11.26.02

Mirage team appears at Boston comic convention

Peter Laird, Jim Lawson and Dan Berger all appeared at the Boston Comic Convention during the weekend of November 17. If you were in the area and got to meet the guys behind the TMNT, we'd love to know about it!

The decision to appear was last-minute, according to TMNT webmaster Dan Berger. The trio set out to promote the successful Mirage published TMNT comic book. "I'll be there to sharpen pencils and get coffee," jokes Berger.

More convention plans are already in the works as the Motor City Comic Convention in Detroit draws near. The convention has already booked former TMNT collaborator Mark Bode as a guest, and will presumably appear at the "Turtles Fans Unite" booth which will be renamed from last year's "Save the TMNT" to "TMNT Return." TMNT Penciller Jim Lawson may also attend this convention, but at this time can not be confirmed.

 

08.09.02

The Leonardo Cold-Cast Figure, in-depth

The 2002 Leonardo Cold-Cast Figure flyer

The entry form to win a Leonardo figure.

Prior to San Diego Comic-Con International 2002, my palms were sweaty, my check book was quivering and I found myself scrimping to save any loose change. My goal was to obtain a Leonardo statue.

A major purchase at $90-150, the statue would be the priciest treasure for my collection. Knowing it would be difficult to get one for myself, I had to refuse anyone who pleaded with me to purchase one on their behalf.

Months ago, Turtle co-creator Peter Laird and Dan Berger (of ninjaturtles.com) announced the possible release of four cold-cast statues. Quickly, however, the possibility became a definite course of action, and the first images of the first 9-inch figure became public (see "June 2002 interview...").

After months of preparing the Leonardo statue, which is the first of all four turtles to be produced in very limited quantities, word from Peter and Dan stated that orders would be taken at Comic-Con 2002.

Those interested were to look for a Playmates booth at the Diamond Distribution section of the exhibit hall. There, customers would pre-order their figure from Diamond, and be guaranteed a TMNT statue.

Sadly, events did not transpire as planned. Instead, Comic-Con's Preview Night offered a peak at the statue. It sat atop a glass case among figures like the Simpsons and Yoda Lego sets. When asked if orders were being taken for the Leonardo figure, I was told that not much information on the statue was available, but that it was only there for display purposes -- to gain the interest of potential buyers.

Well, it certainly caught my interest, and that of quite a few others. But still, the figure was not for sale.

Around the corner, Playmates had set up another small booth. At this small table, which featured another Leonardo figure and sported poster prints of the CGI turtles, you could enter to win a drawing. The grand prize would be one Leonardo Cold-Cast figure. Unfortunately, the drawing will not be held for a few weeks. At which time, the winner will be contacted via e-mail or telephone.

After Comic-Con concluded, Dan was notified of this change in plans from concerned fans and was apparently surprised about it. As far as he and Mirage Studios knew, Diamond was taking orders. When I asked the people from Diamond how I would go about obtaining a statue, they simply told me, "You can only order it if you work for a comic shop."

The moral, I'm assuming, is the ever-typical "Support your local comic shop." I for one, prefer Comic-Con to be my comic shop. And if I'm going to travel half way across the country to shop there, I should be able to get some pretty damn cool, exclusive stuff!

TMNT Official Web-Site:
:: http://www.ninjaturtles.com

:: Top of page ::

 

07.10.02

July 2002 Interview with Kevin Eastman

The following interview was performed through e-mail on June 10, 2002, and responded to on July 8, 2002. The subject of this interview is the status of upcoming TMNT projects, including the new and upcoming TMNT ventures, and Artobiography by Kevin Eastman.

Kevin Eastman

KEVIN: Hey Mike, Sorry it took me so long to get back to you--I've been very busy. Here's the answers to your questions:

The following interview was performed through e-mail on June 10, 2002. The subject of this interview is the status of upcoming TMNT projects, including the new animated series, video games and other merchandise.

Peter Laird

MIKEY: First off, Mr. Laird, let me tell you that it makes me and all the other TMNT fans out there extremely happy that you would take the time out to answer a few questions. It really shows your loyalty to the fans... I hope everyone realizes how rare it is for creators to even give the time of day to their fans. Thanks!

