World Avengers cartoon

[Sawyer]

I want some news on the solo Thor animated series already. Anyone heard anything on it?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Not a word. Only things I've heard anything about are the live-action movie and the Son of Asgard DTV (and not much news on the latter front, really). We got that initial announcement that there'd be a solo Thor series and then nothing.

 

[The Question]

You loved every second of it. Don't lie.

The second season's theme was pretty good, though. Solid, brassy superhero anthem with no lyrics. I think lyric-less songs are the way to go for any intro, personally.

Firefly, much?


Anyway, yeah, they should have gone for an orchestral piece like JLU did.

 

[Sawyer]

Firefly is in the minority.

 

[The Question]

Firefly is in the minority.

How about Scrubs? And All in the Family? And Power Rangers (not a great show, but a good theme song)? And the second season of the Iron Man cartoon? And Atop The Fourth Wall (not a TV show, but a really good theme song)? And G.I. Joe? And Transformers? And So Weird? And Happy Days? And Laverne and Shirley? Etc., etc.

 

[Sawyer]

I thought we were talking about the past decade or so only.

And, though I'm probably in the minority, I find the All in the Family theme to be one of the most unbearable things on the planet Earth.

 

[The Question]

I thought we were talking about the past decade or so only.

And, though I'm probably in the minority, I find the All in the Family theme to be one of the most unbearable things on the planet Earth.

It's not a great song, but it's effective in the context of the show and it's characters, which is what music in film and television should do.

 

[Sawyer]

I wonder how the mini episodes will be released... on Disney XD? Online? A DVD to promote the show (hopefully)?

 

[TheVileOne]

Sawyer, the mini-episodes will be broadcast on Disney XD before the series is set to premiere in October.

 

[Dread]

Plans for a THOR cartoon seemed to come before Disney bought Marvel and decided to rule their TV efforts with an iron fist. That was before it was officially determined that "IRON MAN: ARMORED ADVENTURES" and "MARVEL SUPER HERO SQUAD" would return for second seasons. I think Disney wants Marvel to concentrate on AVENGERS: EMH for now before a THOR series.

I did find it very telling that not a peep about "THOR: TALES OF ASGARD" was mentioned at the SDCC. That's the last Lion's Gate special, and thus Disney/Marvel didn't influence how it was made nor entirely own it. Therefore, it's up to Lion's Gate to promote it. Part of me thinks the only reason it is being released at all is because it was being produced and paid for already. We've heard nary a peep about it since Disney bought Marvel and decided that while they'll leave comics and movies alone, TV was the area where Disney wanted to show their influence. And it isn't like Disney hasn't had a lot of success on the small screen. They released a gazillion DTV sequels to films. They once ruled network TV with stuff like "GARGOYLES", "DUCKTALES", "DARKWING DUCK", etc. and turned cheap kiddie sitcoms into billion dollar industries by harnessing the power of child stupidity ("HANNAH MONTANNA"). Perhaps they see TV is an area Marvel does need some help in, to focus and do better at.

 

[TheVileOne]

I think you are overthinking things Dread. For starters. The Thor: Tales of Asgard release is a ways off. I imagine it's not getting released until probably about end of 1st quarter early 2nd quarter next year.

For second, due to my conversations with the fine folks at Marvel which you will be all seeing soon, the impression is that there COULD feasibly be more DTV movies down the line. Or another deal with Lionsgate. Thor is the last movie in the current deal. Keep in mind that Marvel currently has a separate licensing deal in place with Shout Factory for SHS. So Disney is not going to be exclusively releasing everything. It seems Marvel is still retaining a good amount of autonomy. I just got the impression that there could be more with Lionsgate if they want there to be.

Also, Disney isn't doing anything with the Sony/Madhouse anime productions. And those are being broadcast on G4. So I mean . . . those are still going forward and Marvel clearly wants to make more if they are successful.

Also, the Thor: Tales of Asgard release was promoted on the Planet Hulk release which came out post-Disney acquisition. Just saying, I imagine it will pick up closer to the release. They are still promoting the complete WaTXM release right now and that IMHO deserves more focus than Thor right now since it comes out first in a few months.

 

[ArtTeacher]

I love the way the Hulk looks in this!
Shaggy hair + ripped magenta pants = win!
He looks a little too large in this for my taste, but it's a small complaint.
I hope the Hulk isn't "too smart", does that make sense?
The wonderful dynamic was always that physically weak Banner was one of the smartest men on the planet that changes into the strongest being on the planet but loses the power that Bruce always relied on--his high intellect.

 

[Gamma Goliath]

Idk if this has been posted yet.

http://marvel.com/news/all.13409.first_trailer_for_the_animated_avengers

Is it possible for someone to make an avvy of Bruce changing to hulk?

