DC Nation is coming to Cartoon Network in 2012, as announced today in their upfront presentation and reported by Deadline.
DC Nation, of course, is the name used by DC Comics for its convention panels and promotional column seen in the back of its comic books. But what is it on TV? Well:
DC Nation: A multi-platform, branded block of original programming and exclusive content based on the DC Comics library of legendary character properties, DC Nation is developed in partnership with Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment. The all-new venture will harness the publishing, theatrical and television assets together for one powerful on-air block on Cartoon Network with exclusive online content.
Sounds a little vague, but, intriguing? Best guess is that it’ll mostly been previously released animation panel combined with newly produced content promoting DC movies and comics. A weekly dose of Dan DiDio? Is the television world ready? We’ll see.
Also announced on the upfronts: the previously announced Green Lantern: The Animated Series, slated for late 2011:
Green Lantern: The Animated Series: Based upon the DC Comics super hero, the series is an all-new CG animated action series from Warner Bros. As Earth’s Green Lantern, Hal Jordan is used to being in dangerous situations—but he’s never faced anything like this! Set at the farthest reaches of deep space, Hal must face down an invasion from the Red Lantern Corps. Hal is soon joined by an all-new group of heroes on a mission to protect Guardian Space —and the Green Lantern Corps itself!
March 23rd, 2011 at 12:00 pm
If this does not include Batman: The Animated Series then it is a fail.
March 23rd, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Love the idea….hoping we get a flash cartoon too
March 23rd, 2011 at 12:21 pm
My vote is for the Super Buddies! Booster, Blue Beetle, Elongated Man (with a live and kicking, unviolated Sue), Cap. Atom, Fire and Mary Marvel (with Max Lord?) fighting neighborhood level bad guys and cracking jokes. The two mini-series from a while back had Saturday morning potential in my opinion.
March 23rd, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Wow, DC continues to knock it out of the park!! I so can’t wait for this.
March 23rd, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Its about time!
March 23rd, 2011 at 1:10 pm
I think DC is sitting on an animated series that seems like such a natural, I can’t believe it’s not already in syndication.
Can anyone think of a series that features a young teenage girls (Little girls want to be her, little boys have a crush on her like, say, Kim Possible.) who’s background is in the continually-relevant area of blended families and who is near and dear to the heart of DC’s head guy in charge of bringing properties to other media?
How can there not already be a Star-Spangled Kid and STRIPE cartoon on the air?
March 23rd, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Like the idea, but the Green Lantern may be hitting Deadpool-level oversaturation in recent years. It may be better to take this idea on to other properties.
March 23rd, 2011 at 1:24 pm
@ Drew:
Why on earth would not putting a cartoon that’s almost 2 decades old on it, make it a fail? For one thing, nobody really knows what this all entails yet.
Besides, every single cartoon series DC has done, without exception has been a success:
*Batman: TAS
*Superman: TAS
*Justice League (Unlimited)
*Teen Titans
*Static Shock
*Batman: B&B
*Young Justice
Not to mention all their animated movies. No other franchise can boast that claim. Right now, YJ is the best thing on TV.
Whatever “DC Nation” is, it’s gonna be a hit, and I can’t wait for it… Especially considering all the garbage that’s been on CN for the past couple of years.
March 23rd, 2011 at 1:35 pm
I would prefer all new stuff as opposed to the older stuff with new stuff. Not to say that I don’t like the old stuff, but it would be fun to see DC take some chances with their animation.
Stars and Stripe sounds great. Power of Shazam would be awesome too. Gotta do Power Girl!!!
Or how about an adult swim version of Lobo?! They had a great online Lobo webisodes back in the late 90′s/early part of 2000, but unfortunately they got cut. If they could do something similar it would be great for adult swim.
March 23rd, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Wonder what a mashup of old Super Friends and Timmverse toons would look like? Maybe throw in the old filmation toons from the 60s for good measure. And don’t forget the krypto show.
Just kidding.
But I always thought a Tiny Titans cartoon animated like South Park might be interesting. Kind of like a kids super hero doodles coming to life on the screen.
March 23rd, 2011 at 2:24 pm
I wonder if this could be why the Showcase Presents shorts on the made-for-dvd movies were discontinued? If it is, this could be amazing with the whole DC Universe up for grabs.
March 23rd, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Dc are the animation kings! Its nice to see WB is realising the potential of the characters they own.
I also second making a cartoon aimed at girls! There is something for everyone…
March 23rd, 2011 at 2:49 pm
hopefully they won’t broadcast it at 10 PM!
March 23rd, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Is it just me, or is it long past time for a CAPTAIN CARROT AND HIS AMAZING ZOO CREW cartoon…?
March 23rd, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Good news on Brave and the Bold at least.
Young Justice errgh…I still can’t get into it.
“Like Meaaaaagaaan hullooo?”<-What is this targeted at the Lindsay Lohan/Lady Gaga crowd?
