DotComix Suspends Operations

The dot-com death toll continues to rise, and animated content creator DotComix (www.dotcomix.com), may soon be adding its name to the list.

According to a spokesperson, DotComix has laid off most of its staff and has suspended operations while it pursues possible acquisition options. No details about potential acquisitions were available for release. The company was counting on another round of funding this fall, which was not completed due to the poor market conditions. The company could not continue operations, however, while seeking potential buyers.

DotComix was the animation studio responsible for original 3D animated shorts including, Sister Randy and Duke 2000. The Duke 2000 shorts, produced with the aid of Garry Trudeau, the creator of the Doonesbury comic strip, depicts the fictional presidential campaign of Duke.

DotComix reached an agreement in October with ICTV, a solutions provider for Internet TV services to digital set tops, to bring DotComix content to ICTV's television platform. It also recently announced plans to launch a new Web site for teens called Giant Orbit, early next year and opened an e-commerce section.

As a syndicator of content, DotComix went offline as well. Sister Randy, another DotComix favorite, recently made her TV debut on BBC America as a part of the "Vicars and Tarts" show which premiered Saturday, October 21.

In July, the San Francisco-based studio hired four new executives and closed its series C round of financing with $8.5 million. It announced hopes at that time that its series D funding would raise $20 million.