Author: Robert Greenberger

TheCW4Kids’ Saturday morning lineup has been solidified by 4Kids Entertainment, Inc.  The revised lineup, incorporating shows moving from Fox, will kick off on January 3, 2009,

4Kids is also launching a new video streaming website at 4KidsTV.com, where kids can watch many shows from 4KidsTV, TheCW4Kids, as well as exclusive content for free. 

Here is the new TheCW4Kids 2009 lineup:

7:00 a.m. – Will & Dewitt
7:30 a.m. – The Spectacular Spider-Man
8:00 a.m. – Sonic X
8:30 a.m. – Gogoriki
9:00 a.m. – Dinosaur King
9:30 a.m. – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Back to the Sewer
10:00 a.m. – Chaotic: M’arrillian Invasion
10:30 a.m.- Huntik
11:00 a.m. – Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s
11:30 a.m. – Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight
 

Archie Comics has provided us with a first look at this week’s Archie #592

“The Demo”: A salesmen tries to sell Archie and Jughead an interactive sports video game, but the teens consider acting out the action with the wireless device as just “going through the motions” compared to their real life memories. 

SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Stan Goldberg. 

“Snow Woe”: Will Archie and Chuck’s entries in the winter photo contest wow the judges or be met with a “chilly” reception? 

SCRIPT: George Gladir. 
ART: Stan Goldberg. 

“Trouble by the Foot”: Klutzy Archie’s clodhoppers have trampled everything in Lodge Mansion… including Mr. Lodge’s feet! 

SCRIPT: Craig Boldman. 
ART: Stan Goldberg. 

“A Touchy Subject”: The gang contemplates what life would be like if everything could be accessed via touch screen. 

SCRIPT: George Gladir. 
ART: Stan Goldberg.

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 24th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: January 6th, 2009
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

Sci Fi Channel has given a green light to Ghost Hunters: New Generation, a six-episode spin-off set at a college. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the channel also commissioned a sixth season of the main series plus a third season of Ghost Hunters International spinoff.

Creator Craig Piligian’s deal also calls for a new, original series to debut on the channel in 2010.

"Craig is a star performer who’s been a great partner," Sci Fi executive vp original programming Mark Stern said. "You want to be in business with people like him on a consistent basis."

The new series will take GH regulars Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango and have them work with students on investigating paranormal activity.

"It’s going to be more of a teaching format," Piligian said. "We’re going to try to have a little more fun with the franchise."

"What’s cool about Ghost Hunters is it has tried to rely on empirical science," Stern said. "This is an opportunity to delve into that a little deeper and take the show into a more academic setting."
 

Navarre Corporation announced Thursday that BCI Eclipse Company, its wholly-owned subsidiary, will shut down its licensing operations in connection with the implementation of a restructuring plan. This restructuring will include a workforce reduction, a write down of assets and the incorporation of BCI’s exclusively distributed DVD business into the company’s distribution segment.

Fans know BCI through their releases of material from Filmation’s vaults including He-Man, She-Ra, BraveStarr, Isis, The Original Ghost Busters, Space Academy, Jason of Star Command and Ark II. Much of the supplemental material was put together by writer/historian Andy Mangels, which earned kudos from around the industry.

The fate of BCI’s recently announced titles, including Andy Barker P.I., Tattletales and What’s My Line? remains unclear.

Cary Deacon, Navarre’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, "To deal with the effect of the recession, we are moving quickly to decrease expenses in all areas of our business. BCI’s operations have been unprofitable for the past two years. Although strides have been made this year to improve operating results, it has been mainly due to the strength of BCI’s exclusive distribution business. Rapidly changing conditions in the licensed and budget DVD markets during this holiday sales season have prompted us to make more fundamental changes. In response, we are closing BCI’s licensing unit in order to position our overall business for enhanced financial results upon the improvement of macro economic conditions."

Deacon continued, "We continue to be very excited about the DVD content that will now be exclusively sold and marketed through Navarre Distribution Services. These changes will allow us to focus our efforts on growing the sales of the DVD content that is most appealing to our retail customers and consumers. Mr. Bob Freese will be the executive in charge of this restructuring and will be responsible for the smooth transition of our BCI distribution partners."

The company indicated that its financial results for the fiscal 2009 third quarter, ending December 31, 2008, will include a significant charge related to the impairment of the carrying value of certain balance sheet assets and in connection with severance costs. This restructuring is expected to be substantially complete by the end of January 2009 and is a part of the company’s strategy to reduce its overall cost structure.

Marvel provided us with the cover and pages from Mighty Avengers #21, written by Dan Slott and drawn by Young Gun artist Khoi. The issue is described as beginning a bold new era for the Mighty Avengers. Spinning out of Dark Reign, the Mighty Avengers have an all-new line up and an all-new missionm, guest starring the New Avengers, Dark Avengers, Young Avengers and Classic Avengers.

 A new team assembles in Mighty Avengers #21!

MIGHTY AVENGERS #21
Written by DAN SLOTT
Pencils & Cover by KHOI PHAM
Rated A …$3.99, On-Sale—01/14/09 (more…)

Criminal investigation meets Greek mythology when current primetime television stars David McCallum and Marg Helgenberger assume the voices of Zeus and Hera, respectively, for Wonder Woman, the next entry in the popular series of DC Universe animated original PG-13 films, débuting March 3 in multiple formats.

McCallum, known to current TV audiences as Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard in the hit CBS series Navy NCIS (Navel Criminal Investigative Service), adds Wonder Woman to an animation resume that already includes the DC Universe movie Batman Gotham Knight and TV series Ben 10 and The Replacements. Animation is but a side gig for McCallum, though, the actor having achieved legendary status for his two best known roles – in film as Lt.-Cmdr. Eric Ashley-Pitt in The Great Escape and on TV as super spy Illya Kuryakin in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. During his 62-year career, McCallum has played many notable characters in fanboy TV favorites like Jeremiah, The Outer Limits (1963-64 & 1997), Babylon 5, SeaQuest DSV, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The A-Team, The Invisible Man and Night Gallery, to name a few.

Helgenberger is an anchor for the patriarch of CBS’ current crime lineup, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. The actress is approaching her 200th episode as Catherine Willows, the series’ female lead.Helgenberger, remembered for her breakthrough, Emmy Award-winning performance in China Beach, is no stranger to the sci-fi genre, having starred in Species and its sequel on the big screen. The 2005 People’s Choice Award winner as Favorite Female Television Star has been seen in a variety of roles ranging from feature films (Erin Brockovich, Bad Boys, Always) to top-rated TV series (ER, thirtysomething, Frasier). (more…)

Pokémon TCG: Platinum will be released on February 11, according to Pokémon USA. Theme decks and boosters packs will let gamers collect all 130 cards which will introduce the never-before-seen Pokémon Shaymin in addition to a new Forme of the Renegade Pokémon Giratina Origin Forme. 

The new release also includes six new Pokémon LV.X, including Giratina and Shaymin, as well as three Shiny Pokémon, which are available as parallel foil cards.

Nintendo of America will release the new Pokémon Platinum Version in March hot on the heels of the cards going on sale. The video game will be linked to the new Pokémon TCG by the character of Giratina.  The new Forme of Giratina is a key character in both the video game and Platinum.

Platinum will contain 60-card theme decks, Rebellion and Flourish, ($11.99) for both beginners and intermediate players of all ages.  The 10-card Pokémon TCG: Platinum Booster Packs, will retail for $3.79.

Pokémon USA is planning Platinum Prerelease Tournaments for the weekends of January 31 to February 1 and February 7-8.