More SHS animated information!

From the Omelete site comes this Google Translated page that doesn't say much (at least not much in translation) about the series, but does offer some handy promo art featuring... Ms. Marvel! First image, top corner, below Hulk and Thor.

SHS animated first looks

And straight from the Incredible Hulk DVD... the Super Hero Squad screen caps.  Captain America,Wolverine, Iron Man, Thor and Colossus!  Also, the last three shots are the announced Marvel Anime series.  Not much was shown, but not much was expected, right?

Mitch Schauer, SHS Producer

As a follow-up to the Mitch Schauer post yesterday, here's his website with samples of his work and his IMDB portfolio.

Long story short, the guy's got some comic/cartoon history! Most importantly, he was a producer for Freakazoid which, although a little dated now, was the greatest superhero parody of its time, he was a story editor for Super Powers Galactic Guardians, and Super Friends the Legendary Super Powers Show, and most recently character designer for the Next Avengers direct-to-DVD film.

One reason to buy the Incredible Hulk on DVD...

Well, Marvel Animation Age has a little article about all the cool previews coming with the upcoming Incredible Hulk DVD release and best among them? Super Hero Squad!

In related news, the upcoming DVD release of the live-action The Incredible Hulk feature film contains a trailer for Marvel Animation Studios. The trailer contains new footage from Iron Man: Armored Adventures, as well as new footage from Wolverine and The X-Men, Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow, Hulk Versus, Black Panther Animated, Marvel Anime, and a look at designs from Marvel Super Hero Squad.

Ok, so it's a look at designs and not full footage but still, cool enough. Footage of Marvel Anime sounds interesting too... presumably it's going to show off at least one of the Anime initiatives talked about way back when

The Super Hero Squad producer

Comics Continuum has a piece up talking about the upcoming Hulk vs. DVD, along with a bit about the Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes cartoon and they follow it up with a brief piece on the Super Hero Squad cartoon:

"Mitch Schauer, who created Nickelodeon's Angry Beavers, is producing the Marvel Super Hero Squad series. Look for a more humorous approach than other Marvel shows."

Squad, the Cartoon

Alright folks, this is a long post, but hopefully the edutainment value makes it worth your reading.

We’re still experiencing a bit of a post-SDCC boost in unique visitors but I’ve heard a couple people are disappointed at what we were NOT shown at San Diego. Namely? The Super Hero Squad cartoon.

Shows like Iron Man Man Armored Adventures, Black Panther and Wolverine and the X-Men were all given some good publicity at SDCC, while fellow Spring 2009 launches for Hulk Gamma Squad and Super Hero Squad didn’t get equal treatment.

Marvel’s other recent animation endeavor, Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes, which was just recently released in a “season 1” set, is likely dead giving Chris Yost’s interview at Toonzone and the fact that the last new episode was aired in October 2007, with many episodes never being aired on Cartoon Network.

So far everything makes sense, because Wolverine and the X-Men was scheduled to air in the BBC soon (although our own quick scan of BBC's channel listings indicate that it won't be making it's earlier announced August 2, 2008 timeline, Black Panther is already into the casting stage and the Iron Man trailer has already been shown, featuring Teen Tony.

But with 2 other series launching in the US around the same time, you’d expect comparable coverage… trailers, something. Steve Hulett, business rep of The Animation Guild reported on a recent visit to Film Roman getting the following information

"One of the Marvel shows (a direct-to-video feature, I think) as canceled. There's another Marvel project that, if my info is correct, is still on the calendar.

I was tipped off by a couple of artists about this when I went through the place Monday."

Film Roman is producing the upcoming Super Hero Squad series (or so the press release copy/pasted EVERYWHERE said way back in May - 133 hits with Google) and is known for work on everything from the Simpsons and King of the Hill to X-Men Evolution and the animated Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm series.

Browsing through the comments to Hulett’s post speculation included both Hulk and Super Hero Squad (neither of which are direct-to-video releases, but Hulett did say "I think", and there was nothing solid, just some anonymous rumors.

Then livingfruitvirus from Toonzone’s forums reported that his producer from Starz Media (owners of Film Roman) said the project was scrapped. For more information on “livingfruitvirus” check out his work at The C Word and 101 Megahertz and apparently he’ll be doing storyboards for the upcoming Goode Family series.

Now, that doesn’t mean that the project is totally dead. Nor does it mean you won’t see an animated Hulk, as he’s going to be visiting Wolverine and the X-Men.


