To celebrate Navratri, the famous duo Motu & Paltu from Nickelodeon India's hit animated series Motu Patlu travelled from their village of Furfurinagar to the city of Pune in the western Indian state of Maharashtra! During their visit, the Nicktoon pair attended to one of the best Dandiya parties in town – Gaba Land in Royal Palms Koregaon Park, and took over the whole crowd by frenzy. From enthralling kids with gifts to playing garba, this pair of best friends did it all to make this event an unforgettable one. They also gave the five best dancers of the night some amazing Nickelodeon Hampers! Check out the awesome pics below!
Navaratri, also spelled Navratri or Navarathri, is a nine nights Hindu festival, celebrated in the Tamil month of Purattasi every year. During Navaratri, the Goddess Durga is worshipped. It is celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian subcontinent. There are two seasonal Navaratri in a year. More information about Navaratri is available on Wikipedia.
The past decade has treated fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Nickelodeon’s iconic animated series, kindly. Since the show’s finale aired in 2008, a well-received sequel series, Legend of Korra, has been released and recently, a live-action retelling of the original series was announced for Netflix. Also helping keep Avatar fans satisfied is publisher Dark Horse Comics, which has released a number of graphic novels that continue the stories of Avatars Aang and Korra.
At this year’s New York Comic Con, The Beat sat down with artist Peter Wartman, who’s working with writer Faith Erin Hicks to bring to life one of the next tales in the Avatar universe. Together, they’re crafting Avatar: The Last Airbender — Imbalance, a three part story that focuses on Avatar Aang and his friends.
According to the official Avatar: The Last Airbender — Imbalance Part One synopsis released by Dark Horse, the first graphic novel follows Team Avatar visiting a town where there’s a conflict between benders and non-benders.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Aaron Halls: Can you talk about your relationship with Avatar: The Last Airbender prior to working on this series?
Peter Wartman: It was a show I watched in college, basically. It was sort of like — it showed me you could tell deeper stories in kind of this style. I hadn’t really been into anime or anything like that, but this show sort of was like a gateway to that kind of thing. It made me more interested in telling stories like that, and also stylistically it was a big influence. It was a big thing to me in a lot of ways, I guess.
Halls: Was there a particular episode that made you go “Oh, ok!”?
Wartman: There was that early episode called “The Blue Spirit.” That’s when it really went from being just a pretty good Nickelodeon show to being like ‘Oh, they’re going somewhere with this.’
“The Blind Bandit,” after that, was another level up [moment] and there was one more episode — the one with Hama– I can’t remember the name of the episode [“The Puppetmaster”], but it was that creepy ghost story. It’s still one of my favorite episodes of TV even though I can’t remember the name of it. This show was a huge thing to me.
Halls: What do you think it is about the Avatar universe that allows it to successfully connect with so many fans– not just on a screen, but also on the pages of a comic?
Wartman: I think Avatar really benefits from having these great characters. I think that’s the main thing that really makes it work, [characters] who all have these interesting dynamics with each other. They can be kind of goofy sometimes; they can be just playing around and being kids, but they all have a past that’s a little more serious and there’s a curve of this wider dialogue about war and how that changes things.
This show manages to at once be silly and fun and also meaningful. I’m not sure how much that is due to the world building as opposed to just good writing, but everything seems to works together to create this better whole; even the elemental stuff can push those metaphors too. Aang has to overcome his fear of fire after he burns Katara — that has a resonance with his need to pay more attention. Stuff like that really makes this show so strong; [and] Zuko’s arc is just one of the best redemption arcs.
Halls: Can you tell me a little bit about what it’s like working with writer Faith Erin Hicks?
Wartman: Yeah, Faith is great. Because she’s also an artist, the scripts she gives me are written with the visuals in mind. She gives me a lot of places to play with character emotions and really think about how I want to pace things — she never gives me too much to do in a panel. I think her ideas’ about the politics of this world and how this city is changing things and how Aang has to change; all these characters have to change, and deal with problems they don’t necessarily see. I’m really excited about where it’s going.
