View Full Version : More DC direct-to-DVD animation! NEW FRONTIER, SUPERMAN/DOOMSDAY & JUDAS CONTRACT!
Sean Walsh
07-22-2006, 03:36 PM
Super awesome things bolded:
Paul Levitz stood to make an announcement, and spoke about a new strategy for DC to move into direct-to-video animation.
Working with Warner Bros. Home Video and WB Animation, the company will launch a new line of direct-to-video DC animated movies that are being designed with DC Comics fans in mind, Levitz said.
He continued, saying that DC is looking to do a series of titles that will tell the character bits and stories that were important to fans, and will be working with the comic book creators on them. The first title will be the previously-leaked animated film version of Darwyn Cooke's The New Frontier. Cooke will work with Stan (JLU) Berkowitz on the film, with Cooke providing key art direction.
Another title in the series, Levitz continued, will be Superman/Doomsday, which will take the "essence" of the Superman/Doomsday story - and will be directed by Bruce Timm and written by Duane Capizzi, who's currently working on The Batman animated series.
The third title in the series will be an animated version of the classic story Teen Titans story “The Judas Contract”, written by Marv Wolfman. Tom DeStano (X-Men) will join Wolfman as co-writer and producer on the film.
"This is just the beginning," Levitz said. "We're sitting around and thinking of more...so send all your suggestions in."
"We're going to take the marquee-value characters that have love across the generations," Levitz said. "And use the stellar characters so that the parental generation will reach out and share it with their kids. We're looking at all the great stories, and cases where we can find the best stories of a long run."
Levitz also added that George Perez will be working on the animated Judas Contract as well, and that Bruce Timm will be overseeing all the animated films.
"We’re looking at more than the last five minutes of history," Levitz said in regards to what will differentiate this from movies such as Ultimate Avengers.
"Ouch" to that last bit there. :p
Yeah, because New Frontier is decades old...
I'm excited (well, excited as I can be, considering I won't get to see any of 'em as they don't think they'd sell here), but that sniping is pot and kettle. Ultimates and NF are both very good, and age has nothing to do with it.
The Batman
07-22-2006, 04:08 PM
you know, these could be kind of terrible or they could be really awesome, we'll just have to wait and see, but the fact that they're doing something like this is just awesome.
GRANT!
07-22-2006, 04:12 PM
Looking forward to New Frontier. Wait and see on Death of Superman.
Legato
07-22-2006, 04:36 PM
I have faith in this since Bruce Timm will be overseeing it. So does this mean that ATT is kinda back since an animated adaption of Judas Contract is in the works?
mrc1214
07-22-2006, 04:48 PM
Im looking foward to this but they can end up being really horrible. But if they are good then maybe they'll make more animated stuff.
I have faith in this since Bruce Timm will be overseeing it. So does this mean that ATT is kinda back since an animated adaption of Judas Contract is in the works?
Nah, sounds like it'll be a more straight-adaptation of Perez/Wolfman's version. Besides, ATT did their version of that story.
J. Robb
07-22-2006, 05:00 PM
"New Frontier" should be pretty cool, though I don't think it can be brought to life any better than Cooke's art already did. No budget can match our imagination ignited by a great story and art.
Aggie
07-22-2006, 05:22 PM
once again, i have soiled myself w/ glee...:D
cooke's NF comic version is the shit, i still would like to see it in animated form too, especially w/ bruce timm overseeing the project...my only concern is stan berkowitz because i found that most of his episodes of BAS, BB and JLU were the weakest...w/ only a few exceptions....but i'm still happy w/ the news...:)
DWEarhart
07-22-2006, 05:28 PM
""We’re looking at more than the last five minutes of history," Levitz said in regards to what will differentiate this from movies such as Ultimate Avengers."
Somehow, I don't think differentiating themselves from Ultimate Avengers will be difficult.
Legato
07-22-2006, 06:00 PM
Nah, sounds like it'll be a more straight-adaptation of Perez/Wolfman's version. Besides, ATT did their version of that story.
In that case I am intrigued at how different this version of Animated Teen Titans would look compared to the other ATT version.
In that case I am intrigued at how different this version of Animated Teen Titans would look compared to the other ATT version.
