Hellboy:the Animated Series?

[Donald]

Could be

http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/10717.html

Starz Shopping 'Hellboy' Cartoon Series
At Licensing Show
June 08, 2007
The Starz Media Group, which has produced the Hellboy animated features, is shopping a Hellboy Animated TV Series at the Licensing Show, which will be held in New York from June 19th to 21st. Starz, which distributed the two Hellboy animated features, Sword of Storms and Blood and Iron, through its Anchor Bay Home Entertainment Division (see "Hellboy: Blood & Iron at NYCC"), is becoming an increasingly important player in the world of animation. It has a number of projects in development including an animated Turok feature (see "Animated Turok in Production"); and it is distributing the Korean break-out animation series Eon Kid, which is debuting on the Kids' WB this fall (see "Kids WB Adds World of Quest").

The fact that Starz is presenting a Hellboy Animated TV Series at the Licensing Show is further evidence of the increasing popularity of Mike Mignola's comic book-based property, which is published by Dark Horse. In addition to the two animated Hellboy features, a second Hellboy live action feature is in production with ace director Guillermo del Toro at the helm and should start shooting this month (see "Hellboy 2 Casting").

[TheShadowCat]

Can't say I'd be real thrilled if this happened. I feel that the quality in story and animation would go down because they wouldn't have time to really work on good solid stories like the comics have. Plus, I sincerly doubt they'd let the blood, death and swearing remain for a regular tv show.

Just my $0.02.

>^^<

[parrish]

I'd give it a chance, I think. But like every other TV show, after X amount of seasons they run out of good ideas and get old.

[THE REAL kirk]

I agree. If the animated Hellboy became weekly it could very well reduce the quality by the increased time restraints and our dear Mr Stone may actually lose his mind. I think we all want neither to occur.

The best thing would be the commitment to MANY more movies. They should think larger, kind of a "Movie of the Week" type show that they could use to showcase many different charcaters, of which Hellboy would be one. This would allow much more versatility and a definte increase in quality. It would require some lead time but I think it could be great. Who know s who else might jump on board to do a few movies with their charcater(s)?

[Kelly Tindall]

If they limit the number of episodes and concentrate strongly on DVD sales, like Japanese anime, I think they'll be able to keep the quality high.

Mike Mignola is the only American creator that has a deal similar to Japanese creators like Kouta Hirano (Hellsing), Tite Kubo (Bleach), or Hiromu Arakawa (Fullmetal Alchemist) where the original comic (owned by a creator and not a corporation) has spun out into animated productions, film, and merchandising. The only other successful creator that comes to mind is Todd McFarlane, but Spawn is played-out while Hellboy is just getting warmed up.

I don't entertain the notion that a Hellboy t.v. series would be too dumbed-down, to be honest. Adventure cartoons like Justice League Unlimited or Ben 10 are very similar in content to something like Sword of Storms, if not necessarily in tone... At least, from my perspective.

[TheShadowCat]

Call me paranoid, but I'm afraid that unless it's picked up by the right people, it'll get so watered down that it just won't be Hellboy anymore.

>^^<

[Bailzzararco]

Call me paranoid, but I'm afraid that unless it's picked up by the right people, it'll get so watered down that it just won't be Hellboy anymore.

>^^<

I similarly would be worried about that. I fear that should it come to regular tv the wicked folks who must sheild their kiddies from everything that might possibly upset them will find a way to de-tooth and de-claw Hellboy until it's nothing but a lot of crappy fluff that simply annoys everyone.

[Kelly Tindall]

Idiom:
benefit of the doubt
A favorable judgment granted in the absence of full evidence.

[Asa]

I think things are going well the way they are now. More doesn't always mean better.

[Hellbaby]

What a coincidence! I got Sword of Storms today! I can't wait to watch it. :D

[longbowhunter]

Wellllll....I remember Tad saying he had ORIGINALLY pitched a Helboy series way back when. If him and Mike are involved EVERY STEP OF THE WAY and have a great plan to make it work,it could work.I would much rather see a couple of top-notch Direct to DVD movies a year than an ongoing series but thats just my 2 cents. Mr. Mignola has been very protective of the entire Hellboy universe so I doubt he'll abandon big red to the wolves of hollywood now. The problem is,I have no idea what network Hellboy should call home-although the movies have aired on Cartoon Network they have a poor history of supporting licensed properties(ala JLU). Maybe Sci-Fi or the upcoming Horror network could pick it up?