I can’t give too many spoilers away, but I think we’re both on the same wavelength about trying to keep in mind all those things I said about how this show has this hidden depth under its fun exterior. I think she’s doing a great job of really digging into that and understanding the characters.
Aang character designs by Wartman
Halls: You’re also working with original [Avatar: The Last Airbender] series creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko on this comic. How exciting is that?
Wartman: It’s crazy. It’s really crazy getting notes on my art from Bryan — like really good, really detailed, ‘Here’s how you should be doing it.’ I learned so much from it. [It’s] really intimidating too because you have to get the kung fu right because he’ll notice. I think that makes it so much stronger if you have someone who really cares about us and they definitely do. [They’re] willing to make sure that you’re treating it correctly.
So it’s been hard, but in a really good way, knowing that the people I’m making this for care about it as much, or more, than I do which is nice. It’s fulfilling maybe? It’s great. It’s fun.
Halls: The Avatar world is extremely imaginative— you’ve got animal hybrids, spirits, benders— all that stuff. Creatively speaking as an artist, was this an exciting universe to be able to jump into?
Wartman: Yeah, it’s interesting. There’s a lot of that but because it draws so heavily upon the real world, all these different Asian cultures, I spent a lot of time trying to make sure that I’m researching those things. The show’s already done a lot of the heavy work. I have this amazing book of all the concept arts, that came out a long time ago, but it shows their process and has all of the different nations, buildings, and stuff.
I’m referencing that a lot, but I’m also referencing a lot of photos, and trying to make sure that everything we do is grounded. So even though the world is kind of crazy, like you said, it also owes a lot to the real world; I actually have to do a lot of research to make sure that all works.
Halls: I know you talked about this at the [Dark Horse] panel a little bit, but you have your own Avatar-ish young adult [comic] series with Over the Wall and Stonebreaker. Do you feel like working on these helped you prep for working on Avatar?
Wartman: I think so. I mean, it definitely taught me how to tell a story visually, which is super important when you’re trying to do 72 page books in this short period of time; you have to know what you’re doing, so in that sense it taught me a lot. I think also my style sort of looks a lot like the show so that helps me I guess. It was definitely a necessary step for me to do this — to really figure out how to write and draw and all of that.
Halls: In working on a web comic [with a project like Stonebreaker], compared to working with a publisher now, was there any hurtles or anything like that?
Wartman: To switching to working for the publisher?
Halls: Yeah.
Wartman: Working with Faith’s the first time I haven’t also been the writer of my own work, so that was a big shift, but mostly I haven’t found it to be too hard. It’s a very different thing to interpret someone else’s words. It’s a very different thing to have to send your images in and have them get critiqued. Everything has been very positive, where it’s never been something I’ve disagreed with, it’s always been about making it better. It’s been also fun to learn how to collaborate instead of just [doing] everything yourself. It can lead to different places and lead to characters having different interactions then you necessarily would have considered — it’s better that way. So yeah, I’ve enjoyed it.
Halls: I know you talked in the panel about your favorite characters to draw, but can you talk about why artistically you like drawing them? I think you said Toph —
Wartman: Toph is fun. All the main characters are very distinct shapes and their designs are great. It’s really fun to draw Sokka because he’s so noodly. Toph is fun because she’s very solid; even the way her hair is always covering her eyes kind of giving her that, maybe not even like mysterious, but mischievous kind of thing.
Every character gives you different things to play with. Katara is very thoughtful, and that’s a different kind of body stance. Aang is a bit more playful, but he can also be thoughtful. It’s fun to always have these different ways you can draw expression.
Katara character designs by Wartman
Halls: Just to wrap everything up — why should fans, both old and new to the series, be pumped for Imbalance?
Wartman: I think Faith has written a really interesting story that is going to be really exciting. It’s bringing the original series a little closer to Korra — showing some of that connection. I think it still has [those] serious undertones while still being pretty funny at times. I hope I’ve done a pretty good job with showing the city, and putting a lot of time into that, and making the fighting look cool. I hope that will make it an exciting thing to see and live up to the show.
