Cartoon Network US made its annual upfront presentation to advertisers this morning in New York City, announcing a total of 13 brand-new series, 18 returning shows and 650 new episodes of original and acquired programming that are set to premiere this year on the net.

Along with the previously announced How to Train Your Dragon series, for which DreamWorks’ Jeffrey Katzenberg was on-hand to preview before the crowd, CN is debuting new animated comedies from Chowder’s Pete Browngardt (Secret Mountain Fort Awesome) and artist Ben Jones (The Problem Solverz) and bringing back FreshTV’s Total Drama franchise with new spin-off series Total Drama: Revenge of the Island.
Scripted live-action also makes an appearance on the sked with comedy Level Up, which will launch with a 90-minute original movie event late fall.  The following half-hour series, aimed at the ‘video game age,’ is scheduled for spring 2012 and will be executive produced by Peter Murrieta (Wizards of Waverly Place, Hope and Faith).

Also debuting in 2012 and as a first for the net is the multi-platform franchise DC Nation, a new programming block for original DC animation properties.  Uniting the production, publishing and marketing resources of Warner Bros., DC Entertainment and Cartoon Network, the branded on-air and online programming block will be populated with event programming, interstitials and behind-the-scene clips of theatrical productions.

In terms of core boys action, previously announced Zodiak Kids/Spin Master series Redakai: Conquer the Kairu will join the martial arts-themed Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu, based on Lego’s toy property. A full 13 episodes of the latter are slated to air at the end of 2011 and Lego is on the hunt for distribution partners in global markets.

Meanwhile, returning series to the US network include Adventure Time, Regular Show, MAD, Dude, What Would Happen, Destroy Build Destroy, Hole in the Wall, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Generator Rex, Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, Young Justice, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Scooby-Doo, Mystery Inc., Bakugan, Casper’s Scare School, The Garfield Show, Hero 108, Hot Wheels: Battle Force 5, Johnny Test and Pokémon.