[SpydaWeb]

I interviewed Tad about this very topic today. I hope to have the audio up next week.

[Neil Hill]

As with anything that goes to a tv series, this could either be great or garbage. Personally, I think the expanded format yet shorter episode length could allow for some really interesting storytelling, but Tad has already mentioned he is not championing the idea of a tv series.

I guess I'll just take a wait and see attitude, to find out how things develop.

[Vakanai]

Call me paranoid, but I'm afraid that unless it's picked up by the right people, it'll get so watered down that it just won't be Hellboy anymore.

>^^<

Alright, your paranoid!:p
...What?:D

But seriously, I know what you mean. But I'd like to see it happen just on the off chance they do a good job, stay true to the character, and keep it interesting. TV producers/execs have surprized me before (not often, but they have), so they might do a wonderful job. And if they make it censored and horrible, just do what I do: Call it Heckboy and forget the whole thing ever happened.

[Elegance Liberty]

With all due respect, I think people are being way too paranoid here, IMHO.

If Cartoon Network could get away with showing the first animated movie and be able to get away with the second especially -with virtually NO notable complaints from parent/TV watchdog groups- then I think it's safe to say the animated series wouldn't get neutered just the same.

I do find it bitter amusing seeing anime fans cry foul at what 'Blood and Iron' got away with, while crap like 'Bleach' is censored on Adult Swim (of all places). Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

If anything, I'm just worried about what network it'll be on. Seeing as Cartoon Network's executives have the brain capacity of a chimp (may as well be run by chimps, given the ratio of anime and live-action to actual Western animation. Sorry, I'm SO burnt out on anime these days...), I have a fear they'll probably either schedule it at inopportune times -like Justice Leauge and Masters of the Universe- or forget it exists into schedule oblivion -the new Fantastic Four series-.

Sci-Fi wouldn't be much better either, but it'd be a better choice than CN.

Don't even THINK about Nickelodeon or Toon Disney, as some people have suggested over at Toon Zone's forums. While I am open to some suggestions, those two are just dumb with a capital 'D'.

[Angilas-Man]

If anything, I'm just worried about what network it'll be on. Seeing as Cartoon Network's executives have the brain capacity of a chimp (may as well be run by chimps, given the ratio of anime and live-action to actual Western animation. Sorry, I'm SO burnt out on anime these days...),




Eh, I think AS needs more anime, as the two current series they're showing are, in a word, complete crap. They had a really good one called Eureka Seven that they showed for an entire year and ended a month or two ago, but it got lukewarm ratings.
:evilangry
So I guess what anime fans want is more dumb action and less well written episodic storytelling.

I think some anime hit upon a kind of format for television that US TV shows, like Lost and Heroes, are just figuring out. It can be very satisfying entertainment when done right. Take for instance a Hellboy Animated series; you would have a desire to make the epps short stories in Mignola style, but for TV I'd rather have a story arc.

Sorry to go off on a tangeant, but hey I tied it in to Hellboy at the end! I wonder if this series would have the same production staff as the TV movies or not. I can't think of anyone else who would do it, and The Phantopm Claw could be made in to the first three episodes.
;)

[sallah]

I think the series would be really great...as long as Tad and Mike are heading it up. I don't see any reason why they wouldn't though, so here's hoping it happens!

Sallah

[Tad]

Starz Media has clarified that there is no series although Hellboy Animated will be represented at the licensing show. However, when Spyda posts his interview with me you'll hear lots of fun speculation about what a series could be like.

[SpydaWeb]

I was hoping to have the audio up before the release date, but that obviously hasn't happened :(

I'm having a nightmare of a time trying to pair things down to fit the format. Love talking to Tad, but our conversations always get out of hand. Great for the audience, nightmare for the editing.

Anyway...I'll have the audio up this weekend. If anyone is interested in the unedited version, I'll try to get that up at a later date. Depending on demand.

[TheShadowCat]

I was hoping to have the audio up before the release date, but that obviously hasn't happened :(

I'm having a nightmare of a time trying to pair things down to fit the format. Love talking to Tad, but our conversations always get out of hand. Great for the audience, nightmare for the editing.

Anyway...I'll have the audio up this weekend. If anyone is interested in the unedited version, I'll try to get that up at a later date. Depending on demand.

Why not do it in parts?

>^..^<

[Damascinos]

...Hellboy Animated will be represented at the licensing show.