Avatar: The Last Airbender-Imbalance Part One is scheduled for release on December 18, 2018 with its second part scheduled for April 16, 2019. The third part’s release date has yet to be announced by Dark Horse Comics.
All great things must come to an end sometime, and unfortunately, The Thundermans is no exception. Nickelodeon UK & Ireland will premiere the bittersweet hour-long series finale of The Thundermans, "The Thunder Games" on Friday 2nd November 2018 at 5:00pm.
In the epic must-see The Thundermans series finale "The Thunder Games", Max and Phoebe advance to the final tryout for a spot on an elite Z-Force superhero squad, but a new supervillain with a surprise connection to the Thunderman family may force them to sacrifice their crime fighting dream in order to save the people they care about!
Following the The Thundermans, fans can catch all the SLIME, MUSIC and MAYHEM from Nickelodeon SLIMEFEST UK 2018, which, hosted by Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely, features performances from Busted, M.O., Becky Hill, Union J (With DJ Ironik), Diversity, Jonas Blue, HRVY, JoJo Siwa and Max and Harvey, plus a very special appearance from The Thundermans star Kira Kosarin at 6:00pm!
Following their premieres, Nick UK & Eire will encore the series finale of The Thundermans and SLIMEFEST 2018 the same evening from 7:30pm, as part of Nick@Nite.
Network Rail partners with Thomas the Tank Engine to teach children railway safety
Network Rail, the owner and infrastructure manager of most of the railway network in Great Britain has teamed up with the world’s most famous blue engine and pre-schooler favourite, Thomas the Tank Engine, to help children learn how to be safe when using the railway!
The Stay Safe with Thomas story book sees the mischievous Thomas having fun on the railway over being safe, putting both himself and his friends in harm’s way. He learns valuable lessons on the dangers of not stopping at a level crossing when the red light shows, leaving gates open to allow animals on to the tracks and when people stand too close to the edge of a platform.
This is the first time a Thomas and Friends book has covered a rail safety theme.
Network Rail, along with British Transport Police, hopes the story book will encourage parents to discuss rail safety with their young children, in the same manner that they teach them about other dangers they may encounter when out and about.
“The railway is full of both obvious and hidden dangers” said Allan Spence, head of public and passenger safety at Network Rail. “By offering parents an engaging and fun way to talk to their children at a young age about safety on the railway, we hope children will grow up knowing the dangers and keep themselves and their friends safe.”
The launch of the story book comes off the back of the ‘You vs Train’ campaign, ran by the rail industry and the British Transport Police (BTP), which targeted older children and teenagers to warn them of the dangers of the railway and that it isn’t a playground.
In the last five years, the number of young people taking risks on the railway has gone up by almost 80 per cent, according to National Fusion Unit data from June 2018.
Superintendent Susan Peters said: “We are delighted to be collaborating on this initiative, our focus is keeping people safe and working with such a well-known children’s television character is exciting. This Thomas the Tank engine story book gives us an engaging and accessible way to ensure essential safety messaging is reaching young children. Although BTP runs activity through the year to educate the public of the seen and unseen dangers in and around the railway tracks, we hope that being able discuss this subject through the use of these books will make our safety messages go further.”
Senior Regional Licensing Manager, Publishing at Mattel Consumer Products, Maribel Le Gelebart, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Network Rail on the launch of the Stay Safe with Thomas storybook. Thomas & FriendsTM has been teaching life lessons for over 70 years through storybooks as well as its exciting content and product ranges. So, it was a natural fit to collaborate on a rail safety storybook which leverages and reinforces the brands’ key values of friendship, teamwork and safety.”
Network Rail and the British Transport Police (BTP) are distributing copies of the book to local libraries, nurseries and doctors’ surgeries across the country. A free, electronic version of the book will be available to download from mid-October 2018.
To download your free copy of the Thomas & Friends: Stay Safe with Thomas eBook please visit: www.networkrail.co.uk/thomas (available in English and Welsh editions and iTunes and PDF formats).
