San Diego Comic-Con 2023 took place over the past weekend, and although many big studios opted out of attending this year’s event, there was still some exciting animation news and plenty of trailers for fans to dig into.
Below, we’ve highlighted five of the biggest animation stories from this year’s event.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Paramount screened more than 20 minutes of new footage from August’s most hyped animated feature release. The full presentation isn’t available online, but the studio has posted the first 30 seconds, which provides the most detailed look and listen yet at Jackie Chan’s Master Splinter.
- Bonus News: Nickelodeon revealed that it has acquired broadcast rights to the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake
Warner Bros. shared a trailer and announced an August 31 release date for Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, a more adult spinoff of the classic Cartoon Network series. The show follows Fionna the human and Cake the cat, who first appeared in the third season of the original Adventure Time.
- Synopsis: “Fionna and Cake – with the help of the former Ice King, Simon Petrikov – embark on a multiverse-hopping adventure and journey of self-discovery. All the while a powerful new antagonist determined to track them down and erase them from existence lurks in the shadows.”
Rick and Morty: The Anime
Adult Swim shared the first extended look at its upcoming Rick and Morty anime series as well as a bit of BTS info, announced in May of last year. The 10-episode show is directed by Takashi Sano, who features in the video, and produced by Animation Film.
- Synopsis: The multiverse-straddling exploits of Rick and the gang pose challenges to the family bond, but they always rise to the occasion,” Sano explained. “It’s such a life affirming sight, and Jerry is no exception. I am honored to have been given an opportunity to tell a new story about this amazing family. I hope you enjoy their adventures!
- Bonus News: We also learned that the search for a replacement voice actor for original Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland is nearing its end.
Crisis on Infinite Earths and Watchmen
DC announced two new animated movies for a pair of its most popular graphic novels, Crisis on Infinite Earths and Watchmen. According to the company, both films are already being worked on and should be released sometime in 2024. Both properties have been adapted in live action previously, but this is the first time that either is getting an animated feature.
New Seasons of Harley Quinn and Invincible
One of Max’s biggest recent animation success stories will return for a fourth season in just a few days. Warner Bros. Discovery promoted the premiere with a new two-minute trailer during its Max Original Animation panel.
Prime Video debuted the season two trailer for its very adult superhero animated series Invincible ahead of that show’s November 3 return. Season one debuted in the spring of 2021 and was such a huge hit that Amazon ordered two more seasons before the first had even finished airing.
