Generator Rex Moves To Print

Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) teamed with Random House Children’s Books to create a full line of books based on the top-rated action-adventure series, Generator Rex.  The deal between the two companies builds on a long-standing partnership with Random House, Inc. that includes other popular Cartoon Network brands including Ben 10 and Bakugan (Del Ray Manga).  The Random House Children’s Books program will bring to market content-rich titles centered around Rex, a 15-year-old typical teenager with abnormal powers – including the ability to make his fists the size of boulders, sprout a jet pack out of his back and turn his legs into a lightning-fast motorcycle, among other talents.  Random House will launch their book program in Summer 2011 with a  Step into Reading® leveled reader and a deluxe 3-D storybook. Additional readers, storybooks, and activity books will follow.

“Generator Rex is driven by action-packed storytelling and strong characters that excite fans and leave them wanting more,” said Christina Miller, senior vice president, CNE.  “Random House, and the publishing category as a whole, are key components to further expanding the Generator Rex universe into an immersive world that tells Rex’s story off screen in a fun and engaging way.”

Dennis Shealy, editorial director, Random House/Golden Books Young Readers Group said, “Cartoon Network is a favorite among families, and Generator Rex is a powerhouse TV show with everything kids like: fast-paced action, sarcastic humor, creepy villains and monsters—and my personal favorite: Rex’s talking monkey sidekick. Combine that with some of Random House Children’s Books’ strongest formats, and you’ve got a recipe for retail success.”

Random House joins other industry-leading partners for the consumer products launch of Generator Rex, that currently includes Mattel, Inc. as the brand’s global master toy partner, Activision for interactive, Hallmark for party goods and social expression, Hybrid Apparel and DC Comics.  Additionally, CNE will release the first title in the Generator Rex home entertainment franchise on October 19 with Warner Home Video distributing.  Additional partners for the brand will continue to be announced in the coming weeks.

The newest action-adventure original series from Cartoon Network, Generator Rex is created by Man of Action (creators of theBen 10 franchise) and produced at Cartoon Network Studios inBurbank, CA.  New episodes from the series’ first season air on Cartoon Network on Fridays at 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT), with replays on Saturday mornings.  The network has committed to at least 40 episodes of the series, and has also created an online game,Generator Rex: Nanite Master, featured at CartoonNetwork.com that has had more than 6.9 million game plays since its launch in March (source: Omniture SiteCatalyst data), as well as a show page (www.generator-rex.com) and a Facebook fan page.