And yet even more G.L. Once the Nolan Batman hoopla ends and if Superman is box office bomb (and Snyder is 2 of 2 already with a possible 3rd coming this week), they at have something to fall back on.
March 23rd, 2011 at 4:51 pm
I’m actually happy about this as an alternative to the current cartoon being our DC animation fix. I have no idea how the ratings are, but I’d be happier to see this replace YJ than include it.
I really hope this will include a lot of the other characters from the DCU and not turn into the Bruce and Hal show. More like when Justice League became Unlimited.
March 23rd, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Personally I’d like to see a sort of Animaniacs format, not in the comedy vein, but the idea of a number of short cartoons about a lot of different characters.
Blue Beetle was enough of a hit in B:tB&tB that I think he’s probably being considered.
Stars and STRIPE is a great idea. I’ve been waiting patiently for a revamp of Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld as a girl’s adventure show that I think it’s time.
March 23rd, 2011 at 6:57 pm
“Right now, YJ is the best thing on TV.”
It’s OK, but I wouldn’t go THAT FAR. YJ isn’t even half as good as Justice League was in its best episodes. Too much inane teen talk, and every episode I find myself wishing the grown-ups were getting into the action too. Batman only giving lectures, for instance, just doesn’t do it for me. Basically, I just wish there were more Justice League being made.
Anyhow, a few weeks ago I would’ve said Fringe is the best thing on TV. But the plot twists of the last 3-4 episodes have me wondering if the show hasn’t jumped the shark/nuked the fridge/whatever. I’m still watching though, and it’s still been a (mostly) great show.
As for DC Nation, sounds interesting… Now that the House of Mouse has the House of Ideas, it makes sense for WB-owned Cartoon Network to develop a full slate of DC programs. I only hope that some of them will be aimed more at adults, and will be of the same quality that B:TAS and JL were in their best episodes.
March 23rd, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Oh, but I hope we won’t have to endure Dan Didiot actually appearing on TV… That’ll be a good reason to NOT tune in.
I do have high hopes for the GL animated series. Hire Nathan Fillion to voice Hal, and give us wide range of characters from the Corps (also bring back Phil Lamarr as John Stewart!), and I’ll watch religiously. Well, I’ll watch religiously if it’s good. Put Bruce Timm in charge and it probably will be.
March 23rd, 2011 at 7:07 pm
“If this does not include Batman: The Animated Series then it is a fail.”
A revival of B: TAS, with Kevin Conroy (although Bruce Greenwood is acceptable), would be a great thing.
Actually, I still feel like the last two segments of the Gotham Knights animated movie (the one with young Bruce traveling overseas, and the one where Batman battles Killer Croc) are excellent, have great animation, and either/both would make an awesome template for a new Batman animated series for grown-ups. That would probably have to be more an Adult Swim series though.
March 24th, 2011 at 5:09 am
I’m excited at the possibilities, but will reserve judgment until it actually appears. Hopefully, they’ll use this block to not only exploit their existing library of DCU animated series, but also feature new ‘motion comic’(flash animation) original mini-episodes and short features about what’s new in the DC comic book universe (a GREAT opportunity to promote their print comics, and hopefully NOT just the “DC Kids” line, either).
March 24th, 2011 at 5:28 am
I like the idea! Really enjoying the fact that GL is being put where he belongs…in deep space! Earth has WAY too many characters! Hope Static & Hardware get some airtime! NOOOO Batmite! Also anyone tlk bad about BTAS is asking for trouble
March 24th, 2011 at 5:30 am
Dan Didio ENOUGH WITH THE SILVER AGE! I’m glad you enjoyed it as a kid, but we all live in the real world & no one can relate to them bc they are boring! So come join us in the real world! Thank you!
March 24th, 2011 at 7:04 am
awesome news! Hopefully it’s in a good time slot and it gets some free to air time here in Australia, kids these days need to be educated about the coolness that is DC and comics in general.
March 24th, 2011 at 7:47 am
Hell yes–we’re getting ever closer to the DC channel.
March 24th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
@Samurai36 you forgot the Lgion of Super Heroes cartoon…
My fingers are crossd that DC Nation “block” means a 2-hour window of programming. They can air GL, Brave & Bold, YJ and mix in reruns of past series. I’d like to see a “Showcase” series featuring an eclectic mix of shorts, similar to the Blu-Ray shorts, although that might be too much wishful thinking.
March 24th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
I wouldnt mind a new Batman series based in Nolan continuity ala Gothan Knight
March 24th, 2011 at 8:58 pm
@ Drew
Go buy the DVD set ya penny pincher. It’s 16 years old! Oh brother.
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November 18th, 2011 at 10:57 pm
I agree, no TAS then it’s not going to be good. I hope they use Conroy too, these voice actors have sucked in the YJ, the last movie, brave and the bold, just use Conroy
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