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Genius Brands Set to Launch New Streaming Platform which includes “KFTs” for Kids

Sarah Leone
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Genius Brands Set to Launch New Streaming Platform which includes “KFTs” for Kids

Genius Brands International announced on Thursday its subscription-based ad-free Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse will be launching April 15, 2022, at $3.99/month. Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse will be anchored by technology from the acquisition of Ameba TV, a rapidly growing children’s video streaming service that brings a first-in-class technology platform.

Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse will include all the popular programs currently on Kartoon Channel!, while adding exclusive metaversal content, which will be launched in a phased rollout later this summer or early fall (Q3 2022). In addition to the new content, Kidaverse will feature a fully-integrated design, including custom avatars and emojis for kids, exclusive games, branded Kidaverse VR goggles, immersive content and NFTs for kids (“KFT”s).

This new platform will also feature collectable digital cards based on many of the channel’s popular characters, including those from the upcoming Stan Lee Universe, debuting in Q4 2022, and a digital currency for kids called Kidaverse MetaBuck$. The Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse is also planning to introduce child-safe messaging (“Messies”), podcasts, music, and more.

“Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse is expected to revolutionize children’s entertainment, because it will include all of the popular animated programs of a children’s channel, metaverse features and, most importantly, it will be fully curated and child safe,” said Genius Brand Chairman and CEO, Andy Heyward. “The single strongest message we receive from parents is the concern about safety for children on screens, whether it is program content or roaming around the internet and various apps. The premise of the Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse is to provide children with fun, positive, engaging digital media and to provide them with a safe and parent-controlled product.”

In addition to shows such as Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, which stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rainbow Rangers, Peppa Pig, PJ Masks, Minecraft, Surviving Roblox, My Little Pony, and Yu Gi Oh, Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse will add another 13,000 episodes under license to Ameba, including hit brands, such as Casper The Friendly Ghost, Donkey Kong Country, Gummy Bears, and Rescue Heroes. The platform will also become the home to the several thousand hours of animated content available through its recent acquisition of Canada’s WOW! Unlimited Media and strategic investment in Germany’s Your Family Entertainment. The Company believes this will make it the largest single children’s portal of animation in the world, with over 20,000 animated titles under license.

Founder of Ameba, Tony Havelka stated, “Ameba was the earliest independent kids’ streamer! We are thrilled to bring our technology, our content, and our team, to Kartoon Channel! Together, we look forward to launching the next generation platform for kids, embodying not just program content, but metaversal features and kid-safe messaging.”

“As Kartoon Channel! has grown, many of our viewers have asked for a commercial-free version of the experience,” said Kartoon Channel! President Jon Ollwerther. “While our free, ad-supported platform will still be available to consumers, the subscription-based Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse will address that market need, while also building the 360 degree kid’s digital media platform of the future. We believe it will be a unique entertainment experience that simply cannot be had anywhere else.”

The same safe features and kid-friendly content that have made Kartoon Channel! a top-rated kid’s app in both the Apple and Google Play stores will continue in the Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse, but now commercial-free, with more added content, unique digital features and experiences, including child-safe messaging and user-generated content.

Ollwerther will oversee the development of the Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse and its rollout across North America. Helping to lead the launch throughout the rest of the world will be Former Managing Director of Disney Channels Worldwide and now Managing Director of Kartoon Channel! Worldwide, Paul Robinson.

Stanford University Professor Emeritus, Don Roberts, former Chair of the Stanford University School of Communications, and noted authority on the impact of media on children’s development, has worked with Genius Brands and Kartoon Channel! to ensure a Kidaverse Safe Content Code. The Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse platform will be first and foremost an environment of safety.

“It’s a digital playground whose content and attributes will be fully supervised,” said Professor Roberts. “Absent will be bullying, violence, inappropriate language, or negative stereotypes. The programming ethos, like Kartoon Channel!, is one of enrichment for our audience.”

