Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Abrams to Release 'The Art of Invader Zim' Book

FELLOW PUNY HUMANS! Soon we will all know the taste of DOOM. AGAIN!

Update (2/2/2019): To celebrate the upcoming premiere of Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus, Nickelodeon held the films very first screening of the entire movie last night (Thursday, January 31, 2019) with cast and crew at Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, California! Click here for pics! DOOM. IS. COMING.


Invader ZIM is set to return in the brand-new made-for-TV movie Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus, set to premiere in 2019, and to celebrate, Jhonen Vasquez, the creator of Nickelodeon's fan-favorite animated series has partnered with publishing house Abrams for a brand-new Invader ZIM art book!

Titled DOOM DOOM DOOM: The Art of Invader Zim, the book will be the definitive history of both the fan-favorite series and the upcoming Invader Zim television movie Enter the Florpus, airing in spring 2019.


A fully authorized, all-access compendium of never-before-published production art, storyboards, behind-the-scenes photos, and ephemera, the book will feature exclusive, interviews with Vasquez and other key crewmembers that reveal the origins, art, and imagination behind one of Nickelodeon’s most beloved turn-of-the-millennium series.

The 240-page book is from author Chris McDonnell, who has served as author and designer for Adventure Time: The Art of Ooo, Steven Universe: Art & Origins, and BoJack Horseman: The Art Before the Horse, and has also designed books on Ralph Bakshi, Wonder Woman, and more, and will feature foreword by Vasquez!

DOOM DOOM DOOM: The Art of Invader Zim is set to hit stores around the world, including the U.S. and U.K., on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, and will be priced $35.00 USD; £25.00 GBP.

Update (4/10) - The release of DOOM DOOM DOOM: The Art of Invader Zim has been slightly pushed back, and will now be released in the U.S. and U.K. on Tuesday, September 24, 2019. It's currently unknown whether this will affect the release of "Enter the Florpus".

However, there is also some good news: Abrams Calendars will be releasing an Invader Zim 2020 Wall Calendar on Tuesday, July 20, 2019! The calendar is available to pre-order now on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.


"This 2020 calendar journeys into the hilarious, dark, and distinctly drawn world of Invader Zim with covers from the comic book series based on Nickelodeon’s beloved animated show. The vivid and dramatic images by a host of top indie comic artists, including series creator Jhonen Vasquez, illustrate the bumbling outcast alien ZIM, along with other favorite characters including the malfunctioning robot GIR, human foes Dib and Gaz, and of course, pigs and bees."

And yep, the official description did just reveal that highly anticipated Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus TV movie is set to premiere during "Spring 2019"! Of course, this may change.

In INVADER ZIM: Enter The Florpus, ZIM discovers his almighty leaders have no intention of coming to Earth and he loses confidence in his own amazingness for the first time in his amazing life, which is the big break his human nemesis Dib has been waiting for. At some point, GIR rides a tiny donkey, and that's all anyone should really care about. Check out Nick's sneak-peek from SDCC 2018 below!:



The 2D-animated TV movie, produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, will see original voice cast members Richard Horvitz (The Angry Beavers) and Rikki Simons return as fan-favorites ZIM and GIR, alongside Andy Berman as Dib Membrane and Melissa Fahn as Gaz Membrane. Additional voice actors reprising their original series roles include: Wally Wingert as Almighty Tallest Red; Kevin McDonald as Almighty Tallest Purple; Rodger Bumpass as Professor Membrane, Dib and Gaz's father; Olivia d'Abo as Tak, ZIM's Irken nemesis; and Paul Greenberg as Poonchy, one of ZIM and Dib's human classmates.

So, what is a "Florpus"?

Fans of Invader ZIM have been wondering what the heck a Florpus is since the title of the film was first announced, and we finally might have some sort of clue!

Composer Kevin Manthei (Random! Cartoons, Johnny Test, Ben 10, Robot Chicken), who provided musical composition for the series and is returning to compose music for the movie, has unveiled this super sneak-peek on his official Instagram page! There's one catch, though: you need to be a musician or be able to read music to understand it, as its the Florpus motive/theme in notation form!


