Hellboy Animated

Doesn't Anyone Dust Around Here?

Just a quick note. No work is being done on the third Hellboy Animated film, although there is some talk of doing very short projects for the internet. With Guillermo del Toro's HELLBOY II: The Golden Army getting rave reviews from Universal execs, we should hope for a big launch for the movie. If enough excitement builds, who knows what will happen on the animated front?

BTW, if I deleted your post as I scoured the thick crust of spam that had accumulated here, I'm very sorry. In the meantime, visit Hellboy.com and its forum over at CBR.

--Tad

Comic Shop Surprise

I don't buy a lot of comics each week but I like the Wednesday ritual.  Warner Brothers Animation has moved to Burbank which arguably makes it the animation hub of the world, home to Nickleodeon Studios, Cartoon Network Studios, Disney, Warners, Starz Film Roman and a host of smaller producers.  That makes Wednesday at House of Secrets a nice visit with industry friends, no matter what's coming out.

Anyway, outside of Mark Waid's FLASH, I figured there'd be slim pickings.  I was thinking of picking up another Fables TPB when I saw Mike's new novel on the racks.

This is the special Previews edition with a sketchbook filled with Mike's thumbnails in the back.  That's a reason to check your Local Comic Shop instead of the local monster bookstore.

The You Tube interview is here.

Emmy Nom and San Diego Panel

Last week, Hellboy: Sword of Storms was nominated for a prime time Emmy for an animated production of an hour or more.  It really is great to be nominated and a win would be nearly unbelievable at this point.  But here's hoping! 

"Hellboy" is nominated for an Emmy
Starz Media's "Hellboy: Sword of Storms" has been nominated for an Emmy.

Starz Media's Hellboy: Sword of Storms was nominated by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming One Hour or More). Hellboy: Sword of Storms is in the running along with Cartoon Network's Good Wilt Hunting (Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends) and Where's Lazlo?, as well as Discovery Channel's Secrets of the Deep.

Saturday memberships at the San Diego Comic Con are sold out!  But if you already have your ticket and find yourself too tired and numb to move, feel free to flop down in a chair at my only panel appearance.

Saturday, July 28
6:30-7:30 The Animation Production Process— What goes into bringing an animated script to screen? Producers Stephanie Graziano (X-Men: The Animated Series), Tad Stones (Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms), and Greg Weisman (Spectacular Spider- Man) take you behind the scenes and into the trenches. Moderated by Shannon Muir (Invader Zim), author of Gardner's Guide to Writing and Producing Animation from GGC, and currently project management coordinator at Animation World Network. Room 3

Mike Mignola will be at his Hot Chocolate Booth for most of the weekend but his only panel appearance is Saturday afternoon.

Saturday, July 28
2:30-3:30 Storytelling with and Without Pictures— Authors of prose and comics discuss how they write differently for different media—or do they? Find out with authors David Morrell (Captain America: The Chosen), Christopher Golden (The Myth Hunters, Talent), Mike Mignola (Baltimore, Or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire, Hellboy), Richard Morgan (TH1TRE3N, Black Widow), Tad Williams (Shadowplay, Aquaman), Barbara Hambly (Renfield: Slave of Dracula, Garden of Emptiness), Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game, Ultimate Iron Man), and Mike Carey (The Devil You Know, Lucifer). Moderated by Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy. Room 1AB

Drink lots of water and get some rest! -- Tad

Check Out the Old Stuff

No news on another movie so you needn't ask. But for those of you who found this blog late in the game, check out the earliest posts documenting the thought process behind Hellboy. I think it's an interesting document.

One of those early posts showed alternate designs for Hellboy. Tom Nelson, who returned to storyboard some of our strongest sequences submitted a Hellboy who looked like a boxer. I just saw this version of his design painted by Bill Dely and couldn't resist posting it.

I'll be at San Diego Comic Con and on an animation panel on Saturday evening. Feel free to say "hi."

--Tad

Thank You, Everybody

Thanks for your support of the animated Hellboy.  Contrary to some rumors you may have heard, there is no Hellboy TV series planned.  For now, it's just the two DVD movies.  Thanks for searching out this site and telling your buds about the big red guy.

For updates on Guillermo's Hellboy movie, currently in production, the best place to go is DelToroFilms.  Mr. G checks in from time to time with his usual barrage of cinematic enthusiasm.  For the comics, you need go no farther than The Hellboy Zone of Dark Horse Comics.  Big, big things coming this year.

A special thanks to the rabid fans at Variant Edition.com  and The Comics Factory in Pasadena, CA who always make me feel like a superstar.  I also appreciate the support of Peter, Bry and all the comic geek speakers at CGS.  Y'know, if you're not listening to comic podcasts, you're missing half the fun of reading comics.

The Hellboy crew is now spread out working on such varied shows at Slacker Cats, Ben 10, The Batman and the new Spider-man series.  I expect you'll see quality work in all those productions.  As for Hellboy Animated, the future rests on sales and the whims of Hollywood.  I really have run out of things to post and there's no point in just filling space.  So for now, I'm out.  I'll see you at the conventions and on the board at Hellboy.com.

