Set in the 1950s through the early ’60s, writer-artist Darwyn Cooke’s 2004 graphic novel series, New Frontier, was a brilliant new take on the early years of “Silver Age” comic book characters from the DC Universe. Now it’s coming next year as a direct-to-DVD animated film. Here are a few shots and the official press release:

Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation are set to release the all-new original movie, Justice League: The New Frontier February 26, 2008 on DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc, distributed by Warner Home Video. Order due date is January 22, 2008. The original movie will also be available on OnDemand and Pay-Per-View, as well as available for download on February 26, 2008.

Based on the graphic novel by Darwyn Cooke and produced by Michael Goguen and animation legend, Bruce Timm, Justice League: The New Frontier is the epic tale of the founding of the Justice League. The animated film, written by Stan Berkowitz, features an incredible celebrity-laden voice cast, including David Boreanaz, Brooke Shields, Lucy Lawless, Neil Patrick Harris, Miguel Ferrer, Kyra Sedgwick, Jeremy Sisto, and Kyle MacLachlan, and will be available on DVD for $19.98 SRP. There will also be a two-disc Special Edition DVD available for $24.98 SRP, which contains additional bonus features including a documentary about the pathology of the super villain and three bonus episodes from the Justice League animated series, selected by Bruce Timm. All the content from the two-disc Special Edition DVD will be available on HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc.

The New Frontier takes viewers on an action-packed adventure, exploring the origins of the Justice League. DC Comics legends Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are all featured in the film, as well as Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, and The Flash as they band together to form the legendary Super team. Strangers at first, these very different heroes must overcome fear and suspicion to forge an alliance against a monster so formidable, even the mighty Superman cannot stop it alone. If they fail, the entire planet will be cleansed of humanity.

Justice League: The New Frontier DVD will feature incredible extras including:

Super Heroes United!: The Complete Justice League History - The documentary is a comprehensive 47-year Justice League chronology, from the inception in the comics to vivid animated renditions. The story is told with a myriad of interviews tracing back the early days of DC Super Hero team-ups during the Golden Age, to the Silver Age rendition where the established heroes emerged and beyond. Interviews include Paul Levitz (President of DC Comics), Dan Didio (SVP Executive Editor at DC Comics), Michael Uslan (Historian), Gregory Noveck (SVP Creative Affairs DC Comics), Mark Waid (DC Comics Historian and Writer), Mike Friedrich (Writer JLU), Denny O’Neil (Writer and Editor at DC Comics), Mike Carlin (DC Comics Executive Editor), Stan Lee (Marvel Comics Co-Creator) and Marv Wolfman (Writer of Fantastic Four).

“Sneak Peak: Batman: Gotham Knight” - One-part anime, one-part Caped Crusader, the result is a glimpse at the world of Eastern anime sensibilities combined with a Western tradition of Batman–a detailed look at the world of Warner Bros. Animation and how they joined forces with the renowned Japanese animators to create the highly anticipated anime film of 2008.

“Audio Commentary I” (featuring the talented filmmakers of New Frontier)

“Audio Commentary II” (featuring Comic Book Writer and Artist Darwyn Cooke)

Widescreen (1.78:1)

5.1 Dolby Digital

The two-disc Special Edition DVD will feature even more incredible extras, including:

The Legion of Doom: The Pathology of the Super Villain - This documentary will examine the early mythological archetypes of nemesis characters from a historical perspective and see how the tenants of this rich history were adapted and woven into the Justice League stories. The bonus feature includes many of the talent included in Super Heroes United! as well as Jim Kreuger (writer of Justice).

Comic Book Commentary: Homage to the New Frontier - This documentary is a nod to the fans of the New Frontier comic book. This featurette further expands the themes contained in the source material and how these elements were truncated or evolved for the inclusion in the film. Featuring vivid imagery culled from the pages of the New Frontier comic, mixed with the commentary of writer and artist Darwyn Cooke, this featurette is a treat for both fans and scholars of the medium.

“Justice League Unlimited Bonus Episodes” - Bruce Timm selects three of his favorite episodes from the Justice League Unlimited animated series:

1. Dark Heart. Alien invaders attempt to thwart the Justice League. The fate of the world rests on the shoulders of Ray Palmer, AKA The Atom.

2. To Another Shore. Wonder Woman learns of a plot to steal the powers of the 3,000-year-old corpse of The Viking Prince. It is up to the Justice League to make things right.

3. Task Force X - Four incarcerated villains are released from prison by Cadmus to undertake an impossible mission: steal a powerful mystic artifact from the JLU Watchtower under the noses of the League.

“Having the opportunity to take the unique work of such a legendary comic talent as Darwyn Cooke and create a small screen faithful adaptation of that style is one of the cornerstones in what we hope to develop for core and new fans alike as part of the DC Universe initiative on the Warner Premiere slate,” said Matt Bierman, Vice President Production, Warner Premiere.

“Darwyn Cooke’s New Frontier is justifiably considered a modern classic, and we at DC comics are excited to share this thrilling adaptation with the book’s legions of loyal fans. On February 26th, DC Universe Animated Movies will lead everyone across the New Frontier,” said Gregory Novek, Senior Vice President of Creative Affairs, DC Comics.

“Following the huge success of Superman Doomsday, we are delighted to be releasing the second DC Universe PG-13 animated movie,” said Amit Desai, WHV Vice President, Family, Animation and Sports Marketing. “Justice League: The New Frontier will certainly not disappoint fans who have been eagerly awaiting this next action-packed DC Universe installment.”

DC UNIVERSE ORIGINAL MOVIES

DC Comics, Warner Premiere, Warner Home Video (WHV) and Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) began the production and distribution of ³”DC Universe,” a series of original, animated, PG-13 movies in July 2006. This original, made-for-DVD movie is part of the DC Universe series of animated PG-13 films written and directed by acclaimed comic book creators and animators, and featuring recognizable talent. WHV will be the exclusive worldwide home entertainment distributor for all DC Universe movies which will include a slate of two to three action-packed films per year.

BASICS
Street Date: February 26, 2008
Order Due Date: January 22, 2008
Languages: English, Spanish
Subtitles: Spanish
Run Time: 75 minutes approx.
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio: 5.1 Dolby Surround Stereo
Color / Closed Captioned
Rating: PG-13

Justice League: The New Frontier (DVD)
Price: $19.98 SRP

Justice League: The New Frontier (2 Disc Special Edition DVD)
Price: $24.98 SRP

Justice League: The New Frontier (HD-DVD)
Price: $29.99 SRP

Justice League: The New Frontier (Blu-ray Disc)
Price: $29.99 SRP

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