what I truly need. However, now that the DC Collectibles Batman: The Animated Series figure Pre-Orders are live, I'm starting to question everything remaining on my boring old financial to-do list.
As a kid, I loved collecting Kenner's Batman: The Animated Series action figures, especially the villains! Whenever I've looked back at them in recent years, I've felt that they managed to hold up fairly well. The sculpts are too "soft" in places and they're certainly on the simple side, but there was a decent overall match to the style of the corresponding cartoon. I've never felt as if updated versions were essential since the existing figures were just fine as is. However, the upcoming assortment of Batman: The Animated Series figures by DC Collectibles has shown me the light:
While the Internet is always moving forward with new memes and viral sensations, going back through old bookmarks to revisit the lulz of days long past can be a great cure for boredom. I especially appreciate anything that features a goofy spin on some of my favorite cartoon, video game, and comic book characters. Ever the generous type, I've decided to share some of my favorites! Here are 5 fun & geeky videos worth revisiting:
A gigantic chunk of my childhood was spent watching Transformers: The Movie from 1986 over and over again. I geeked out over it more with each viewing. I ultimately found myself interested in the end credits as well. As the cast list rolled by, seeing the names of kick-ass voice actors like Michael Bell, Peter Cullen, and the godly Frank Welker credited as not just one but several of my favorite fictional characters made a giant impression on me. Just like that, I had yet another interest to fully immerse myself in.
Whether you know these plushie-riddled prisons as Claw Machines, UFO Catchers, or "Those Damn Money-Stealing Bastards", you must have noticed that they are absolutely EVERYWHERE, and their contents are often as varied as the day is long. Being a person of the "geeky" persuasion, my eye is usually caught when some of my favorite characters such as the Batman trio above are included. I'm never intrigued enough to gamble my money, but I get at least a moment's joy out of spotting them. It appears I'm also obsessed with taking photos of them with my ancient phone.
Hmm, I was going somewhere with this, wasn't I? Ah, the point emerges: I really do see all kinds of interesting toys in Claw Machines. In the words of the Immortal Milk Daddy, the proof is in the motherfuckin' puddin':
We've recently signed a new contract with adultswim to produce two more seasons of The Venture Bros.
Doc and I officially started writing last week. Though, in truth, we technically started writing season 5 last year when we accidentally brainstormed a handful of (we think) pretty hot new stories while we were writing the season 4 finale. Our goal is to have enough scripts to comfortably begin pre-production by June.
But wait...that's not all!
Our contract also includes a long-form (60-90 min.) Venture Bros. special. Don't ask me when we'll make it, what it's going to be about, or whether it'll be on TV or direct-to-DVD, because we don't have a clue yet. Nevertheless: good news!
Tell them what else they get, Jackson...
We've been secretly working on an 11 minute Venture Bros. special for the past couple of months. A sort of light-hearted, one-off little aperitif we're producing and animating entirely in-house at Titmouse Studios in NY and LA. It will premiere some time this summer.
I think that's enough for you to chew on for a while. More news later as it develops. Now go buy some DVDs or something...
