Lets start the first day of the first month off right… with a song about the number One.

Joseph Barbera now joins his partner William Hannah in history. They formed the production duo Hannah-Barbera, responsible for the most recognizable and loved cartoons outside of the old Disney and Warner Bros vaults.

In 1940, their first short for MGM “Puss Gets the Boot” had the dual distinction of being the nominated for an Academy Award and the first in many, many Tom And Jerry cartoons. In the 60s, they went solo and created The Flintstones, Jetsons, Jonny Quest, and Scooby Doo. And even into the 90s working under Turner Broadcasting, they produced Cartoon Network’s earliest breakout hits.

William Hannah passed in 2001, but just last year Joe Barbera wrote and produced a new Tom and Jerry short. It is a testament to his talent and longevity that he return and finish his career with the characters that made him famous 65 years prior.

read more: Wikipedia, AP Obituary

thanks to Sindra and Matt

TrekMove.com, a site I can only assume was founded to unearth information about the still hazy JJ Abrams movie, has some news on a possible new animated (!) internet(!!) series.

Under the headline “CBS Considering New Animated Trek Series For The Web” Trek Movie reports:

The idea for a new animated Trek started back around the time that Star Trek Enterprise was cancelled. David Rossi and his partners didn’t buy into the notion that Star Trek ‘needed a rest’. “We wanted to spark a little life into Star Trek and to keep it alive in people’s eyes,” explains Rossi. They knew CBS and Paramount weren’t going to be keen on a new (and very expensive) live action show so they decided that animation was the way to go. Their first notion was to do a show set in the Original Series era (but not on the Enterprise), however that notion didn’t sit well with the people at CBS. Rossi then took the advice he got from LeVar Burton on how ‘Star Trek should always be about moving forward and what is next in the human adventure.’ So the team came up with the notion of taking a big leap forward and setting a show 150 years after the time of Picard and Star Trek Nemesis, but in a very different and somewhat dark Trek universe. CBS were more open to that idea and over the last year and a half have asked the team (now formed into Zero Room Productions) to flesh out their idea. Although CBS have not committed to the series, they have asked the team to develop test artwork and scripts for 5 mini episodes.

I always liked LeVar Burton.

No more prequels, no ancient history, no revamps. Taking a big leap into a “Next Next Generation” will give them lots of room to play around while not abandoning the races and planets we know.

So I’m firmly in the camp that loves the concept. Why am I nervous? Because they’re going for “mini-episodes” meaning all stories will have to be low character development but high action. This is not Trek’s strong point. At the risk of comparing to Star Wars (cue groaning), All the characters there were defined by actions and broad dialog, where as I didn’t feel like I knew a character like Picard until the show had been on for years, and they still managed to surprise me for years afterwards. Star Trek may be overshadowed by Battlestar, Stargate, and other sci-fi series these days, but lets not forget that the character based sci-fi drama began with Trek and its only fair that Trek come back to reclaim it. I don’t think they’ll do it with cartoons for the YouTube audience.

Best case scenario: The ‘toons take off and a real new series is developed to flesh out the new timeline. Worst Case scenario: we’re pretty much already living it, so we’ve got nothing to lose.

Thanks Shiv’Kala

DC comics have traditionally done well when animated for the small screen. The universe established with Batman the Animated series which concluded in Justice League Unlimted this year is probably only surpassed by Star Trek for its amazing ability to take multiple series and tie them all together.

Live action has fared less well. George Reeves had a good run as Superman, and Adam West and Burt Ward certainly made TV history as Batman & Robin (even if the show was more parody than adaptation). But The Flash got one season out of CBS, Birds Of Prey was panned and canned, and Smallville seems to be losing steam in its 6th year.

Apparently someone more than a few years ago thought the Justice League would make a good show. The Movie Blog is hosting the pilot for this show, which you can download right now. You could download it, but I’d advise you not to. Its so bad. Guy Gardner and Barry Allen are roommates. Atom’s costume makes me laugh just looking at it. Martian Manhunter is the only one who doesn’t come off as completely terrible. The “big 3” are nowhere to be found. These are all things that were possible to fix with casting, writing or simple asthetic choices.

The thing they couldn’t fix is the visual effects, which are pretty good for 80s TV, but do a disservice to the characters because they’re so distractingly fake. Green Lantern’s ring powers form goofy umbrellas or helicopter blades. Atom fights a kitten in local news weather quality green-screen.

Anyway, yeah its bad. Horrible actually. I think I’m having an allergic reaction thinking about it.

Forum member spooie recorded this trailer when it played on Attack of the Show earlier this week. This is a new all CG Ninja Turtles movie that’s been in the works since I still had my original teeth.

The trailer is also available on MTV’s website though I’m completely incapable of playing it.

DiamondSelectToys has posted an update letting us know about a forthcoming wave of Stargate figures featuring the cast of Stargate Atlantis. I have inserted the announcement below.

Good news for all those rabid stargate collectors!

Stargate Atlantis Action Figures!

With the second series of Stargate SG-1 action figures shipping to stores, we’re pleased to officially announce the debut series of Stargate Atlantis action figures featuring Lt. Col. John Sheppard, Dr. Elizabeth Weir and a Wraith! Just as with past releases, there will be bonus accessories – each figure in the first two assortments will include a piece of the Atlantis gate!

A somewhat reluctant addition to the Atlantis expedition, Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard has proven himself to be a resourceful and fiercely loyal member of their team. His quick thinking and unconventional tactics are combined with uncanny instincts and an out-of-this-world sense of humor to create a leader prepared for any situation. Not to be underestimated, Dr. Elizabeth Weir was selected to command the Atlantis team after her negotiation skills impressed the military brass. Dedicated both to her mission and her crew, she has become a force to be reckoned with in the battle against the Wraith – a race of parasitic creatures who have preyed upon the Pegasus galaxy for millennia. Despite the Wraith’s numerous attempts to destroy them, the Atlantis team has proven themselves as stubborn as the Ancients.

You can expect the same articulation featured in the upcoming figures, with incredible attention to detail thanks to the artists at Jean St Jean Studios. The core assortment is scheduled to contain Lt. Colonel John Sheppard, Dr. Elizabeth Weir, a Wraith and the limited Field Ops Dr. Weir in addition to the Diamond Previews exclusive Field Ops Sheppard. Images and final details will be revealed during the upcoming American International Toy Fair!

Wired reports: Firefly Reborn as Online Universe.

I know fans are itching for more of this quickly cancelled TV cult fave. So I’ll put it up to you: is this a bad idea or a terrible idea?

Scott Kurtz is taking a huge risk by turning PvP into an animated series with subscription based revenue model. And although I’m not 100% sold by this preview, I am however sold on the idea and will hand him my $20.

Kurtz spoke to Comic Book Resources recently and I’m totally with him wanting to do this on his own rather than letting someone Hollywood buy it and he loses control. Who knows, if it gets popular enough, he may be able to write his own distribution deal for TV and DVDs…