Roddenberry a partner on animated kids' series

Toronto-based Skywriter Media and Entertainment Group and Roddenberry Entertainment are joining forces to develop an animated kids' comedy series, Gene's Journal, based on the Web comic created by Trevor Roth and illustrated by cartoonist David Reddick, Skywriter Media and Entertainment Group CEO Kevin Gillis announced Wednesday.

A chronicle of legendary science-fiction icon Gene Roddenberry's adolescent years, Gene's Journal will be targeted to kids 6 to 11. Alex Galatis (Atomic Betty, Jimmy Two Shoes) is attached to the project as head writer of the new series.

"We are beaming with excitement at the opportunity to bring television audiences a glimpse into the life and experiences that shaped a young Gene Roddenberry into one of the greatest and most imaginative storytelling minds of the 20th century. Roddenberry's successful Web comic offers a wonderful foundation for this fantastic journey and we look forward to expanding on it in an animated series worthy of the Roddenberry tradition," said Gillis.

"It's fun to play with the what-could-have-been part of my father's life. Gene's Journal is a concept full of imagination and possibility. I've always thought about what the idea could become when it's able to really spread its wings in a new medium. I couldn't be more thrilled than to see it making that evolutionary step, and I can't think of any better place to announce it than here at Comic Con," said Rod Roddenberry.

"There's nothing better than working with people who recognize the true potential of a concept you created. Gene's Journal has always been the story of a unique young boy trying to reconcile the trials and tribulations of adolescence with the hilarity that science fiction has to offer. To adventure into the childhood of such an extraordinary character alongside Alex and Kevin is going to be a real treat, for Roddenberry and for TV audiences," said Roth.

Gene's Journal is the untold, true story behind the adolescent years of Gene Roddenberry. It was during these years that Gene was continuously abducted by aliens for the extraterrestrial purpose of studying human beings -- all of his experiences recorded faithfully in his boyhood journal.

The fantastic stories detailing the alien wonders he encountered would later inspire Gene to create some of the greatest science fiction television the world has ever seen. However, in the childhood moments of these experiences, Gene found them to be less than inspiring. Young Gene is constantly trying to reconcile his earthling life with the hilarious alien encounters. After all, it's quite hard to do your homework, meet girls, play on sports teams, etc. when aliens from the future continue to abduct you for their outlandish needs, missions and entertainment.