PETER: My pleasure!

MIKEY: I would like to begin by asking a couple of questions about the new cartoon series... This seems to be the biggest event for the TMNT since the revival of the Mirage book. At this time, the imdb.com listing for "Ninja Turtles" credits turtle co-creator Kevin Eastman and yourself as staff writers for the new series. Information on the imdb can be misleading, and I assume that withboth of your schedules, it would be nearly impossible for the two of you to collaborate as writers on this project... Will the stories be adapted from your earlier stories by a writing team for the cartoon, or will you and Mr. Eastman indeed create new stories for the show?

PETER: That information seems a bit out of whack. I am currently working with the head writer, Lloyd Goldfine at 4Kids, and we hope to adapt many of the original TMNT comic stories for these new episodes, as well as come up with all-new story ideas. Kevin is not working on this new show.

MIKEY: Now one thing that the Turtles are known for in the comic world is their serial plot. Although there were quite a bit of unrelated guest artist/writers in the original, there was always a specific time-line in the background. From the defeat of Saki, the TMNT's retreat to the country and return to New York, to a story-line spanning a year in which the TMNT really come of age. The original cartoon lacked in this respect (season 1 excluded). Do you plan on spanning story arcs across the season in the new series (an element popular in anime and live action television), or will they be individual episodes with a definite beginning and end in each?

PETER: The plan right now -- and, like most plans in life, it's subject to change -- is to have more of a serial feel to this series, with a lot of continuity from episode to episode, and an overall arc for the first season. That's the way we're working on it right now. Of course, there may be stand-alone shows here and there, but even they will have some connection to the continuity.

MIKEY: Additionally, we have heard a lot of a "return to the original TMNT" ... darker and edgier. Some fans are concerned that with a company like 4Kids Entertainment producing the series, it would be impossible to get that look and feeling. At this point, no one but test audiences and executives know exactly what feeling has been achieved with the initial product. What is your opinion; do you think the work done on the show so far relates closely to the "darker" and "edgier" TMNT?

PETER: With the caveat that one person's "dark and edgy" might be another person's "light and silly", I can say that we are trying to establish a much more dramatic tone to the new series, while keeping the integral humor which has been a part of the Turtles since the early Mirage TMNT comics. We'll have to wait and see to determine what the final result is.

MIKEY: Now that the turtles are on the fast track back into the limelight, you have a couple of new projects in the works ... which will probably evolve in to several projects! The TMNT video games have always been popular on all gaming consoles... Today, the market is much bigger than in 1989. GameBoy will undoubtedly be the first to announce a TMNT game, with GameCube and Playstation and X-box following close behind, perhaps even PC games. Any idea on game themes -- story/adventure or tournament style?

PETER: As long as it's done well, I would like either approach -- I'd even dig a racing game, especially if it had motorcycles in it. And I'd like to have a version I could play on my Mac.

MIKEY: If Digital Rim and Rainbow Studios are still on-board for the new movie, they'd be the most suitable candidates for these new games, in my opinion! From what I've seen, they do some awesome work!

A preview of the limited edition coldcast TMNT statues from Playmates Toys, which are going to be released over the next year. Click image for the full update.

PETER: No argument there! Though I can't say for certain that Rainbow will be involved, I would love it if they were... they did a wonderful job on the five-minute CGI "pilot" for the proposed CGI TMNT show last year, and their "ATV Off-Road Fury" game for the Playstation is flat-out one of the best games I've ever played, and maybe the best racing game I've ever seen.

MIKEY: NinjaTurtles.com webmaster Dan Berger has also alerted the fans to a possible release of brand new cold-cast TMNT statues. If this project is a go, it looks like we could have our first of four installments by August at Comic Con International in San Diego. I, for one, am totally excited about this. Not only will it be massive exposure to the TMNT's rekindled fire, but I'll actually have a chance to buy one! Could you possibly let us know anything more specific about this project?

