Green Lantern: The Animated Series Explained

Theme Music Composer:Frederik Wiedmann
Composer:Frederik Wiedmann
Country:United States
Network:Cartoon Network
Editor:Joe Gall
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:26
Runtime:22 minutes

Green Lantern: The Animated Series is an American animated superhero television series based on the DC Comics superhero Green Lantern. The series aired on Cartoon Network, as part of their "DC Nation" television block. A one-hour[1] sneak peek aired on November 11, 2011,[2] it ran from March 17, 2012, until March 16, 2013.[3] [4] A special screening of the first episode was shown at New York Comic Con 2011 on October 15.[5] This was the first Green Lantern television series and the first CGI DC/WB series. The series was cancelled after one season due to poor toy sales after the negative reception and poor box office performance of the live-action film.[6]

Plot

The series focuses on the adventures of Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern of Sector 2814, and his partner Kilowog. Jordan steals a space ship controlled by Aya (an AI) and travels to "Frontier Space" together with Kilowog. This is the very edge of the Guardians of the Universe' territory, where Green Lanterns are being killed by the Red Lanterns. Atrocitus, their leader, wants revenge for the destruction of his world by the Manhunters, created by the Guardians, but who were also shut down by the Guardians. During their adventure, they meet a Red Lantern called Razer. They take him as a prisoner, but eventually adopt him as a teammate after he helps them defeat Atrocitus. Razer also falls in love with Aya, but after Atrocitus is defeated and Razer rejects her, Aya decides to eliminate all life in the universe.

At the end of season one, Jordan discovers that Aya is born out of a living being and that she is alive. He tries to convince her to end her universal genocide, but fails. Razer gets severely injured when he tries to kill Aya, as she defends herself by firing a laser beam. Hal convinces Aya that what she is doing is wrong and she saves the universe and heals Razer. However, in Aya's anger, she recreated the Manhunter army and downloaded a copy of herself into every single Manhunter. The only solution to shut them down is, in effect, a massive computer virus, that will also destroy Aya. Aya launches the virus and the Manhunters are shut down. However, she also destroys herself and she passes after saying goodbye to Razer.

Back on Oa, Razer cannot and will not believe that Aya is dead because she was not a complete robot after all, but alive; and a living being cannot be destroyed by a computer virus. He starts a galaxy-spanning search, in the hope to find her somewhere in the universe.

The Green Lantern Corps celebrates their victory. Meanwhile, a Blue Lantern ring follows Razer during his quest, but if he will receive it is left ambiguous.

Characters

Main characters

Guardians of the Universe

Green Lantern Corps

Red Lantern Corps

Blue Lantern Corps

Star Sapphires

Orange Lantern Corps

Machines

Development

In early stages of production, the show was conceived as a "Bruce Timm-does-CG-project".[14] Phil Kent, chairman and CEO of Time Warner's Turner Networks unit, originally announced that Green Lantern: The Animated Series would be a part of Cartoon Network's original programming.[15] A preview of the show was featured at the 2010 New York Comic Con featuring test footage, characters/story description, and art work. Bruce Timm, who produced the entire DC Animated Universe, was attached as producer of the show. Timm was originally reluctant to use CG instead of traditional animation, but eventually came around.[16] A total of 26 episodes had been ordered for the first season. By the time of New York Comic Con, thirteen had already been planned, and five had already been recorded.[17] The series was not intended to be an origin story, due to Warner Bros. already releasing a film based on the characters' origin.[18] The series is the first television series by Bruce Timm and the first series featuring Green Lantern to be rendered using CG. Originally, Sinestro was not allowed to be used,[19] but this was later overturned in 2013, and Sinestro finally did appear. The producers said that if the series was a hit, other Lanterns like Guy Gardner, John Stewart and Kyle Rayner might be introduced.

