Macworld reports that the big three comic apps Panelfly, iVerse, and Comics by Comixology have brought Marvel comics to the smallest screen, aka the iPhone.  Several Marvel comics are now available for purchase through the free app. Each comic is $2 through Comics and iVerse, and on sale for $1 on Panelfly.

The Marvel comics available initially from Comixology are Joss Whedon’s 24-issue run on Astonishing X-Men, Robert Kirkman’s five-issue Marvel Zombies miniseries, Ed Brubaker’s first 30 issues of Captain America, and two other X-Men-related books, X-23 and X-Men: Age of Apocalypse, each six issues long.

This comes on the heels of the two popular Marvel motion comics sold through iTunes, ASTONISHING X-MEN, and SPIDER-WOMAN.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Comedy Central has picked up the 13 canceled episodes of the ABC prime-time cartoon THE GOODE FAMILY.  After Comedy Central’s success in picking up the canceled yet beloved show FUTURAMA, the channel has aspirations of bringing other animated shows back from dead.

In “Goode’s” case, cabler likely saw an opportunity to pick up an animated show that wasn’t seen by many viewers during its original run on ABC. Deal also puts Comedy Central in business with Judge — and fits in with the net’s goal of expanding its presence in the animation world.

SIT DOWN, SHUT UP is another animated laugher that didn’t quite make on Fox, but Comedy Central is in talks to pick up this show as well.  Many critics are skeptical that Comedy Central will turn the shows around, but only time will tell.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. is getting back in the feature animation game after a 3 year hiatus.  After its success with HAPPY FEET it seems that Warner decided to rest on its laurels, but now is in final negotiations to pick up a new project.

The move marks a bolstering of animation efforts for Warners., which was once very active in the sector but had since scaled back its theatrical efforts. It did, with director George Miller, develop and produce 2006’s “Happy Feet,” the music-themed penguin pic that earned nearly $380 million worldwide and won the animation Oscar. The studio is developing a sequel.

Very little is known about the new animated project except it centers around a peacock and was pitched by Austin Winsberg and Heath Corson.

Video games are getting more and more realistic.  Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Discovery Communications and Crave are turning two of Discovery’s top shows into video games.  Discovery hopes that the action and the dangers of the natural world elements of these shows will translate into an exciting gaming experience.

We feel ‘Man vs. Wild’ and ‘Deadliest Catch’ are a great fit for the video game space,” said Sue Perez-Jackson, director of licensing at Discovery Channel. “They’ll mirror a lot of what happens on the show.”

This will be the second time DEADLIEST CATCH has made a go into video game territory, but was not as successful as the creators had hoped.  Discovery promises that the new DEADLIEST CATCH will be more about the action game-play and less about show accuracy.  Both MAN VS WILD and DEADLIEST CATCH will be on the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation 3, while only MAN VS WILD will be released on Xbox.

Variety reports that a new version of Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s classic children’s book, THE LITTLE PRINCE will be returning to TV.  French studio Method Animation will be creating a new CG take on the story, and is also planning LITTLE PRINCE web platforms and video games.

“We were able to draw in strong international partners very early on because of the originality of the concept, the appeal of the franchise and also Soumache’s solid track record,” says Philippe Soutter, CEO of international sales company PGS Entertainment.

Method has a high bar to hurdle to create a new LITTLE PRINCE.  Not only was the story created as a popular anime by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, but also an opera, a live action film, a stop-motion animation short, a musical, and a symphony.
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According to AWN, Nickelodeon has bought the rights to TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, but not just the rights to the cartoon.  Nickelodeon picked up global rights to everything TURTLE, lock, stock and half-shell, for a tidy $60 million.

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shares a comedic sensibility with the Nickelodeon DNA, with added layers of action and fantasy that have kept this property an evergreen favorite with multiple generations of audiences,” said Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group. “We are extremely happy to have the opportunity to be able to focus on this property and creatively re-introduce it to a new generation of kids.”

Created by Peter laird and Kevin Eastman, TURTLES started as a comic book parody in 1984 and quickly jumped to TV, becoming a hit show and a cartoon cult classic under Mirage Studios and 4Kids Entertainment.  From there TURTLES spawned 4 feature films, a number of games, and a plethora of action figures.

“We enjoyed our eight-year partnership with Mirage during which 4Kids and Mirage re-launched the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise for a new generation of kids around the world,” said Alfred Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment, Inc.  “We will also work with Mirage and Viacom so that our Turtles’ licensees can be assured of a seamless transition.”

Nickelodeon also has plans on another TURTLES film in the works, and a new TV series both slated to be out 2012.

Variety reports that EuropaCorp has just picked up Bibo Bergeron of SHARK TALE to direct a new international animated feature.  A MONSTER IN PARIS tells the story of a monster who is hunted down after falling in love with a beautiful singer.  Pierre-Ange Le Pogam of EuropaCorp was the keynote speaker at this Production Finance Market meeting.

“By having Pierre-Ange deliver the PFM keynote, it is reflective to how the market has had a specific focus on Europe this year,” said PFM project manager Angus Finney. “We are working hard to dispel the myth that the PFM is for English productions only and open it up so it is not so Anglo centric.”

$42 million is being put into A MONSTER IN PARIS, and the film is slated to be released in 2011.

Animation Magazine reports that Ottawa International Animation Festival’s Grand Prize for Best Animated Feature was awarded to Adam Elliot’s poignant stop-motion feature MARY AND MAX.  Elliot’s film has been making the festival circuit this year, and Ottawa aside, has also won the Annecy’s top award and had the honor of opening the Sundance Film Festival.

“The film tells a simple and strong story about friendship, deep understanding of the human condition with all it’s defects,” said the festival jury. “It is a perfect balance between tragedy and comedy.”

MY DOG TULIP by Paul and Sandra Fierlinger was awarded an Honorable Mention for its style and portrayal of characters and relationships; and David O’Reilly’s PLEASE SAY SOMETHING took home the Best Narrative Short award.  For a list of all the winners go to Ottawa International Animation Festival.

Variety reports that the anticipated film WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE took the number one spot in the US box office this weekend, pulling in and estimated $32.5 million.  Based on the beloved children’s book by Maurice Sendak, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE plays more like an adult movie than regular children’s fare, yet never loses the sense of childhood wonder.

Jonze, who began shooting “Wild Things” in 2006, went through several versions of the film before finalizing the pic’s darker feel. Warner prexy of domestic distribution Dan Fellman said positive reviews so far, combined with potential awards appeal, has helped garner support among its broad audience.

“Spike has done an incredible job with the movie,” Fellman said. “I think we have an interesting film that should play well through the next few weeks.”

In international box office news, Pixar’s UP is still flying high, while G-FORCE and CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS are still serving up solid numbers.

Variety reports that the much anticipated FANTASTIC MR. FOX opened the Times BFI London Film Festival on Wednesday.  The stellar opening to the festival was good news for the U.K. Film Council, who has been working to make the BFI London Film Festival one of the major festivals and make London a movie launch pad.

London fest organizers took over the West End’s Leicester Square for a dual preem in both Odeon and Empire cinemas, the first time the fest has held a simultaneous opening. The double event meant that the fest could accommodate 3,000 attendees, a significantly higher number than any previous opening.

Wes Anderson, George Clooney, Jason Schwartzman, and Bill Murray all came out to support the film on its world premiere.  The animated pic, based on the beloved book by Roald Dahl, is expected to do very well state-side over the holidays.