In the latest example of corporate synergy at Time/Warner, the Cartoon Network and DC Comics have entered into a partnership in which DC Direct will produce, market and distribute new collectibles featuring characters from the Cartoon Network's growing library of animated favorites.  The first products announced, which will ship in 2005, are cold-cast porcelain statues featuring Ed, Edd,'n Eddy, the cartoon comedy about three best friends with the same name, Megas XLR, the heavily anime-influenced series about two normal guys, a female warrior from the future and an 80-foot tall robot, and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, a new whimsical comedy series from Craig McCracken, creator of the Powerpuff Girls.

The Cartoon Network first got into the collectibles business back in 2001 creating figures for its Samurai Jack series (see 'Samurai Jack Action Figures'), which it offered through its online store.  Obviously working with DC Direct will help the Cartoon Network expand the scope of its efforts to create and market collectibles based on its in-house properties. As John Friend, Senior VP of Cartoon Network Enterprises put it: 'Working with DC Direct, the leader in collectible products, expands our reach, quality and breadth of product into the marketplace.'

The press release announcing the new collectibles initiative included this key remark concerning the timing of product releases of the new DC-produced Cartoon Network collectibles across various retail channels: 'These items will be offered to the comics specialty market and other markets simultaneously.'