Cast

Main cast

Additional voices

Reception

Critical reception

Green Lantern: The Animated Series, since its first showing at the 2011 Comic Con, has received positive reviews. Chris Sims of ComicsAlliance commented that he'd never been a huge fan of Green Lantern, but rather of DC Animated Universe creator Bruce Timm, and when he heard that Timm was producing the series he began looking forward to it, saying that the one-hour premiere "does it right". Tony Guerrero of Comic Vine said it was "a good first episode and definitely worth checking out".[27] Brian Lowry of Variety praised the animation style, saying that "Warner Bros. has gone full bore into the CGI dimension with a bold, sleek design that more than anything resembles The Incredibles".[28]

Awards and nominations

AwardCategoryResultNote
39th Annie AwardsBest General Audience Animated TV Production[29]
Music In a Television Production – Frederik Wiedmann
40th Annie AwardsMusic in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production – Frederik Wiedmann[30] For "Into the Abyss"

Home media

The series was released on DVD in two volumes by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. The first volume was released on August 28, 2012[31] and the second volume was released on June 25, 2013.[32] The entire series was released in a Blu-ray set on March 14, 2014, from Warner Archive.[33]

Other media

Comic books

A series of 15 numbered issues was published between 2011 and 2013. Its 32-paged debut comic, Green Lantern: The Animated Series #0 was released on November 30, 2011, written by Art Baltazar with art by Dario Brizuela.[34] [35] The first issue received mixed to positive reviews, with one reviewer giving a B+ stating it is "good kids material" and "a fun way to introduce new readers, especially younger readers, to the Green Lantern universe without having to worry about the violence level".[36] The issue gathered a high sales debut, with an approximate 13,500 copies sold.[37] A story from one of the issues was included in the DC Nation 2012 Free Comic Day comic.[38]

Compilations

Stone Arch Books

Other series

Licensed merchandise

DC Direct released two limited edition maquettes, to accompany the official release of Green Lantern: The Animated Series in spring 2012. The first maquette is Hal Jordan, sculpted by Paul Harding, and was released on March 7.[44] The other, Atrocitus, is sculpted by Dave Cortez and was released on May 23.[45] Mattel had plans to manufacture action figures based on the series in 2011, but none were produced.[46]

Video games

A horizontal shooter starring Hal Jordan was released in 2015 at the Cartoon Network site.[47]

Soundtrack

La-La Land Records, the record label behind the soundtracks, released the show's soundtrack on July 31, 2012. The label would later release a second volume of music from the series on July 2, 2013.