Kaci Walfall Talks Playing Naomi On The CW

Jacob Airey
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Kaci Walfall Talks Playing Naomi On The CW

The CW brought to life ‘Naomi,’ a TV adaption of the comic book co-written by Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker with artwork by Jamal Campbell. ‘Selma’ director Ava DuVernay serves as showrunner and a co-executive producer.
‘Army Wives’ actress Kaci Walfall portrays the main character Naomi McDuffie, a comic book fan who discovers there may be more to her.
Walfall spoke with DC Universe about portraying the character and what it is like working on the show.
“It’s so great to step into this role and to tell this story,” she said. “It’s just been a privilege to play this character. Stepping into this world allows representation in so many ways. It allows representation for people who look like Naomi, but it also allows for representation for so many people. She’s super into comics, she skateboards, she is super-confident, she knows all these languages, she’s in all these AP classes. I think there are so many different, great things that Naomi does that people can relate to. But they can also probably relate to how great of a moral compass she has.”
“Of course, I got my hands on the comics,” Walfall continued. “I feel like it would sort of be an injustice not to. David Walker, Brian Michael Bendis and Jamal Campbell, who illustrated the book—it’s such a great story. I carry the Naomi comic in my bag all the time when I’m at work. I think that it’s such a good reference point. It makes me feel so centered to the character.”
When asked if there is a connection with the Arrowverse, Walfall explained that ‘Naomi’ exists on her own.
“It is a different universe,” she explained. “She can’t necessarily call on the Flash, she can’t necessarily call on Supergirl. But then, I also think that it allows for her to grow more, and it allows for her to learn for herself. In her universe, she has people like Dee. He doesn’t have all the answers, but he can teach her more about her life that she’s navigating throughout the series. It’s also a different narrative and a different story that’s told. The show is kind of lighter, but it’s also much darker and much more personal.” Though she left the door open for a crossover in the future, as Superman does exist in her universe.
‘Naomi’ had its CW premiere on January 11, 2022, and currently airs on Tuesday nights.

Trailer For ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ Drops

Jacob Airey
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0
Trailer For ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ Drops

The adult-oriented animated series ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ has dropped its official trailer. The show is set to be released on Prime Video with a first season of twelve episodes.
It features an ensemble cast including Laura Bailey (The Last of Us: Part II), Taliesin Jaffe (Final Fantasy XIV), Ashley Johnson (The Last of Us), Liam O’Brien (Star Wars: The Bad Batch), Matthew Mercer (Overwatch), Marisha Ray (Final Fantasy XV), Sam Riegel (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), and Travis Willingham (Marvel’s Avengers).
D-Rezzed previously reported that Amazon Studios is working with Critical Role and Titmouse on the production.
You can watch the red band trailer here:

“Prime Video starts off the new year with the release of the official trailer for The Legend of Vox Machina, the upcoming highly anticipated adult animated fantasy-adventure series from Critical Role and Titmouse. The first season will consist of 12 episodes, with three episodes premiering every week starting January 28 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide,” Amazon Studios said in a press release.
They describe the plot as follows, “Based on the beloved characters and adventures of Critical Role’s first livestreamed tabletop role-playing game (RPG) campaign, The Legend of Vox Machina is an animated fantasy-adventure series for adults that follows Vox Machina, a band of misfits with a fondness for boozing and brawling. In a desperate attempt to pay off their mounting bar tab, these unlikely heroes end up on a quest to save the realm of Exandria from dark magical forces. From a sinister necromancer to a powerful curse, the group confronts a variety of obstacles that not only test their skills, but also the strength of their bond.”
The main cast all serve as executive producers with Brandon Auman (Star Wars: Resistance), Chris Prynoski (Metalocalypse), Shannon Prynoski (Fairfax), and Ben Kalina (Big Mouth). The first three episodes will be available on Friday, January 28.

TNT Drops ‘Snowpiercer’ Season 3 Trailer

Jacob Airey
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0
TNT Drops ‘Snowpiercer’ Season 3 Trailer

Warner Media has dropped a trailer for their hit thriller television series ‘Snowpiercer.’ The show is set to be released on the TNT Network on Monday, January 24.
The show stars Daveed Diggs, Alison Wright, Roberto Urbina, Rowan Blanchard, Katie McGuiness, Jennifer Connelly, and Sean Bean.
You can watch the trailer here:

