:: 2001 Events
:: 2000 Events
08.03.01
The newest NTCGI clips
Peter Laird knows how to please. Each week
for the past few weeks, Laird has been enticing us, and peaking
our interest at the new CGI adventure. Planetracers.com features
a section called Blast From the Past, which surely any TMNT
fan is aware of. This section is Peter's way of commemorating
past TMNT adventures -- whether in marketing or non-profit.
However, he's also learned that adding a special treat to each
of these posts will keep us coming back for more: CGI Stills.
Yes we've seen them before, but Rainbow Studios, the production
comapny of the short 5 minute pilot, has supplied Laird with
a digital version of the video. He then takes screen captures
of specific teaser scenes, and provides the TMNT fans with crystal
clear NTCGI clips.
This (Blast From the Past's 40th) week,
Laird has offered a total of six new images. They provide insight
to possible storylines in the new feature, and offer some very
cool looks at the character animation. Check them out!
Raphael's new look plus six new stills:
http://www.planetracers.com/Blast/blast40.html
Top of page
07.06.01
The official Peter Laird interview
On July 4, 2001, Peter Laird gave a more
in-depth description of the newest TMNT projects in an interview
with Dan Berger (Mirage's web editor). The interview, which
was conducted using actual questions from fans around the globe
put to rest many burning questions born from speculation and
rumor.
A snippet from the interview:
DAN: Will this new TMNT pilot
ever be available for the general public to see?
PETER: The new TMNT "pilot," which
is actually a relatively short (about five minutes) "proof of
concept" clip, will probably be made available on the official
TMNT website at some point in the future. I would like the fans
to see it, because every time I see it, I get wicked excited
about the idea of a new CGI TMNT show... and I think the fans
would dig it as well.
DAN: We've gotten tons of questions
regarding which characters will be appearing, the most popular
have been the Shredder, April, Casey Jones and Venus. Are they
going to turn up in the new projects?
PETER: Rest assured, as long as
I am alive and in charge of this ship of Turtles, Venus DeMilo,
the female Turtle, will NEVER again appear in any Mirage-approved
TMNT project, unless it is a book about the history of the TMNT
property and it is necessary to refer to her as an undeniable
part of that history. She is GONE. However, the Shredder will
be back, as will April and Casey and hopefully a whole bunch
of other characters from the Mirage TMNT comic universe. For
example, in this short pilot clip we already have, in addition
to the Shredder, April and Casey, there are the Shredder's Elite
Guard, the Foot soldiers, Triceratons and Mousers (albeit a
new and creepier version of the Mousers). I would love to see
Leatherhead, Rat King, Savanti Romero, Stainless Steve Steel
and the Justice Force and the Fugitoid, among others, in the
new show. We'll see!
DAN: Will the new TV series take
the same dark tone as the proposed movie?
PETER: The tone that I am trying,
and will continue to try to get into the TV series (and the
movie), is as close as I can possibly get to the tone of the
original Eastman and Laird Mirage TMNT comic books, with a seasoning
of the first live-action TMNT movie. I fully expect that certain
compromises will be made.
***
Please refer to this question and answer
session for the most detailed info on the new TMNT projects!
The official ninjaturtles.com interview:
http://www.ninjaturtles.com/html/pete0704.htm
Top of page
06.29.01
The Official Press Release
More great news about the TMNT movie...
Well, actually, it's nothing that you haven't heard before from
this site, but the official press release is out!
It is posted on the fan forum of ninjaturtles.com,
the official site of the TMNT.
I would also like to take this opportunity
to state something very important: Thousands of rumors are circulated
throughout the Internet everyday. I try my hardest to post things
that I believe to be true, but sometimes false rumors get trapped
in there at the same time. This is the case with many sites.
Please, ONLY believe what you read from
credible sources! For instance, ninjaturtles.com is a credible
source because it is the official TMNT site. Planetracers.com
is one too because it is Peter Laird's other web site. Interviews,
such as the one below with Peter Laird, is also considered a
credible source because it comes straight from Mr. Laird himself.
Scripts, screenplays, and movie trailers
are not available at this time. Although, you can view a few
screen captures from the CGI Pilot on the official TMNT site
and the Planet Racers site.
Enough talk from me, see these babies for
yourself!
The Official Press Release and stills
http://www.ninjaturtles.com/html/forum.htm
The same stills as before only posted
by Peter Laird
http://www.planetracers.com/Blast/blast35.html
(I am almost sure that these are not
100% completely rendered (3d modeling takes time and resources
to add textures, etc.)