Fans of the upcoming #invaderzim Enter the Florpus movie are most likely wondering what the heck a Florpus is. I can’t give that away but I can share the Florpus motive/theme in my chicken scratch notation! #composerlife #composer #invaderzimentertheflorpus #theme #motive #jhonenvasquez #nickelodeon

Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus Screening Party:


View this post on Instagram

Got our Florpus on #invaderzim

A post shared by Ian McGinty (@ianmcginty) on


View this post on Instagram

All good things come to an end. The cast and crew screening of #invaderzimentertheflorpus was last night and it was epic. Epic and funny really. There are jokes nearly every 5 seconds and #invaderzim fans will not be dissapointed. The entire crew rocked this film hard but the ring leader @jhnenvee is a true master at comedic timing and has created such a timeless, epic, insanely silly and over the top series. I’m happy to be a part of his and this journey. Also picts are of the original Zim series gang all together again: @aaronalexovich @trueheart0 @rikkisimons @jhnenvee @richardhorvitzvo ————————-#composer #composerlife #castandcrew #screening #jhonenvasquez #nickelodeon

A post shared by Kevin Manthei Music (@kevinmantheimusic) on



More Nick: Nickelodeon Reveals First-Look Footage of All-New 'INVADER ZIM: Enter the Florpus' TV Movie at San Diego Comic-Con 2018!

Originally published: Sunday, December 16, 2018.

Originally titled: Nickelodeon to Premiere 'Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus' in "Spring 2019"; Abrams to Release 'The Art of Invader Zim' Book.

Additional sources: Instagram /@jax_the_fox_, IMDb, Anime Superhero Forum /@SweetShop209.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus! News and Highlights!
Posted at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Artist Aaron Alexovich Talks Nickelodeon's 'Invader ZIM: Enter The Florpus'

To celebrate Nickelodeon's upcoming Invader ZIM TV movie, "Enter the Florpus", Dread Central recently got the chance to interview artist Aaron Alexovich, who has been a part of the Invader Zim universe for many years, to talk about the film!:


Exclusive: Artist Aaron Alexovich on Nickelodeon’s INVADER ZIM: ENTER THE FLORPUS!

When I was in middle school, I was the kid lurking on my own reading issues of Jhonen Vazquez’ Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and Squee. Something about the macabre, dark sense of humor and the jagged, sharply drawn characters directly appealed to the awkward, uncertain, and, admittedly, embarrassing 12-year-old me. But I loved them then and I still hold a fondness in my heart after all these years.

I guess that’s why Vazquez’ cartoon series Invader Zim, which aired on Nickelodeon, held such an appeal to me. It was much of the same but friendlier and brought to life. Zim’s (mis)adventures in his attempts to take over Earth were endearing and charming and no one can prove me otherwise that they didn’t love Gir at one point or another.

Almost two years ago to the day, it was announced that there would be Nickelodeon was bringing the band back together for Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus!, an all-original movie. Since then, we’ve gotten teasers and even a full-length trailer (see below) but that’s really about it. Nickelodeon is being very quiet about the film and trying to pinpoint a release date makes as much sense as throwing darts while blindfolded…and in a completely different room from the dartboard.

But don’t let all hope fade away! Today, we’re here to have Aaron Alexovich, someone who has been a part of the Invader Zim universe for many years give you a bit of information about the film! Don’t get your hopes up for anything too concrete but know that enough is shared to whet some appetites!

Alexovich tells Dread Central:
“I’ve been living in the grip of ZIM for so long I can barely remember my life before. I think maybe ZIM exudes some sort of hypno-drug? Dunno! I do remember the first time I encountered Jhonen Vasquez’ work, though. Back in animation school I already had this kind of creepy/cute Tim Burton-influenced cartoony horror style, and one day a friend of mine said “Oh man, I know a comic you’re going to like…” He showed me Johnny the Homicidal Maniac, and I was like, “What the hell? Did I draw this myself in some sort of fugue state?” It was just this really eerie feeling. Even eerier, a couple years later, Jhonen just happened to attend my school’s big end-of-the-year student film festival, saw my little animated horror short (featuring my future comic character Serenity Rose), and decided to give me a shot as a character designer on ZIM. I’ve been doomed ever since.

“Zim was kind of a dream job. I was incredibly lucky to get to work on something so wild and innovative right out of school. I mean, it was basically my job to draw hideous monsters and even more hideous children all day every day, so there’s no complaining about that! I knew I was working on something special when one of my first assignments was to draw X-ray scans of kids who had their organs stolen. Try that, Jimmy Neutron!

“I made some great friends with equally bent brains during my time there, too. I kind of fell out of love with the animation industry itself during my time there, though. I still take freelance jobs here and there if the project sounds cool, but making my own comics suits me WAY better. No dopey studio politics, fewer ridiculous notes, etc. I don’t feel like a cog in some big, gross money machine anymore. It’s great!

