NYCC 2010: The Marvel Panels

We end our look at Marvel with their Animation panel.

Loeb opened the panel by expressing Marvel’s goal to make these animated programs a kid’s first introduction to the Marvel Universe.

Too bad their are so few comics for them to jump on once they’ve been introduced. For that matter both Marvel and DC have failed in not creating a cohesive universe, like Marvel is doing with the movies, and both have done (DC more than Marvel) with an “Animated Universe” in the past. See also the older-targeted animated movies by both companies.

“Part of the fun of these cartoons is getting particular actors to voice some of these characters,” Loeb expressed, as the projector finally started to show the slides. He then ran down some of the voice casting for the upcoming second season of “The Super Hero Squad Show.” Among those named were Jim Parsons as Nightmare, Jane Lynch as Nebula, Adam West as Nighthawk, Ty Burrell as Captain Marvel, and Katee Sackhoff as She-Hulk.

“Particular actors”, not necessarily voice actors, mind you. Although Adam West teaming with the Mayor (played by Stan Lee) is a must for Season two and if I have to explain why, you failed.

Following the episode, he showed half of the premiere episode from the upcoming new season of “Iron Man: Armored Adventures,” which premieres in the spring of 2011 on Nicktoons. Following the “Iron Man” episode, slides of character designs for Titanium Man, Iron Monger, Black Widow, and Dr. Doom were shown.

Darn lucky kids, but here’s what I was talking about with the continuity. There are going to be three Iron Man cartoons for the sake of argument, The Super Hero Squad Show, Iron Man: Armored Adventures, and Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, all across three different networks (Cartoon Network, Nicktoons, and Disney XD respectively). Am I the only who sees why this is wrong, despite loving the character and liking the first two shows? (I’ve also been watching the micro-episodes for A:EMH over at YouTube and I do like their take on Tony, similar to Robert Downey Jr.’s version.)

And that’s all they said, although there was a separate panel for Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

Marvel Entertainment’s Executive Vice President in charge of Television, Jeph Loeb, flanked by Joe Quesada and Arune Singh, announced to fans at New York Comic-Con that…he didn’t have anything to announce. Live-action Marvel TV shows are coming, and they’ll air on ABC and/or ABC Family, but so far nothing is set in stone. Marvel’s television division is moving slowly so they can get things right. When they’re ready, “You guys will be the first to know,” Loeb declared

The benefit of the Disney connection, I guess. But I’ve been hearing reports since that the Incredible Hulk was a certainty? Fans jumping the gun, perhaps?

As for Marvel Animation, the next project after The Avengers will be “Ultimate Spider-Man,” as was previously announced. Paul Dini will be writing the pilot, and The Man of Action team, who brought us Ben 10 and Generator Rex, will also be doing some of the writing. Most importantly, “Ultimate Spider-Man” scribe Brian Michael Bendis will be involved. “I promise you, when you come here next year, you’ll be able to see some of the most kick-ass animation you’ve ever seen!”

Can’t argue with the pedigree here. Bendis may get flack for his Avengers story (and he deserves it) but he does know his Spider-Man. And with Paul Dini and the Man of Action team involved, this is sure to be a hit.

The initial Avengers team will match the original team in the comics. Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Ant Man/Giant Man, and an anime-influenced version of the Wasp. The team will soon grow, with Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow as early contenders. Beyond the actual lineup, however, the team’s origin story is completely different from that of the classic Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created comic.

I’m not sure why the Wasp is “anime-influenced” because I’m not a fan of her look. She seems like a good character, though. Then follows a review of the first two episodes, with spoilers. It airs tomorrow night on Disney XD, and I’ll report on it Thursday if I don’t forget to catch it.

But that’s that for Marvel. What about the Disney Publishing stuff? I’ll go over that tomorrow when we conclude New York Comic-Con with what the “lesser” companies are up to in the future.