“Justice League” Superheroes Answer Call To Join Cartoon Network

(January 22, 2001 – Burbank, CA and Atlanta, GA) - Cartoon Network will enlist the world’s greatest superheroes, bringing them together once more in an all-new half-hour animated series, “JUSTICE LEAGUE,” it was announced today by Betty Cohen, president, Cartoon Network Worldwide. The new series is being produced by Warner Bros. Animation under the direction of Emmy Award-winner Bruce Timm. Cartoon Network has given “JUSTICE LEAGUE” an initial order of 26 original half-hour episodes, which will incorporate an all-star roster of popular DC Comics superheroes, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Hawkgirl and Martian Manhunter. Following the premise and storyline of the DC Comics comic books, members of the Justice League will be called upon to battle against allied villains, supernatural creatures and other powerful forces of evil determined to usurp authority over the world and to destroy the Justice League. “JUSTICE LEAGUE” marks the first time in more than 15 years that these characters have come together in a television series since first uniting in “Super Friends,” which ran from 1973-85 on ABC and later on Cartoon Network. "We know from our experience of airing ‘Super Friends’ for years on Cartoon Network here in the U.S. and around the world, that ‘JUSTICE LEAGUE’ will have a vast, built-in audience hungry for an exciting new look at these classic characters," said Cohen. "We've built a powerful action-adventure block on Cartoon Network called Toonami that will serve as a showcase for the new series. With ‘JUSTICE LEAGUE,’ we're strategically positioning Cartoon Network to attract an even broader audience of tweens, teens and adults who are drawn to the powerful DC Comics brand and are seeking smart, exciting, action-packed animation at its very best." "I can think of no one more appropriate or qualified to bring the JLA superheroes to life than Bruce Timm," said Jean MacCurdy, president of Warner Bros. Animation. "As he so brilliantly demonstrated with Batman and Superman, he is passionate about creating an entertaining and dynamic series that will thrill the legions of JLA fans everywhere, as well as introduce a whole new generation of fans to these classic characters as they come together in a brand new series." "After working on the Superman and Batman series for the last several years, ‘JUSTICE LEAGUE’ is a great opportunity to develop those characters a step further and bring more of the iconic DC Comics superheroes to life," said Timm. "I am looking forward to exploring whole new realms of the superhero world." "We're excited to be working with the great creative team responsible for Batman and Superman," said Mike Lazzon, senior vice president of programming and production for Cartoon Network. ‘JUSTICE LEAGUE’ will be a powerful addition to our Toonami action-adventure franchise." Paul Levitz, executive vice president & publisher, DC Comics, commented, “'JUSTICE LEAGUE’ will literally have worlds colliding and the most dynamic action animation ever done, thanks to Bruce Timm and our friends at Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network." The Justice League has existed in some form since 1940 when DC Comics' All-Star Comics introduced the first-ever group of superheroes in a comic book series entitled "Justice Society of America," which ran until 1951. DC Comics revived the concept in March 1960, renaming it the "Justice League of America." The JLA superheroes were the stars of the longest-running television cartoon series based on a comic book via Hanna-Barbera Studios’ “Super Friends” (1973), “The All-New Super Friends” (1977), “Challenge of the Super Friends” (1978), “The World's Greatest Super Friends” (1979) and “The Super Friends Hour” (1980) all produced for Saturday mornings on ABC. The “Super Friends” series began airing on Cartoon Network in June 1996 and moved to its sister network, Boomerang in April 2000, where they continue to air. The monthly "Justice League of America" comic book continues to be one of DC Comic's best-selling titles, consistently ranking among the top ten in industry sales. Cartoon Network, currently seen in 68.3 million U.S. homes and 145 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated entertainment. Drawing from the world’s largest cartoon library, Cartoon Network also showcases unique original ventures such as “The Powerpuff Girls,” “Dexter's Laboratory,” “Courage the Cowardly Dog,” “Sheep in the Big City,” “Mike, Lu & Og,” “Ed, Edd n Eddy,” “Johnny Bravo,” “Cow and Chicken” and “Cartoon Cartoons.” Since its launch in 1992, Cartoon Network has remained one of ad-supported cable’s highest-rated networks. Cartoon Network’s Web site is located at www.CartoonNetwork.com. Warner Bros. Animation has been producing award-winning original programming since 1930, when it released its first cartoon, “Sinking in the Bathtub.” Since then, Warner Bros.’ animated characters have set the standard for inventive, quality animation. Providing programming for network, syndication and cable television as well as theatrical, home video and online product, Warner Bros. Animation is highly respected for its creative and technical excellence, as well as for maintaining the studio's rich cartoon heritage. The most honored animation studio ever, Warner Bros. Animation has garnered 28 Emmys, the highly coveted George Foster Peabody Award, an Environmental Media Award, the Parent's Choice Award, the Prism Award and numerous Annie Awards, which honor excellence in animation. Warner Bros. Animation’s award-winning characters can be found at www.warnerbros.com. DC Comics, a division of Warner Bros., is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC superheroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics’ Web site is located at www.dccomics.com. Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. Animation and DC Comics are all AOL Time Warner Companies. # # #