Atomic Betty: Defending the Universe and Trying to Find a Home on TV

Posted In | Columns: DrToon

A superhero for our times: Betty as dreamy student by day; Defender of Justice against all evil until bedtime. All images © Atomic Cartoons 2001.

"Intergalactic Rocket Jockey" and "Legendary Defender of the Universe" might not seem like titles one would pin on a small, red-haired moppet from Maple Street, but this sweet little girl is not what she seems. She may spend her time lost in daydreams or the pages of a sci-fi novel, but whenever galactic peace is threatened she answers the call as -- Atomic Betty! Rocketing through the universe in her star cruiser "Blinky," Betty, along with her companions Sparky the Martian and her faithful Robot X-5, fight for justice. Commander-in-Chief Admiral Degill of the Galactic Council must depend on Betty and crew to defend 4556.33 worlds against evil menaces such as Supreme Emperor I-Q of Lynxia -- well, at least until Betty's curfew kicks in...

An Atomic Mission
If young Betty is a dreamer, she follows in the footsteps of her creators. Mauro Casalese, Olaf Miller, Trevor Bentley and Emmy Award-winner Rob Davies spent their formative years working their way through various jobs at Warner, Disney, Nelvana and DIC. Among other projects, the foursome worked up the online series Space Cadets for Studio B Productions. In February of 1999, Casalese, Miller, Bentley and Davies founded Atomic Cartoons in Vancouver, British Columbia, and by mid-2000, Atomic was one of Canada's busiest animation studios, providing services to such prestigious clients as Film Roman, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. and Sunbow Entertainment. In less than a year the young studio turned out pre-production on over 100 hours of TV animation including work on Milo's Great Adventure, Edd, Ed, 'n' Eddy, and Courage the Cowardly Dog. The Atomic team also launched a popular series of Web Cartoons, Dog in a Box With Two Wheels (which initially premiered on the Honkworm entertainment Website). Co-founder Olaf Miller informed Playback magazine (4/5/99) that, "The goal of the shop is to move into the proprietary production arena, developing shows for other studios and developing its own concepts." Here were new worlds -- and galaxies -- to conquer.

The conquest began soon after Atomic Cartoons was established. "The first drawings of Betty were done in mid-2000," recalls co-creator Trevor Bentley. "We were still at our old space when Rob (Davies) and Mauro (Casalese) first came up with the concept to do a show about a little bundle of energy. The concepts for the overall idea behind the show developed quickly. As I remember it, Rob coined the name -- it was a reference to a surfer/mountain biker term for a girl who tears it up. All four of us worked in a developmental capacity on Betty. After the initial style of character was set, Mauro and Rob did the bulk of the character design. Mauro initially sketched out a few designs and Rob threw a few in there as well. Eventually we decided on the basic character we now have."







Comments


This is for ANYONE at Atomic Cartoons who happens to come...

This is for ANYONE at Atomic Cartoons who happens to come across this comment: I am patiently waiting for "ATOMIC BETTY" to return to Cartoon Network U.S., but each passing day convinces me that the executives who are now running that channel are no longer interested in the series. I seriously hope another outlet in the United States can be found before the third season begins this November. One cable network cannot undo five years of hard work and well-earned approval...unless one LETS it happen. Thank you.
Barry Grauman (not verified) | Sun, 05/07/2006 - 23:00

Kevin, I can understand your impatience with those portions...

Kevin, I can understand your impatience with those portions of the stories that deal with Betty's "normal" life in Moose Jaw Heights. But, no matter how derivative you feel her family and friends on earth may be, they're just as important as her galactic acquaintances "out there". Would "The No-L Nine" be as memorable and touching without them? And there certainly wouldn't be any questions about Paloma's mysterious background (much less the existance of Paloma herself) if Betty's adventures were confined to her outer space exploits. Rob, Mauro, Trevor and Olaf decided from the very beginning that there would be conflicts concerning Betty's duties as a Galactic Guardian and her efforts to be just a "kid" at home. It would not be the same if you eliminated the latter framework... As for the 11 minute "time limit" for each adventure, please keep in mind that "ATOMIC BETTY", in most countries, is seen in a 15 minute format (ONE story, plus commercials); therefore, the episodes MUST be tailored for the worldwide audience who watch the shorter edition [this is why "Bracelet Yourself" was presented as 'two episodes', the first half "to be continued.."]. I'm sure Atomic Cartoons would love to create more expanded stories, but the international market for the series dictates otherwise... I hope this is a satisfactory answer for you, Kevin (and others in this forum who might be asking the same questions)...it's nice to know there ARE people who do watch the show and are just as fervent about it as I am! :)
Barry Grauman (not verified) | Mon, 01/09/2006 - 00:00

