Cartoon Network Cancels Young Justice, Green Lantern; Launches Teen Titans Go!, Beware the Batman

Cartoon Network released its 2013 schedule plans, and the cartoon shows Young Justice and Green Lantern weren’t on it. The latter, in particular, was a second chance at trying to make the property a franchise after the failure of the big-budget movie. ICv2 has more speculation about what this means, saying “it brings up the question of whether or not the Green Lantern property will ever be anything more than a niche hit in the comic market with little or no mainstream appeal.”

In place of this two shows are two new DC series: Teen Titans Go! and Beware the Batman. The former features Robin, Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy, and Cyborg in “all-new, comedic adventures” with a cute, chibi-style design. It’s coming April.

Character-driven comedy is the order of the day as this new take on the superhero series focuses on the funny business that happens between saving the world and living together as teenagers without adult supervision. The series stars the principal voice cast from the original Teen Titans.

Beware the Batman will be “a cool, new take on the classic Dark Knight franchise” and is promised to feature “new villains not previously seen in animated form”. It looks very dark.

Along with backup from ex-secret agent Alfred and lethal swordstress Katana, the Dark Knight faces the twisted machinations of Gotham City’s criminal underworld led by the likes of Anarky, Professor Pyg, Mister Toad, and Magpie.

It’s CGI and coming next summer as part of the DC Nation block, which launched last year. I like this explanation by a Beat commenter, who blames the cancellations on the lack of toy support.

Also new for the CN is an all-new series for “the world’s most famous cat-and-mouse duo”, The Tom and Jerry Show. Plus, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Inc. returns.