Voltron Amping Up for Something Big


Voltron is gearing up for something big. I mean, super revival big. Sure, there's the new animated series, Voltron Force due to hit Nicktoons this summer. Along with that will, inevitably, be the clothes and kids pajamas. What it also means is comic books. That's right: Voltron comic books and graphic novels. Classic Media owns Dynamic Forces, a comics packager and producer, who is the parent company of Dynamite Entertainment, who may be tapped to spearhead brand new Voltron comic books and graphic novels.

“We are excited to reintroduce Voltron with top consumer products partners on board,” said Karyn Schneider, Vice President, Licensing at Classic Media. “With the dream team of Nicktoons, Mattel and THQ, now joined by these industry-leading partners, Voltron’s return will appeal to fans of all ages and the franchise is poised to take the world by storm, again!”

Dynamite Entertainment has been on a retro tear as of late, getting rights to Green Hornet, Vampirella and the Phantom. It only makes sense that they would make a push to get the rights to Voltron as well. What this means in the grand scheme of things is that we'll see some awesome Alex Ross covers and artwork for the series. It should be noted that the press release doesn't explicitly confirm Dynamite doing a Voltron comic, but it should be pretty clear in reading between the lines.

It only makes sense with all the 80s shows being brought back for the profits they reap. I mean, Transformers and Transfomers: Revenge of the Fallen were wildly successful so the upcoming Voltron movie will most likely be as big a hit. And just about everything now has a comic book tie-in and if Dynamite is behind it I have high hopes for it.

Full press release after the jump.

Voltron Revs For New Consumer Products Partners

Press Release from Classic Media

NEW YORK, NY (March 10, 2010)—Classic Media, a global media company with a portfolio of some of the world’s leading family entertainment brands, and World Events Productions (WEP), a top animated television production company, today announced new consumer products partners in the U.S. for Voltron for the relaunch of the iconic franchise.

Voltron will return to defend the universe with the all-new animated series, Voltron Force, set to debut on Nicktoons this summer, with consumer products in development from The Bentex Group, Inc., via their Extreme Concepts division (t-shirts/tops) and their Dreamwave division (swimwear/sleepwear), Rubie’s Costume Company (costumes), VIZ Media (kid’s graphic novels for Voltron Force) and Dynamic Forces (new comic books and graphic novels for classic Voltron).

The new partners join Mattel, which is developing master toy lines based on classic Voltron and new Voltron Force, and THQ, which will produce video games based on the Voltron franchise.

“We are excited to reintroduce Voltron with top consumer products partners on board,” said Karyn Schneider, Vice President, Licensing at Classic Media. “With the dream team of Nicktoons, Mattel and THQ, now joined by these industry-leading partners, Voltron’s return will appeal to fans of all ages and the franchise is poised to take the world by storm, again!”

The premiere of Voltron Force this spring will be the first original franchise-related television content in ten years. Following the premiere in the U.S., the series is scheduled to launch in 2011 with key broadcasters worldwide.

About Voltron
In a galaxy plagued with chaos and evil, five robotic lions, piloted by a team of brave space explorers, combine to form the mighty robot hero, Voltron. After blazing onto TV screens in 1984, Voltron: Defender of the Universe quickly became a top-rated animated series. The hit series inspired a best-selling toy line and made Voltron a pop-culture icon. An all-new 2D/CGI animated series, Voltron Force, is set to debut in the U.S. on Nicktoons, and with other broadcasters around the world, in 2011.

About Classic Media
Classic Media, one of the world's largest independent entertainment companies, is a leader in reinventing the classics of yesterday and creating the entertainment classics of tomorrow. The Company owns and manages a globally-recognized portfolio of well-known family and pop-culture entertainment brands, including Casper the Friendly Ghost, Where's Waldo?, The Lone Ranger , Lassie , Postman Pat , and new global brands Tinga Tinga Tales and Guess with Jess. Big Idea Entertainment, a member of the Classic Media family, is the leading faith-based studio and producer of children's programming, including the best-selling animated series, VeggieTales. Classic Media programming is distributed in more than 170 territories worldwide and showcased in multiple formats, including TV, film, home video, consumer products, publishing, digital, and music. Visit us at http://classicmedia.tv.

About World Events Productions
St. Louis-based World Events Productions, Ltd. (WEP) has produced and distributed children’s animation for over 25 years. WEP is the IP holder for shows including: Voltron, Defender the of the Universe, Voltron: The Third Dimension, Denver the Last Dinosaur, Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs and Vytor the Starfire Champion, among others. WEP is a Koplar Communications company. WEP is represented by United Talent Agency. For more information visit www.wep.com and www.voltron.com.

Comments

  1. It's like we're taking the retro thing to the next level. In the 80's though our favorite cartoons ended up being based on toys although this is definitely a step in that direction, where the producers are planning the tie-in merchandise well before the show airs. I just hope it's better than the CGI show that aired a few years ago.

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  2. I have a feeling that ANYTHING will be better than that CGI garbage from a few years ago. I have hopes, but we'll see what happens. The Thundercats rebirth should be an interesting trend as well.

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  3. yeah, I'm not quite sure what to make of the Thundercats sneak peek from a few weeks ago. The animaion looks really good, but the studio didn't give us much substance. That worries me a bit.

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