PETER: I'm very excited about it... it's being done by Playmates Toys, and it's something that I have hoped for them to do for a long time. They are taking the first group shot of the Turtles from the first page of the first comic book and using that as the reference point for the look of the Turtles and their poses. Each Turtle will stand about a foot high, I believe (though I could be off on that measurement), and each will be on a base which can be fitted together with the others to form a cool arrangement similar to the layout of that panel from the first comic book. I've seen photos of one of the preliminary sculpts of Leonardo, and it really captures the look and feel of those early Turtles... it's wicked cool!

MIKEY: Well, Mr. Laird, it's been a real pleasure having you with us today! Thanks for taking the time to share this information. We're all looking forward to #4 of Volume 4 and, of course, the new animated series and the flurry of merchandise that comes along with it! Keep up the great work, take care and have a great day!

PETER: You're welcome, and thank you!

Related Link:
:: http://www.planetracers.com/blast/blast60.html

:: Top of page ::

12.03.01

What could have been

A look at the NTCGI pilot

NTCGI pilot portrays the New York City skyline as it should be.

We all knew from the outright that the CGI project announced in August would be a hard sell. After all, a 3d animated series is very difficult to produce -- and very expensive. From a network's point of view, anything that isn't at the height of popularity, but costs a lot of money is too much of a liability to risk a go-ahead.

"We were really excited about it for awhile," said Dan Berger in an e-mail to fellow webmaster Neil Vitale (theShredder), "but we weren't all that surprised that none of the networks were interested. A good CG show is expensive to produce, and I don't know of any that's gotten great ratings, so it's a tough sell."

Still it was nice seeing the boys in green do what they do best in full 3d glory. Rainbow did a great job getting the TMNT back to their roots. The five-minute video was packed with action, drama, thrills, and humor! And in one scene, April kicks so much ass that I literally clapped as the turtles came up and she said, "Great timing, guys!"

One fight scene shows Donatello and a Foot guard high atop a building under construction. The detail in the scene makes you feel you are at least 40 stories up! And in one particularly emotional scene, Leonardo says to a sleeping Splinter, "If you ever fall, Master, I will lead them." We also see Raphael and Casey Jones battle some Foot ninjas on the trailer of an 18 wheeler, and Mikey gets whomped so often because of his immature cracks, you can't help but chuckle.

The animation was superb, even though much of it was not fully rendered due to time constraints. Some TMNT fans think the pilot would serve very well as a basis for a new TMNT video game -- perhaps for the X-Box, PS2, GameCube or PC. A general consensus says that it would be an utter waste to let the 3d aspect of the TMNT die so soon.

However, Dan let's us know that a new TMNT feature is far from dead: "The good news is the designs for the cel animation show are coming in and look very cool." And with the arrival of the new TMNT on the 11th of this month, we Turtle fans will soon be getting what we're craving.

Download the NTCGI Pilot!
:: http://www.ninjaturtles.com/html/cgipilot.htm

Thanks again to The Shredder for writing to Mirage!

:: Top of page ::

10.05.01

Different cover for TMNT #1

The cover for TMNT #1, Volume 4 from Mirage Studios.

Many people have seen the previous cover image for the new TMNT comic. It can be seen here just below, in the previous post. However, on October 5, Peter Laird announced on his Blast from the Past site that the cover art that will be used for the issue will be Michael Dooney's painting based on Laird's own original pencil art.

The art is beautifully painted, but who would expect anything less from Michael Dooney. It also provides a highly unique perspective than the original cover used for promotional purposes.

As you can see from the image below, the painting by Peter Laird portrays a brightly colored scene with a black sky background.

The comic is slated to appear in comic shops and news stands in mid December. Watch for it!

Blast from the Past #45
:: http://www.planetracers.com/blast/blast45.html

 

:: Top of page ::

09.22.01

New TMNT comic announced in Previews

The Preview cover for TMNT #1, Volume 4 from Mirage Studios.

The October issue of Diamond Publication's Previews Magazine features something pleasant for all Turtle fans. TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles makes its way to the headlines as it prepares for shipping in December. It is the fourth volume of the hugely popular Ninja Turtles comic book series. It began in 1984 when Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird founded Mirage Studios. The 40 page black and white comic found immediate success and ultimately resulted in a $4 Billion marketing fest.

