The Incredibles is living up to its name and then some.
After ringing up a superiffic $257 million at the domestic box office since its release last October, Disney-Pixar's PG-rated saga about a family of superheroes cleaned up at Sunday's Annie Awards, the cartoon industry's top accolades, snagging 10 prizes, including Best Animated Feature.
The ceremony, which was held at Glendale's Alex Theater, is handed out annually by the International Animated Film Society to honor superlative work in film and television animation.
The Incredibles put a death ray on the likes of Shrek 2, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie to win the top 'toon showdown.
The comedy-adventure, which garnered 16 nods in all, was a triumph for mastermind Brad Bird (The Iron Giant), who took home Best Director, Best Writer, and Best Voice Actor for his role as fashionista Edna Mode, beating out one of his own stars, Samuel L. Jackson, who was nominated for voicing Mr. Incredible's old pal, Frozone.
The Incredibles also garnered trophies for its deco/1950s-infused production design, Best Character Animation, Animated Effects, Character Design in Animated Feature Production, Music and Storyboarding.
The Annies sweep meant that The Incredibles' chief competition, Shrek 2, went home empty-handed despite seven nominations. It also sets up The Incredibles as the film to beat for the Best Animated Feature Oscar at the Academy Awards on Feb. 27.
It's been another incredible run for Pixar. whose 2003 blockbuster, Finding Nemo, netted nine Annies this time last year.
Meanwhile, despite misgivings among some conservative Christian types, Nickelodeon's popular kiddie 'toon SpongeBob SquarePants was named Best Animated TV show. (Tom Kenny, the voice of the wacky asexual sea sponge, served as emcee of the awards, while presenters included That '70s Show mom Debra Jo Rupp and Spider-Man creator Stan Lee.)
Fox's King of the Hill picked up two Annies--for Best Television Writing and Best Voice Actress for Brittany Murphy, who voices Luane.
Best Home Entertainment production went to DisneyToon Studios The Lion King 1 ½, while sister company Walt Disney Pictures grabbed Best Animated Short Subject for Lorenzo.
Lifetime achievement awards were given to veteran animator Don Bluth (The Secret of NIMH), voice actor Arnold Stang (Top Cat) and actress Virginia Davis (star of Disney's classic Alice shorts in the 1920s).