It's all been Hellishly Good fun.  -- Tad

Countdown

No, not to Final Crisis in the DC universe but a countdown to the release of Hellboy: Blood and Iron.  Although Mike and I have talked so much about it that there may be nothing new for you to hear, we'll still be popping up on podcasts and in magazine interviews.  Late Next Week the video podcast, VARIANT EDITON, will be going to Hell by airing interviews from New York Comic Con and reviewing the new movie.  These guys are huge Hellboy fans and it's always fun to talk to them.  To the left are only the hosts of an ever expanding crew.  I'm excited that they're devoting an episode to Hellboy.  How could they not with the new Hellboy arc, DARKNESS CALLS, underway with fantastic artwork by Duncan Fegredo?  Check out this preview. That issue just came out and the new issue of BPRD is just around the corner. 

For those in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas, Mike Mignola, composer Christopher Drake, writer Kevin Hopps and myself will be doing another signing at DARK DELICACIES BOOKSTORE in Burbank.  I believe you have to buy the DVD there to get an autograph but they also have presigned cards by Doug Jones.  The signing will be on June 16, not sure of the time.  I'll let you know.  It's a great bookstore of horror and fantasy.  Mike is sure to drop more money on rare books again.  Until the next time, enjoy your comics and DVDs!  (I'm just about to crack open my PAN'S LABYRINTH, director's edition.  Sweet!)  -- Tad

GoToHellboy.com !!

Hey look what happened when I wasn't paying attention!  There's been a major update on the main site.

That certainly picks up the slack of me not having anything to post.  Both DVDs are represented and you can even download Hellboy: Sword of Storms.

The only thing the site needs is a big juicy section on The Phantom Claw but that's up to the public and sales.

Promotion for the new video should pick up in the next couple of weeks.  I let you know of any podcasts or video interviews coming up.  -- Tad

A Delightful Bundle of Joy

Yes, I received one, a beautiful, healthy granddaughter.  So I have nothing Hellboy to report but I thought you should have your own delightful bundle.  So here's extra info on the Best Buy deal.

Best Buy EXCLUSIVE: Hellboy Animated: Blood & Iron DVD & Cigar Smoking Hellboy action figure available in extremely limited quantity on June 12th.  Only 10,000 gift sets exist with this exclusive figure that cannot be purchased anywhere else individually or packaged together with the DVD.  Act Fast – this will go quickly.  The Action Figure has a retail value alone of $16.98 and the DVD has a retail value of $19.98, but the set is being sold for a suggested retail of only $24.98.  Figure stands at over 6.5 inches.

I'm guessing this is the non-smoking head. --Tad

Goodies

It's about a month away from the US DVD release of Hellboy: Blood and Iron.  Nick McWhorter who handles special projects for Dark Horse Comics dropped me a note of the cool promotions they've been asked to provide for the release.  Here they are:

- Wal-mart- Hellboy Animated Digest Volume 2 as an on-pack bundle with Blood and Iron.

- Transworld (Suncoast / FYE / Sam Goody)-  Special 64 page book featuring material from Hellboy Weird Tales.  The book is called Hellboy The Theater of the Dead and Other Stories. This will also be an on-pack bundle.

- Lobster Johnson sculpted magnet.  This is a DVD gift with purchase at multiple retailers across the US.

This is in addition to the mini-comic inserted into all the DVDs.  Plus Best Buy will have another sculpt promotion but something bigger than their Bust-Ups promotion.

And if you're buying multiple copies to get the extras and then returning the DVDs, I don't want to hear about it.  Reports of DVD returns do nothing to help the production of Phantom Claw.  Quite the opposite.  Consider giving them as gifts or a library donation.

Okay, that's it for now.  I finished Mike's notes on The Phantom Claw.  There's a possibility of some Hellboy shorts done for the Internet.  More on that as we hear about it.  --Tad

Normally I'd just add this as a second post but it fits the topic so well.  The Best Buy premium will be the full-sized Hellboy action figure!  The release had to be postponed to get the toy shipments in from overseas.  So I would think this will make for pretty impressive sales in those stores.

This figure was on display at last year's San Diego Comic Con where it was the cause of much buzz.  It's just more sculptural goodness from the folks at Gentle Giant Studios.  -- Tad

It's Up to You

Remember when I said that the production of Hellboy: The Phantom Claw depended on the sales of the first videos?

It's still true.  Starz will make its decision after they have an idea of the sales of Hellboy: Blood and Iron, out June 12.  They're looking for growth in the numbers which could be a tall order since "sequels" usually don't sell more than the originals.  On the other hand, as those of you who've seen it know, the second movie is a much stronger film than the first.

Best Buy was so pleased with their Bust-Ups promotion that they'll be repeating it with an even cooler offer.   I haven't heard if Walmart is repeating their packaging of the second Hellboy Animated comic.  I would think they are.  This time I actually drew my story.   The DVD includes another mini-comic inside with an awesome cover by Eric Powell.  And as we've said before, we packed the sucker with extras.

I'll remind you of any signings as the dates get closer.  Until then, enjoy FREE COMIC BOOK DAY.  -- Tad