A press release from Warner Media describes the plot as follows:
“At the end of ‘Snowpiercer’ season two, Layton (Daveed Diggs) and Ruth (Alison Wright), who were banished to Big Alice’s compost car, plotted to take back Snowpiercer. With the help of Javier (Roberto Urbina) and Alexandra (Rowan Blanchard), Layton and Ruth made it back to Snowpiercer and rallied with their supporters. Josie (Katie McGuiness) destroyed the Aquarium car, separating Snowpiercer’s head from the remaining 1,023 cars. Season three picks up with Layton (Diggs) and his inner circle commanding a small 10 car “pirate train” in search of Melanie (Jennifer Connelly) and a possible warm location to restart civilization; while back on Snowpiercer, Mr. Wilford (Sean Bean) is consolidating power, awaiting Layton’s return.”
The show also stars Archie Panjabi, Annalise Basso, Sam Otto, Roberto Urbina, Sheila Vand, Mike O’Malley, and Chelsea Harris.
Ahead of its third season release, D-Rezzed reported that TNT had renewed the show for a fourth season with an announcement. The announcement came along with the news that the production company Tomorrow Studios has wrapped filming for season three.
TNT execs Sam Linsky and Adrienne O’Riain said in a joint statement, “‘Snowpiercer’ has been an incredibly successful series for us that continues to capture the imagination of viewers, grow audience and maintain strong ratings.” They added, “All of our seasons embark on an emotional, unexpected ride and the well-plotted storylines will continue to evolve and remain relevant to audiences. We’re excited to keep the train running into season four.”
‘Snowpiercer’ is a television reboot of director Bong Joon-ho’s 2013 film of the same name starring Chris Evans.

‘She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man’ English Dub Announced

Jacob Airey
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‘She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man’ English Dub Announced

‘She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man’ is a 2012 isekai novel series written by Hirotsugu Ryusen that led to a manga version by Micro Magazine and illustrated by Fuzichoco with Seven Seas Entertainment licensing an English translation in 2016. Studio A-Cat released an anime adaption in January 2022 with Keitaro Motonaga directing and Takamitsu Kouno handling the writing duties. Funimation recently announced that they had acquired the licensing to produce an English dub.
“Are you ready for the first SimulDub™ announcement of 2022? We’re excited to announce that, starting today, the She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man English dub will be released simultaneously with the Japanese version,” Funimation said on their website. “Working that magic behind the scenes is the fantastic cast and crew, including Felecia Angelle (The Quintessential Quintuplets) as Mira and Mick Wingert (MARS RED) as her previous in-game counterpart Danblf.”
The rest of the cast includes Stephanie Young as the Narrator, Kristen McGuire as Amalette, Jacob Browning as Cleos, Brianna Roberts as Lythalia, Xanthe Huynh as Marianna, and Brandon McInnis as Solomon.
They also released an image to celebrate the SimulDub:


MyAnimeList describes the synopsis as follows:
“Sakimori Kagami plays a VRMMORPG called Arch Earth Online. He is a veteran player with the name and appearance similar to an elderly bearded wizard from a certain book about a ring.
One day he purchases an appearance change item as a last resort to spend expiring currency and gets the idea of choosing what he would want to look like if his character was ever a girl.
Falling asleep should have suspended the game, but Kagami wakes up still online and feels the game has gotten a bit more realistic. Did Arch Earth Online finally get a long-awaited update?”
Tia Ballard will serve as the ADR Director with Matt Shipman working as ADR Scriptwriter.

3D Print Your Own One-Handed PS5 Dualsense Controller Adaptor

Mike Phalin
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3D Print Your Own One-Handed PS5 Dualsense Controller Adaptor

Accessibility still has a long way to go when it comes to console controllers. Microsoft made a few big leaps with the Adaptive Controller, but Sony lagged behind. Luckily independent engineers are filling in the gap with devices anyone can make with a 3D printer.
Fellow engineer Akaki Kuumeri has designed a 3D printed device that attaches to the PS5’s Dualsense controller, allowing someone to use the device with one hand. We spotted this first over at Eurogamer. Kuumeri designed this adaptor during Pursa Printer’s Controller Mod Contest.