 

[TheVileOne]

My interview with Josh Fine (producer) and Chris Yost (writer and story editor). We talk about the Avengers series and some other Marvel Animation topics:

http://www.toonzone.net/news/articl...th-marvel-animations-josh-fine-and-chris-yost

While at the San Diego Comic-Con, Toonzone got the chance to catch up with Marvel Animation's Josh Fine and Chris Yost to talk about the latest from the animation department of the House of Ideas. Josh Fine is Marvel Animation's Director of Development and the supervising producer for Wolverine and the X-Men, Planet Hulk, and the upcoming Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Comic and cartoon writer Chris Yost has been a staple of Marvel Animation for the past several years and his credits include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes, Wolverine and the X-Men, and is currently story editor for Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Here is what went down:

TOONZONE NEWS: What are we going to be seeing at the Avengers animated series panel?

JOSH FINE: Lots of good stuff. I think fans are going to be stoked. We’re going to show two episodes of the beginning of the Avengers series that really highlight how the team comes together. I don’t want to spoil too much before the show.

TZN: For the both of you, what was your goal in doing this Avengers series? This is not the first Avengers animated series.

JOSH FINE: It’s not, but it’s the only one that will really count in fans’ hearts.

CHRIS YOST: It’s the only one in history you’re going to remember. Our goal was to deliver the show that the fans have been asking for. We wanted to deliver something that people of all ages can enjoy: kids, fanboys, fans, old people...everybody. I think the adults can watch the show and say, “That’s a great show.” I think if you’re a comic fan you’re going to get so much out of it. We connect it fully with everything we can think of. We really wanted this show to sing on every level, and we’re pretty proud of it.

TZN: The trailer looks like there are a ton of characters in it. Chris, as a writer, how do you like getting this buffet of the Marvel Universe to work with?

CHRIS YOST: It’s the best thing in the world. Wolverine and the X-Men, the X-Men universe, where I played, had a ton of characters there, so I’m used to a big cast with a ton of characters. But with Avengers, it was new and exciting. It was great. We want to do all the classic stories, all the classic villains. We want to get a ton of heroes in there. We got guest stars. If you’re an Avengers fan and you’re like, “Man, I hope they do this,” chances are we did it.

TZN: Josh, what’s the limit of the Marvel Universe characters you see in this show? I think we’ve heard maybe 52 episodes, so there are definitely a lot of opportunities here.

JOSH FINE: Lots. I will say lots. We cover a lot of ground in 52 episodes. We obviously focus on a core group of Avengers. That group changes, and guys come and go over the course of the series which has always been one of the most fun parts about the Avengers as a team I think. But we try to focus on character stories on those guys. Outside of that, we have hero cameos from all over the Marvel Universe, specifically the Avengers universe. We have hundreds of villains.

TZN: Possibilities of any merry mutants or a fantastic family?

JOSH FINE: Possibilities. I won’t confirm any rumors at this time.

TZN: What was the situation that kept Wolverine and the X-Men from getting a second season?

JOSH FINE: I can’t say too much outside of what’s already been kind of said about why the series won’t be returning unfortunately. But I will say that for fans of the series, the complete season Blu-ray is coming out this October 12. It’s going to be a three-disc set, the first time the series has ever been available in high definition.

TZN: And complete.

JOSH FINE: The complete series from beginning to end and lots of bonus features and stuff. So for everybody that loved the series and would’ve loved to see it continue, I hope you check it out because it really is a great collection. Show your support, because I mean everybody that worked on that series loved it. There’s nothing that we would want more in the world than to see it continue, but unfortunately circumstances prevented it from happening.

CHRIS YOST: I heard they said if Facebook had a page that’s like 100 million and one they would’ve done more. But it’s only like a million and they’re like, “Eh, it’s not worth it.”

TZN: I asked Jeph Loeb and Jeph Loeb did say there was maybe a possibility of a continuation somewhere down the line . . . perhaps in DVD form. Would either of you ever be open to work on something like that if the opportunity did arise?

JOSH FINE: I hadn’t heard anything about that, but I’m always open for it. I love the series. I love the characters, whether it’s direct continuity or you know, just carrying on the flavor of what we did in the series. I would love to work with more X-Men.

CHRIS YOST: Yeah, pretty much anything Marvel that they’d be like, “Hey, do you want to write an X-Men DVD?” And I’ll be like “Yeh . . . nah. Not really.” I mean, yeah really. It was a great experience working on the show. It was an amazing crew, amazing people, amazing characters. Yeah, I’d definitely be in it. I’m sure Greg Johnson feels the same way—

JOSH FINE: And Boyd [Kirkland] too.

CHRIS YOST: And Boyd. Like everybody. It was really, truly like a passion project. I love it.

