SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015 DC launches ‘Super Hero Girls’ universe to appeal to young female comics fans

C Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation just for girls.” engage and inspire girls, providing cues to explore Hero Girls line. The announcement comes amid a and Warner Bros Consumer Products are “Developing a superhero franchise exclusively heroic acts through play and into real life.” Random concerted push for more diverse and inclusive Djoining forces with Mattel to launch “DC for girls that includes all of the key components of House Books for Young Readers has been named comic book properties, especially those led by Super Hero Girls,” a new multiplatform superhero a comprehensive entertainment experience-from female characters, with Warner Bros and DC prep- universe aimed at female fans aged 6-12, a typically content to consumer products-is something we are ping a standalone “” movie with underserved demographic when it comes to comic excited to be doing in conjunction with our great attached to direct, following the exit book properties. partners,” said Brad Globe, president of Warner of Michelle MacLaren. CBS has greenlit a “Supergirl” The new line, debuting in the fall, will feature Bros. Consumer Products. “It’s really an honor to series from Greg Berlanti and Ali Adler, which hails DC Comics’ “most powerful and diverse” female be part of this cultural moment and to be deliver- from Berlanti Productions in association with superheroes and villains during their formative ing a concept so rooted in a relatable and empow- Warner Bros. Television. years-prior to discovering their full superpowered ered theme that the characters of DC Comics are In March the CW debuted “iZombie,” based on potential. Notable characters include Wonder uniquely able to present.” the comic from DC’s Vertigo imprint, starring Rose Woman, Supergirl, Batgirl, Harley Quinn, Bumble Mattel will serve as master toy licensee and col- McIver as a coroner’s assistant who is turned into a Bee, Poison Ivy and Katana. According to DC, “Each laborate with DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. zombie and subsequently helps the police solve character has her own storyline that explores what Animation and Warner Bros. Consumer Products crimes. Fellow comics publisher Marvel has dated teen life is like as a superhero, including discover- on the franchise’s narrative creation, interactive “Captain Marvel”-the first female-led film from ing her unique abilities, nurturing her remarkable digital activations and a toy line launching in 2016. Marvel Studios-for November 2, 2018. The movie is powers and mastering the fundamentals of being a DC notes that Mattel’s product lineup includes “a being written by Nicole Perlman (“Guardians of the hero.” The multiplatform universe will include an line of characters for the action figure category-an Galaxy”) and Meg LeFauve (Pixar’s “Inside Out”). “immersive digital experience,” original digital con- area of the industry that has been primarily devel- ABC recently aired “Marvel’s Agent Carter,” starring tent and digital publishing, with TV specials, made- oped with boys in mind-and fashion dolls featuring Hayley Atwell, and Netflix is developing “Marvel’s for-videos, toys, apparel, books and other product strong, athletic bodies that stand on their own in AKA. Jessica Jones” as part of its interconnected categories scheduled to roll out in 2016. heroic poses.” franchise of “street-level” superhero shows that will culminate in a crossover miniseries called “The Diverse characters Engage and inspire girls Defenders.” “DC Entertainment is home to the most iconic “Partnering with the best and being the best There’s still room for improvement when it and well-known superheroes including Wonder partner is of paramount importance,” said Richard comes to the representation of women in major Woman, Supergirl and Batgirl,” said Diane Nelson, Dickson, Mattel president and chief operating offi- superhero franchises-this week, “Avengers: Age of president of DC Entertainment. “DC Super Hero cer. “Together with Warner Bros and DC Ultron” stars Chris Evans and Jeremy Renner Girls represents the embodiment of our long-term Entertainment, the DC Super Hero Girls franchise the master publishing partner for the DC Super caused controversy online after making sexist strategy to harness the power of our diverse female will further expand our already powerful girls port- Hero Girls universe, with a portfolio of books remarks about Scarlett Johansson’s character dur- characters. I am so pleased that we are able to offer folio. We know superhero is a culturally relevant scheduled to launch in spring 2016, while Lego will ing the film’s press tour, with both issuing apolo- relatable and strong role models in a unique way, theme, and the DC Super Hero Girls franchise will design a number of building sets for the DC Super gies soon after. —Reuters