Well, Perez is involved and Timm is in charge, so probably a fusion of their two styles.:)
Legato
07-22-2006, 06:11 PM
Well, Perez is involved and Timm is in charge, so probably a fusion of their two styles.:)
True. Yet the question remains is that since this wont actually be about ATT then does the mean that new voice actors will be cast for this version of ATT or will the same voice actors be present in this movie?
Totoro Man
07-22-2006, 06:20 PM
I'm torn about Superman/Doomsday because while Bruce Timm is involved directly Capizzi wrote the execrable Braniac Attacks. And while I'm willing to be sort of ggracious to The Batman I just can't forgive how awful Braniac Attacks was.
True. Yet the question remains is that since this wont actually be about ATT then does the mean that new voice actors will be cast for this version of ATT or will the same voice actors be present in this movie?
Tara Strong will be in it. Maybe not as Raven, but she's in EVERYTHING, so she'll do something.:p
SUPERECWFAN1
07-22-2006, 06:49 PM
It can swing to eithor...really good and be a grown up " Judas Contract " with betrayal and other themes. Or really bad and be like Teen Titans on Cartoon Network.
Legato
07-22-2006, 07:04 PM
It can swing to eithor...really good and be a grown up " Judas Contract " with betrayal and other themes. Or really bad and be like Teen Titans on Cartoon Network.
Hope they pull for darker. Along with a more sinister Slade.
I have faith in this since Bruce Timm will be overseeing it.
May the Force be with Bruce Timm... On that note will it be done, will we get a serious, kickass, and a respectable *true* DCAU quality ATT movie.
Godspeed Bruce!!! Godspeed!!!
Naldo
07-22-2006, 07:59 PM
"New Frontier" should be pretty cool, though I don't think it can be brought to life any better than Cooke's art already did. No budget can match our imagination ignited by a great story and art.
Yep, exactly what he said!!
Ryan K
07-22-2006, 11:45 PM
Best. News. Ever.
Seriously. I'm probably more excited to see some of these than I am 95% of the crap that comes out in theaters.
Wow Superman/Doomsday could be great to see.
Patient Boy
07-23-2006, 12:59 AM
I have to say that while this sounds interesting, I'd much rather have another season of JLU.
DWEarhart
07-23-2006, 01:04 AM
I have to say that while this sounds interesting, I'd much rather have another season of JLU.
I'm in a bit of an agreement with this. I'm worried that this will lead to new comers watching the dvd's and not reading the books.
On the other hand, thought it's not up there with all of these great stories, I'd like to see a Jack Cross anime styled flick.
If they decide to do a Hitman movie, I'll be all over it.
DoubleShot
07-23-2006, 03:58 AM
"We’re looking at more than the last five minutes of history," Levitz said in regards to what will differentiate this from movies such as Ultimate Avengers."
Hopefully, DC will make some great stuff and push Marvel to be better than what we saw in the Ultimate Avengers. Part 2 comes out August 8th by the way.
Greg Hatcher
07-23-2006, 10:14 AM
I'm worried that this will lead to new comers watching the dvd's and not reading the books.
But this is exactly where we are now. How many kids watched the cartoon Titans versus seeking out the original comics, even in trade? How many people saw the Spider-Man and X-Men movies and then started buying the comics?
If DC has the brains God gave a mollusk, every one of those DVDs will open with a trailer showing a few trade paperback collections and come packaged with a discount coupon good at Borders or Barnes & Noble for those books. But I bet that won't happen because I am beginning to suspect the comics industry PREFERS to be a private key club. Certainly they act like one.
cactusmaac
07-23-2006, 10:18 AM
That's presuming they haven't tried asking WB for the ad space and got shot down.
If DC has the brains God gave a mollusk, every one of those DVDs will open with a trailer showing a few trade paperback collections and come packaged with a discount coupon good at Borders or Barnes & Noble for those books. But I bet that won't happen because I am beginning to suspect the comics industry PREFERS to be a private key club. Certainly they act like one.
I dunno. The last batch of Superman DVDs all came with a micro-sized copy of Man of Steel #1. And the Batman Begins two-disc set had a compliation of Batman comics. Also, Sin City: Recut, Extended, Unrated DVD came with a complete copy of "The Hard Goodbye." I think comic companies are starting to realize they can get new readers if they package things properly.
I like the coupon idea, too. I think Marvel's actually done that, no?
GremlinClr
07-23-2006, 12:28 PM
The third title in the series will be an animated version of the classic story Teen Titans story “The Judas Contract”, written by Marv Wolfman. Tom DeStano (X-Men) will join Wolfman as co-writer and producer on the film.
