Were you in New York City at Comic Con last weekend? I often wish I could be a fly on the wall at one of these things, just once. I imagine it to be a very special kind of nerd nirvana, and suspect that they have good snacks. Anyway.

ToonZone put up excellent coverage of the Avatar panel a few days ago, but just yesterday they added an in-depth interview with Avatar creators Bryan Konietzko and Mike DiMartino.

I’m not going to bore you with a lot of excerpts; if you’re an Avatar fan, you’re going to want to read the whole thing (probably several times). But seeing as how we were just discussing the live-action movie last week, I did want to draw your attention to this little tidbit buried at the end of the interview:

TZN: You said you have two weeks to finish off season 3. Do you know what’s next for you guys?

KONIETZKO: The one thing we weren’t joking about is that we really are helping on the movie quite a bit. Night has been very collaborative from the get-go, from the first time we ever met him. Very respectful of the project and of us. So we’re helping out a lot on that.

That should, at least, lay to rest any fears that collaboration on the project is somehow lacking or that the vision for the movie is far afield of what we fans have grown to know and love about Avatar.

(And I may not have made it to Comic Con, but I’ll admit to more than a little fangirl glee when reading all about how Bryan Konietzko hadn’t want Toph to be a girl but now she’s one of his favorite characters. Toph rocks!)

It’s been well over a year since I first reported that Avatar: The Last Airbender was slated to become a live-action film, and speculation about the project has been running rampant. I know it’s Hollywood’s way to give us a smidgen of information and then leave us to stew for… well… sometimes years on end, but back then all we knew was that M. Night Shyamalan would be directing, and also that James Cameron had a similarly-named project in the works.

This week we finally got the answers to a few of those burning questions about the much-anticipated cinema event. The news is that we’ll have to keep waiting:

Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies will release M. Night Shyamalan’s live-action bigscreen adaptation of the popular animated TV series “Avatar: The Last Airbender” on July 2, 2010.

I’m all for being forewarned, and all, but seriously? This movie was announced three and a half years before it would come to fruition. That’s… craziness. In three and a half years I’ll have a teenager. In three and a half years the Avatar saga might be complete. In three and a half years the cartoon might not even be on the air anymore. (Hey, I hope it will be, but you never do know with these things.) That just seems like… a long time.

As for the name issue, well, that’s been resolved as well:

Studio has dropped “Avatar” from the title of the action-adventure so as to avoid confusion with James Cameron’s 3-D epic “Avatar,” which 20th Century Fox opens Dec. 18, 2009.

To me, this was the best possible news. I actually think The Last Airbender is a great title, and more evocative of the story than the inclusion of the term “Avatar.” Even without Cameron’s project, I just think that word has a lot of pre-conceived ideas attached to it for those who don’t know the storyline.

Now I guess I’ll go mark my calendar for July of 2010, but I may need a few things to keep me busy in the meantime….

Yes, this past Saturday was the Kids’ Choice Awards on Nickelodeon, and they were notable because Hannah Montana’s Miley Cyrus walked away with both favorite actress in a TV show and favorite female singer.

Or maybe it was because Harrison Ford got slimed. Personally, I think that was more interesting news, but then again, I’ve had a crush on Indiana Jones longer than Miley Cyrus has been alive….

(I cannot believe I just admitted that. Hi, I’m the Toy Box Mommy, and I am extremely old!)

Some were surprised that Cyrus didn’t take three awards, but Drake & Josh managed to edge out Hannah Montana for favorite show. Hey, she got two awards and she has two hands, so unless she was planning on juggling them, I think it worked out okay. (Also, judging by all of the products in the Hannah Montana Store here, I don’t really think she’s hurting for popularity. Just sayin’.)

My other favorite winner, of course, was the dubbing of Avatar: The Last Airbender as Favorite Cartoon. You know I love Avatar; where else can you get such an involved story embedded in fabulous animation along with humor and entertainment that works for almost all ages? Aside from the little orange Nickelodeon blimp statue thingie they get, I’m pleased that Avatar was recognized for the awesome show that it is. (But I am not going to say that too loudly, because there is a long history of cartoons I love being canceled. Let’s pretend I’m whispering.)

Congratulations to all of the winners, of course, and I would like to respectfully suggest that we work the sliming of guests into the next Academy Awards show, as well. It certainly livened things up a bit.

Next week, I’ll be baking pies and mashing potatoes and thinking of how thankful I am for my family, my friends, my health, and all the other good things in my life. I’ll give my children extra hugs and kisses and try to remember to be this thankful all the time, not just around Thanksgiving.

