Fans of the DC Nation programming block lit up Twitter this morning after discovering that Cartoon Network has unexpectedly pulled Young Justice and Green Lantern: The Animated Series from the remainder of its October schedule. New episodes had begun airing just two weeks ago.

Green Lantern producer Giancarlo Volpe explained that, "Apparently Cartoon Network preempted it in celebration of their 20th birthday. Their logic, not mine. I am very disappointed. [...] Preempted means they replaced it (hopefully only temporarily) with How to Train Your Dragon."

Volpe was just as surprised by the move as everyone else, writing, "I am hoping they'll be back in two weeks. But nobody knows for sure. "

Disappointed fans also began peppering the DC Nation Facebook page with criticism, with one person suggesting "Cartoon Network executives" in response to a poll question about "your favorite super-villain." The network has yet to release an official statement, but when it does, it may have to explain the decision to this face:



"This is my son's 'where's Green Lantern?' face," Bryan Lindsey wrote in a Twitter message directed at the network.

DC Nation debuted on Cartoon Network in March, anchored by Green Lantern: The Animated Series and Young Justice, and featured well-received animated shorts starring Batman, Teen Titans, Animal Man, Amethyst, Plastic Man and other DC Comics characters. Full-length series Beware the Batman and Teen Titans Go! will join the lineup next year.

UPDATE (1:45 PT): Cartoon Network has announced on Twitter, "Hey #DCNation fans! Have you heard?? DC Nation will return in January with all new episodes!"