We haven’t seen this get too much play at the big blogs, but Scott Kurtz recently announced PvP: The Animated Series, to begin on February 1. These will not be simple little flash animation, but a more ambitious actual animated series with professional voice actors, produced by Blind Ferret — and to see them you will need to subscribe. It’s a big event for one of the biggest webcomics out there, and a huge step in the overall monetization of creator-owned IP, as we see it.

Each month, via a subscription service, we’ll be delivering a new 4-6 minute episode. This is not your typical flash animation. These are traditionally 2D animated with professional voice actors all collaborating to bring the staff of PVP magazine to life for the first time.

The series premieres February 1, 2007. If you sign up between now and January 1, a year long subscription only costs you $19.95. Come 2007, a year-long subscription is $29.95 so be sure to sign up now and get the better deal.

Pre-order sales will make or break this project. The reason Blind Ferret is willing to risk the money to hire animators, voice actors and production staff is because they believe in PvP and its fan base. We’re confident that once you see our preview (which features the first minute of our first episode), you’ll want to see more. So please sign up now and help spread the word and support the show.

In the blog announcement, Kurtz forestalls complaints about the voices not “sounding right”:

Finding five distinct voices and five distinct voice actors who truly care about their craft and our characters seemed like an impossible task, but we’ve accomplished it. I look forward to introducing them to you in the following months. It truly is impossible, however, for us to find voices that are going to match what everyone has in their heads. That simply can’t happen. We’ve known these characters for 10 years, our voice talent is meeting them for the first time. I know these may not be the voices you’ve had in your heads all these years, but I promise you they’ll be the voices you come to know.

Much more info, including how to subscribe, in the link.