What it DOES mean, is that Sure Hero Squad is NOT the canceled Film Roman project from the rumor going around the animation circles, and that Hulk: Gamma Squad has apparently been shelved. (bolded so that this post's bottom line doesn't get lost amongst all these pesky facts and reports.)

While Hulk may visit the X-Men, there’s still some question as to whether the Spidey will visit the Squad. We’ve been following the press releases and noting his absence since May. While some speculation is that the CW’s deal for airing season 1 of Spectacular Spider-Man (season 2 is currently homeless...) may prevent him from being in the cartoon, but a far likelier problem may be SONY (producer of the Spectacular Spider-Man and one of the producers of the upcoming possible musical) and their long history of being insanely protective and greedy with Spider-Man rights ever since Marvel and SONY formed Spider-Man L.P. to share the rights, rights that include shared publishing rights and resulted in oh, about 30 million dollars of profit for Marvel in Q1 2008. Would SONY want to allow a character in a series they produce and have shared publishing rights with starring in a series promoting a toy line that benefits Marvel’s other major licensing agreement (the one with Hasbro) and produced by a different company? Maybe, maybe not. We’ll keep our eyes out for further proof one way or the other regarding Spider-Man in the Super Hero Squad cartoon.

First pics of San Diego (Set Up)

Well, although we can't go, we're hoping to bring you guys a collection of Super Hero Squad coverage from everyone else. So far SD Comics is the first out the gate with some photos of the set up.

There's a shot of the still empty display case and then the big time, over at the Marvel Comics booth... this huge backdrop featuring Colossus, Falcon, Iceman, Loki, Super-Skrull, Catpain America, Human Torch, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Thor, Magneto, Hulk, Cyclops, Doctor Doom, Wolverine, Sentinel, Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, the Abomination (in the comic style we've seen from other promotional materials and the box of the Gamma Lab), and the Thing. Since this isn't at the Hasbro booth, it's probably more related to the upcoming animated series and merchandising efforts than the toy line. Also worth noting is that Spider-Man doesn't get a square.

Although some of the art is obviously re-used (we're looking at you Iron Man), others look original (Loki, Super Skrull, Thing, Sentinel)

And just as a reminder, tonight is preview night!

If anyone sees something we miss, post a comment somewhere or drop us an e-mail and tell us how you want to be credited (what name you want us to use, what website you'd like to be linked to, etc.)

Super Hero Squad: The Animated Series

Animated Superheroes is posting a few other pictures from Licensing Expo 2008, including a big poster for the Super Hero Squad products. While I disagree with some of the assertions (latest in a line of toy-based cartoons, unless they're talking about toy-based cartoons in general) but they do bring up some of the points we've been bringing up for a while (like for instance the licensing of most heroes mentioned to be in the series, including Spider-Man who gets mentioned in some press releases but not others as we discussed here and here.)

Worth noting however, is that the promotional materials we've seen so far have all been generically Super Hero Squad and while everyone (ourselves included I suppose) attribute each piece of licensing to the cartoon when they could simply be referring to the licensing efforts for the entire toy line.

They also bring up how Marvel Extreme: Wolverine is not an animated project, something that we haven't really mentioned here since we're more focused on the Squad than on the animated properties. Here is the original debunking of that rumor for those curious.

And just to hammer my point home, the article is further proof that while fans of the toy line think the line is selling poorly and in constant danger of cancellation (see our near monthly The Line Is Doomed! rumors), it's the ones that aren't fans that think, as Animated Superheroes article points out, the line is "has been super popular."

And finally, Captain America and the Invisible Woman riding in a monster truck with various other heroes flying alongside them. Now THAT is marketing.

Marvel Animation (well, most of it) at SDCC

Hulk vs. Wolverine? Iron Man Armored Adventures? Wolverine and the X-Men? Spectacular Spider-Man? Next Avengers Heroes of Tomorrow? Black Panther? Wow... that's like all of Marvel's upcoming animation slate being screened and discussed in San Diego in a couple days.

Well, almost everything. Both Hulk's new cartoon and Super Hero Squad (both properties that, to the best of our knowledge are still looking for a network to air them) are left out of the promotion, but congratulations to all other fans of Marvel animation. Previews and discussion of 3 new series, one returning series and 2 upcoming DVD releases is still great.