“I’ll always be there for my friends, though, which is how they dragged me back for the Zim movie. I mean, Zim was such a huge part of my life, it’d feel almost blasphemous to bail on it now. I LOVE that world, and anytime Jhonen and Jenny (Goldberg, the art director) need me, I’ll be there. I think I was the only member of the old design crew who returned full-time. Luckily not back in the same old cubicle, because that would’ve felt a little weird and time-warpy. Same job though, back doing character designs and revising storyboards, so if there are any specific shots of Zim or Dib in the movie you particularly hate, it’s very possible they’re my drawings. YOU’RE WELCOME. I also worked as an artist on the Zim comic in between, so those Irked talons are buried deep!

“It’s basically one big oversized episode of the show, only even more gorgeous to look at this time.”

“I can’t tell you too much about the movie’s plot, unfortunately. I mean, I COULD, but then I’d get sued and possibly have to spend the rest of my life in the basement prison at Nickelodeon studios. (You can hear the screams echoing down there while you work. Bone-chilling!) I CAN tell you that it’s totally finished, we had a crew screening not too long ago, and it WORKS, dammit. IT WORKS. Couldn’t stop laughing. Just wall-to-wall weird jokes and screaming madness. It’s basically one big oversized episode of the show, only even more gorgeous to look at this time. Except for the things that aren’t meant to be gorgeous. Those things are more loathsome than ever before! We haven’t heard about any specific release date for the movie yet, so I recommend everyone reading this head down to Nick with picket signs immediately. A hunger strike would be GREAT. Hopefully, you’ll all get to see it before the end of the year!”

Alexovich was also incredibly kind enough to share several sketches of his from his Invader Zim comic days!

While you’re here, make sure to help Alexovich out by peeping the Kickstarter for his kid’s book It’s Not Scary, which will integrate with an app that brings the story to life! You can read more about it right here.



###


###

Watch all your ‘80s, ‘90s, and ‘00s Nickelodeon favorites on NickRewind, your late-night destination for your favorite childhood Nickelodeon cartoons and live-action shows! NickSplat doesn't question football-shaped heads, but embrace them - along with Reptar bars, a Big Ear of Corn, orange soda, and even slime for Pete (and Pete's) sake. Make your slime-covered Nickelodeon childhood dreams come true every night at 11 PM ET/PT on TeenNick USA, and anytime you want on NickSplat on VRV!

Like NickRewind on Facebook, subscribe to the NickRewind YouTube channel and follow NickRewind on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive digital content from all of your throwback favorites like Rugrats, Hey Arnold!, iCarly, Victorious, Kenan & Kel, CatDog, Doug, Rocko’s Modern Life, The Amanda Show, Clarissa Explains It All, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and so much more!

More Nick: Abrams to Release 'DOOM DOOM DOOM: The Art of Invader Zim' Book!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Classic Nickelodeon, NickRewind and Invader ZIM News and Highlights!
Posted at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , ,

Nickelodeon Greenlights Season Two of Genius Brands International’s Hit Preschool Series, Rainbow Rangers, to Debut in Q4 With 52 New Episodes

Original Genius Brands International, Inc. Press Release via GlobeNewswire:

Nickelodeon Greenlights Season Two of Genius Brands International’s Hit Preschool Series, Rainbow Rangers, to Debut in Q4 With 52 New Episodes

Based on Growing Global Demand for the Series, Company Recently Established London Office To Drive International Sales



Genius Brands International's Rainbow Rangers Gets Season 2 Greenlight from Nickelodeon

Following the successful premiere on Nick Jr. of season one of the new animated preschool series, Rainbow Rangers (52 x 11’), Genius Brands International (Nasdaq:GNUS) gets the greenlight by Nickelodeon on the production of season two for a full order of 52 x 11-minute episodes, to debut in Q4 2019.

Genius Brands International, Inc.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., April 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following the successful premiere of season one of the new animated preschool series, ​Rainbow Rangers​ ​(52 x 11’), airing on the Nick Jr. channel, Genius Brands International “Genius Brands” (Nasdaq:GNUS) announced today the greenlight by Nickelodeon on the production of season two for a full order of 52 x 11-minute episodes.

“The kid’s preschool marketplace is extraordinarily competitive,” stated Genius Brands Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward. “The greenlight of season two on Nick Jr. for an additional 52 episodes of Rainbow Rangers is a definitive statement of the powerful viewer reaction to the property as a bona fide hit.”

Shelly Hirsch, CEO & Founder of Beacon Media, the largest children’s media buying service in the U.S., said, “Rainbow Rangers showed strong appeal from the moment it went on air. We believed it would be a hit, and believe it has a long future as a successful program and robust and successful line of consumer products.”