Top of page
06.27.01
TMNT CGI Movie
A follow up from Peter Laird
Peter Laird e-mailed me once again:
"Michael, Just wanted to add this additional
clarification to my previous answers: There IS a signed option
agreement between Digital Rim and Mirage Studios. Also, you
might want to check the bottom of the page of the latest "Blast
From The Past"."
--Peter Laird
So here... you might be needing this :-D
http://www.planetracers.com/Blast/blast34.html
Top of page
06.25.01
An interview with the man himself -- Peter
Laird
5 questions and answers about the latest
happenings with the TMNT
Peter Laird himself has granted Mikey's
TMNT Page an exclusive interview!! Here's how it went:
MIKEY: I
want to begin by congratulating you on the new book. It's something
we --
the Turtle fans -- look forward to getting our grubby hands
on real soon!
From what I've seen, it looks awesome!
PETER: Thank you. I'm still having fun working on it,
which is to me a good sign.
MIKEY: Now, June 21 was an exciting day for TMNT fans
everywhere. I must have
received at least 50 e-mails just alerting me about the news
on Variety.com.
Variety stated that a deal had been "inked." After being questioned
on the
status of the project, your TMNT buddy Dan Berger replied that
no signing or
finalizing had occurred -- only that you, Mr. Woo, and Digital
Rim had
expressed mutual interest in releasing a fourth movie. Just
how far have the
talks for the production gone?
PETER: I believe Dan's characterization of what has transpired
is pretty accurate.
I'm not actually 100% sure that nothing has been signed -- I'll
have to
double-check with the CEO of Mirage, Gary Richardson -- but
there may have
been some kind of short-form option agreement signed. Production
discussions
have not gone beyond the "Let's work together on a TMNT movie"
stage -- this
thing is really just beginning.
MIKEY: John Woo is a tremendous director...
PETER: No argument there! While he may personally never
get involved (as a director)
with this proposed TMNT movie, if he did choose to I would love
to work with
him.
MIKEY: How did he and Digital Rim become involved in
this project?
PETER: I believe Digital Rim has a relationship of some
sort with Rainbow Studios,
with whom we have been working on a TMNT animation project.
MIKEY: Given the source and depth of the article, it
seems like this project has
some great potential. I hope that it doesn't soon disappear
as past
projects, including work on a fourth movie, have.
PETER: You and me both! Someday, I'd like to tell the
story behind the aborted
fourth movie and the blood, sweat, and tears involved. On second
thought,
maybe I really don't need to revisit that period of intense
aggravation!
MIKEY: The article states that the pilot to new animated
show has been produced
and is being "shopped" at networks. Does this mean that it has
actually been
completed and being proposed to networks like SciFi and WB,
or is it still
being planned out?
PETER: What has been produced so far, and is being shown
to networks, is not what I
have, in the past, thought of as a "pilot" -- but I have since
been told by
people who should know that these days, this CAN be considered
a pilot... so
that's what we'll call it. I would describe it as a roughly
five minute-long
"proof-of-concept" video which is in a sort of "movie trailer"
form. Rainbow
Studios produced it with lots of input from Mirage -- and it
was great fun
for me to work on it with them. It's CGI with a cool twist,
and I have to say
(while admitting that I am biased) Rainbow did a kick-butt job
on it. I've
watched the thing dozens of time and I still get chills.
MIKEY: If it is done and finds a network in the next
few months, how soon can we
see it on television?
PETER: Given how these things work, I don't think we'll
see it anytime earlier than
mid-to-late 2002.
MIKEY: You are often credited to bringing the Turtles
back to their "edgier"
roots. Does this mean that if a new comic book and new movie
are going to be
darker and grittier, that the animated show is going to be the
same; or dare
I say, based on the new comic series?
PETER: As the saying goes, "There's many a slip 'twixt
cup and lip" -- that's my way
of saying that while I am going to try my best to make this
new show much
closer to the spirit of the original Mirage TMNT comics, I'm
sure there will
be some compromises made for the purposes of reaching a broader
audience.
That being said, if this show happens it's going to be VERY
different from
the old cartoon series -- there will be no Bebop and Rocksteady,
for
example... and if there's an Utrom in the show, it WON'T be
like Krang (i.e.
ridiculous). The Shredder will not be a buffoon. Some of the
cool characters
included in the clip are Casey Jones, a Destroyer Mechanoid,
a Shredder
Elite, Triceratons, and a new and really nasty version of the
Mousers, among
others. I'm hoping that soon we'll be posting still frames from
the clip on
the TMNT site.