Super Hero Squad in Wizard 201

Apparently the Super Hero Squad cartoon is mentioned in Wizard 201. No real news (it's Wizard after all) just a run-down saying it "may be the closest thing we've seen to an Avengers cartoon in a while" and comparing it to Marvel Team-Up for the 10 and under set. They don't even have promotional artwork, just a shot of the first Thor SHS figure. In other words, if you were thinking of picking up the magazine to see if there was anything exclusive, new or interesting, you'd be disappointed.

More Coverage of Super Hero Squad at Licensing International Expo

But be warned, the coverage is pretty sparse. Action-Figure.com has a brief run-down of what little information they could get on the upcoming cartoons and animated features from Marvel. Apparently while the press was invited, the representatives weren't ready to deal with them.

Most of the information they have on Super Hero Squad looks like it's from earlier press releases (in fact, the main quote from it comes from the main press release regarding the video game)

They do have a picture of the cartoon's banner, and the article mentions a PS3 game coming in 2009, but nothing else. It seems unlikely that Marvel's newest licensing opportunity would be a PS3 exclusive, so it's reasonable to assume that there just wasn't much information available.

Licensing International Expo 2008

A few sites are lucky enough to know people going to Licensing International Expo 2008 (including Marvelous News who have this glimpse of the Hulk Gamma Corps) but unfortunately nobody has put up any news about the Super Hero Squad.

The Licensemag reported that Marvel, at Licensing International Expo 2008 will be discussing:

"Marvel Entertainment will continue to focus on building integrated licensing programs worldwide. For 2009, a key focus will be the theatrical release of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, (20th Century Fox). Marvel is also developing a major licensing initiative to support its new TV animation launching in 2009, including "Iron Man: Armored Adventures" and "Wolverine and the X-Men," airing on Nicktoons, as well as series for Incredible Hulk and Super Hero Squad. Another key focus will be its successful Spider-Man Classic character licensing business, with fresh new art to update the brand, and further emphasis on its brand segmentation strategy, including Marvel Heroes and a new approach targeting females."

So now that we've seen Hulk, can someone grab some information on the Super Hero Squad for the rest of us?

Will the Super Hero Squad begin in London?

Toytalk has this article about the Brand Licensing Europe exhibition and lists "Ice Age 3, Avatar, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Iron Man 2, Wolverine, Spectacular Spider-Man, Super Hero Squad, Thor, Captain America, New Avengers, Scooby-Doo, Batman, Harry Potter and Tom and Jerry" as some of the properties being shown in the October show. If the animated Super Hero Squad is really being pumped for a Spring 2009 start, then October would be a great time to break out a trailer of the cartoon. At this point, it's not a guarantee, just a hope, so we'll keep our fingers crossed.

The Brand Licensing Europe site itself has Marvel Entertainment International Ltd. at booth 455. Companies like Lego, Cartoon Network and TV-Loonland will also be there. TV-Loonland may not sound familiar, but as you can read here they were the fine folks onto numerous Hasbro properties like Transformers, thus making DVDs that much more problematic. TV-Loonland's website is here.

First look at the Squad Cartoon?

I'm hesitant to post a link to an article that basically says everything the other articles are already saying, but Animation Magazine gets a pass for having what may be an early look into the cartoon's world. The art is small, but mostly recognizable. I see Captain America's shield, Ultimate Nick Fury, Wolverine, Cyclops (Jim Lee version), Iron Man, Hulk, and a white arm that could be anyone from Iceman to a member of the Fantastic Four.

On the bad guy side, Loki, Magneto, Doctor Doom, Abomination (the movie style, of course), and a white hand holding a gun. Mystique? Punisher? Hopefully someone will point to a larger version of this animated artwork soon.

And still no Spider-Man.

Hollywood Reporter on Super Hero Squad, the Cartoon

Hollywood Reporter is the first to bring us actual news about the Super Hero Squad cartoon. (Go on, you can read the link... it's quick.)

Highlights? 26 episodes. No network yet. Film Roman (known for the Simpsons) handling the project.

"It will feature such well-known heroes as Iron Man, Hulk, Wolverine, Thor, Fantastic Four and Captain America; all occupy a caricatured Super Hero City and are thrust into humorous adventures as they thwart the villainous plans of Doctor Doom, Magneto, Loki, the Abomination and others."

And also of note:

"Marvel also is developing a multimedia and merchandising campaign for the show, with Hasbro handling the toy line. Marvel Comics is introducing a "Squad" book series in the fall, and a direct-to-video animated feature is in development for 2010."