The thumbstick is controller by moving the whole controller. Rest the controller on your lap or the table, and move it around. Its motions are transmitted to the thumbstick. There is a 4-to-1 mechanical advantage going on, so you can get good precision even with rougher motions.
The rubber shoe that the device rests on is designed so you can balance the whole controller on top of it, so as not to tire your wrist. If you place it on your lap, you can feel side-to-side input as a rolling motion, and up-and-down input as a dragging motion, giving you good feedback as to where the two separate axes are.
The shoulder buttons are migrated over to the other side, where you can use your index finger to push all four. They’re placed so that pushing L2 and R2 simultaneously is possible (many games use L2 for aim + R2 to shoot, for instance).

The device looks compact enough to be loaded into even the smaller-sized ABS, PLC, or resin printers. Akaki has made the file available for download via his Pursa Printers page. Once printed and assembled, the invention can be manipulated with one hand and knee. The rig is modular, allowing the user only to attach what he/she needs. The model is also ambidextrous. The default model is for the left thumbstick, but if you need it for the right side, simply mirror the print when slicing it.
Improving accessibility via 3D printing isn’t new. You can find any number of inventions on Thingiverse or Prusa Printers that can help make everyday tasks easier for those with a particular need.
If you’re looking for nerdy 3D models, check out my Thingiverse page for some stuff you may want to print.
[Source: Eurogamer.net] [Source: Akaki Kuumeri’s YouTube Channel]

LAPD Officers Fired For Playing Pokemon GO On Duty

Jacob Airey
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2
LAPD Officers Fired For Playing Pokemon GO On Duty

Two members of the Los Angeles Police Department were fired from their positions after it came out that the two had ignored robbery-in-progress calls so they could play Pokemon GO while on duty.
The two were fired in April 2017, but recent court filings show that the two tried to appeal their firing, but the California Courts of Appeal denied their appeal in January 2022.
The officers were hunting a Snorlax when the call came in, but the two ignored it to “catch ’em all.” The Anime News Network reports that “the former officers were working as partners on a foot beat patrol on April 15, 2017. When the patrol supervisor heard a call for a robbery in progress at Crenshaw Mall, he attempted to radio Lozano and Mitchell’s unit for backup but received no response. Upon questioning, the officers lied that they had not heard the call. A digital in-car video system (DICVS) recording later revealed that not only had the unit received the call, it had been situated only a short distance from the scene of the crime.”
The report describes the incident as follows,
“When their car stopped again, the DICVS recorded Mitchell saying, “Don’t run away. Don’t run away,” while Lozano described how he “buried it and ultra-balled” the Togetic before announcing, “Got him.” Mitchell advised he was “[s]till trying to catch it,” adding, “Holy crap, man. This thing is fighting the crap out of me.” Eventually Mitchell exclaimed, “Holy Crap. Finally,” apparently in reference to capturing the Togetic, and he remarked, “The[ ] guys are going to be so jealous.” Petitioners then agreed to return to the 7-Eleven (where Sergeant Gomez later met them) to end their watch. On the way, Mitchell remarked, ‘I got you a new Pokémon today, dude.'”
A board of rights agreed they were fired based on “multiple counts of misconduct” though the officers deny any wrongdoing.

‘Wonder Woman’ Star Gal Gadot Dishes On Cleopatra Film

Jacob Airey
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0
‘Wonder Woman’ Star Gal Gadot Dishes On Cleopatra Film

The upcoming Cleopatra biopic has been a movie with many changes during its pre-production. Originally, Angeline Jolie was set t produce, direct, and star in a film about the historical figure before ‘Monster’ director Patty Jenkins became attached to this rendition. Jenkins departed shortly after casting ‘Wonder Woman’ star Gal Gadot as Cleopatra with Kari Skogland now taking over the director’s chair.
Gadot’s casting has been met with some ire considering Cleopatra’s role in ancient Egypt’s politics, though she herself was not Egyptian. Despite this, the ‘Justice League’ star stated how she is looking forward to being a part of the project.
“I can’t reveal a lot, but I can tell you that we’re going to celebrate the Cleopatra story,” Gadot said in an interview with InStyle. “We’re going to show not just how sexy and appealing she was, but how strategic and smart, and how much impact she had and still has on the world we’re living in today. I’ve watched all the Cleopatra movies throughout history, but I feel like we’re telling the story the world needs to hear now.”
Digital Spy notes that she had previously defended her casting as Cleopatra.
“First of all if you want to be true to the facts then Cleopatra was Macedonian,” Gadot noted. “We were looking for a Macedonian actress that could fit Cleopatra. She wasn’t there, and I was very passionate about Cleopatra.”
“I want to celebrate the legacy of Cleopatra and honour this amazing historic icon that I admire so much. But anybody can make this movie, and anybody can go ahead and do it. I’m very passionate that I’m going to do my own too,” she continued.
Gadot also took time to mention a third Wonder Woman film saying to InStyle, “We’re developing the script right now. We’ll probably start in a year and a half or so.”