I really tried to Atomic Betty. the Pilot was fairly...

I really tried to Atomic Betty. the Pilot was fairly inspired, and the Characters and their designs were top notch. But.... The Actual Atomic Betty show is terrible; a generic, homogenized, assembled-by-commitee factory production without a single redeeming qualities (even the character designs in the show proper are worse than the ones in the pitch). I will attempt to list the main faults of the show in order: 1. The show panders to the currently-trendy "Kids with special powers/secret lives save the world" trend, which it does blatantly without doing anything creative or original (Kim Possible and Danny Phantom have the occasinal strokes of creativity, while every single AB episode is uniform and monotonous). We don't need cartoons like Atomic Betty, we need cartoons like Avatar, or Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, which are unlike any other on television. 2. The writing on Atomic Betty is the worst of any cartoon currently on television with the sole possible exception of Drawn Together. Aside from the fact that the episodes are not creative in any way, the scripts are meatless and paint-by-numbers, and are almost completely identical to each other in plotting, timing, execution, etc. The episodes don't show anything like comedy, drama, action (real action, not the generic kind featured on the show) and just plod along in order to reach the 11 minute mark. And that's pathetic for a show that's fairly fast and action-driven. 3. NONE of the supporting characters in the earthbound segments of the show are likeable. We have "wierd" parents who are unsympathetic, generic male classic mate and potential love interest, snotty rich girl, and her "gang" of followers. The aforemntioned character bring down the quality of the show even further, and would be better suited to a really bad episode of the Simpsons or Family Guy. However, The space segements actually have decent supporting characters (Sparky, X-5, Admiral Degill, The Villians) with potential, implying that the show would acutally be watchable and entertaining if it were set entirely in outer space (they could have Betty live with an outer space family or something). However, the shows creators, producers and wiriters, being the boorish and clueless corporate shills they are, would suck the life out of such an idea. There you have it, my professionalish, in-depth analysis on WHY Atomic Betty sucks wind. If The aforementioned problems can be corrected, we MIGHT have a good show, but until then, this is just another facotry cartoon that does nothing for the industry, and doesn't even accomplish it's goal of entertainment. The fact that Cartoon Network doesn't even air Atomic Betty regularly anymore (If you discount reruns in a dead, obscure Saturday Morning timeslot) shows that SOMETING is right with the animation (and entertainment) industry
Kevin MArtinez (not verified) | Mon, 12/26/2005 - 00:00

Monty, you and the entire Atomic crew are to be...

Monty, you and the entire Atomic crew are to be congratulated for such a WONDERFUL Christmas special!! It was everything you hinted at in your previous message...and more!!! This time, Cartoon Network presented it in prime-time [last night, 7:30pm(et/pt)], where it belongs...and I'm not going to spoil anyone's enjoyment with details about it--when it's repeated, I want all of you to be surprised at how GREAT a holiday special can be!!! THIS was "ATOMIC BETTY" at its best!!!!
Barry Grauman (not verified) | Mon, 12/05/2005 - 00:00

Hi Atomic Betty fans! Thanks for the kind words and...

Hi Atomic Betty fans! Thanks for the kind words and inquiries. We are really happy that folks are enjoying our show. We are indeed working on a Christmas special, witha surprise space celebrity providing th evoice of one of the characters (new). Season one DVD's will be out this Fall in time for Christmas. The Betty costumes should be out for halloween too. I'm too big and hairy to wear one, at least in public, but lil' girls will love 'em! As for the theatrical movie...well, could happen...wink, wink. But it's far too early to start letting cats outta bags. Cheerio, Monty
Monty Kruller (not verified) | Tue, 07/26/2005 - 23:00

Yes, it IS true that two volumes of episodes from the first...