MIKEY: Well, Mr. Laird. I would like to thank you for
your time, and patience with
my prodding questions. I wish you, Jim Lawson, and the rest
of Mirage Studios
the best of luck on all future and current projects. We're all
looking
forward to this Fall's comic release, and next Winter's new
movie!!
PETER: My pleasure, Michael. In closing, I'd like to
reiterate something that Dan
Berger referred to in his comments about the John Woo/TMNT movie
press
release, and that is this: Contrary to what some TMNT fans think,
we at
Mirage have not been sitting on our hands these last few years...
but we also
don't want to announce things prematurely, get fans all excited,
and then be
let down when things don't come together as we hoped they would.
I am
reminded of what it was like back in 1987, when Kevin and I
were making our
deal with Playmates Toys, and we were working with them on toy
concepts and
designs, and with Murakami/Wolf on the animated series -- and,
on the wise
advice of our licensing agent at the time, Mark Freedman, didn't
tell a soul
(outside of our immediate families and close friends, who were
sworn to
secrecy). It was REALLY difficult, biting our tongues like that,
but it paid
off -- because when we finally announced the projects in one
of the Mirage
TMNT comics (can't remember which issue exactly), the momentum
by that point
was such that it was HIGHLY unlikely that the toys and/or the
show would not
come to fruition.
Many thanks to Peter Laird for granting Mikey's TMNT Page
this interview! Several friends and I had the pleasure of having
dinner with Mr. Eastman about a year ago, and one thing about
these guys is that they don't act like celebrities. Humility
is a grand virtue.
06.23.01
Doing the Time Warp again
TMNT makes it to midnight theatre
This just in from a fellow Texan TMNT
fan:
Subj: Turtles on the big screen, again!
Date: Sat, 23 Jun 2001 4:21:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Denise Grogan <groganwood@earthlink.net>
Okay, I don't know how many of you read
Harry Knowles' article at Ain't It
Cool news, but I did, and I noticed that one of the things Harry
raved about
was the fact that the Alamo Drafthouse, here in Austin, was
doing the first
TMNT movie as the midnight movie this weekend.
Well, obviously I couldn't pass up a chance to see the guys
on the big
screen again, could I?
So I dragged my reluctant spouse downtown to the Drafthouse.
We were almost
the first in line. Got our tickets, trooped upstairs...and waited.
And
waited. And waited some more! The earlier movie ran long, and
we were stuck
in a lobby that had exactly one chair (but two tables.)
Bobby (the spouse) groused that he couldn't imagine that the
movie would be
very crowded. I shrugged, and told him, "You'll be surprised."
He was. As it got to be time, and past time, for the movie to
start, the
lobby/bar was packed with people. There was barely any room
for the audience
from the earlier movie to leave! I wondered if there was anyone
from the
lists in the crowd - guys? were any of you at the Drafthouse
tonight?
Finally, we were allowed into the theater, where they were showing
clips
from the "Making of TMNT" video. I was thrilled -
I've never seen that.
There were members of the audience who were so enthused that
they were
quoting all of Splinter's dialogue...which would be fine, except
that they
were doing it anywhere from 2 to 5 seconds ahead.
There was one guy who could NOT stop narrating the movie - "Okay,
here she
is in her yellow raincoat...oh, look, April's about to get jumped!...uh-oh,
a fire in the shop..." You get the idea. He finally wound
down to providing
sound effects - so that, during the "Kodak Moment,"
he let out an
"aaawwwww!" that started a cascade of giggles through
the audience.
(Luckily, someone squelched another guy who was trying to make,
er,
inappropriate innuendo during some scenes...)
And finally, there were a few people who broke into song when
the ending
credits rolled. "On the half shell/they're the heroes four..."
etc.
There were more than 100 people in the audience (I stopped counting
at 40 or
so.) They seemed very enthusiastic to me - this is a good sign
for the
success of the next movie, if it happens.
I thought you guys would want to know - it looks like there
are a lot of
people, judging just from this one event, who would be interested
in seeing
the next movie. (And in case anyone is keeping track - the Drafthouse
only
allows 18 years and up. So every member of that audience tonight
was an
adult. Again, a hopeful sign for a more mature type of movie.)
Just keeping you posted!