Oh. My. God. I am speechless. I have waited for a (good) adaptation of this since it originally came out. Frankly, ATT sucked for the most part and couldn't do the story justice.
Hopefully these sell well and they make more. Kingdom Come, anyone? The Dark Knight Returns? The Killing Joke? WATCHMEN? Ok, that one is a little long for a movie but they could do it.
Support this stuff, folks. Buy 'em all and we might get some killer stuff down the road.
Sean Walsh
07-24-2006, 02:54 PM
Regarding the Judas Contract animated movie....
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=78144
“And yes,” Wolfman added, “Tom [DeSanto] and I intend for the ‘nightgown and cigarette" scene to be there.”
:eek:
But this is exactly where we are now. How many kids watched the cartoon Titans versus seeking out the original comics, even in trade? How many people saw the Spider-Man and X-Men movies and then started buying the comics?
Much, much fewer people than who watched those movies and still didn't care about the comics.
I think V For Vendetta is the only movie to have actually significantly help the comic sales, which is good news for these guys - it means a more direct adaptation will help sales because it gives the viewers something specific to look for.
davids
07-25-2006, 12:23 PM
But most of all Kingdom Come after the wonder woman movie comes out.
I have always believed that to do it justice Kingdom come would have to be a animated mini series on TV. and not just the graphic Novel but the Kingdom Come Novel should be the real souce of the series.
It should take place years in the future 2040- 2050. Lois is dead, [flash back or a nighmare that Clark is having will inform the audiance what happened to the late mrs. Kent]
Why superman exiled himself and what happened to the world with out him around to act as an exasample to the world. will have to tone down the sexual romp on the space station beyween kal and Diana [the novel]
Voice work, Clint eastwood as old bats in his exosuit, sceaming in his cave. pual newman as green lantern. Lucy Lawless as wonder woman, others...any sugestions?
Could pre sell it to pay for the project and the studio taking the profit from the DVD sales and of couse toys! [or no toys if it's geared to adults....I hope!':)
LtMarvel
07-26-2006, 08:29 AM
In terms of movies helping comic sales, Sin City was a huge money maker for Dark Horse (they were so busy that the regular books like Usagi Yojimbo got pushed back). 1989's Batman was also a huge interest-maker and DC took full advantage by having lots of tpbs in print.
Unfortunately, the industry hit the self-inflicted wounds that was the 90s, and there are no longer enough comic book shops to serve the general public who will only occasionaly look for a trade paperback...
Sean Walsh
07-26-2006, 08:51 AM
Unfortunately, the industry hit the self-inflicted wounds that was the 90s, and there are no longer enough comic book shops to serve the general public who will only occasionaly look for a trade paperback...
But for the trades.......there are bookstores. Which explains why Marvel does so many TPBs these days - that's where they really sell.
Plus with the anime/manga craze, most bookstores have significant displays for that stuff - and the TPBs are almost always traditionally in that same section too (some of the Marvel/DC digests show up in the anime/manga section itself as well).
I can't believe I didn't learn about these until today. After the cancellation of JLU, and the rise of The Batman/LEGION cartoons, I thought the age of good DC adaptions was over. But lo and behold, a new becon of HOPE!!!
Scott Evil
05-13-2007, 10:01 PM
Wow Superman/Doomsday could be great to see.
If they do the fights like "Destroyer + ", then I'm sold. Give me at least 10 minutes of knuckle-busting, it'll be well worth my $18 US.
DWEarhart
05-13-2007, 10:08 PM
I was disappointed with the Superman/Doomsday trailer, seeing that it was Timmverse style of animation. I was led to believe that they would try adapting the original styles of the books, as best they could. I can understand if they want to be conservative, it is their first one, and maybe it proved to be more cost efficient for them.
I'm still looking forward to it though. Fight big. Big fight. Stuff go smash.
I was disappointed with the Superman/Doomsday trailer, seeing that it was Timmverse style of animation. I was led to believe that they would try adapting the original styles of the books, as best they could. I can understand if they want to be conservative, it is their first one, and maybe it proved to be more cost efficient for them.
I'm still looking forward to it though. Fight big. Big fight. Stuff go smash.
If they wanted to go conservative, maybe they shouldn't have started with The Death of Superman, and gone with a smaller story.
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