Thomas the Tank Engine™ was created over 70 years ago, by a British clergyman, the Rev W Awdry, as a storybook for his son. That story quickly grew to become the award-winning #1 preschool train brand franchise it is today, enjoyed by families in more than 160 territories and over 55 languages across multiple touch-points and formats, including: 500+ original TV shows; 12 feature-length films; selling 1 engine every second; apps; toys; consumer products; publishing; live attractions and much more. Thomas & Friends is viewable on more than 30 world-class broadcasters including Nick Jr. in the US, Super RTL in Germany, and on Five's Milkshake! in the UK.
To better portray diversity, Thomas & Friends has received an update for its 26 x 11-minute 22nd season. Entitled Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures!, the new season takes Thomas beyond the fictional Island of Sodor for the first time. The major refresh sees the iconic blue engine Thomas travelling farther than ever before, taking kids on a journey of wonder and curiosity as he adventures around the world to discover and learn about new countries and cultures. The show has a more contemporary feel, a brand-new theme tune and a refreshed Steam Team to include three girls and three boy engines, and Thomas, ensuring gender equality across the show, increasing global appeal for preschool viewers. This all-new format series features faster-paced action, increased humour, new music, new international friends, animals and exciting fantasy elements. Thomas & Friends season 22, "Big World! Big Adventures!" is airing now on Milkshake! in the UK (which has seen a 40% growth in viewers) and on Nickelodeon USA, and is now rolling out across the globe.
Thomas & Friends can also be viewed across digital platforms including Hulu, iTunes, YouTube and more. On YouTube, the Thomas & Friends channel has had over 1.16 billion lifetime views, over 909k subscribers and 2.6MM engagements. For more information about the world of Thomas & Friends, please visit: www.thomasandfriends.com and on Facebook.
GameMill Entertainment today announced that Nickelodeon Kart Racers has gone gold and is now in manufacturing! The video game will launch in the US on October 23 and on October 26 in EMEA for £29.99/€39.99 for PlayStation®4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch™ and is available now for pre-order. The game is rated E for Everyone in North America and PEGI 3 in the UK and Europe.
“The anticipation for Nickelodeon Kart Racers has been amazing,” said Mark Meadows, Partner of GameMill Entertainment. “Bringing so many different characters together in one game has been fun and challenging. We are overjoyed to see how excited people are and we can’t wait for players of all ages to join The Slime Grand Prix!”
Nickelodeon Kart Racers is a multi-player console racing game that features iconic Nickelodeon animated characters from SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Rugrats, Hey Arnold! and more as they race on 24 different Slime-themed tracks. Players can compete as their favorite Nick character in four-player local multiplayer or battle mode to win cups and Kart upgrades; all while getting Slimed!
Key features of the all-new game include:
- Choose a racer from 12 of the most iconic characters: SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Hey Arnold!, Rugrats and MORE!!!
- Race on 24 different Slimed-filled tracks including Bikini Bottom, NYC sewers, Tommy Pickle's house, Arnold's school and more!
- Awesome Co-Op and Local Multi-Player for non-stop action the entire family will love!
- Customizable Karts with multiple power-ups and special attacks!
- Team-based co-op multiplayer, players can perform devastating fused attack for TONS of FUN!
- Slime overload will have you turning you Karts into jet-ski racers!
Watch the latest trailer below and click here to view images showing off the slime-filled tracks!
Update (10/12) - The game’s official Microsoft Store page has revealed that the Xbox One version of the game’s download file size is 733.66 MB. This follows the Nintendo Switch store recently revealing that the Nintendo Switch version of Nickelodeon Kart Racers will be 525 MB.
Nickelodeon Kart Racers will feature 27 in-game achievements worth a total of 1,000 Gamerscore.
