Turner CN Enterprises has some big plans for Fresh TV’s Total Drama series over seas in London. The Cartoon Network (“CN”, indeed) supporting company is in the process of developing a new products for the entire Total Drama franchise, which includes Total Drama Island, Total Drama Action, Total Drama World Tour, and the not-yet-appropriately-named season 4 of Total Drama. As of now, the scope of the deals include publishing rights, DVD sales, and so on, but the nothing of further concepts (toys? video games?) is likely right around the corner. (more… )

Disney and Pixar have a great thing on their hands. They’ve been teaming together for 15 years or so on the Toy Story franchise, producing a movie about toys, then selling toys based on the movie. A self-fulfilling prophecy. There’s a Mr. Potato Head, a cowboy, a cowgirl, an intergalactic hero, slinky dog, piggy bank, dinosaur… and in this third movie, Toy Story 3, there’s an all-new group of toys to add to the mix! The film is set to hit theaters June 18th, and the actual toys will be in that same range. Check out the full list (more… )

He-Man; super-strong good guy. Superman; super-strong good guy. We can all see the connection, so Mattel decided to capitalize on it and just partner the two up! Mattel is bringing their new action figure line of Masters of the Universe Classics to retail, paired up with DC Comics characters. The new figures, sculpted by Four Horsemen, have the look and feel of the original cartoon from the 1980s, but with modern style and craftsmanship. And, what’s more, they’ll be packaged in with 6″ DC Universe Classic action figures. The first 2-pack from this line will of course be Superman and He-Man, as the two stand toe-to-toe as they’ve done before, in DC Comics Presents #47. The toys were featured at Toy Fair 2010, and can now be seen here at ToonBarn! Check out the shots (more… )

If you’re a fan of The Secret Saturdays, get ready for a whole world of toys and other products! Turner CN Enterprises, the product arm of Cartoon Network’s empire, is set on introducing dozens of products for the fantasy adventure series via master toy licensee Mattel. This will include action figures, playsets, and role play items across Europe and the U.S. But that’s not all — Video game publisher D3P recently launched the official Secret Saturdays video game on Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, PS2 and PSP last November, and is rumored to be working on the sequel. Rainbow Productions will be cranking out some costumes based on the series, and other companies are jumping in to create cakes, outdoor toys, clothes and shoes, all for the superhero squad. (more… )

A few months back, Columbia Pictures released a CG animated film called Planet 51, about an alien invasion. The catch being, humans were the aliens this time, landing on an Earth-like world and its native inhabitants. The movie went on to some major success, thanks to its great plot, beautiful animation, and a nice little partnership with Burger king. In the deal, BK Kids Meals featured six different toys based on gadgets from the film. The official BK website also featured movie-themed content, hyping the launch. After reviewing the influx of fans, both parties have dubbed the promotion a success — and, might I add, a tasty one! (more… )

Well, the world economy. The economy hasn’t been too friendly to anyone over the past year or so, and the toy industry is no exception. However, according to a bunch of studies and groups like the NPD Group, who are significantly smarter than I, the thought is things are improving. Looking over the past year, in 11 different global toy markets, things appear to be growing and improving; notably taking a lead with cartoon-related toys. Action figures, sets, accessories, video games, LEGO figures, and other products with an animated background have been steadily helping the economy — cartoons fix everything!

There are always so many different action figures, play sets, stuffed dolls, and video games to choose from — especially as November and December roll around, when all the toy companies want to make sure they get in your house for the holidays Of all the options, what are you hoping to own? And I know, I know… Zhu Zhu Pets… we’re talking toon-specific stuff here! What’s on your wish lists? A SpongeBob music collection? Some fun Ni Hao, Kai-Lan clothes? New Pokemon card expansion packs? One of the many TMNT video games? Maybe you want Batman and Superman or
Total Drama on DVD? Just waiting on the Ben 10 Lego set? See, I told you, there are LOTS of options!! What’s yours? (more… )

A holiday-time gift? A New Year’s resolution? Whatever the reason behind it, we could be seeing a brand new toon for My Little Pony in 2010. The Disney Channel recently aired a one-hour special about the wee horsies, My Little Pony: Twinkle Wish Adventure, and the response was very strong — strong enough to get people seriously thinking about creating a new series. Thus, Discovery/Hasbro has been hard at work on pushing a cartoon for their joint network. And the goal doesn’t stop there! With a new toon, we could get a video game, DVDs, toys, maybe even a movie! 2010 could be the year of the Pony!