Programming Notes:

The Upfronts – As I’ve mentioned many times before (and will continue to), every year networks on TV and streaming head to NYC to entice advertisers with their upcoming next 12 months of programming. Previously, Adult Swim held a separate one themselves and included an after part with some random musical act and or guest (of which we tried to get into for over a decade but were sadly never invited). Since the merger with AT&T, and later Discovery, the Warner Bros Discovery family have been consolidated into one full-blown presentation, showcasing Adult Swim, TNT, TBS, Food Network, Discovery, HBO and the rest of the gang (including Max). This year’s takes place tomorrow morning at 10am East and as always, we’re left wondering what will be mentioned, if anything.

Last year, we had the privilege of alleviating the AS Twitter Fandom’s uncertainty of a report by site CordCutters where the Chairman/CEO of WBD US stated they were adding an extra hour of the network on the success of a previously added hour, potentially for American Dad reruns and/or Rick and Morty: The Anime, the latter of which has yet to air. Ultimately this announcement would evolve into, yet another additional hour added, and the creation of the Checkered Past block on weekdays starting at 5pm. Hopefully we will have a better idea tomorrow morning and will have an update. For what they COULD announce, check out these two links to info from last year’s New York Comic Con as well as the Annecy Animation Festival in France.

Annecy – Speaking of Annecy, our friend and resident internet genius on all things WBD Animation, RegularCapital posted recently that this year’s Annecy will feature another WBD Adult Animation Panel on June 14th at Noon CEST, featuring panelists Peter Girardi (Head of Production: WB Animation), Suzanna Makkos (EVP Original Comedy and Adult Animation: Max) and Michael Ouweleen (President: Cartoon Network/Adult Swim). Post-Upfronts, it remains to be seen as to what they plan on discussing, but as previously noted, there have been a number of programs announced previously that are currently in production.

New Smiling Friends

Moving on to current programming… in case you didn’t know: Smiling Friends Season Two is now on Sundays at midnight (next day on Max) for your watching pleasure. First two episodes aired last Sunday (including the April Fools episode). Do yourself a favor and watch them both and every episode thereafter. As with the first season you’re in for a ride. Gwimbly Mania has hit the interwebs.

P.S.: As previously mentioned, S2 of My Adventures with Superman will be out in a few short weeks!

Space Ghost: The Comic Book!

In an analog media surprise on May 1st, Dynamite Comics has released the first issue of the (IMHO) well-awaited Space Ghost, written by David Pepose (Moon Knight: City of the Dead, The Punisher) and illustrated by Jonathan Lau (Red Sonja, Vampirella Strikes). Dynamite, as well as Pepose himself have been giving us some great sneak peeks at the upcoming issues, and they look just as amazing (if not more amazing) as issue #1.

In addition, Former Marvel Comics head, Joe Quesada has lent his talents and illustrated a variant cover for the upcoming issue #2 (in comic shops on June 5th – put in your order today!) I purchased #1 for Free Comic Book Day (support your local comic shops AND your comic book writers/artists) and I have to say it’s a great trip down both the OG Space Ghost cartoon as well as Coast to Coast, with the characters us fans know so well. I’ve already added this to my pull list and can’t wait for more!

New ATHF Talent Have Arrived on Social Media

And speaking of talented people behind Space Ghost, Aqua Teen, and more… he has arrived! The legendary Matt Maiellaro of the aforementioned, plus your favorite AS classics like 12 oz. Mouse and Perfect Hair Forever is now on Twitter to give you all kinds of behind the scenes musings, show you exclusive merch, and a whole lot more. He also has a YouTube you should check out, featuring some pilots and other animated awesome for your eyes and ears.

Also worth noting: Animation/Art Director for ATHF, Brak Show and more, Matthew Jenkins has joined Twitter as well with his awesome character designs, art cels, and much more!

Also also! Our long-time friend and ATHF (among many other shows) animator Todd Redner has opened his very own website. Go check it out at ToddRedner.com!

That is everything I can type without passing out for the evening. Will be back for the Upfront News and whatever else comes up in the near future. Stay tuned!