Name - Description - Gamerscore
EYES ON ME - Win a victory lap. - 25
BABY THROTTLE - Win your first race. - 25
ANCHORS AWEIGH - Win a Cup in easy mode. - 25
A BABY'S DUTY - Win all Cups in easy mode. - 25
GOING STRONG - Win a Cup in Normal mode. - 25
BOUND FOR GLORY - Win all Cups in Normal mode. - 25
A BABY'S GOTTA DO WHAT A BABY'S GOTTA DO - Use boost for the first time. - 25
DASH AND DESTROY - Break 5 objects in a single race using boost. - 25
JACK OF ALL TRADES - Play as each racer at least once. - 25
ALL-STAR TEAM - Win with all racers. - 25
I'M SO GOOD - Win at the last second in Grand Prix Mode. - 25
SLIMED! - Activate the Slime valve for the first time. - 25
SLIME-MANIA - Activate the Slime in all the locations. - 25
SLIME ATTACK - Take down at least 3 opponents in a single race. - 25
SLIME MY RIDE - Use a custom power up for the first time. - 25
POWERFUL - Use custom power ups for all the racers. - 25
STOOP KID - Beat your record for first time. - 25
TURTLE BROTHERHOOD - Co-operative special attack for the first time. - 25
MAKE PAPA STU PROUD - Modify your kart for the first time. - 25
WARRIOR - Compete in the Arena for the first time. - 25
HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION - Compete 10 times in each Arena mode. - 50
DAS SUBWAY - Find a shortcut. - 50
SLIME RIDER - Put in the miles on the jetski. - 50
GETTING GOOD AT THIS - Win a Cup in Expert mode. - 50
THE BEST AROUND - Win all Cups in Expert mode. - 50
CHAMP - Win 9 victory laps. - 50
MOGUL - Unlock every upgrade in the store. - 200
Nickelodeon Kart Racers is developed by Bamtang, and will be distributed by Maximum Games in the UK and Europe.
The title is rated E for Everyone. View the official trailer on YouTube.
Pre-order Nickelodeon Kart Racers for PlayStation®4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch™ today!
Below is Xbox One's official description for Nickelodeon Kart Racers:
The following is an overview of the game:
Racers to the starting line...it's GO SLIME!
Hit the Slime-filled race tracks with Nickelodeon Kart Racers! Select a racer from one of your favorite Nickelodeon series, including SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy from SpongeBob SquarePants, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Arnold and Helga from Hey Arnold!, & Angelica, Tommy and Reptar from Rugrats. Race your friends in up to 4-player local multiplayer or check out the Battle Arena for a variety of challenges.
Hit the road with racers from some of your favorite Nickelodeon series in a variety of Slime-filled tracks in the ultimate race to win cups and upgrades for your Kart! There's no slowing down there -- shift to the next gear and challenge your friends in split-screen racing and battle modes!
- Race on 24 different Slime-filled tracks, including Bikini Bottom, NYC sewers, Tommy Pickle's house, Arnold's school and more!
- Customizable Karts with multiple power-ups and special attacks
- Awesome Co-Op and Local Multi-Player for non-stop action the entire family will love!!
###
Nickelodeon Kart Racers is distributed by Just For Games and Maximum Games in France.
Based on the hit animated TV series on Nickelodeon, PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue” is coming to Greece as part of it's latest tour, which brings everybody’s favourite pups to the stage for an action-packed, high-energy, musical adventure!
When Mayor Goodway goes missing during the day of the Great Adventure Bay Race, the pups come to the rescue. Join Ryder, Chase, Marshall, Rocky, Rubble, Zuma, Sky and Everest for the show’s first tour in Greece, which will run for seven performances at the Faliro Sports Pavilion Arena in Athens over Friday 26th, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th October 2018!
Update (21/10): Following the PAWSOME response from fans, VStar Entertainment Group, Nickelodeon and TEG Life Like Touring have extended the tour by THREE DAYS, adding a tail-wagging SEVEN EXTRA PERFORMANCES over Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th November 2018! Tickets are available to purchase via Viva.gr!
Featuring a cast of everybody’s favourite PAW Patrol characters and presented by VStar Entertainment Group, Nickelodeon and TEG Life Like Touring, PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue,” shows that “no job is too big, no pup is too small,” and shares lessons for all ages about citizenship, social skills and problem-solving as the characters each use their unique skills and teamwork.