TZN: I’ve really enjoyed the DTV Marvel/Lionsgate releases. There will be another one released early next year with Thor: Tales of Asgard. Will this be the last of Marvel/Lionsgate DTV movies or might we see more of them down the line?

JOSH FINE: I don’t know if it will be the last or not. It is the last one we have planned at the moment. It is kind of the culmination of everything that we’ve worked on. Thor: Tales of Asgard will be out some time in 2011 for fans to pick up. And it’s a really great movie. I cannot say enough good stuff about it.

TZN: With the Marvel/Madhouse anime projects, last year at Comic-con, Warren Ellis mentioned working on other than anime projects for Wolverine and Iron Man. He was also working on shows for Blade and X-Men.

JOSH FINE: Yes. Blade, X-Men, Wolverine, and Iron Man are the four. We are screening an episode of Iron Man tonight at 8:15. It will be the first chance for fans to finally see what all this anime craziness is all about.

TZN: So all the other shows are still in the works right now?

JOSH FINE: Yes. They are all in various stages of completion right now, and I think you’ll continue to see more and more as they get closer to finishing.

TZN: For Chris, in your Avengers series, how do you see the relationship with Tony Stark/Iron Man and Steve Rogers/Captain America?

CHRIS YOST: You know, it’s a good relationship and it’s one we definitely explore. I mean these two guys, they’re almost like from opposite ends of the spectrum. You’ve got a man literally from the past dealing with a guy who always considers himself a futurist, always looking for more or always looking for what’s next. And situations are going to arise where they butt heads, so it’s definitely some drama that we play with.

TZN: We will also be seeing the Hulk as a member of a team. Normally we see the Hulk as a rampaging force. In the Ultimate Avengers animated movies, the Hulk was set opposite the Avengers. So what was it like putting Hulk in this team setting?

CHRIS YOST: It’s great because I mean, what it does . . . and the comics did it first, it’s conflict. It’s like the Hulk is not going to get along very easily with these guys. There’s a point where things are going to happen. You put Hulk and Thor in a room and Hulk is particularly grouchy. You know Thor may not stand for it. You put Iron Man and Hulk together and things could go south. It’s a touchy situation and it’s one that we kind of face head on. So we definitely know that the Hulk thing there is going to have issues and we deal with them.

TZN: I was a big fan of your run on the X-Force comics with Craig Kyle. I’m really enjoying the X-Force: Sex and Violence miniseries you are working on with Craig Kyle and Gabrielle Del’Otto. Do you have any more plans for some other X-Force stories after you finish this miniseries?

CHRIS YOST: I think that’s going to be it for now. We’re open to anything. Right now Craig [Kyle] is working on the Thor feature film. I’m working on Avengers. I think we both love comic books and we definitely plan to come back one day. But we’re just taking a little break right now. But we kind of fell in love with the X-Force: Sex and Violence miniseries, so we’d definitely like to do more.

TZN: For each of you, who is that absolute favorite Marvel character for you? That one character that personifies your love of Marvel?

JOSH FINE: My favorite Marvel character . . . I can say this without hesitating: Gambit. I love Gambit. As a kid throughout watching the ‘90’s X-Men series, he always appealed to me. I can’t explain it. I just think that the Cajun thief is the coolest guy ever.

CHRIS YOST: For me it’s Spider-Man. Spider-Man has always been my favorite from day one, like back when I was a little kid to this day. He’s got an amazing visual. He’s fun. He’s always on the move, always making a joke, and I think it’s just like a good lesson, his particular philosophy about why he’s being a hero and what he’s doing. I just really responded to it. I love Spider-Man.

TZN: Do you feel the Avengers series will knock Justice League and Justice League Unlimited out of the park?

JOSH FINE: I don’t want to comment on the competition at all. That’s certainly a series that fans hold in high esteem, but I think this one will as well. It’s the essence of Marvel. We just try to tell really great character stories and the biggest action packed stories that we can. I think fans will remember this series for a long time.

Toonzone would like to thank Lionsgate, Chris Yost, and Josh Fine for graciously taking the time to speak with us.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

If you’re an Avengers fan and you’re like, “Man, I hope they do this,” chances are we did it.

Man, I hope they have the Black Knight appear for at least an episode or two.

 

[Dread]

Good interview. While I'm nowhere near as high up as working for Toonzone (working for Examiner isn't charity, but wouldn't fly me out anywhere), you do seem to have an ease with talking to the "insider talent" that I don't. ComiXology invited me to a release party for BOX 13, which is a little Red 5 comic, and I was too shy to ask the creators more than a few questions.