Dee
Top of page
06.21.01
TMNT returns to Hollywood
John Woo offers a new incarnation of the
"original" Turtles!
By MIKEY
On opening my e-mail inbox this afternoon, I noticed that
there were roughly 35 messages that were not there at 3 a.m.
this morning. Subject headers, such as Ninja Turtles return
to movies/tv were among the most common of these messages...
Well, those and the usual messages that guarantee enhanced male
performance. After getting all the free advice that I could
scrounge from those other messages, I decided to open up the
ones talking about a new TMNT movie or television show.
I have to say that I get at least three
e-mails a week regarding a new TMNT movie or show. Everyone
seems to want them back in some way, shape, or form. But, most
people agree that the big screen or TV would be the best venues.
I agree, however, after postponing a new film several times,
and ultimately shelving the product when the live action show
failed, I began to feel that maybe it was for the best. maybe
the world needed a hiatus from TMNT just as we had with Batman.
Here's how the first e-mail I opened reads:
| Subj: |
|
Fw: Ninja Turtles return
to movies/tv |
| Date: |
|
Thu, 21 Jun 2001 2:02:37
PM Eastern Daylight Time |
| From: |
|
Shredder <theshredder1@prodigy.net> |
| To: |
|
tmnt-l@topica.com |
|
| |
An AOL IM Friend of mine also sent me this
today as well from Variety
----- Original Message -----
From: <Nemalki@aol.com>
To: <TheShredder1@prodigy.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2001 1:33 PM
Subject: Fwd: Ninja Turtles return to movies/tv
Always the doubter, eh?
Woo, Digital, Mirage on 'Turtles' pic
Estimated prod'n cost to fall between $40 mil-$60 mil
By TIM SWANSON
HOLLYWOOD -- Director John Woo and producer Terence Chang's
Digital Rim
Entertainment have inked a deal with Mirage Studios to develop
and produce a
CGI-animated feature film based on the $4 billion "Teenage
Mutant Ninja
Turtles" franchise.
Pic's estimated production cost will fall between $40 million
and $60 million
and will return the shell-backed heroes "to their darker,
edgier comic book
roots," according to "Turtles" co-creator
Peter Laird, owner of Mirage
Licensing, which reps Mirage Studios.
Digital Rim has already produced a new animated "Turtles"
TV pilot, which
inspired the company to pursue the film rights. The pilot
is currently being
shopped at the networks.
"John and I look forward to working with Peter to incorporate
these original
extreme martial arts characters into a terrific first CGI
film for Digital
Rim, fusing traditional Hollywood creative know-how and
highly advanced
computer technology," Chang said.
"I've always loved the 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,'
" Woo added. "It's one
of the greatest action-adventure properties ever."
Honolulu-based Digital Rim was formed last October when
Woo and Chang linked
up with vidgame and TV production company Rainbow Studios
and South
Korea-based J.G. Lee's Digital Dream Studio (DDS) to produce
digital and
CGI-animated pics and vidgames.
Rainbow Studios and DDS will handle the animation duties
on the still
untitled "Turtles" film. Woo and Chang's Lion
Rock Prods. will collaborate on
the development and production. No Hollywood studio is attached
to
co-finance or distribute the pic.
"Were not looking for financing or distribution right
now," Digital Rim
prexy Earl Jarred told Daily Variety. "We are looking
to develop a script and see
what happens with the TV series."
Although already working on "Ark," another CGI
film, "Turtles" will most
likely be Digital Rim's feature film debut. Pic is tentatively
skedded to
hit theaters in Christmas 2002.
William Morris Agency repped both Digital Rim and Mirage
on this project.
|
|
I read this and immediately had feelings
of joy. Then the joy turned to sorrow. We turtle fans have been
slapped in the face so many times with shifting scripts and
dates, that I just lost faith in the whole project. The second
thing that popped into my head was an ominous guestbook posting
that came in about a week ago:
Friday 06/15/2001
2:11:13pm
Name: UltimateScreamer
E-Mail: scream422@yahoo.com
Homepage Title: Scream 4 Homepage
URL: http://geocities.com/scream422
Referred By: Search Engine
Location: USA
Comments: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: New Generation"
comes out in 2002 A.D.
The third thing I thought of was a poll
conducted several months ago on UnderManhattan.com asking which
director would the fans like most on a new TMNT movie. Of course,
John Woo was one of them.