My daughter will be thankful for sweet potatoes, and probably for extra whipped cream. My son will be thankful only that there is just one week (after the holiday) left to wait until the premiere of the Avatar: The Last Airbender one-hour movie, Day of the Black Sun.

The epic third season of the series from creators Mike DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko continues as Aang and his rag-tag crew launch their massive attack on the Fire Nation during the solar eclipse. This special television event features the guest voices of Avatar fan and tennis pro Serena Williams as Ming (Uncle Iroh’s guard) and WWE wrestler Mick Foley as The Boulder.

In “Day of Black Sun,” Aang’s army is unlike any force seen before, with fleets of Waterbenders and a battalion of Earthbenders (including The Boulder, one of the best-known fighters) working together to pull off one of the most bizarre and ingenious invasion plans ever imagined. With Sokka, Katara and Toph at his side, Aang is determined to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar. He and the gang hunt down the evil Fire Lord for the ultimate showdown while the solar eclipse temporarily hinders the Fire Nation’s powers. But the question remains; is the Fire Lord ready for Aang?

Ooooooh. And if that doesn’t get your heart pumping, just a little, check out this:

You know, every time I think that Avatar just cannot possibly sustain the suspense and energy its had for much longer, they come up with something else that tops whatever they’ve done so far. I don’t know how they do it.

Stay tuned for Nickelodeon’s dedicated website to contain special features, too. It looks like it’ll be launching this coming Monday. Just in case you need something to do while you wait.

Other than peeling potatoes or eating pie, that is.

Season 3 of Avatar: The Last Airbender kicked off last Friday night, and the fan boards are buzzing. It was a long summer to wait for new episodes, after all… even if Aang hadn’t woken up with a headful of hair.

(Sorry. I’m still having trouble getting over that. Just look at him! It’s freaky!)

Anyway, if you managed to mis it, you can watch The Awakening in its entirety online over at TurboNick. (This is the part where we all give a cheer for Nickelodeon for putting the episode online, because that was a very cool thing to do.) And you will want to watch the episode before reading any of the online buzz about it, because I’ve been unable to find any discussion that doesn’t contain a whole lot of spoilers.

Over at ToonZone, reviewer Ed Liu says the season is off to a rough start:

At best, a new viewer attempting to enter the Avatar world with this episode will be slightly lost. Even the fans who have been rabidly anticipating the new season since the surprising events that ended the last one will feel a mixture of excitement and disappointment with the premiere. The excitement comes from the prospect of seeing the story to its end and the tantalizing hints at what might be coming next, but the disappointment will be because this episode feels like an extended setup for the rest of the season. It’s a half-hour that goes by all too quickly and with too little movement to be truly satisfying on its own merits.

(C’mon, Ed, tell us what you really think.)

This assessment feels like a bit of a letdown if you read last week’s USA Today article about how Avatar is Nickelodeon’s next big thing:

“This is a franchise on the rise,” says Scott Klein, senior global brand manager. “We’d love to be putting out games all the way through the feature film release.”

Now, the network is developing branded rides at Paramount and Universal theme parks and a roller coaster ride at Minneapolis’ Mall of America, which will have the first Nickelodeon theme park next year.

“The movies will kick the business into high gear,” Zarghami says. “That will send people back to the network for more in the animated series. The movies will be released on home video and go into another movie. And hopefully, when I’m replaced 10 years from now, somebody will be making Avatar 10.”

I believe that, too. Even if only because my son’s only reaction to last week’s premiere episode was a satisfied sigh and “When’s the next one on?”

Perhaps you know this scenario all too well: There is a boy—perhaps a small boy—who lives in your house and loves Avatar: The Last Airbender. Perhaps you have several (ten) episodes of the show saved to the recording device of your choice. And perhaps after each episode is viewed you try to delete it from said recording device, but the boy in question goes into paroxysms of agony when you suggest such a thing, because, “Moooooooom! There aren’t any new ones! I need these!”

This is purely hypothetical, of course. Ahem.

Anyway, if you happen to identify with my completely made-up situation, here, you will be thrilled to learn that Avatar’s third season is just two weeks away:

The Avatar finally awakens after his life-threatening battle at Ba Sing Se to find that he has a full head of hair and a burning desire to finally defeat the Firelord. The epic third season of Nickelodeon’s hit series from creator’s Mike DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, Avatar: The Last Airbender, will premiere Friday, September 21 at 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT). In support of this premiere, Nicktoons Networks will air mini marathons of Avatar seasons one and two from Monday, September 17 at 2:00 p.m. (ET) through Thursday, September 20. New episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender will continue to premiere with new episodes in its regular timeslot on Fridays at 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.