I still think we're not getting the whole story on why W&TXM went under. The last time Josh Fine tried to explain it, he made it sound as if he had to submit paperwork and accidentally slipped it into the slot a day late to get the right postmark. That's not how TV works. It's not applying for benefits. I think Marvel sort of collectively went, "we'd rather focus on these other shows now" and that was that. But, of course, if the DVD and blu-ray sell like gangbusters, that'll change their minds. I will be curious to compare the sales of that versus the releases of the 90's X-Men series, which actually have all sold quite well (considering it's old animation and was available in syndication on cable for ages, if not still).

At any rate, both Fine and Yost have the right attitude about this project, and the work they've done with it. They sound like they know and appreciate a lot of Avengers lore while still having their own tweaks. I can believe it when Fine talks about "hundreds" of villains (not including HYDRA grunts). The heroes coming and going angle sounds interesting, and JLU showed that it can work. While they wouldn't name the competition, there is a sense they know that's DC's top team show, and Avengers EMH has to compete. I liked their answers about Iron Man, Cap, and Hulk. I cannot imagine the casting process for Capt. America was easy; that has to be a hard part to cast, to me.

And, of course, they know that UNITED THEY STAND was rubbish (yet Marvel releases it for free online. They can't even give it away! HAW!).

The format sounds good. There'll be appearances and focus on the B and C list Avengers that everyone knows and loves, but also a focus on maintaining a cast of a core 7-8 characters. Again, Justice League did that and it worked well. If A:EMH can do that WITHOUT stumbling a bit for the first dozen episodes like JL did, it'll be golden.

Can't wait to see the show in action.

I'd say Black Knight seems possible since they're really digging the 616 stuff. Dane Whitman's uncle was an Avenger villain who showed up in some of those first villain teams. It's a legacy. Why not?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Dane himself was on the Avengers' active roster for a hell of a long time himself (like over a hundred issues, at least, between his stint in the 300s and his stint before that, with a bit of a gap between them) and he was one of the earliest new members, joining shortly after the Vision and a few others who went on to become staple Avengers. But for whatever reason, he's hardly ever recognized as such.

 

[Dread]

I know. Dane's been an Avenger since the 60's, but until that 90's leather jacket run it seems few people recognize him. I imagine he'll put in an appearance in this show given that the creators of it are so cameo happy.

 

[TheVileOne]

I think Black Knight will be in this later on.

Dread, the point is, you can't be shy around these people. You are there to talk to them. Don't confuse SHYNESS with POLITENESS. Just be polite and they will talk to you. Most of them are very cool about answering questions. I pretty much went up to Mark Ordesky (executive producer of LOTR) and had like a lengthy conversation with him at SDCC about the LOTR and he couldn't have been friendlier. Just saying, bring your digital recorder go up and grab some quotes.

I think its pretty obvious we aren't getting the whole story with Wolverine and The X-men. I wanted to go further with the conversation but I didn't want to waste a lot of time and not get much out of it so I moved on. I'm hoping some day we will get the whole story or someone on like Marvel Animation Age will get into all the politics and decisions on why it fell through. I'm not big into exposes or super fancy investigating journalism that cracks the mystery of everything. Its just not my thing. So hopefully someone else will write the book on the mysterious death of Wolverine and The X-men some day.

I just quite frankly don't understand what the big secret is that's being hid. Everyone seems to like the show. Every indication is that the show was a ratings success. So I don't honestly understand what the damage is or what all this financial red tape is about. Also the idea that Chris Yost said if there was 100 million people out there that said they wanted it back, they would bring it back. Now I mean . . . that might've been the most revealing thing about the conversation.

But that's it really. I'm letting it go for now. I'll buy the DVD in the Fall and hope for the longshot but that's it really. At least we still have the Madhouse anime to look forward to.

 

[Silver Knight]

Do you think we will get some figures from the cartoon?

 

[Justkidding]

Do you think we will get some figures from the cartoon?

Disney is in the moneymaking business...so yes.

Liked the preview, not Young Justice, but it doesn't have to be. DC always seemed to like going darker with their animation, with Marvel being more fun seriel style kid fare.

I'd watch it when it airs, but my school doesn't get Disney XD.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I didn't like Wolverine and the X-Men, personally. It had some good episodes but the overall premise was terrible. I can't take a show that demands Wolverine be placed in charge of the X-Men and Cyclops be an emo loner seriously.

 

[TheVileOne]

Well in the comics, Wolverine is the leader of X-Force and Cyclops is somewhat of an emo loner at times so LOL. Look no further than the Grant Morrison run of New X-men.

Toys, eh I dunno. I thought the Wolverine and The X-men toys left something to be desired. I thought the Spectacular Spider-man toys by Hasbro were decent since they were the 5-6" scale. I'm just not as into the smaller scales for these animated show toys. Almost no one wants to make 5-6" figures right now.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Yeah, I hate most X-Men comics at the moment, too.

 

[Silver Knight]

I think we will see something at TF11 no doubt.