Yes, it IS true that two volumes of episodes from the first season of "ATOMIC BETTY" will be released on DVD this October through Warner Home Video, with more scheduled to follow. It would quite impossible to see the second season released on home video this soon because those episodes haven't even been SCHEDULED for broadcast yet! As for a theatrical movie, it's too soon to tell, 'joseph I'--Atomic Cartoons is currently working on the second season and an hour-long Christmas special, and it would take at least two to three years to complete a feature-length movie. With their workload, it may be next to impossible to attempt one at this time. But, who knows?
Barry Grauman (not verified) | Wed, 07/20/2005 - 23:00

ok heres the qustion on my mind is there going to be a movie...

ok heres the qustion on my mind is there going to be a movie on atomic betty. i think it would be a very good idea beacuse the show is one of the most popler tv show in the world and i think it would be preaty cool.
joseph l (not verified) | Sun, 07/17/2005 - 23:00

my name is joseph and i am 19 and yes i love cartoones you...

my name is joseph and i am 19 and yes i love cartoones you are never to old to watch cartoons i was bored out of my mind till i saw the opening theam for atomic beetty so i started to watch it and i absoulity loved the show. the graphics where just spectaicler and the chearter desing was just aswome and i have watched atomic betty ever sicnce it first apperd back in december of 2004 i have seen just about all the epsiods they played on cartoon network accpet one big top betty. this is a qustion for atomic cartoons. i have herd ruoumaers on the net that you are going to realess the first two seasions of atomic betty i was cearious beacuse if it is true i have somthing to waite forif you could send me an email on that that would be so heplful thanks guys. i am still wating for the game to come out in november its been a long wait but i can wait longer.
joseph l (not verified) | Sun, 07/17/2005 - 23:00

Now that the first season of "ATOMIC BETTY" has ended, and...

Now that the first season of "ATOMIC BETTY" has ended, and we're all waiting for season two, I look back on this article (and the follow-up two years after) and marvel at the way everything came together after three years of creating, pitching, hard work and just plain luck {i.e. everything fell into place at the right time}. Messrs Davies, Casalese, Bentley and Miller are to be congratulated for bringing forth such a great (yes, GREAT!) animated series and for making TAJJA ISEN a future superstar [her award for 'Best Voice-Over In An Animated Series' at the Young Artist Awards last month was well deserved!!]. Only one question, however: why did Phil Roman bow out of the project at the same time Kevin Gillis and Ira Levy of Breakthrough Films became Atomic Cartoons' partner in the series? Perhaps Dr. Goodman has an answer....?
Barry Grauman (not verified) | Wed, 06/01/2005 - 23:00

I would have to say that this particular cartoon has caught...

I would have to say that this particular cartoon has caught my attention. Atomic Betty is a great story idea, sure there are some weaknesses in the stories and characters. (Maximus does seem a little 2 dimensional) But the show is nice. I really like the way that the animation has a bouncy antic to it. I don't know whether its the animation software or not. To all those people posting flames about Betty, I say you should really take a look at the history of anime and see that it is heavily influenced by early cartoons from America, such as Casper, etc. The show does have a particular look to it which IS similar to the PPGirls, Dexter, and such. But those cartoons are of a style known as UPA, believe it or not descended from Rocky and Bullwinkle, Roger Ramjet, and Disney also used this style in the late 50's and early 60's. So to just say that its regurgitated PPgirls is pretty ignorant. This show is NOT copying the Cartoon Networks flagship series' but instead is applying a style that has come back into fashion. Oh and BTW saying that big eyed characters are exclusivly anime, I hate to tell you that the first 'anime' character was a little yellow bird named tweety. Just compare the head styles. So don't talk about something like this unless you are going to analyze it and compare it to a vast history of animation and recognize its artistic value, NOT just scream its a rip off of something, its INFLUENCED BY other styles. P.S. To the guys at Atomic, really nice job guys and gals, I like it. :)
Chris Clark (not verified) | Fri, 01/07/2005 - 00:00

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