Cartoon Network and DC Comics Announce Collaboration; DC to Produce, Market and Distribute Collectibles via DC Direct.

ATLANTA -- Cartoon Network and DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company, have entered a partnership that will bring innovative and high-quality new items to the collectors' market. DC Direct, a leading source for character collectibles, will produce, market and distribute new collectibles featuring characters from Cartoon Network's massive, and growing, library of animated favorites.

Planned to release in 2005 are cold-cast porcelain statues featuring:

--Ed, Edd n Eddy, the highly rated, rollicking comedy about three best friends who share the same first name;

--Megas XLR, a new comedic action/adventure series about two normal guys, a female warrior from the future and their 80-foot-tall robot; and

--Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, the whimsical comedy from Craig McCracken, creator of The Powerpuff Girls.

Other Cartoon Network properties to get the DC Direct treatment will be announced as they are closer to development.

"Cartoon Network first launched into the collectibles space in 2001," said John Friend, senior vice president of Cartoon Network Enterprises. "Working with DC Direct, the leader in collectible products, expands our reach, quality and breadth of product into the marketplace."

"This partnership broadens the reach of DC Direct's product line and provides us with a whole new universe to play with," says Cheryl Rubin, DC's Senior Vice President -- Brand Management. "We are delighted to collaborate with our colleagues at Cartoon Network on bringing their wonderful treasure trove of characters to collectors."

The initial wave of developmental concepts for the statues will make their debut on display at Comic-Con International: San Diego, July 21-25, at the DC Direct area of the DC Comics booth. Collectors will be able to view varying stages of creating a statue from concept drawings to painted prototype.

These items will be offered to the comics specialty market and other markets simultaneously.

Cartoon Network, currently seen in 86.4 million U.S. homes and 145 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated entertainment. Drawing from the world's largest cartoon library, Cartoon Network showcases unique original ventures such as Codename: Kids Next Door, The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Ed, Edd n Eddy and other Cartoon Cartoons. Cartoon Network also features Adult Swim, a late-night block of animation for grown-ups. Since its launch in 1992, Cartoon Network has remained one of ad-supported cable's highest-rated networks. Cartoon Network's Web site is located at http://CartoonNetwork.com (AOL Keyword: Cartoon Network).

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.

DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC super heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics' Web site is located at www.dccomics.com.