What kind of book? A direct to video feature coming one year after the TV series? Gah! So many questions, so little information. It's interesting to me at least that the rights to animated Iron Man, Hulk, and Wolverine aren't locked up by the producers of their individual cartoons. It's also interesting that Spider-Man wasn't mentioned despite being the star of the toy line.

Corrections, both internal and external

In yesterday's post about Marvel's upcoming movies, I goofed in my way too quick translation of Comicbox's article and as they pointed out to me, their article does NOT say a third Hulk is coming. They are pointing out that a third Hulk is absent from Marvel's plans. So I added the correction to the page so future readers will be corrected.

It also gives me a chance to point out that Idle in Transaction is DEFINITELY saying that Super Hero Squad cartoon is coming to Nicktoons along with Marvel's other properties, and that definitely has not been verified by any report I've heard (and from the looks of things, Marvel's press release is certainly making the rounds online.) They also suggest that Hulk Gamma Corps is going the Nicktoons way as well, but once again, they're the only people to be suggesting that. Would it make sense for Marvel to have 4 of its 5 animated properties on one network? I suppose so, but lets wait till we have some more official information.

Marvel Movies: Future Squads?

As we all know, Marvel's last three movies have been met with a great Super Hero Squad presence... Spider-Man eeked out many waves, Hulk is already shipping Wave 2, with Wave 3 highly anticipated, and Iron Man has already shipped 2 4-packs with another 2 listed as coming soon on Hasbro's site.

It's with that preface that I present to you the following links:

Marvelousnews.com is presenting a rundown of Marvel's movie projects.

Essentially:

Iron Man 2 - Marvel - Scheduled for April 30, 2010 release
Thor - Marvel - Scheduled for June 4, 2010 release
The First Avenger: Captain America (working title) - Marvel - Scheduled for May 6, 2011 release
The Avengers - Marvel - Scheduled for July 2011 release
Ant-Man - Marvel - Writer/director engaged

So while Thor and Captain America could produce some great Squad assortments, let's hope Iron Man 2 gets a better assortment.

Also of note from that report: "In keeping with the Company’s increasing focus on entertainment and licensing opportunities, Marvel also announced it has substantially completed its exit from direct toy operations..." (which isn't news, as the transition to Hasbro is hotly debated by fans, particularly of the Marvel Legends figures. But it's still a little sad to hear they're done. Done done.)

And from Comicbox.com (warning, link is in French), we have the same news from above, but with mention of an anticipated "Hulk III" which is news to everyone, especially the naming since Marvel's early press on The Incredible Hulk has been relatively sparse on references to the past. It's not a sequel per se, in the same way Punisher: War Zone isn't a sequel to The Punisher (either the 80's or 2000's versions.) Long story short, only Comicbox is talking about Hulk 3, or calling it Hulk 3, so don't get too excited until we see how it performs. Not every Marvel film is entitled to sequels. If it was in Marvel's pipeline, you'd probably see it in one of Marvel's press releases.

Of note from Comicbox is their reference to the enigmatic Super Hero Squad cartoon. Of course, they just say they don't know anything about what may be an animated appearance by our favorite toy line, which isn't particularly helpful. While we know "Planet Hulk" and "Hulk Vs" are direct to DVD, that "Iron Man" and "Wolverine and The X-Men" are coming to TV (joining "the Spectacular Spider-Man", who's already here) it's amazing that we still haven't heard anything at all about the animated Squad.

Edit: My mistake, and thanks to Comicbox for pointing it out, is that their article does NOT say a third Hulk is coming. They are pointing out that a third Hulk is absent from Marvel's plans. It's my fault for the entirely half-cocked translation, I should have read their article closer. The way I read it, and apparently my translation was incorrect, was that Hulk 3 was anticipated. I have just done a quick Google translation of the paragraph, which probably misses the subtleties, and came up with "We note in passing that if Marvel outset given the green light for a sequel Iron Man, a "Hulk III" is expected in the next three years…", and the other online translators gave it an equally kitbashed result. It looks like the best result was Reverso's "We note in the passage that if Marvel gave the green light at once for an aftereffect of Iron Man, no "Hulk III" is foreseen(planned) in coming three years"

However, Idle in Transaction is DEFINITELY saying that Super Hero Squad is coming to Nicktoons along with Marvel's other properties, and that definitely has not been verified by any report I've heard (and from the looks of things, Marvel's press release is certainly making the rounds online.)

Once again, sorry Comicbox!