Question: The animated star of Hot Cross Bunny was originally created in what year?

Context paragraphs:
Risk Revival: Risk Revival is the second album released by Hot Cross on Equal Vision, released on February 20, 2007.  This is their first full-length after the departure of guitarist Josh Jakubowski.

Hot cross bun: A hot cross bun is a spiced sweet bun made with currants or raisins, marked with a cross on the top, and traditionally eaten on Good Friday in the British Isles, Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and some parts of America.  The buns mark the end of Lent and different parts of the hot cross bun have a certain meaning, including the cross representing the crucifixion of Jesus, and the spices inside signifying the spices used to embalm him at his burial.  They are now available all year round in some places.  Hot cross buns may go on sale in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand as early as New Year's Day or after Christmas.

Hot Cross: Hot Cross was a post-hardcore band from Philadelphia.  They were signed to Hope Division Records / Equal Vision Records.  The band was composed of former members of such bands as Saetia (vocalist Billy Werner and drummer Greg Drudy, who was also a founding member and the original drummer of post-punkers Interpol), Off Minor (bassist/guitarist Matt Smith), You and I (guitarist Casey Boland), Neil Perry, The Now and Joshua Fit For Battle (bassist/guitarist Josh Jakubowski).  Their songs are composed of intricate (and in the beginning of their career, dueling) guitars heavily influenced by Drive Like Jehu.

Robotic Empire: Robotic Empire is an American record label based out of Richmond, Virginia.  They specialize in hardcore punk, heavy metal, and alternative rock.  Some of the most popular bands signed to the label over the years have been pg.99, City of Caterpillar, Crowpath, The Red Chord, Circle Takes the Square, Cursive, Versoma, Daughters, Isis, Kayo Dot, Cave In, Red Sparowes, Torche and Hot Cross.  Robotic Empire was originally known as Robodog Records for their first 14 releases.

Hot Cross Buns: "Hot Cross Buns" is an English language nursery rhyme, Easter song, and street cry referring to the spiced English bun known as a hot cross bun, which is associated with the end of Lent and is eaten on Good Friday in various countries.  It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 13029.

Billy Werner: Billy Werner is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and DJ.  He is best known as the lead vocalist of the post-hardcore bands Saetia and Hot Cross.

N'Heures Souris Rames: N'Heures Souris Rames ("Nursery Rhymes") is a book of homophonic translations from English to French, published in 1980 by Ormonde de Kay.  It contains some forty nursery rhymes, among which are "Coucou doux de Ledoux (Cock-A-Doodle-Doo)", "Signe, garçon.  Neuf Sikhs se pansent (Sing a Song of Sixpence)" and "Hâte, carrosse bonzes (Hot Cross Buns)".

Hot Cross Bunny: Hot Cross Bunny is a 1948 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies theatrical animated short, starring Bugs Bunny.  The title is a play on the nursery rhyme "Hot Cross Buns" as well as a punny allusion to the basic plot premise.

Bugs Bunny: Bugs Bunny is an animated cartoon character; created in 1940 by Leon Schlesinger Productions (later Warner Bros.  Cartoons) and voiced originally by Mel Blanc.  Bugs is best known for his starring roles in the "Looney Tunes" and "Merrie Melodies" series of animated short films, produced by Warner Bros. During the golden age of American animation, his popularity increased.  This era led to his becoming an American cultural icon and the official mascot of Warner Bros.  Entertainment.

Not cross bun: A not cross bun is a variation on the hot cross bun.  It uses the same ingredients but does not have a cross, rather some other type of piped decoration.  The not cross bun was first sold commercially in 2013 by an Australian bakery, Sonoma Baking Company.  Since this time Not Cross Buns are now made by many other bakeries across Australia

Supporting paragraphs: Hot Cross Bunny Bugs Bunny
Answer: 1940