Once again, Tom Jerry have been resurrected for a new generation. If you’re a satellite or cable viewer in the UK, you’ll have Boomerang  and be able to find the Cartoon Network’s latest incarnation of The Tom Jerry Show.

Having seen some clips online, I became very curious and drew up some questions for the team behind the show. What follows are my e-mail queries, and the answers of Jay Bastian, VP of series at Warner Bros. animation. I’ve left it all verbatim.

1. The designs of the characters are close but not exactly the same as in previous incarnations. What was driving the design process this time? Why not simply recreate the EXACT look of the most loved Tom Jerry incarnations of the past?

The designs are meant to look both old and new. We LOVE the classic shorts, but most kids today are looking for something “new.” The character designs of the series are heavily inspired by the amazing designs used in the classic theatrical shorts of the late forties and early fifties, but they also look like something you haven’t seen before.

2. The look of the show avoids “black line” outlines and uses bold areas of colour. This can make it hard to give characters and other items obvious “volume” so what techniques are being used to stop the images from looking too flat?

We wanted the audience to immediately recognize these shorts as something new. Eliminating the holding line was a fun way to do that. The characters are not animated in a flat way since they are approached from more of a classical sense, which gives them the depth they need.

3. The bold colours are quite striking. The palette is very specific, though. Why these colours? Are there any rules to how colour is being applied in the show?

There are four different rotating scenarios on the show: a classic house, a witches’ house, a science lab and a detective agency. We decided to give each setting its own color palette to reflect its sensibility. For example, the classic house is filled with bright primary colors, but the detective stories have a golden sunset quality to make them feel more reminiscent of something like Chinatown.

4. What restrictions are imposed by the processes of making animation for TV using modern techniques as opposed to the classical, yet more expensive and time consuming means that were used on the classic Tom Jerry shorts? And what are the benefits of these new techniques?

The biggest challenge with classic characters like Tom and Jerry is that you’ve already seen them animated by some of the best artists of their day with fat theatrical budgets and schedules. Flash often gets a bad rap, but in the right hands it can produce a great look and enable a lot of control for the director. Darrell Van Citters [the director] certainly understands what makes classic characters tick, and can use modern techniques and resources to his advantage when bringing the characters, stories and gags to life.

5. What can you tell me about the personalities of Tom Jerry and how these are presented in their designs and animation, from their walk cycles to their facial performances?

Most people assume Tom wants to eat Jerry, but their dynamic is completely different from Sylvester and Tweety, and most Looney Tunes characters. They’re much more like brothers when you really think about it. Yes, they get on each others nerves and they love to abuse one another, but don’t most brothers? They will be the first one to smack the other in the face, but also the first to defend each other when trouble arises. Since they don’t speak, all their emotions and communication has to really come through in their acting and actions.

6. Are Tom Jerry still relevant? What’s the appeal?

Again, sibling rivalry is something almost anybody can relate to. The ridiculous physical levels that they take that rivalry to is entertaining to any age. I always loved watching Tom and Jerry cartoons with my dad as a kid because he would enjoy them just as much as me.

Thanks to Jay for taking the time to answer my questions.