Over 350 Rainbow Ranger product SKUs from over 20 blue-chip, industry-leading manufacturers are coming to the retail marketplace beginning July 2019. Rainbow Rangers anchor categories include toys, publishing, and apparel, led by Mattel Inc. (toy), MacMillan Publishing (publishing), and Bentex (apparel) as well as key licensees in categories, including games, party goods, costumes, bedding, bicycles, scooters, personal care, coloring, activity, boxed role-play, room décor, consumer packaged goods, vitamins, and even a touring show from Gershwin Entertainment.

In addition to Nick Jr., Genius Brands has begun selling the Rainbow Rangers series internationally where, based on the performance on Nickelodeon in the U.S., Genius Brands recently opened an office in London to service the growing global demand.

In the key demos of kids ages 2-5 and 6-11, Rainbow Rangers has consistently retained its audience and grown from its lead-in shows across a variety of different time periods in which it has been placed for broadcast. Additionally, Rainbow Rangers has drawn almost as many boys as girls, making it particularly desirable.

Heyward added, “This is only the beginning for Rainbow Rangers as we continue to build the brand globally both on-air and in-store with our retail program coming to market beginning in fall.” He continued, "We expect to see significant growth over the next two years with revenues beginning in Q4 of 2019. Revenues will come not only from the production of our animated series but also the rollout of products as well as merchandise licensing fees. Our library assets are growing substantially and will increase shareholder value.”

Nickelodeon debuted season one of Rainbow Rangers on Nick Jr. on November 5, 2018. The series airs Monday through Friday in the afternoon, and on Sunday mornings, consistently garnering ratings as a top program.

Season two of Rainbow Rangers will bring again the collaboration of one of the strongest creative teams ever assembled for a kid’s animated series, including creators Rob Minkoff (Disney’s The Lion King director), Shane Morris (Disney’s Frozen co-writer), Tim Mansfield and New York Times Bestselling author and Emmy-nominated writer Elise Allen (Dinosaur Train, Lion Guard, Barbie specials), who is serving as head writer and co-creator. Legendary Disney alum Ruben Aquino—responsible for the design and animation of many of Disney’s most iconic characters from award-winning films, including The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Mulan, and Frozen—will continue to create key designs. Multi-Emmy Award-winning director Michael Maliani will continue as the director, and Genius Brands' Chairman and CEO and multiple Emmy-winning producer, Andy Heyward, will continue to serve as executive producer.

Season two of the series will continue the rescue-based adventures of seven girls who are Earth’s first responders, protecting people, animals, resources, and the natural beauty of our world. The Rainbow Rangers, who live in the magical land of Kaleidoscopia at the other side of the rainbow, have their distinctive personalities and superpowers. Whenever there's trouble for the people or animals of Earth, our seven heroines zoom into action and ride their Spectra Scooters across the rainbow to save the day. Viewers will join them on exciting adventures but also see them at home having the same daily dramas and hilarities as every child watching the show. Rainbow Rangers is about empowering and encouraging girls to take action and make a difference in their own homes and neighborhoods to improve and safeguard the planet. Every viewer—boys and girls alike—will see themselves in at least one of these strong, unique and empowered Rangers!

About Genius Brands International
Headquartered in Beverly Hills, Genius Brands International, Inc. (NASDAQ:GNUS) is a leading global kids media company developing, producing, marketing and licensing branded children’s entertainment properties and consumer products for media and retail distribution. The Company’s “content with a purpose” brand portfolio, which is led by award-winning creators and producers, includes preschool properties Rainbow Rangers for Nick Jr. and Llama Llama for Netflix; award-winning toddler brand, Baby Genius; adventure comedy STEM series, Thomas Edison's Secret Lab; and financial literacy and entrepreneurship series, Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club. The Company’s content catalog also includes the animated series, Stan Lee's Cosmic Crusaders, created with Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment. Seeing the need to provide kids and parents with a safe viewing environment that offers premium enriching and engaging programming, Genius Brands launched the Genius Brands Network – comprised of Kid Genius Cartoon Channel and Baby Genius TV, as well as an exclusive Kid Genius Cartoons Plus subscription channel on Amazon Prime. The Network channels are available in approximately 80 million U.S. households via a variety of distribution platforms, such as OTT, set-top box, internet, and mobile. Through licensing agreements with category leading partners, characters from the Company’s properties also appear on a wide range of consumer products for retail. For additional information, please visit www.gnusbrands.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this notice constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), not limited to Risk Factors relating to its patent business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8ee33861-8fcd-4694-ae4f-00ce5d09064f

###

Update (4/10) - Genius Brands International, Inc. ("Genius Brands") (GNUS), announced today that its Chairman & CEO, Andy Heyward, will host an investor update conference call on Monday, April 15 at 10 AM ET; 7 AM PT to discuss the season two greenlight by Nickelodeon, Global Expansion, and Financial Impact and Forecast of Rainbow Rangers on Genius Brands International.

