Big Cartoon Database reports that Emmy-winning Hanna-Barbera writer Barry Blitzer has passed away on January 27 in Santa Monica, California due to complications from abdominal surgery.

Corus Entertainment's Nelvana Enterprises is pleased to announce that it has found a home with a number of the world's leading broadcasters for the new 3-D animated television series Babar And The Adventures Of Badou.

Does it really give us something new, something to alter and compliment our Death Note experience? Sadly, no.

Johnny Bravo is a buff, girl-chasing mama's boy who can't seem to get a date in spite of his good looks and an even better hairdo.

TBS has signed a deal with David Spade to turn his live-action feature, JOE DIRT, into an animated series, reports VARIETY.

RICARDO BOMBA (nicknamed “La Bomba”), one of Springfield’s newest eligible bachelors and the brainchild of Peggy Black of Orange, CT, will appear in the “Million-Dollar Maybe” episode of THE SIMPSONS airing Sunday, Jan. 31 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Erotic! Erotic! Erotic! But, hey, the story works, whether viewed as fragmented episodes or taken as an epic whole.

My ‘Elemental Magic –An Organic Approach to Visual Effects Animation’ workshop is not just a cute little tip of the hat to traditional animation principles. This is vital stuff, that cannot be left behind, in the rush to embrace ‘cutting edge’ digital technology.

"Weird Al" Yankovic signed a production deal with Cartoon Network that includes a live-action feature film, he announced on his blog, according to COMINGSOON.NET.

MIFFY – THE MOVIE, the latest project of Dutch Telescreen B.V., a leading production, distribution and Brand Management company and part of the German m4e AG, will be introduced at the European Film Market in Berlin.

Here are few new titles to keep a critical eye open for.

So far, mecha seems to be the word of the month. And being a Voltron and Robotech fan from way back, I know mecha. Fortunately, Blassreiter doesn’t step on a beloved technological construct with that unimaginative, xeroxing heel.

After all, for mecha lovers, this show has a lot of potential. But, as of now, I would place it somewhere between a so-so derivation of Full Metal Panic and Evangelion “light.”

Reed Exhibitions has announced the launch of Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), which will take place April 16-18, 2010 at McCormick Place in downtown Chicago.

As for C2E2, show organizers are planning a major launch. "We are aiming big," said Lance Fensterman, who is VP and Show Manager for NYCC and who will also be overseeing C2E2. "We plan to apply everything we have learned in launching and building New York Comic Con to our Chicago event and we intend for it to be a major attraction right out the gate. Of course, this not only means providing a customer friendly atmosphere but also providing dynamic programming that boasts top talent from across the pop culture spectrum, including artists, creators and celebrities from Hollywood, TV, comics, books, video games, toys, anime, manga and all other applicable aspects of the popular arts. But, most importantly, we will also seek to make adjustments so that our show reflects the essence of Chicago. This will be critically important. The city itself will form an important part of our identity."

Dr. Toon explores the parasocial role of the ensemble in animation.

Cartoons on the Bay and the Pulcinella Awards will take place in Rapallo, Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino from April 15-18, 2010.

New aspects of the festival include a new cross-media and interactive animation categories and a free branded new business area to strengthen meetings among all the delegates.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has entered into a multi-year exclusive agreement with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street.

Even though the New Year has begun, it’s not too late to think about a few resolutions… animation and otherwise…

Here are the latest anime titles soon to be released by FUNimation.

Change always accompanies the new year. And The Anime Beat is no different. That's right folks, I'm continuously expanding this little dog and pony show!