Transformers Animated

To capitalize on the sure to be balls-to-the-walls awesome Transformers movie that opens soon, Cartoon Network and Hasbro have announced a new Transformers animated series called... Transformers Animated. The series will kick off with a 90-minute special in early 2008 with 26 episodes slated to round out the first season. The characters are being designed by the guy that did Cartoon Network's Teen Titans, Derrick Wyatt. Head writing falls to Marty Isenberg who wrote some episodes of the mid-to-late 90s X-Men, Spider-Man, and Batman: The Animated Series, plus the newer Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The series also has two other former Teen Titans guys attached with supervising director Matt Youngberg and executive producer Sam Register. "The eye-popping 2-D animated series is a new twist on the original high-octane, animated action-adventure series..." Eye-popping? A new high-octane twist? With so many Teen Titans alumni on the series the only twist would be if Puffy Ami Yumi did not do the theme song.

The series will take place in Detroit. Wait, the best place they could think of to put the Transformers is in Detroit? I guess that's fine, as long as they fight Decepticons throughout the world because it would be messed up if Megatron only wanted to take over Detroit. Each episode will be a stand alone story that shows the Transformers interacting in "...exciting and humorous ways." The name for the new series doesn't seem like the best name they could have chosen. The Transformers have already been animated many, many times before with varying degrees of success. You might as well just call it Another Transformers Cartoon if you're going to be lazy like this. The original series was great, and no matter what anyone says, Beast Wars rocked (specifically seasons two and three). Transformers: Cybertron was halfway decent while Beast Machines was just bizarre, even for Transformers. Armada, Robots in Disguise, and Energon kind of fall on the lower end of Transformers greatness. Since it has a good writer attached the series should be somewhat decent. At least the kids are sure to love it no matter what.

As you can see from the first-released image of the new 'bots, the Transformers have a much more kid-friendly look and feel to them. Maybe too kid-friendly, and not the super cool Robot Heroes kind. Hell, you could probably plop these guys into an episode of Teen Titans and they would look right at home. The only confirmed Decepticon thus far is Megatron, but there is no pic for him just yet. The confirmed Autobots are Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Prowl, Ratchet, and a new 'bot named Bulkhead. From the picture you can probably guess who is who. I'm pretty sure that the motorcycle is Prowl and the S.W.A.T. truck would be Bulkhead. You can also see that, for some reason, the Transformers are all rescue vehicles or cops. Even Bumblebee has a police light on his roof. Hmm, this is actually all making sense. You see, the Transformers are robots, the robots are cops, and it all takes place in Detroit. Transformers Animated is the Robocops animated series you've always wanted, minus the gore and plus the happy! Now they just need to add Red Alert as a burnt out Ford Taurus and it will fulfill my needs.

June 25, 2007 09:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Cartoon Network and Hasbro Join Forces to Create TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The TRANSFORMERS saga has captivated kids for more than 20 years. Coming on the heels of the highly anticipated live-action theatrical film being released July 3rd, by DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, Cartoon Network and Hasbro, Inc. are announcing today that the next generation of the epic animated series is being jointly developed by the two entities for a 2008 debut on the network in the U.S. The eye-popping 2-D animated series is a new twist on the original high-octane, animated action-adventure series with new characters alongside legends such as OPTIMUS PRIME and MEGATRON. Each episode will present a standalone storyline featuring everyday heroes who do good deeds that triumph over evil. TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED series will be co-produced by Cartoon Network Studios.

Twenty-six, half-hour episodes will be produced as well as a 90-minute special of TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED which is scheduled for release in early 2008 on Cartoon Network in the U.S. Matt Youngberg (Teen Titans, The Batman) is the supervising director, Derrick Wyatt (Teen Titans) will provide the character designs and Sam Register (Ben 10, Teen Titans) will serve as executive producer of the series. Marty Isenberg (Danny Phantom., X-Men, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) acts as head writer.

”We are thrilled to be working with the highly creative team at Cartoon Network on bringing the next chapter in the TRANSFORMERS saga to kids and fans around the world,” said Brian Goldner, Hasbro’s Chief Operating Officer. “The animation style that Cartoon Network has developed really brings the lore and characters of the TRANSFORMERS franchise alive in a way that has never been seen through animation.”

“TRANSFORMERS is a tried and true draw for our core audience,” said Bob Higgins, senior vice president programming and development, Cartoon Network. “Kids love the surprise of 'More Than Meets the Eye,' combined with dynamic, clearly defined characters and epic storylines. We are thrilled to be working with Hasbro to help re-imagine this amazing franchise for a new generation of fans.”

Set on Earth in the near future in Detroit, the alien TRANSFORMERS are thrust into a world populated by humans and automatons. As visitors to Earth, the TRANSFORMERS--OPTIMUS PRIME, BUMBLEBEE, PROWL, BULKHEAD and RATCHET--work in the human world, interacting with the ‘natives’ in exciting and humorous ways. TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED has been created to showcase the heroic AUTOBOTS working together to battle the evil DECEPTICONS and save Earth with kid-relatable plot lines filled with humor, distinctive character personalities, and dynamic action.

Hasbro and HPG, its licensing division, will expand the action-packed TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED series through toys, games, licensed merchandise and promotions around the world.

Hasbro (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 91 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Overnight from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (ET, PT) Sunday-Thursday, Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.

June 25, 2007 09:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Cartoon Network and Hasbro Join Forces to Create TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED