Dylan here and MTV interviews Jesse McCartney in an awful article. The writer of the article calls McCartney's character "Zucko" and says Avatar originated in Asia (This isn't McCartney, but the writer of the article). McCartney says of online criticism of his role:

'"I heard a lot about this online,' McCartney said, referring to fans' criticism. 'There's a lot of hard-core fans out there [who] probably know more about it ... I'm still learning. This is M. Night's vision and this is what he wants. To all the fans, I can tell you I'm putting my best foot forward.'"

Dylan here and Avatar has been nominated by the Motion Picture Sound Editors for the Golden Reel for best sound editing in television animation for 321, “Sozin's Comet Part 4: Avatar Aang." The winners will be announced February 21st.

Dylan here and Jesse McCartney was interviewed by a radio station in Tucson, Arizona on the JohnJay Rich Show on Friday 1/23/09. You can listen to the interview here, and I transcribed the section where they talk about Avatar after the break. Hit "Read more..." to read it. Jesse obviously got some things wrong about the series and movie, and he doesn't seem very comfortable talking about it. But he is preparing for it and has read the script. Thanks to zukorules96 in the cbox for the link!

Update 1/23 by Dylan: Nick Magazine's Live Journal account provides some of what is to come in the upcoming Avatar comics including a drawing of Kuzon, Aang's old friend from the Fire Nation!

Jake here, with some exciting news about what is to come this year in the Avatar world.  No, it's not mini-episodes or hour-long specials, but Johane Matte (Rufftoon on DeviantArt), who was a storyboard artist on the back half of Avatar season 3, has confirmed to Avatar Mom (from ASN) that there will be Avatar comics coming to Nick Magazine this year. Here is Johane's statement:

"Did I mention there will be more Avatar comics made for Nick Magazine? Yup, a whole bunch made with a lot of people working on them with a lot of fun. They will be short and mostly geared towards an all ages readership, but still should be enjoyable to everyone who may want to see tidbits of the Avatar world uncovered (not all of it very serious...I'm guilty on that, ha ha!)."

No word on when the comics will start, or how many there will ultimately be, but we will try to keep you all updated.  And I want to stress that you go out and purchase the magazines when comics appear in them.  The show may be over, but our support doesn't has to fall off.  Seeing spikes in readership when the Avatar comics come out will send a good sign to Nick.

BTW, this information comes from AM's Facebook, being a college student and all there really is no other place to get news.   I'm sure she posted this elsewhere, but I just found it there.

EDIT: Go to http://www.nick.com/shows/nick_mag/nicktoon_comics/index.jhtmland click on the Avatar icon (last one on the first tow) to view the comics that have been released thus far, including a new one titled "Night Animals." Thanks to Freespirit for the heads up!

Dylan here and future "The Last Airbender" composer James Newton Howard has been nominated for Best Original Score for "Defiance". He missed a second nomination in the same category for his work on "The Dark Knight" as the score got snubbed (along with the film for Best Picture).