Tom Hanks’s Animated ‘Electric City’ Gets a New Trailer

Tom Hanks created and stars in a new animated web series called 'Electric City,' and we've got the first official peek at the new show that none of you knew about until right this second.

Hanks provides his voice talent alongside Jeanne Tripplehorn, Ginnifer Goodwin, Holland Taylor, Chris Parnell, and Paul Scheer in this animated series set in a dystopian future. It's a reunion of sorts for Hanks, Tripplehorn, and Goodwin as Hanks' PlayTone banner produced the HBO series 'Big Love,' which starred both actresses.

Yahoo! is hosting the series --  yet another title on their expanding roster of original online series, which also includes Ken Marino's hilarious 'Bachelor' spoof, 'Burning Love.'

The official synopsis for 'Electric City,' which is like 'The DaVinci Code,' but, you know, deep because it has allegories about the environment and stuff:

The world as we know it has ended and out of the rubble, the Electric City stands as a symbol of peace and security.  Yet under the veneer of order lies a world full of secrets and violence.  Secret police, back-alley dealings, daring chases, and murder all find a home in the “Electric City.” Through the lens of a functioning, yet dystopian metropolis, “Electric City” touches upon relevant global issues and themes including energy consumption, freedom of information, crime and punishment and more.  The story unfolds gradually, layering mystery upon mystery, inviting viewers to interact with the content and each other.  Metaphors and symbols are woven throughout, creating a perfect environment for puzzle-solving and community interaction.  Like good science fiction, “Electric City” raises provocative questions about our own way of life and value systems.  Short-form connecting storylines combined with vivid animation and a compelling score will keep audiences watching, while metaphors and a range of subject lines will keep them guessing—and reflecting.

We're not sure the animation is "vivid," per se, but the simple approach calls to mind the deliberate work of graphic novels. You can check out the first look -- which isn't much -- below. The first ten episodes premiere on July 17, with the remaining episodes to follow on July 18 and 19.

Also intriguing is the statement, "Like good science fiction, 'Electric City' raises  provocative questions about our own way of life and value systems." Not that we don't particularly agree, but that's a hoity-toity statement if there ever was one. You've got a lot to prove to us now, 'Electric City.'

Wait, is this a sequel to 'The Electric Company'? Where's Morgan Freeman to teach us how to say words and stuff?