Vancouver animation studio Atomic Cartoons is in Las Vegas for NATPE 2002 with a collection of proprietary properties. Their catalogue includes the original program ATOMIC BETTY and the Internet show DOG IN A BOX WITH 2 WHEELS, an offbeat animated comedy series about a randy little dog with wheels for hind legs. Dog has devoted his life to vigilante justice after a senile geriatric ruined his life in a freak oxygen tank/cigarette-smoking accident. The series is geared towards an older audience, teens and young adults, in an 11 x 26 format.

Yes, it’s true. Nickelodeon has confirmed the cancellation of Emmy and Annie award-winning series INVADER ZIM. A statement from Nick says the reason for the cancellation was poor ratings from their core demographic (kids age 2 to 11). The network will be wrapping the series after completing 26 of the originally contracted 40 episodes. INVADER ZIM premiered on Nickelodeon in March 2001 and was renewed with a 20-episode commitment in August of that year. The show posted strong ratings for its premiere episode, with a 6.0 rating/17 share (about 1.8 million viewers) among kids 2 to 11.

French producer Alphanim will be bringing several programs from their distribution slate to NATPE 2002 including SPACED OUT (26 x 26'), X-DUCKX (78 x 8'/26 x 26'), ROBOT BOY (52 x 13'), POTATOES & DRAGONS (78 x 8'), DELTA STATE (26 x 26') and RALPH THE RECORD RAT (104 x 1').

Alphanim's Julie Fox visited MILIA 2001 to report on the shifting sands of the Internet animation economy.

A&S Animation, Inc. is presenting their animated short series, TIMMY'S LESSONS IN NATURE at NATPE 2002. In the dialogue-free series, disaster prone Timmy demonstrates basic rules of nature. The one-minute shorts have won awards at six international film festivals including ASIFA-East's Excellence in Writing award.

KidsWebTv, a kids' entertainment content provider, will present the Flash-animated Web series, EDDY THE ECO-DOG UNLEASHED! at NATPE 2002. Aimed at tweens, the cartoon features the silly antics of Eddy and his pals on the planet Chachachawowa.

Fremantle International Distribution (FID) will be launching a second series of the animated adventures of BILLY THE CAT at NATPE 2002. Based on the books created by Stéphane Colman and Stephen Desberg, BILLY THE CAT is the story of a boy who is transformed into a cat as punishment for being cruel to animals. BILLY THE CAT has already been well-received by broadcasters worldwide, with sales of the first series to the U.S., the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, Benelux, Australia, Latin America, South East Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Animated pre-schooler WHY? has been awarded a production loan by the Irish Film Board, who is co-financing the series with Monster Distributes and Brown Bag Films. The new series goes into production in January 2002 and will be presented at NATPE. Monster Distributes will also be introducing new animated Christmas specials, THE LEGEND OF THE CANDY CANE and THE LEGEND OF THE THREE TREES, as well as selling its 13 x 30 award-winning series STORYKEEPERS, directed by Jimmy Murakami. STORYKEEPERS presents stories from the life of Jesus within an adventure story context.

Defiance Distribution and Screen Ventures are bringing their new children’s animated series MUCHIKKO - KID BUGS to NATPE 2002. The series is produced by POKEMON creator Shogakukan, SME and New Kids. Featuring 88 characters, such as Hanako the ladybug, inchworm brothers Tanaka and Endo, Yabe the water bug, Hamada the honeybee and 83 others, the MUCHIKKO characters use special skills and teamwork to overcome obstacles. Already popular with television audiences in Japan, the show has been supported by a successful merchandising campaign.

Pongwiffy.	Da Möb

Egmont Imagination will bring its interactive mystery series, SOLVE THE MYSTERY WITH INSPECTOR MCCLUE, to NATPE 2002. This 2D Flash animated family series is a television and Internet based crime-puzzle where the viewer watches a mystery unfold on television, and must then try and solve the mystery themselves by going online and using the clues provided. Created by Werner Wejp-Olsen, SOLVE THE MYSTERY WITH INSPECTOR MCCLUE combines interactivity with engaging stories.