If you thought the sound-hunting monsters in A Quiet Place were strict, you haven’t seen anything yet. Award-winning, Black-owned animation powerhouse Martian Blueberry is gearing up to unleash a twisted, satirical sci-fi horror short film titled Intellectual Power. Serving as a high-octane proof-of-concept teaser for an upcoming animated series, the project is locked and loaded to make its official world debut at Dream Con 2026.
Set against the backdrop of South Central, the narrative drops viewers into a hyper-surreal reality. It’s one where the government has unleashed bioengineered, flesh-eating shadow creatures with very specific programming. Their mission? To eliminate anyone who utters the polarizing N-word. Whether it’s a “hard R,” a colloquial “soft A,” or simply humming along to a radio hit, the second the word leaves your mouth, the monsters drop in for an instant fatality.
A Sharp Bow Tie and God-Like Powers
The story centers on Rizza (voiced by activist and author Rizza Islam, who also serves as an executive producer). He’s a sharp, intellectually brilliant figure who dons a signature bow tie. When Rizza notices his neighborhood is mysteriously vanishing, his investigation uncovers a chilling, deep-state conspiracy. “The projects” were literally engineered as a massive government experiment designed to dismantle and control the community.
Faced with a closing perimeter of shape-shifting government agents, weaponized drones, and nightmarish monsters, Rizza is pushed to his absolute limits. This unlocks god-like powers that might make him the community’s only hope for survival.
An All-Star Voice Roster
To match the disruptive, mold-breaking energy of the script, Martian Blueberry has assembled an undisputed heavy-hitting voice cast that bridges classic animation royalty with sharp comedic minds. The list includes Carl Jones (Co-founder of Martian Blueberry; The Boondocks, Black Dynamite), John DiMaggio (Futurama), and Affion Crockett (Pixels, The Wedding Ringer). They are joined by Slink Johnson (Black Jesus), Corey Holcomb (Black Jesus), Jade Novah (The Simpsons), and Ace Vane (New Jack Fury).
Martian Blueberry Takes Over Dream Con Weekend
Beyond the exclusive first-look screening, Martian Blueberry is heavily dominating the Dream Con schedule with a packed lineup of panels and a massive interactive talent search.
The Panel Schedule:
-Friday, July 10: “From Boondocks to Martian Blueberry” – A deep dive into the studio’s origin and creative evolution.
-Saturday, July 11: “The Power of Production” – Inside the mechanics of independent animation.
-Sunday, July 12: “Building Worlds Through Art & Animation” – A masterclass in visual storytelling and world-building.
Live Voice Acting Talent Search (Saturday, July 11):
In a massive collaboration with Dream Con, the studio is hosting an open, live audition process! They aim to discover the next great voice in animation. JD Witherspoon and Tony Weaver Jr. will be hosting. Contestants will audition LIVE before an iconic celebrity judging panel featuring Carl Jones, Cree Summer, and Phil LaMarr. The grand prize? The winner will land an official voice-acting feature in an upcoming Martian Blueberry project.
If you are attending the convention, make sure to add the Martian Blueberry booth and panels to your itinerary. Just mind your vocabulary while you walk the convention floor.
