New Vixen Animated Series Coming To CW Seed

The CW announced that they will be debuting a new Vixen animated series on CW Seed, The CW’s digital-only network.  Even better, the new animated series will be set within the same universe as Greg Berlanti’s Arrow and The Flash.  Arrow’s showrunner, Marc Guggenheim will be heading up executive producer duties on Vixen.

Vixen was created by writer Gerry Conway and artist Bob Oksner, and was introduced in Action Comics #521 (July 1981).  The character was originally supposed to be introduced in 1978 as the first African-American female superhero to have her own series.  However, it never came to fruition due to 1978’s DC Implosion event — the sudden cancellation of over two dozen ongoing and planned series by DC Comics.

Vixen’s alter-ego is Mari Jiwe McCabe and her powers come from an ancient totem that was passed down from her ancestors.  The totem originated in ancient Africa, where a warrior named Tantu requested the spirit Anansi the Spider to create an object that would give the wearer the powers of the animal kingdom.  The wearer must then use those powers to protect the innocent.  With this totem, Tantu became Africa’s first superhero.  The totem was then passed down through generations.

Mari, born Mari Jiwe, heard about the Tantu Totem from her mother.  Later, her mother would be killed by poachers.  She was then raised by her father, Reverand Richard Jiwe, who was later killed himself by his own half-brother, General Maksai who wanted the Tantu Totem.  After these events, Mari moved to New York City, created the identity of Mari McCabe, and found work as a model.

Now, wealthy and able to travel the world, she returned to Africa and took the Tantu Totem back from her uncle.  With her new abilities, she became the superhero Vixen.  As Vixen, she would later join the Justice League.  On a mission to aprehend drug smugglers who killed her friends, Vixen would lose control and kill a drug kingpin.  She then joined the Suicide Squad in a bout to control her animal instincts.  Later stories have her interacting with multiple characters in the DC pantheon and seeing the loss of friends and colleagues.  In The New 52, she joins the Justice League International.

In television and film, Vixen has only appeared in animated form.  She has also been in multiple video game titles.

Even though Vixen will be set in the same universe as The CW’s Arrow and The Flash, it’s unknown if there will be a live-incarnation of the character appearing in either show.  As of this report, no casting of voices have been announced, and the only timeframe for the series’ premiere is Fall of 2015.