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20151106192851/http://www.zimgossip.com/?p=1307 Cartoon Network to Broadcast Green Lantern Special
  2. Web site: Opening Scene of Green Lantern: The Animated Series. October 15, 2011. SuperHeroHype. October 16, 2011. June 15, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130615083434/http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/168650-opening-scene-of-green-lantern-the-animated-series. live.
  3. Web site: New "Young Justice", "Green Lantern: The Animated Series" Coming March 2012. 2012-02-02. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140304235601/http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=1236. 2014-03-04.
  4. Web site: SDCC2011: "Green Lantern: The Animated Series" Teases. July 26, 2011. Christopher. Clennon. ToonZone. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110929150229/http://www.toonzone.net/news/articles/38248/sdcc2011-green-lantern-the-animated-series-teases. September 29, 2011.
  5. Web site: Green Lantern: The Animated Series Screening at NYCC. SuperHeroHype. September 29, 2011. September 29, 2011. June 15, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130615053102/http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/168504-green-lantern-the-animated-series-screening-at-nycc. live.
  6. Web site: Josh Keaton on why Green Lantern Animated only had one season. comicvine.com. 19 March 2013 . 2013-07-16. 2015-02-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20150217010203/http://www.comicvine.com/green-lantern/4015-41148/forums/josh-keaton-on-why-green-lantern-animated-only-had-757351/. live.
  7. Green Lantern: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 15, "Reboot".
  8. Green Lantern: The Animated Series Season 1, "Ranx".
  9. Green Lantern, Season 1, Episode 15, "Reboot".
  10. Green Lantern: The Animated Series Season 1, "Ranx". He also participates in the battle against Aya's forces in the series finale.
  11. Green Lantern, Season 1, Episode 15, "Reboot" and Green Lantern: The Animated Series Season 1, "Ranx"
  12. Web site: "Green Lantern: The Animated Series" Reckoning (TV episode 2012) – IMDb . . 14 April 2012 . 2012-05-26 . 2012-05-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120501000819/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2276459/ . live .
  13. Web site: "Green Lantern: The Animated Series" Heir Apparent (TV episode 2012) – IMDb . . 31 March 2012 . 2012-05-26 . 2012-04-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120407045906/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2105412/ . live .
  14. 291726969203204096 . Giancarlo_Volpe . @SixOkay The show was conceived at the very early stages as a Bruce Timm-does-CG-project. Before I was even hired to come on board. :) . Giancarlo Volpe.
  15. Web site: Cartoon Net planning 'Green Lantern' series . Heatvisionblog.com . 2010-05-27 . 2010-09-13 . 2012-07-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120731044828/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/heat-vision . live .
  16. Web site: Green Lantern Animated Series Preview. YouTube. 2016-11-29. 2016-04-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20160428084438/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsRyILQ9Js8. live.
  17. Web site: 'Green Lantern: The Animated Series' Concept Art, Plot Details, & Footage. Screen Rant. 12 October 2010. 20 April 2020. 6 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160406230250/http://screenrant.com/green-lantern-animated-series-details-images-clips-benm-82463/. live.
  18. Web site: 'Green Lantern: The Animated Series' Is Space Action Done Right by Bruce Timm [Review] ]. Comics Alliance . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111111001848/http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/11/08/green-lantern-animated-series-review . 2011-11-11.
  19. News: GREEN LANTERN Producer Talks Animated Series, Red Lanterns. Newsarama.com. 2011-11-07. 2011-11-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20111111011022/http://www.newsarama.com/tv/green-lantern-animated-series-111107.html. live.
  20. Web site: Spider-Man voice star Josh Keaton wants to be on DWTS. https://web.archive.org/web/20110908061508/http://www.starsentertainment.com/news/item/5723-spider-man-voice-star-josh-keaton-wants-to-be-on-dwts.html. dead. September 8, 2011.
  21. Web site: 2011-10-20 . PR: Green Lantern: The Animated Series Arrives on Cartoon Network- Animation News Discussion Cartoon Community - toonzone news . 2023-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111020123725/http://www.toonzone.net/news/articles/39125/pr-green-lantern-the-animated-series-arrives-on-cartoon-network . 2011-10-20.
  22. Web site: Damion Lowers Cast And Crew Details For "Green Lantern: The Animated Series" Hour-Long Event. worldsfinestonline.com. 2011-11-04. 2014-01-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20140118025211/http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/news.php/news.php?action=fullnews&id=1169. live.
  23. Web site: Dee Bradley Baker to Voice Larfleeze. blogofoa.com. 30 December 2012. 31 December 2012. 5 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130105101448/http://www.blogofoa.com/2012/12/dee-bradley-baker-to-voice-larfleeze.html. live.
  24. Web site: Green Lantern: Linterna Verde: La Serie De Animación - Ficha eldoblaje.com . 2023-07-14 . www.eldoblaje.com . 2018-09-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180927050240/http://www.eldoblaje.com/datos/FichaPeliculaES.asp?id=25305 . live .
  25. Web site: Behind The Voice Actors – Green Lantern: The Animated Series. Behind The Voice Actors. 2012-04-24. 2012-06-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20120601051107/http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Green-Lantern-The-Animated-Series/. live.
  26. Web site: Phil Morris, Star Of Justice League: Doom, Talks Being A Geek, & Future Comic Adaptations. themarysue.com. 28 February 2012. 4 March 2012. 2 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120302022214/http://www.themarysue.com/phil-morris-interview/. live.
  27. News: Review: Green Lantern: The Animated Series Ep. 1 & 2 "Beware My Power". Comic Vine. 2011-12-17. 2012-01-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20120111000214/http://www.comicvine.com/news/review-green-lantern-the-animated-series-ep-1-2-beware-my-power/143824/. live.
  28. Web site: Green Lantern: The Animated Series. Brian Lowry. Variety.
  29. Web site: 50th Annual Annie Awards. https://web.archive.org/web/20091204131419/http://www.annieawards.org/consideration.html. dead. December 4, 2009. annieawards.org.
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