This Pint-Sized Pennywise The Dancing Clown Is Adorably Murderous

Mike Phalin
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This Pint-Sized Pennywise The Dancing Clown Is Adorably Murderous

Do you need a friend to join your LDD Halloween III trick-or-treaters? Mezco‘s Pennywise the Dancing Clown from 2017’s IT will make the perfect companion. Those kids were doomed anyway; why not let Pennywise eat them instead?
Mezco is releasing a new LDD doll based on the updated version of Stephen King’s killer clown from outer space. Pennywise is priced at $50 and will be escaping from Derry in November 2022.

Mezco
Mezco

Based on the blockbuster Warner Bros. film ‘IT’, Pennywise the Dancing Clown emerges from the sewers of Derry to join the Living Dead Dolls family and feed on your fear! The shape-shifting, demonic clown features bright orange hair and wears his signature clown suit with ruffle detailing. Pennywise can hold his infamous red balloon in his left hand. The LDD Presents IT: Pennywise stands 10” tall and features 5 points of articulation. He is packaged in a die-cut window box, perfect for display.

I’m not a massive fan of the recent IT films. So much characterization was left out, especially when it comes to Mike. On the other hand, Pennywise was pretty compelling, until the very end, at least. The costume matched the book, but the face makeup tried too hard to be creepy. It was like watching a budget Juggalo mildly frighten some teens.
Stranger Things was a blessing and a curse. It snagged many great cues from ’80s horror and adventure films, but then everyone tried to copy the Stranger Things look. IT suffered from that hard. The story of the Losers needs to be told through an extended mini-series. 10-20 episodes, R-rated, and flesh out the characters. That’s the formula to win when adapting these lengthy Stephen King universes.
What are your thoughts on this Mezco doll and the IT franchise? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
[Source: Mezco]

Entertainment Earth’s Exclusive Creature From The Black Lagoon Glows!

Mike Phalin
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Entertainment Earth’s Exclusive Creature From The Black Lagoon Glows!

The Creature From The Black Lagoon may not be the most charismatic of Universal’s Monsters, but he makes up for it with a unique feature. This version of the figure from Jada is an Entertainment Earth exclusive, and he glows in the dark!
This fishy fiend is priced at $29.99 and will start shipping in March of 2022. He comes with the same accessories as the version released not too long ago.

Entertainment Earth
Entertainment Earth

Collectors, cast your net for the elusive Universal Monsters Creature from the Black Lagoon Glow-in-the-Dark 6-Inch Action Figure – Entertainment Earth Exclusive featuring a decidedly fishy appearance and disposition. Harboring a detailed paint job and a swimmingly articulated form, the Amazonian Gill-man is a sensational glow-in-the-dark figure that can be posed in a multitude of mannerisms using his alternate head sculpt, an alternate hand, a harpoon gun, a net, and a bony hand! The additional head and hand also glow. The Creature from the Black Lagoon out of the 1954 black-and-white film bearing its name is suitable for paleontologists ages 4 and up and comes packaged in a window display box. Quantities are limited, so order yours now before it gets away!

We’d previously covered Jada’s 6″ Universal Monsters toys here. The figures captured a lot of elements of the original black and white horror icons. Jada is typically known for non-articulate miniatures, but I’m impressed with what they’ve shown off so far. Sadly, their Bela Lugosi Dracula misses the mark when it comes to the face.
It’s hard to mess up The Creature. However, I admit that the face isn’t quite a match for the on-screen counterpart. Regardless, the glow-in-the-dark feature more than makes up for it. If he illuminates as brilliantly as the images show, I’d make him a fixture in a fish tank or customer diorama.
What do you think of Jada’s Universal Monsters toys? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
[Source: Entertainment Earth]

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