Jakks Pacific inked a deal to become the master toy partner for Max Brallier‘s The Last Kids on Earth. The series from Atomic Cartoons, the kids and family division of Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc. and Cyber Group Studios, will debut on Netflix later this year.
Based on a series of books published by Viking Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House, The Last Kids on Earth follows the comedic adventures of 13-year old Jack Sullivan and his gang of wise-cracking middle school friends, who live together in a decked-out treehouse after a monster apocalypse has taken place. In a world without parents, they gorge themselves on candy, play video games, invent gadgets, and battle zombies and giant-sized monsters. The voice cast includes Mark Hamill, Rosario Dawson, Catherine O’Hara, Keith David, Bruce Campbell, Garland Whitt, Montse Hernandez, and Charles Demers, in addition to Nick Wolfhard as Jack Sullivan.
As master toy partner, Jakks Pacific will create and produce action figures, activity toys, role play accessories, vehicles, plush items, novelty items, games, and play electronics. The range will be available globally, except in China. Cyber Group Studios brokered the deal on behalf of Atomic Cartoons.
“We are very excited to partner with Atomic Cartoons and Cyber Group Studios to develop a line of merchandise that will bring The Last Kids on Earth to life in a new way,” says Craig Drobis, senior vice president of marketing, Jakks Pacific Inc. “With themes of friendship, heroism, and humor in the face of a monster and zombie apocalypse, it is no surprise the series has been embraced by readers around the world, and has all the ingredients for an amazing line of toys.”
Atomic Cartoons acquired the rights to produce the animated series and license its IP in 2017. Netflix ordered the series last year, and the consumer brand will make its formal debut at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas next month.
“When Atomic Cartoons first acquired The Last Kids on Earth to create an animated series, I was excited and honored at the possibility,” says series creator Max Brallier. “As I watch the franchise grow, I remain humbled by how the world has embraced these characters, this world, and the story of Jack Sullivan.”
