Disney releases new Mickey Mouse short 'No service'.

Just a few days before the new Mickey Mouse shorts start airing on Disney XD (June 28), the company decided to release another full episode on the web. 'No service' is the 2nd short, as Disney already released 'Croissant de Triomphe' earlier in March, this one however also features Donald Duck.

I've heard some complaints on the web about these new shorts. I don't know what the budget is, but, beside the fact that the style is of course very different from the classic animated shorts, some feel these are put together in a hurry.

What's more important to me than the artwork however, is character development. This is only the second short and already I'm seeing stuff that, although funny, just doesn't feel fitting character wise.This one includes a naked Mickey and some fun about his 'buns', and Goofy kicking Donald (not by accident).

It's summer, so it's fitting this one takes place on the boardwalk. The short is of course very hip and funny, so follow the link below to watch 'No Service' or hit the link above to view the first one.
If you're into classy looking, masterfully animated shorts, you can of course always just pop in a DVD at home. Watch Mickey and Donald in 'No Service' by following this link!

Update 30/06/13: Episode three, 'Yodelberg' has now officially aired. You can watch it online. Episode four, which will air July 5th, has also been made available online already, check it out here:  'New York Weenie'.

Disney announces new Mickey Mouse shorts. Watch ‘Croissant de Triomphe’!

Today Disney announced great news: a new series of 19 cartoon shorts starring Mickey Mouse will be released om Disney XD starting June 28th. The cartoons created in cooperation with Paul Rudish (Dexter's laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls) has Mickey returning in his original oldschool 'rubberhose' form.

Although the style may differ from the original classic animated shorts, I must say I really love the retro look the designers came up with, reminding me of classics like '101 Dalmatians'. In the new series, Mickey will live up to his status of international pop icon as he will visit all major cities across the globe.

Check the video below to view the first episode ‘Croissant de Triomphe’!

Tip: Click any of the images below to get a good look at all the great art of Mickey's new short!

Marvel kicks off 'Ultimate Spider-Man' Animated.

Marvel showed this week it isn't sitting still in the animation departement. While 'DC Nation' premiered on Cartoon Network last month, introducing DC's 3D animated 'Green Lantern' and 'Young Justice' (with 'Beware the Batman' still waiting behind the curtains), Disney XD kicked off the first season of Marvel's new animated series 'Ultimate Spider-Man', joining the succesful 'Avengers - Earth's Mightiest heroes' which also started off their second season.

Zapp! Spidey is still shooting his web and plenty of one-liners in downtown NYC, while J. Jonah Jameson, now head of 'DBC' (Daily Bugle Communications) TV-network is still on his case. Airing on Disney XD, the first season will consist of 26 episodes.

As expected, 'Ultimate-Spiderman' is an upbeat and modern show with fast cuts, filled with action packed scenes, without ever becoming too much for the younger viewer. Similarities with Cartoon Network's 'Ben 10' aren' t really a coincidence, as it is being produced by 'Man of Action', the creators of the succesful 'Ben 10' show, a team consisting of Steven T. Seagle, Duncan Rouleau, Joe Kelly and Joe Casey. Being a big fan of the 'Ben 10' franchise, I think their new series not only looks great, but is also really funny!

But I must say, it' s pretty weird, seeing Peter Parker back as Spider-Man in Marvel's 'Ultimate' Universe, as the character was recently killed off and traded in for the African American/Hispanic protagonist 'Miles Morales'. Marvel (now Disney) decided he would suit a 21st century audience more properly, but now turns 360 degrees for the animated series and continues down the old path with Parker, introducing a few new comic book series along the way ('Ultimate Spider-Man Adventures' #1 and 'Avengers, Earth's mightest Heroes Adventures' #1 are published this month). A bit confusing too say the least, but don't worry, Stan Lee's Peter Parker is still Spider-Man in Marvel's long lasting comic book series 'Amazing Spider-Man', which has issue #683 hitting the shops on the 18th.

Will the real Ultimate Spider-Man rise please? Left: the cover for the complimentary free issue, in stores March 28 (you all got that, right??) Right: the cover for 'Ultimate Spider-Man' #9, starring Miles Morales in a new suite as Spider-Man. Left, Parker is alive, Right, he's dead. Get it?

Above: Peter Parker, high school kid turned super hero after being bitten by a spider. Man, I've been bitten by a dog once, but I never got to wear a tight suit, chasing bad guys through the city. Guess I got shafted. Below: Parker's elderly uncle Ben may still have been killed by a street robber, his aunt May seems to have found his money stash and got some primo facial surgery. Uncle Ben is sure missing out on something!

Paul Dini and Brian Michael bendis share credits as 'creative consultant' and 'consulting producer'. Dini also wrote and produced 'Batman TAS', 'Superman TAS' and 'Batman Beyond' with Bruce Timm, while Bendis has been writing Marvel's 'Ultimate Spider-Man' comic book series since the first issue in 2000. After decades of working on DC shows, Dini now joins Marvel and is currently also working on the up and coming animated series 'Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.', which will be available on Disney XD in 2013.

While Parker's sweetheart Mary Jane (above) is studying to become a reporter and dreams of working for Jameson, Spider-Man is contacted by super-spy Nick Fury (below) to become part of his super powered team of heroes working for S.H.I.E.L.D.

Nick Fury was first created by legendary artist Jack Kirby with writer Stan Lee in May 1963, appearing in 'Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1' while S.H.I.E.L.D., which originally stood for 'Supreme Headquarters International Espionage Law-Enforcement Division', first appeared in 'Strange Tales' #135 in August 1965.

Nick Fury was portrayed by Samuel Jackson in every theatrical feature Marvel has released to date: 'Iron Man 1 & 2', 'Thor', 'Captain America: The First Avenger' and the upcoming 'The Avengers', which will be released theatrically on May 4. In Ultimate Spider-Man, the character is voiced by Chi McBride. Other characters from the Ultimate universe of 'The Avengers' (aka 'The Ultimates') are to appear.

Below: While Harry Osborne is working with Dr. Octopus to create an army of Spider-Man clones, Parker's school is being trashed by 'The Freightful four', which actually appear to be three, seeing Spidey already took out the first baddie in the beginning ('Trapster'). See, I told you this show was funny!

Below: What's a Marvel feature without a guest appearance by the man himself? In the new 'Ultimate Spider-Man' animated series, Stan Lee appears as the janitor at Peter Parker's high school, rescuing him after he got bullied into his locker by Flash Thompson. Guess after 'the Freightful Four' tore up the place Stan got his hands full cleaning up the place. Also, watch for a bakery in the opening sequence called 'Romita's Cake Shop'.

The voice cast for Ultimate Spider-Man includes Drake Bell as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Steven Weber as Harry Osborne and of course J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson (he also played the part in Marvel's Sam Raimi directed trilogy) though he hasn't reprised the role for the 'Amazing Spider-Man' reboot, which will be released on July 3 starring Andrew Garfield as Spidey.