Throughout the years, the Turtles' identities varied from that of a flat "R" rating to an easy "G." The TMNT became synonymous with surfer lingo and pizza, toys and breakfast cereal, where once they were regarded as noble ninja on a destiny of vengeance. However, after 17 years of this , the TMNT have come full circle.

Co-creator Peter Laird, who wrote and inked the latest edition of the series alongside penciller Jim Lawson, has promised to bring back the spirit of the original team. This also includes the return of black and white books which were a trademark characteristic of TMNT until Volume 2 went full color.

After Voume 2 ended abruptly and the demise of the cartoon brought the downfall of the kid-friendly Archie Adventure series, TMNT sought publishing by the popular Image comics for Volume 3. Image mutilated the TMNT -- literally, and by Issue 23 the series had run its course. Now Mirage is back at the reigns of the book for Volume 4, which nullifies Image's Turtleverse. Volume 4 is slated to be the first of many titles to reopen the eyes of a matured audience.

Read more about the plot of Volume 4 #1 by clicking the link below!

PREVIEWS -- The Comic Shop's Catalog
:: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES VOLUME 4 #1

:: Top of page ::

09.01.01

The latest on NTCGI and other TMNT craziness!

It really pleases me to be able to say that the TMNT are finding their way back into mainstream media. The other day, while at work, I was discussing the Turtles with a co-worker. He also happens to be an editor for our newspaper's entertainment magazinge. He told me that he was surprised at how quickly Eastman and Laird had "sold out" to the mainstream media. My response was simple: "Of course they sold out!" I mean, really, that was the whole point. Do you really think Eastman and Laird really wanted to be a lobster cook and a freelance illustrator, respectively, for the rest of their lives? The turtles have grossed $4 billion. I'd sell out in a second for that kind of money!

At any rate, I've received a couple of e-mails that have both directed me to newsites. Here's what was pointed out:

Negating rumors that the CGI film has been scrapped, The Boston Globe reports that in addition, a new Saturday morning animated series much like the popular series Batman Beyond could appear as soon as September 2002. There was no report of which network would be airing the show, but the developers are close to making a deal.

"When the TV deal is signed, Mirage has narrowed down six video game publishers to bid for the Turtles rights. A Game Boy Advance Turtles game is expected to ship in fall 2002 alongside the TV series launch. PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Gamecube Turtles games could launch in spring 2003." This is music to any gamer's ears. The Turtles' games have always been known as highly entertaining and challenging... Have you completed TMNT for NES?!

Also in the works is a brand new live action/CGI television mini-series that promises to be better than the Next Mutation show. If they in fact produce a live action mini-series that even remotely resembles Mirage's original vision, then we fans will certainly be pleased. The mini-series is slated to air on the Hallmark Network, and directing will be none other than Steve Barron of the original 1990 feature film release. "If it gets final approval, the miniseries will launch on the Hallmark Channel after the animated series and before the feature film, between May 2003 and May 2004. 'The Ninja Turtles miniseries that Hallmark and I are developing will be a darker, more streetwise view of the characters,' Barron said."

Digital Rim of Digital Dream Studios, Lion Rock Productions, which is John Woo and Terence Chang's production house, Peter Laird's Mirage Studios, and Rainbow Studios are all invloved in the development of the upcoming feature film. Despite early predictions of a December 2002 release, the film is aiming for a later release date of Summer 2004. Which is understandable for any CGI film. It is being taken into account that many of the Turtles' fans have grown up, but it will still be something for everyone to enjoy. "We need to reinvent the Turtles," Chang said, "... by using CGI, we'll be able to retain a different feel than the original live-action films and be more faithful to the source material."

The Boston Globe article
:: Ninja Turtles to reemerge in TV series, film
By John Gaudiosi

GameSpot.com's article
:: Ninja Turtles to return to video games
By Shahed Ahmed

Digital Dream's Digital Rim Website
:: http://www.ddsdream.com/eng/ddsfamily/rim.html

Thanks to Nyteen00 and Phillip Sauve!

:: Top of page ::