WANT TO CHAT ABOUT ADULT SWIM?
– DISCORD – ADULTSWIM.FAN

There was a time when the term “radical” could be applied to certain films and filmmakers that broke the mold of what the medium could be and what audiences expect, but over the last few decades there hasn’t been much made that I feel applies to the term. However, I think I can safely say that Vera Drew’s The People’s Joker is the most radical film I’ve seen in recent memory. It’s partially due to it taking one of the most prominent vehicles for Hollywood creative conformity, the comic book superhero blockbuster, and turning it into a scathing sociocultural satire on representation and identity. It’s partially due to its gleeful disregard for the rules of filmmaking in favor of a mixed-media aesthetic. However, it’s mostly due to the fact that its existence was, for a while, legally questionable. Initially a commissioned re-edit of Todd Phillips’ Joker, the film ballooned into a full-on autobiographical coming-of-age story that repurposes Batman and other DC universe characters. As some of you may be aware, Warner Bros. Discovery sent a strongly-worded letter right before the premiere that scuttled the remaining festival run and any distribution prospects. However, it has since seen multiple festival screenings and now has a theatrical release by a legitimate distributor. Was all of this worth it? Absolutely, because The People’s Joker must be seen to be believed.

Taking place in a Gotham City where comedy has been outlawed and the only approved content is available on “Queebso”, the film stars Vera Drew as Joker the Harlequin, who suppresses her true self from childhood to please her mother. When she isn’t taking Smylex to induce artificial happiness, she dreams of joining the cast of popular late night sketch show (and only legitimate source of comedy) UCB Live, alongside such comedy heavyweights as Ra’s Al Ghul (played by David Liebe Hart of Tim and Eric Awesome Show fame). When her dreams of joining the show take a downward turn, she starts an underground “anti-comedy” club with the help of The Penguin, and starts a relationship with fellow trans comic Mr. J (and the J doesn’t stand for what you think it does). Joker the Harlequin soon finds herself through her outlaw anti-comedy, hoping to liberate the city’s entertainment and getting the attention of a certain caped crusader.

Is The People’s Joker fair-use? In my opinion, absolutely. This is unmistakably a parody, and one that is borne out of love for the DC universe. The film is loaded with blink-and-you’ll miss it references to Batman lore, while characters are given their own twisted re-imaginings. (Perry White, for instance, is turned into an Alex Jones type, voiced by Tim Heidecker.) Nothing here feels done out of spite, and you’ll probably want to watch this more than once to catch all the references.

Yet at the same time, it’s also an unflinchingly frank autobiography of Vera’s realization of her identity as a trans woman. She’s really poured her heart into what could’ve been a standard parody film, and while there’s plenty of comedy in The People’s Joker, the laughs stop at several points in the film in favor of legitimate drama. Things get pretty heavy, delving into traumatic childhood memories, social conformity, and abusive relationships through the lens of comic book lore. It’s really what elevates this movie from a simple spoof, and also a big argument in favor of this movie’s right to be shown. As far as any issues I had with the film, I felt some of it could’ve been handled better, like the ending. However, these are mainly minor qualms and I really enjoyed this overall.

Fittingly for a movie inspired by the titular villain, The People’s Joker is an utterly anarchic work of filmmaking. A number of the supporting characters are animated in various art styles, from cartoony 2D to low-rent 3D. Characters break the fourth wall with abandon. Green-screen backgrounds are used unapologetically, and live-action actors are periodically replaced with cartoon characters or action figures. (It should be noted that Drew was an editor and director for a number of projects by Adult Swim, and it shows.) The entire work also wears its DIY nature on its sleeve, and while a number of notable names have supporting roles or cameos, it’s still very much a community effort among many independent artists.

You really haven’t seen a parody film like The People’s Joker, and it’s a miracle that the film was even released. Combining the most loving elements of fan films with searing personal experience, the end result is hilarious and heartwrenching in equal measure. It’s a fierce salute to both comic book movies and nonconformity. Hopefully the publicity over the film’s journey to theaters will give the film an added boost, and I can’t wait to see what Drew does next.