Last Tuesday, Warner Bros. Animation unveiled its new cartoon billboard (the first new one in 15 years) at an event hosted by Mario Lopez on the Warner Bros. Studios lot.

This is actually a pretty big deal in Hollywood politics, and signals just how important the stable of DC characters are to Warner Bros. and their future.

The event was well attended. From left to right: Sam Register (Executive Vice President, Creative Affairs, Warner Bros. Animation), Warner Bros. Television President Peter Roth, “Teen Titans” producer Glen Murakami, “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” producer James Tucker, Julie Newmar (Catwoman from original “Batman” TV series), legendary animation producer Bruce Timm, Diedrich Bader (voice of Batman in “Batman: The Brave and the Bold”) and voice director Andrea Romano.

Jonah Keel has more information over at Collider, including interviews.

Diamond officially announced the participation of Dark Horse Comics and Image Comics, including Image Central and Top Cow Productions, in the Diamond “Final Order Cutoff” program, or “FOC” for short. Dark Horse first announced the intent to participate in this program at last fall’s Diamond Retailers summit in Las Vegas to a roar of applause heard throughout the casino.

The final FOC dates will be tied to the calendar day twenty days before the Diamond on-sale date for comics, and approximately three months for graphic novels. Dark Horse and Image will begin including FOC dates as early as the May 2009 edition of Diamond’s Previews catalog.

"We are pleased to announce this move to the FOC,” Dark Horse President, Mike Richardson stated. “As every comics retailer knows, times are tough. It is important that Dark Horse not only support them with great product, but with our best efforts to make their ordering decisions as easy as possible. This system will help every retailer who orders Dark Horse product and should lead to better business for all of us."

“We’ve been enthusiastic about implementing FOC for quite some time now,” Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson said. “FOC allows retailers to test the waters with our all of our new projects, whether they’re by seasoned veterans or comics’ newest names with limited risk while still getting all the benefits of supporting a series from the floorboards up.”

Additionally, Dark Horse and Image products that have not shipped yet are also eligible for adjustments under the new FOC system. A list of qualifying Dark Horse and Image titles can be downloaded from the Vendor Tools section of Diamond Online’s Retailer Services Area.

The switch to FOC Dates also means a change in the schedule for both companies’ weekly e-mailers. Retailers will now receive the weekly Dark Horse Dispatch and Image Comics e-mailer on Mondays, starting April 20. Each will include an attachment with a list of their respective titles on FOC that week, customized to each retailer. Retailers will then be able to adjust orders for either publisher on the My Account page of Diamond Online’s Retailer Services Area, or by contacting their Diamond Customer Service Representative.

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that High School Musical star Zac Efron has been signed to play Jonny Quest in a live-action feature film. The movie, written by Dan Mazeau, is said to be a terrific young Indiana Jones style adventure. Mazeau was recently named one of the 10 screenwriters to watch by Variety.

Also looking to join the cast as a brawny Race Bannon is Dwayne Johnson.

The 21 year old Efron is about a decade too old for the character, based on the Hanna Barbera series form the ‘60s. He’s taking on the title part to distance himself from teen musical roles and establish himself as a leading player so for him it s a canny move.

“I’m more dismayed by news that folks at Warner Bros. are thinking of jettisoning the name Jonny Quest altogether,” Geoff Boucher wrote. “Why? I hear the thinking is that the vintage animation roots of Quest will somehow pair it in the public mind with Speed Racer, which was a major Warners pile-up as blockbuster films go, considering the investment, expectations and critical reception. I’m not surprised because, well, unnuanced thinking in Hollywood is commonplace, and instead of spending the time needed to judge individual properties by their own merits, lots of decision-makers act like my grandmother at the racetrack.”
 

Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World has been shooting for a little while now and director Edgar Wright has begun video blogging about the experience. Take a look at his welcome to fans.

Blog One – Introduction – Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World from Scott Pilgrim The Movie on Vimeo.