A popular animated TV series from the 1980s--which taught children the truths of the Bible--is being re-launched by the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), featuring "stories that convey biblical truths to a tech-savvy generation."

Thirteen new stories of Superbook are to be released on DVD-featuring 3-D animation from award-winning writers, producers and animators with credits that include Disney's The Lion King, Mulan and Beauty and the Beast, CBN officials said.

The company hopes to roll out the new series on video in 2011, but distribution has not yet been determined. The pilot episode, A Giant Adventure, tells the story of David and Goliath.

Launched in 1981 in an effort to bring the Bible to Japan, the original animated series featured a trio of characters--Chris, Joy and their toy robot, Gizmo--who traveled back in time to take part in the major stories of the Bible. According to CBN, approximately 4 million-plus people watched each weekly episode of Superbook on television, resulting in the Bible becoming the best-selling book in Japan. Superbook has been viewed by 500 million people in 106 countries and translated into 43 languages.

"The original series has had a tremendous global impact over the last 28 years, but technology has made huge strides since those programs were first produced," CBN CEO Gordon Robertson said. "Animation is extremely popular around the world with not only children but also adults, so CBN has re-imagined a new version of Superbook, which will enable us to reach a new generation of viewers."

Other new Superbook episodes planned include stories on creation, Abraham and Isaac, Jacob and Esau, Moses and the exodus, the Ten Commandments, Daniel and the lion's den, the birth of Jesus, Jesus coming into His ministry, the Last Supper, Easter, Saul of Tarsus and Revelation.

Click here for more information on the new Superbook.

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