April 2010

Generator Rex & Ben 10 Deliver a 1-2 Punch!

Posted by MOA on April 28, 2010

Knockout ratings for the two new Man Of Action shows last Friday have led to increased orders from the networks. Details follow in this press release:

Cartoon Network’s BEN 10: ULTIMATE ALIEN and GENERATOR REX Premiere #1 in Their Timeslots Among Boys on All TV

GENERATOR REX also Claims Victory Among Kids 2-11 in Its Time Period on All TV

Additional Episodes Ordered for New Original Animated Series

Cartoon Network premiered two new original action-adventure animated series on Friday, April 23, Ben 10: Ultimate Alien (8 p.m.) and Generator Rex (8:30 p.m.) that ranked #1 on all television in their time periods among boys 6-11 and boys 9-14, according to preliminary data from Nielsen Media Research. Additionally, Generator Rex ranked #1 in its timeslot on all TV among kids 2-11. Both new series also earned powerful triple-digit ratings and delivery gains vs. the same time period in 2009. These outstanding premiere performances have prompted the network to order 32 additional episodes of Ben 10: Ultimate Alien and 20 new episodes of Generator Rex. Both series are produced at Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, CA.

Highlights of Ben 10: Ultimate Alien and Generator Rex original series’ premieres compared to the same time period last year include the following:

Ben 10: Ultimate Alien increased kids 6-11 ratings (3.8) by 280% and delivery (925,000) by 290%, kids 2-11 ratings (3.2) by 220% and delivery (1,304,000) by 219%, and kids 9-14 ratings (3.1) by 288% and delivery (756,000) by 272%.
Generator Rex increased kids 6-11 ratings (4.4) by 267% and delivery (1,070,000) by 275%, kids 2-11 ratings (3.7) by 236% and delivery (1, 513,000) by 227%, and kids 9-14 ratings (3.6) by 350% and delivery (874,000) by 346%.

Ben 10: Ultimate Alien follows 16-year-old Ben Tennyson as his secret identity has been revealed to the world and he’s now an international mega-star super hero, loved by kids the world over but distrusted by many adults. Armed with a mysterious new Omnitrix, Ben is able to transform into hyper-evolved versions of his aliens and will see action in places he’s never been. Generator Rex, from the creators of Ben 10, takes viewers on an adventure full of fun, action, wish fulfillment and teenage drama. Rex is a young super agent who, with his incredible ability to create mechanical weapons and vehicles from his own body, must balance his adrenaline-fueled adventures with the everyday ups and downs of being a teenager.

Ben 10: Ultimate Alien and Generator Rex are created by Man of Action (Joe Casey, Joe Kelley, Duncan Rouleau, and Steven T. Seagle). Glen Murakami (Teen Titans) is the supervising producer of Ben 10: Ultimate Alien with Dwayne McDuffie as story editor. John Fang (Ben 10: Alien Force, The Batman) serves as supervising producer on Generator Rex.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 97 million U.S. homes and 166 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for youth and families. Nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.

Generator Rex is on iTunes!

Posted by MOA on April 26, 2010

Just in case you missed the premier head over to iTunes and check it out! You'll also find a free music video of the show's theme song "Revolution" by Orange!

Generator Rex is On the Air!

Posted by MOA on April 14, 2010

Douglas Fredericks makes a cameo in "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too?"

Posted by MOA on April 11, 2010

Tyler Perry's newest hit comedy, Why Did I Get Married Too?, features a cameo appearance by an unexpected member of the MAN OF ACTION Studios family. Joe Kelly and Ben Roman's original children's/YA book Douglas Fredericks and the House of They was hand selected by Perry to appear as the book being read by a father to his child in the film. Perry's company 34th Street Films explains, "[Tyler] responded to this story about a little boy who was told constantly he couldn't do something and decides to challenge the powers that be and take maters into his own hands, which seems to mirror his own story." Thanks, Tyler!

Variety's review of the film and nod to the book can be found here.

"Douglas Fredericks and the House of They" was published in 2009 by Man of Action Studios and Image Comics and tells the story of a young inventor trying to build the perfect present for his parents' anniversary, only to be stymied repeatedly by a mysterious authority called "They." Refusing to take no for an answer, Douglas embarks on a journey to the titular House of They and learns the value of standing up for one's beliefs. The book is available for order from comic shops, Diamond, and Amazon.

Rex Website Goes Live!

Posted by MOA on April 8, 2010

Cartoon Network has launched a new website dedicated to Generator Rex. Link over and get advance looks at the characters from the show, play the new GENERATOR REX NANITE MASTER game and get the lowdown on the cool new MAN OF ACTION show set to debut April 23rd on Cartoon Network!

You can find the site here.

I Kill Giants Gets Nominated for an Eisner!

Posted by MOA on April 8, 2010

Man of Action Studios is proud to announce that Joe Kelly and JM Ken Niimura's I Kill Giants has been nominated for an Eisner Award in the category of Best Publication for Teens. Joe is extremely honored to be considered for this prestigious award, and thanks the fans for their part in the nomination. "Word of mouth on the book has been so powerful. I can't tell you how many people have come up to me at a con and said 'I gave my copy away to someone who's never read a comic before, and they cried.' People have been extremely supportive of our work, and I think I can speak for Ken when I say thanks to everyone who's given Giants a shot." Congrats to Joe and all of this year's nominees.

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are considered the "Oscars" of the comic book industry. They are handed out each year in a gala ceremony at Comic-Con International: San Diego, the largest and oldest comics convention in the United States. I Kill Giants is currently in its third printing, and can be found along with the hardcover Titan edition in comic shops and book stores everywhere.

3 NEW PROJECTS ANNOUNCED @ WONDERCON 2010

Posted by MOA on April 5, 2010

The men of MAN OF ACTION announced three new projects coming soon from their line of graphic novels published through Image Comics.

Revealed at the panel were two projects from Steven T. Seagle - a remastered collection of crime comic THE CRUSADES with artist Kelley Jones and the monster-themed children's book FRANKIE STEIN with artist Marco Cinello. Numerous details and preview art from both projects are available in new interviews with Seagle here and here.

Joe Casey also made the first official announcement of his new Series OFFICER DOWNE with artist Chris Burnham. He spoke about the project here and here.