It’s been a troubling week for fans of Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Legend of Korra. On Wednesday it came out that Nickelodeon had pulled five episodes of the show from its schedule, following particularly low viewership numbers.
Prophecies of doom were immediate. Assurances came from show creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko that the show wasn’t cancelled, and was instead moving to a digital-only release schedule. Speculation remained hot going into today’s San Diego Comic-Con panel, where they promised additional info.
Panelists include Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko, Janet Varney (Korra), David Faustino (Mako), P. J. Byrne (Bolin), Seychelle Gabriel (Asami), John Michael Higgins (Varrick), and Mindy Sterling (Lin Beifong).
- Korra being moved to digital is “part of this huge sea change in the whole industry.” Korra’s online presence has always been better, so moving to digital is a logical choice. “The important thing is the show is not cancelled!”
- Bryan and Michael treated the audience to an advanced screening of Book Three, Episode Eight, “The Terror Within.”
- Highlights from the episode include Bolin and Opal sharing some raw veggie wraps, Mako and Bolin fighting in their underwear, sinister lavabending, sage tick-prevention advice from Varrick, and a Red Lotus witch hunt. You can see the whole thing on air tonight.
- Janet Varney, on being asked to rate Korra’s job as the Avatar: “I think this episode we just got to watch is a great example of how much she’s come to understand that she’s the Avatar, but that doesn’t mean she can do her job alone… I’m proud of her—she’s wonderful and strong and human.”
- Seychell Gabriel, on the friendship between Korra and Asami: “My parents actually told me how cute Asami and Korra are together. I’m really happy, especially when two girls don’t let a guy get between them. I’m happy for them, and I think they’re stronger together and the make Team Avatar stronger for it.”
- “GET OVER IT, MAKO!” –Michael Dante DiMartino, speaking for all of us.
- John Michael Higgins thinks of Varick as “part Rupert Murdoch, part Thomas Edison, part Bozo the Clown.” We’ll learn more about Varrick’s childhood in an upcoming episode.
- The panel heats up as they discuss a blind date between Varrick and Lin Bei Fong.
- Dee Bradley Baker joins the cast for a rounding rendition of THE SECRET TUNNEL SONG! SECRET TUNNEL! SECRET TUNNEL! THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS! Secret secret secret secret TUNNEL, YEAH!
- They show off season three concept art, including a punk P’Li inspired by Lisbeth Salander and a Red Lotus rock band.
- Scenes from later episodes show Mako and Bolin more than a little overmatched.
- Creators say this may be their last SDCC panel, but you can find them later this year at New York Comic-Con.
All of our ongoing San Diego Comic Con 2014 coverage can be found here.