The show includes two acts and an intermission, and engages audiences with Bunraku puppetry, an innovative costuming approach that brings the PAW Patrol characters to life on stage with their vehicles and packs. The dialogue and songs in the show will be presented in Greek.
“Using Bunraku, puppetry elements are built into costumes worn by real actors to create a wonderful combination of life-size pups and to make a stronger connection with the audience. The PAW Patrol cast sings and dances, which brings a fun, realistic parallel between the animated series and the live show,” says Jim Waters, producer, VStar Entertainment Group.
Tasania Parsadh, Channel Director for Nickelodeon in Africa said, “We are delighted that one of our most successful properties from is coming to life to entertain and engage South African kids and families. We hope that kids and their parents get ready to do the ‘Pup Pup Boogie’ with us”.
The performance features up-tempo music and a brand new cleverly written script that is a good introduction to live theatre for kids. Classic theatrical scenery along with a high-tech video wall visually transports families to an authentic PAW Patrol environment, including locations from the TV series, like Adventure Bay, The Lookout, Seal Island, Farmer Yumi's farm and Jake's Mountain.
Special interactive video allows the audience to participate via interviews, solve clues with the Pups, follow Mayor Goodway and much more.
Tickets for all performances are on sale now at Viva.gr. Ticket prices start at 14€. The VIP (Very Important Pup) Package features access to a Meet & Greet photo opportunity with beloved PAW Patrol characters, as well as some PAWsome surprises!
Below is more information about PAW Patrol Live! "Race to the Rescue"'s visit to Greece this Autumn:
Racers to the starting line...it's GO SLIME! Hit the Slime-filled race tracks with Nickelodeon Kart Racers!
- Select a racer from one of your favorite Nickelodeon series, including SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy from SpongeBob SquarePants, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Arnold and Helga from Hey Arnold!, & Angelica, Tommy and Reptar from Rugrats.
- Race your friends in up to 4-player local multiplayer or check out the Battle Arena for a variety of challenges. Hit the road with racers from some of your favorite Nickelodeon series in a variety of Slime-filled tracks in the ultimate race to win cups and upgrades for your Kart!
= There's no slowing down there -- shift to the next gear and challenge your friends in split-screen racing and battle modes!
- Choose from 12 of the most iconic Nickelodeon characters; SpongeBob, TMNT, Hey Arnold!, Rugrats and MORE!!!
- Race on 24 different Slime-filled tracks, including Bikini Bottom, NYC sewers, Tommy Pickle's house, Arnold's school and more!
- Customizable Karts with multiple power-ups and special attacks
- Awesome Co-Op and Local Multi-Player for non-stop action the entire family will love!!
Nickelodeon Kart Racers is available now for the PlayStation®4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch™! Click here for more info!
The turtles got the POWER! 🐢 They just have to learn how to use it. Check out this SHELL-arious FAILS compilation where Nick highlights the best mishaps from the brand-new series, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. And make sure you follow NickALive! for all things Rise of the TMNT!
Why do YOU love Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? Let Nickelodeon know in the comments on YouTube for a chance to be featured in an upcoming video! 🐢
Follow along with Daniella Perkins & Lilimar Hernandez as they make their way through the spookiest haunted house around in Nick’s Haunted House Challenge Pt. 2! Will they be able to clear the creepy living room 💺, the haunted hallway ✋, the ghost gardens 🌾, or the scary statues 👻? Tune in now, and let me know which room was the scariest by dropping the emoji for the creepiest room in the comments below!
A special thanks to the Brighton Asylum.
Would YOU go in a haunted house?! Let me know in the comments below! 🏚️
Do you and your BFF want to slay the Halloween season? Double the trouble with your best bud (or buds!) and rock some Nick-tastic costumes this year. Catch more The Loud House, SpongeBob, Thundermans, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Henry Danger, Fairly OddParents and Knight Squad on Nickelodeon!
What are you dressing up as for Halloween this year?! 👻
Yes, he's the real guy. Butch Hartman created your childhood AKA Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom, TUFF Puppy, and now...the NOOG NETWORK and Bunsen Is a Beast!