Oh, thank goodness. I need that room on the DVR for the new season of Grey’s Anatomy. Er, I mean, it’s exciting that we’re finally going to get to see what comes next. Although… a full head of hair? Check out that picture—I sort of miss him being bald.

In the season three premiere of Avatar, “The Awakening,” Aang wakes up to find himself aboard a captured Fire Nation ship after sustaining serious injuries at the end of season two. Katara, Sokka, and their father are with him and they recount the events that led the four to the ship and how they plan to attack the Fire Nation. Aang struggles to fight his own instincts to face the Firelord before he is ready, but ultimately accepts that he needs time to heal and regain his strength. Meanwhile, Zuko is dealing with his own issues as he journeys home for first time in three years, fearing his father will reject him once again.

In all seriousness, I may be a little more pumped about this season than I’m willing to admit in adult company. I love the Zuko storyline; it’s sort of like a little soap opera inside the overall Avatar story. I may have managed to wean myself off the show for the summer, but the new season is going to rein me right back in again. Much to my son’s delight.

You may have noticed that the Avatar Store at Ty’s Toy Box has had a face-lift, too. Just in case you need to pick up a little something-something to celebrate the new season. You’re welcome.

I always thought that the Emmys weren’t announced until all the famous people put on their slinky dresses and got made fun of by Joan Rivers, but it turns out that some awards are announced prior to the televised event. Imagine! I mean, it’s almost like how many thousands of dollars of jewelry people can borrow is not actually the point. I was surprised, too.

Anyway, I am a bit behind, but last week the winners of the individual achievement in animation Emmys were announced, and Cartoon Network took plenty of the honors.

(Oh, by the way, the article also enlightened me as to the timing: “Because the awards are juried categories, there are no nominations; the categories might have one, more than one or no winners each year. There were no Emmys awarded in the voice-over performance juried area this year.”)

Check out the list of Cartoon Network honorees:

– Sue Mondt, art director for Cartoon Network’s “Camp Lazlo,” episode “Squirrel Secrets,” from Cartoon Network Studios;

– Dave Dunnet, background key designer for Cartoon Network’s “Good Wilt Hunting” (”Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends”), from Cartoon Network Studios;

– Narina Sokolova, background painter for Cartoon Network’s “My Gym Partner’s A Monkey,” episode “The Big Field Trip,” from Cartoon Network Studios;

– David Colman, character designer for Cartoon Network’s “Class of 3000,” episode “Eddie’s Money,” from Cartoon Network Studios;

– Phil Rynda, character designer for Cartoon Network’s “Billy & Mandy’s Big Boogey Adventure” (”The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy”), from Cartoon Network Studios

Other notables include Sang-Jin Kim, an animator on Avatar: The Last Airbender (okay, that one’s with Nickelodeon, but you can’t fault a gal for being pleased at Avatar getting some recognition), and Cartoon Network animators Sihanouk Mariona and Thomas Smith pulling down awards for projects with ShadowMachine films.

On a related-but-not-really note, I keep forgetting to mention that Ben 10: Secret of the Omnitrix (the recent hour-long animated movie) dominated the ratings for boys ages 6-11 on its premiere night (Friday, August 10th). I wasn’t all that surprised, but the press release I received about it used lots of exclamation points and a large font, so I guess it’s even more exciting than I thought.

Clearly, Cartoon Network is on a roll. Congrats to the Emmy winners, and let’s see what you come up with next!

(Pictured to the side, there: He-Man. If it goes live action, can you really picture him being played by anyone other than Arnold Schwarzenegger??)

It’s been said that there’s a finite number of plots, and all stories are merely different retellings of those basic premises. Wait a minute; I’m getting the feeling I’ve talked about this before. Oh, that’s right, I have! But we’re going to talk about it again, because shockingly, Hollywood continues to insist upon recycling material.

What? Erm, I mean, Hollywood continues to innovate the movie industry with its daring use of, um, storyline recycling. Yes, that’s it.

From IGN we have a decent rundown of upcoming cartoons-turned-live-action movie projects currently underway, and to say that even they have mixed feelings would be an understatement:

Hollywood has been busy mining TV animation for more potential live-action feature film adaptations. This trend of turning cartoons into live-action films is nothing new, of course, but it’s been a crapshoot so far. For every hit like Scooby-Doo or The Flintstones there’s been a Josie and the Pussycats, Fat Albert or Aeon Flux. Remember Dudley Do-Right, Mr. Magoo, George of the Jungle, Casper and Inspector Gadget? Did you want to?! No, you did not!

(Awwww, come on. I sort of enjoyed Matthew Broderick as Inspector Gadget.)

