Voltron Comic-Con panel includes THQ's video games

No matter how much our rational selves tell us that licensed games based on a rebooted Voltron won't be good -- can't be good -- there's a part of us that still holds out hope for a modern and awesome interactive Voltron. It's the "Voltron" part of our brains.

We should get our first inkling about what THQ plans to do with the license on July 21, during the first-ever Voltron panel at Comic-Con. Among the robo-lion dignitaries scheduled to present at the panel is THQ producer Adam Affrunti. The panel is supposed to feature, among other things, a presentation of all the new Voltron content on the way -- including video games. We'll find out then just how dashed our tiny hopes are to be.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ICONIC FRANCHISE VOLTRON®
TO HOLD ITS FIRST-EVER COMIC-CON PANEL PRESENTATION

CARRIE KEAGAN OF VH1, NO GOOD TV & G4 WILL MODERATE EVENT WITH PANELISTS
THQ, WORLD EVENTS PRODUCTIONS, NICKTOONS, MATTEL AND MORE

SAN DIEGO, CA (June 30, 2011) - Voltron®, the franchise that began when the 1980s robot-themed television action series Voltron: Defender of the Universe® launched, will make its first-ever panel presentation at Comic-Con International at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 21, in the Indigo Ballroom at the Bayfront Hilton hotel.

The panel will feature entertainment and a presentation of both all-new and iconic Voltron content including original graphic novels, comic books, video games, Nicktoons' highly-successful Voltron Force™ television series, and toys and merchandise in addition to other collectibles, exclusive sneak previews, never-before-seen material and surprises for attendees.

Carrie Keagan, current host of VH1's Big Morning Buzz Live, lead anchor on No Good TV and known for her appearances on G4's Attack of the Show, will moderate the hour-long event, which includes artists, producers and designers from the entire Voltron universe:
· From THQ, Adam Affrunti, producer;
· From World Events Productions, Jeremy Corray, Voltron Force supervising producer, and Todd Garfield, Voltron Force story editor;
· From Nicktoons, Keith Dawkins, senior vice president and general manager of Nicktoons;
· From Mattel, Steed Sun, entertainment brands design director, Michael Montalvo, entertainment brands design manager, and Brandon Sopinsky, entertainment brands designer;
· From Dynamite Entertainment, Joe Rybrandt, editor, and Brandon Thomas, Voltron comic book writer;
· From VIZ Media, Traci Todd, senior editor, and Jacob Chabot, cartoonist and illustrator for VIZ Media graphic novels

The panel's scope highlights the transcendent nature of Voltron's inter-galactic appeal, says Peter Armstrong, executive producer of THQ's forthcoming video game. "This is an epic year for Voltron fans and the Comic-Con panel is going to be a memorable event for them. It's the perfect time for us to present the first-ever Voltron panel since this legendary robot action franchise is back right now in a very big way. We can't wait to talk about what's next for Voltron, and to showcase some of the best and most exclusive Voltron content for the first time."

Following the Voltron panel presentation, an autograph session with some of the major talent and participating executives will take place in a nearby area. A giant Voltron figure will also be on-site for photo opportunities with fans and attendees.

Voltron: Defender of the Universe first blazed on to TV screens in 1984, and quickly became a top-rated animated series. It's the tale of a galaxy plagued by chaos and evil, and the five robotic lions – piloted by a team of brave space explorers – that combine to form the mighty robot hero, Voltron®. The hit series inspired a best-selling toy line and made Voltron a pop-culture icon.

An all-new 2D/CGI animated series, Voltron Force, recently debuted in the U.S. on Nicktoons, where it enjoyed the highest-rated premiere in the network's history. The series is scheduled to air on broadcast networks around the world in 2011.

Contributing to the Comic-Con events celebrating the return of Voltron are the following:

THQ
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. THQ and its logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc. More information about THQ and its products can be found at www.thq.com.
World Events Productions
St. Louis-based World Events Productions, Ltd. (WEP) has produced and distributed children's animation for over 25 years. WEP is the IP holder for shows including: Voltron, Defender the of the Universe, Voltron: The Third Dimension, Denver the Last Dinosaur, Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs and Vytor the Starfire Champion, among others. WEP is a Koplar Communications company. WEP is represented by United Talent Agency. For more information visit www.wep.com and www.voltron.com.

Nicktoons
Nicktoons is the fastest growing kids' network and offers programming such as NFL's Rush Zone: Guardians of the Core, Dragon Ball Z Kai, Fantastic Four: The World's Greatest Heroes, Iron Man: Armored Adventures, Wolverine and The X-Men and Speed Racer: The Next Generation, as well as a roster of hits that have defined kids' and animation lovers' TV, including Avatar: The Last Airbender, Invader Zim, Danny Phantom, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius. Nicktoons currently reaches almost 58 million homes via cable, digital cable and satellite, and can be seen on Cablevision, Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, Cox Communications, DirecTV, DISH Network and Time Warner Cable. Nicktoons and all related titles and logos are property of Viacom, Inc. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com.

Mattel
Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT - News) (www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced, Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, Radica® and Tyco R/C®, as well as Fisher-Price® brands, including Little People®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2011, Mattel was named as one of FORTUNE Magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" for the fourth year in a row, and was also ranked among Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens". With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs approximately 31,000 people in 43 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. At Mattel, we are "Creating the Future of Play." For more information on Mattel's collector offerings, visit www.facebook.com/mattycollector .

Dynamite Entertainment
Dynamite Entertainment was founded in 2004 and is home to several best-selling comic book titles and properties, including The Boys, Green Hornet, Vampirella, Warlord of Mars, Project Superpowers, Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time and more! Dynamite is consistently ranked in the upper tiers of comic book publishers and several of their titles - including PROJECT SUPERPOWERS - which debuted at #4 in the Top Ten lists produced by Diamond Comics Distributors. In 2005 Diamond awarded the company a GEM award for Best New Publisher and another GEM in 2006 for Comics Publisher of the Year (under 5%). The company has also been nominated for several industry awards, including the prestigious Eisner Award. For art and more information, please visit:www.dynamite.net. To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook or visit www.comicshoplocator.com.

VIZ Media
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive andinnovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan's largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including the popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and website at www.VIZ.com.

Classic Media
Classic Media, one of the world's largest independent entertainment companies, is a leader in reinventing the classics of yesterday and creating the entertainment classics of tomorrow. The Company owns and manages a globally-recognized portfolio of well-known family and pop-culture entertainment brands, including Casper the Friendly Ghost®, Where's Waldo?®, The Lone Ranger®, Lassie®, Postman Pat®, and new global brands Tinga Tinga Tales® and Guess with Jess®. Big Idea, a member of the Classic Media family, is the leading faith-based studio and producer of children's programming, including the best-selling animated series, VeggieTales®. More than 3,600 hours of Classic Media programming is distributed in more than 170 territories worldwide and showcased in multiple formats, including TV, film, home video, consumer products, publishing, digital, and music. Visit us at http://classicmedia.tv.