The Get Animated Invasion: Step Inside Your Fave Cartoons

Photo: From “The Get Animated Invasion” courtesy of Warner Bros.

When I was young, I used to dream of riding around in the Mystery Machine, solving crimes with Daphne, Shaggy, and Scooby like it ain’t no thang. Back in the days, before we had a VCR, my sister and I tried to capture each episode with a tape recorder. Invariably, our low-tech tactics could not withstand the tensions they wrought and our efforts to stay silent always dissolved into laughter, then an argument for ruining the moment, followed by shushing, and a few moments of silence before we repeated the cycle over again.

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But we were determined (technology be damned) to find a way into the show – not knowing we just had to wait for a few decades to pass when the cult of comic and cartoon fandom would become a phenomenon giving rise to New York Comic Con. The fabled fair opened last night and will runs through October 8, 2017.

Photo: From “The Get Animated Invasion” courtesy of Warner Bros.

In tandem, Warner Bros. presents The Get Animated Invasion pop up, an located in the heart of Soho. “The Get Animated Invasion” brings the classic cartoons of your childhood to life by creating stages where you can literally step in and bring the action to life. There’s Bugs Bunny’s forest, replete with a skydiving Daffy Duck; Tom & Jerry’s living room; Wile E. Coyoye’s efforts to drop an anvil off a cliff; a screening room for the Jetson’s, and yes, my fave, Scooby’s Spooky Woods, replete with neon trees and puffs of smoke.

There’s also a phenomenal art installation of Marvin the Martian reimagined by in fabulous looks, be it green glitter, feathers and gems, elegant floral designs, and cryptic symbols — all of which will be available via auction. And if you get peckish, there’s a fantastic Flintstone’s Ice Cream Bar that offers three fantastic flavors courtesy of local concept shop Milk & Cream Cereal Bar, each topped with Cocoa Pebbles, Fruity Pebbles, or Cinnamon Pebbles.

In each installation, there are areas to sit and take a load off, slip on a pair of headphones and dive back into your favorite episodes. As I enjoyed my first ice cream of the season, I kicked back on one of the futuristic plastic bubble chairs in the Jetson’s lounge and watched “Jetson’s Night out,” where George and Mr. Spacely get caught by their wives while scheming to attend a football game.

What was truly striking was just how timeless these cartoons are: how they both speak to the culture in which they were made while addressing universal themes. They find humor in both the everyday and the surreal, creating a cast of unforgettable characters that speak to people from all walks of life, from all generations so that you can families of all generations can enjoy the experience.

Photo: From “The Get Animated Invasion” courtesy of Warner Bros.

Needless to say, many a passerby on the street were eagerly hoping to get in, delighted by the possibility of catching up with their faves. I started to wonder how many other people have fantasized to themselves about just how exactly they could get inside the television box. I’m guessing more than a few from the looks of anticipation on their faces.

“The Get Animated Invasion” will bring it all back, memories you thought you forgot like that fabulous episode “Welcome To this World,” where our hero floats down the river to the mysterious castle of an Evil Scientist, and has one of the best adventures ever written for daytime television. There’s nothing so great as the red monster in white sneakers who tried to capture Bugs, but ends up defeated by the clever hare.

I was reminded of this great episode when I came across a purse shaped like the monster in the pop-up shop. Warner Bros. has partnered with BoxLunch to offer officially licensed merchandise including apparel, bags, jewelry, and novelties designed by brands including New Era, Junk Food, and Trunk, among others. The best part about shopping with BoxLunch is that for every $10 you spend, the company will provide a meal to a person in need through its philanthropic partnerships. I’m going to go out on a limb and say the little red furry purse is what “all the monsters are wearing this year.”

Miss Rosen is a journalist covering art, photography, culture, and books. Her byline has appeared in L’Uomo Vogue, Vogue Online, The Undefeated, Dazed Digital, Aperture Online, and Feature Shoot. Follow her on Twitter @Miss_Rosen.