Their list starts out with Alvin and the Chipmunks and Avatar: The Last Airbender, both of which we’ve discussed before. (In fact, I was hoping for some new Avatar news, but no such luck.)

Then they veer off into (to me) unknown territory. A project based on G.I. Joe?

The largest roadblock (no pun intended) facing the project is the challenge of bringing the characters and premise to the screen without seeming ridiculous, as well as the fact that America’s wars overseas might make a movie about the U.S. military unappealing to international audiences.

Gee… ya think?

Other titles include He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, The Jetsons, Johnny Bravo (really?? isn’t the cartoon annoying enough?), Jonny Quest, Neon Genesis Evangelion (who?), Speed Racer, Star Blazers, Thundercats, Voltron, and—of course—Transformers 2.

That seems like plenty to keep Hollywood busy, no? They shouldn’t have to come up with an original storyline until well into 2017 or so, at this rate….

Yesterday marked the announcement of this year’s prime-time Emmy nominees, and so this seems like a good time to confess that I’m a total awards show junkie. Can’t get enough of ‘em. I mean, there are always shows I love which are overlooked by the awards committee(s), but sometimes the right show is recognized and there’s nothing quite like seeing something you really enjoy being recognized for the hard work that goes into it.

(The fact that you can also see a bunch of expensive dresses, outrageous hairdos, and funny commercials doesn’t hurt, either.)

Anyway, Animated News was on the scene immediately with the list of animation nominees.

Outstanding Animated Program (Programming Less Than One Hour)
•Avatar: The Last Airbender - “City Of Walls And Secrets” (Nickelodeon Animation Studio)
•Robot Chicken - “Lust For Puppets” (ShadowMachine Films)
•South Park - “Make Love, Not Warcraft” (Central Productions)
•SpongeBob SquarePants - “Bummer Vacation / Wig Struck” (Nickelodeon Animation Studio with United Plankton Pictures, Inc.)
•The Simpsons - “The Haw-Hawed Couple” (Gracie Films with 20th Century Fox)

My take: I think Avatar deserves to win, but I don’t know that it will. There’s been a lot of buzz about Robot Chicken, and with the Simpsons movie about to come out—despite the series having been around forever—people are sort of rediscovering it. So I just don’t know.

Outstanding Animated Program (Programming One Hour Or More)
•Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends - “Good Wilt Hunting” (Cartoon Network Studios)
•Hellboy Animated: Sword Of Storms (Starz Media with Revolution Studios)
•Secrets Of The Deep (Impossible Pictures with Discovery Channel)
•Camp Lazlo - “Where’s Lazlo?” (Cartoon Network Studios)

My take: If Foster’s doesn’t win this one, my faith in a just deity will be shaken. I know I went into that one already loving Foster’s, but Good Wilt Hunting was even better than I expected it to be. To me, it’s the clear front-runner. But I don’t get to vote. (Which is a travesty in and of itself. Clearly.)

The 2007 Emmy Awards Show will air this year on Sunday, September 16th at 8:00 PM. Mark your calendars and get ready to make fun of famous people. (Oops. Did I say that last part out loud? My bad.)

If you’re a fan of Avatar, you’re probably already following the Avatar Spirit site for all of the latest news. But just in case you forgot to check it out recently, I’m here to help. Because I care. (And because it makes my obsession with all things Avatar seem like something work-related instead of just me being overly invested in a cartoon.)

Anyway. There’s a few things I want to draw your attention to.

First of all, Avatar Spirit is holding their Spring Avatar Haiku Contest. Who doesn’t like to ‘ku? No one fun, that’s who. 17 measly syllables can get you one of two fabulous prizes, so check it out.

Second, seems like folks have a lot to say about the upcoming Avatar live-action movie, and opinions vary, but now we have it from the horse’s mouth: The creators of Avatar couldn’t be more excited about the film. Though Bryan Konietzko’s comment about getting to hang out with Momo for real did worry me just a little.

Last—but not least—there’s bit of news about season 3 that might pique your interest. In addition to specific plot hints, I loved this bit:

The creators intended Avatar to be both whimsical and edgy. “Bryan and I wanted to create a show that had a lot of heart and integrity, and we wanted to create a show that we would like to watch,” DiMartino said. “Like Aang trying to balance the four elements, we try to balance comedy, action, drama and spirituality in every episode so there is something for everyone. Also, there is a message of balance that is pervasive throughout the series: characters trying to balance their lives.”

See? That sounds very much like entertainment intended for grown-ups like me, rather than just kids. My infatuation is totally justifiable. Stop looking at me like that.