Conference Call Information:
When: Monday, April 15 at 10 AM ET/7 AM PT
Dial-in: U.S.: 877-407-8291 and International: 201-689-8345

Please join the conference call at least 15 minutes early to register. A digital replay will be available by telephone approximately two hours after the completion of the call until July 31, 2019 and may be accessed by dialing 877-660-6853 from the U.S. or for international callers, 201-612-7415 and using the Conference ID: 13689847.

###

Viewers can visit nickjr.com, the Nick Jr. app and the official Rainbow Rangers show website, rainbowrangers.com to find out more about the show and its colorful superheroes and to watch exclusive video clips. Viewers can also follow the official Rainbow Rangers community on Facebook and Instagram for magical updates.

More Nick: Nickelodeon Orders 'Corn & Peg' Season 2!

Originally published: Monday, April 08, 2019 at 3:08pm BST.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nick Jr., Nickelodeon Preschool and Rainbow Rangers News and Highlights!
Posted at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

JCPenney Invites Kids to Decorate JoJo Siwa and 'Rise of the TMNT' Mother's Day Cards on Saturday, May 11, 2019

JCPenney has announced the exciting news that, to celebrate Mother's Day, they'll be hosting a interactive Nickelodeon Kids Zone workshop on Saturday, May 11, 2019!


During the Nickelodeon Kids Zone workshop, kids are invited to visit their local JCPenney store on Saturday, May 11, where they will be able to decorate a JoJo Siwa or Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mother's Day card!

The JCPenney Kids Zone program offers a free, interactive workshop for kids on the second Saturday of each month. At each Kids Zone event, kids receive a fun, free craft; a special ID badge; a lanyard; and collector's pin (collect six pins and earn a Project Master Medallion); and adults are treated to a special coupon to use in-store the same day. The Kids Zone coupon is stackable with other active coupons for maximum savings.

Visit https://www.jcpenney.com/m/kids-club?pageId=pg40069600006 for the latest JCPenney Kids Club news and highlights! On June 8, kids are invited to create a DC Hero-themed foam frame for Father's Day!

All children must be accompanied by an adult. Advance sign up is not required.

Make sure to catch brand-new episodes of Rise of the TMNT Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. (ET/PT), and JoJo's Dream Birthday on Saturday, May 18 at 8:00 PM (ET/PT), only on Nickelodeon!

More Nick: Pitbull, Bebe Rexha, JoJo Siwa and T-Pain to Perform at Nickelodeon's U.S. SlimeFest Music Festival, June 8-9, 2019!

H/T: El Dorado News-Times; Additional source: Google.co.uk.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon News and Highlights!
Posted at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Power Rangers Beast Morphers Episode 6 Preview | 'Hangar Heist' Official First Look

Power Rangers Beast Morphers Episode 6 Preview | "Hangar Heist" Official First Look



Power Rangers Beast Morphers Episode 6 "Hangar Heist" Preview.

Exclusive First Look of Power Rangers Beast Morphers Episode 6. "Hangar Heist" premieres Saturday 8AM/ET on Nickelodeon USA!

In the brand-new Power Rangers Beast Morphers episode "Hangar Heist", Nate develops new technology from a captured Gigadrone and Devon struggles with fully trusting his team. The Power Rangers train with the new Zord Simulator.

About Power Rangers Beast Morphers:

Set in the future, a secret agency combines a newly discovered substance called "Morph-X" with animal DNA to create the Power Rangers Beast Morphers team. The Rangers must fight off an evil sentient computer virus bent on taking over the source of all Ranger power, the Morphin Grid itself.

Cast: Rorrie D. Travis (Devon / Red Ranger), Jazz Baduwalia (Ravi / Blue Ranger), Jacqueline Scislowski (Zoey / Yellow Ranger), Colby Strong (Blaze Ranger), Liana Ramirez (Roxy), Abraham Rodriguez (Nate), Kristina Ho (Betty), Cosme Flores (Ben).

Catch Power Rangers Beast Morphers, the latest season of Power Rangers, Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon USA!

Connect with Power Rangers: powerrangers.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

More Nick: Hasbro Announces New 'Power Rangers' Live Tour!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Power Rangers News and Highlights!
Posted at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)