One Erzsebet Ondrushko with Krypt-Fu Grip*, please. :D



*said Grip to allow her to cling to ceilings and hiss at people

[SpydaWeb]

Why not do it in parts?

>^..^<

Wouldn't work as two parts. I'd have to plan for it to be presented that way from the get go. I do have an interview, should it ever happen, that I want to do as a two parter. I fear it may never come to be, but I can dream.

[SpydaWeb]

Ok, here's the audio interview with Tad (http://www.spydaweb.org/podcast/FC_EP9.m4a). Hopefully the seams aren't so, obvious as my tongue twist at the beginning.

[Asa]

I am not getting anything. is anyone else? Do I need something? HHHmmm

[SpydaWeb]

Quicktime player or iTunes is needed. Actually, if you have the Zune media player (replaced Windows Media player) you should also be able to play .m4a files.

The audio will also be available in mp3 format tomorrow.

[SpydaWeb]

mp3 audio (http://www.spydaweb.org/podcast/FC_EP9.mp3)is now up too.

[Asa]

I have all of the above. I unfortunatly can't get it......I do hope we get more of the animated!!!!!.

[Petersen]

nice interview M.

I always like hearing Tad talk about process

[Neil Hill]

nice interview M.

I always like hearing Tad talk about process

Ditto! Tad is always an interesting interview.

[SpydaWeb]

I have all of the above. I unfortunatly can't get it......I do hope we get more of the animated!!!!!.

It's working fine for me and seems like others too.

If you havn't already tried, you can also search for us on iTunes in their Podcast directory. Punch in Fanboy Confidential as the keyphrase.

[Asa]

.....I opened my Itunes and discovered my problem. I had an oppertunity to listen to the interveiw, and as some one who is a real fan of the animated series. I really hope they will produce the next DVD. I can really see how much work is put into the animation. I was amazed at how much they could put into one story. I have been working with children of ages 6 months to 15 years old. The comics offer one aspect of hellboy and the movie offered other aspects that have opened the oppertunity for family's (thanks to Gillermo and others) to see mike's world of Hellboy.
.... There is still a big gap that if the animated series was to continue could fill up nicely. The preteen years that is so misunderstood. The phantom claw could be a big stepping stone for building that world. They make movies for the very young that Build charachter in small children. We all Know that kids have access to everything including drugs. You really have to have a good team put together to be able to tell the story in the eyes of mignola to the group of kids that are 9- 16 years, and I can see that they have that teem together. This sries can inspire girls and boys to study mythology from all sorts. As someone who comes from another country who has grown up in the states can really appreciate this series. Is this really about DvD sales or is it about the need to know if it is a good Idea to go ahead. I have been studying child development for years, now that I have it down to a science, I think it would send out a wrong massage if it was not to continue.
......sorry about the wis spelling but I am to tired to fix now.

[ZombieHound]

I'm more satisfied that there isn't going to be an animated series. Unless they [whoever took it up] felt like that knew how to take hold of something of that magnitude, I don't see how it would pick up. Plus, we currently still have the animated movies, upcoming second film, three new titles, and continuations of the old. We don't really need it, yet. Hellboy can become a big franchise; that can be good or bad. But most we've seen recently have been of at least decent to excellent quality.

Eventually it would be interesting to see, whether it's done by original stories or direct adaptaions of the comics. But now it comes off as, for lack of better word, overkill.

[SpydaWeb]

I think rather the opposite. There isn't enough Mignola-stuff. I'd like more animated movies and or a tv series. I think there's still plenty of room for them.

I would certainly want there to continue to be talented people like Guillermo and Tad steering the quality of the projects, but I think we should definitely not stop. Yet.

[gdeo]

coming this Dec,Hellboy animated #3 comic digest...cover by Humberto Ramos http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0707/10/hellboyanimated3.htm

[SpydaWeb]

coming this Dec,Hellboy animated #3 comic digest...cover by Humberto Ramos http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0707/10/hellboyanimated3.htm

Neat cover. Especially the Hellboy.

[SpydaWeb]

coming this Dec,Hellboy animated #3 comic digest...cover by Humberto Ramos http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0707/10/hellboyanimated3.htm

Neat cover. Especially the Hellboy.

[Asa]

OOPs I missed this. Kool we get another to read. Love the cover:D

[Lilitu]

Humberto Ramos?? Wow. I like the cover!!!Thanks Gdeo!!!