Despite the corporate synergy with Warner Bros. and DC Comics, Cartoon Network’s “Young Justice” and “Green Lantern” animated series were reportedly canceled because they didn’t sell enough toys. Today, DC announced a new plan to create animation based on toys instead of toys based on superhero cartoons.
As reported in Variety, DC Comics is launching two new toy lines: Batman Unlimited and DC Super Friends, both of which appear to be aimed at young children. In support of both toy lines, DC will launch direct-to-video animated movies and animated shorts.
The first animated movie will be Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts, a story that teams up Batman, The Flash, Red Robin and Green Arrow as they take on The Penguin and a new army of cyber animal foes. Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on May 12, with a sequel film set to follow it in the second half of 2015.
Twenty two Batman Unlimited animated shorts will also be released for free through various digital platforms and a Batman Unlimited app. The Batman Unlimited action figures by Mattel are reportedly shipping to stores now.
The revived Super Friends brand appears to be aiming for an even younger audience than Batman Unlimited. The DC Super Friends toys and playsets are being created by Fisher-Price, with a series of 15 animated Super Friends shorts launching this spring
Older collectors may shun these new toylines, but it’s not as if DC Collectibles will stop making action figures for an older audience. DC Super Friends and Batman Unlimited were apparently created to give the characters fans from a new generation.
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