I was beginning to think that this was an
elaborate hoax. E-mail after e-mail were popping up about this
new Movie/TV Series. And then, I received the following:
| Subj: |
|
Fw: Fact, Or
Fiction? |
| Date: |
|
Thu, 21 Jun
2001 2:16:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time |
| From: |
|
Shredder <theshredder1@prodigy.net>
|
| To: |
|
tmnt-l@topica.com |
|
| |
Direct from Mirage.
Hopefully Dan dosn't mind me posting this to the list, but
considering the
story was posted on Variety, I don't see the harm in it.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan" <gutwallow@gutwallow.com>
To: "TheShredder" <TheShredder1@prodigy.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2001 5:08 PM
Subject: Re: Fact, Or Fiction?
> Yo man!
>
> > >>> Alright, I just heard this bit of
news from the wire.
According to Variety, they're getting ready to make a new
TMNT movie,
and you'll never guess who's helming it...John Woo!>>
>
> Typical Hollywood hyperbole.
>
> Gary did talk with a rep from John Woo's studio at
this year's Licensing
> Show about POSSIBLY doing a new TMNT movie... and that's
the end of it
> so far.
>
> No further meetings have been taken, no deals have
been signed; it was
> just a quick meeting at the Licensing Show, which is
where both sides
> got to shake hands and express mutual admiration and
interest in working
> together.
>
> Mirage is honored by Mr. Woo's interest in the Turtles
and we would love
> to work with him (he's a long-time favorite here),
but to say that a new
> Turtles movie from Mr. Woo's studio is definitely going
to happen is
> extremely premature at this point.
>
> The most that can be said is that both Mirage and Mr.
Woo are interested
> in doing a new TMNT movie together... whether or not
it will work out
> remains to be seen. Getting a movie into production
is very, very
> difficult, as we all learned from the previous attempt
to get TMNT 4
> launched.
>
> So being hopeful is good, but marking the calendar
for when the flick
> will debut is being too hopeful at the moment. =O)
>
> This is why we don't report every meeting that we have
on the site, as
> it will get people all excited about something that
may not happen. Few
> people understand how incredibly difficult it is to
get TV shows/feature
> films produced and distributed. Hence, we'd rather
err on the side of
> caution than get everyone excited for no reason. We
prefer to wait 'til
> we have definite news to get people excited. =O)
>
> So, it is a real possibility that Mirage will do a
movie with Mr. Woo's
> studio, but it's not - I stress - NOT definite at the
moment.
>
> Cross your fingers! =O)
>
> Cheers!
> Dan
>
> --
> http://www.gutwallow.com
>
> May you live all the days of your life.
> - Jonathan Swift
|
|
This e-mail made it final for me.
Among the most trusted officials at Mirage Studios is Dan Berger,
webmaster for www.ninjaturtles.com. He is also one of the many
comic artists that has worked for over a decade on the TMNT.
It's not that this is the only voice
from Mirage that I trust. It's just that this was the only official
response I had heard about the project. I want to stress that
Dan did not dismiss the news as false. He only stated that it
is not a definite thing. I figure that Dan has felt burned by
this sort of thing many times before, and is looking out for
the fans so we don't get burned as well. For that, I thank you
Dan Berger.
But I still wasn't satisfied with
what I had read. This couldn't be the full story. I had to find
out what John Woo had to say or even more importantly -- Peter
Laird, and where these people were getting their info. Unfortunately,
6:00 p.m. was rolling around pretty quickly, and I had to get
to work.
For those of you who don't know, I
work at a newspaper as graphic and internet artist. When I arrived
to my station, I looked at my Playmates TMNT action figures
standing on my desk with weapons at the ready. My co-worker
told me that he had just heard fromt he guys in Features that
John Woo was going to be making a new TMNT movie.
Wow! Good news travels fast, huh?!
I quickly (but accurately) finished all the daily work I had
and began my online search for more info... starting with my
inbox once again. I also decided to sign onto AIM. Maybe a buddy
would have something I could use. A good friend of mine and
fellow Turtle fan "Phish" directed me to yet another
site. The Guardian had a similar report to the one on Variety.
I didn't find anything new there,
but it did lead me to realize that this is pretty big news...
Not just in the TMNT world, but in the entertainment world too.
Remember the TMNT DID circulate a LOT of cash, John Woo is a
respected director, and in a society that thrives on nostalgia,
this comeback is quite a feat.
Well, nothing can bring me down today.
This is any Turtle fan's dream come true. Although "Production
hell" has claimed more than one Turtle Script, there is
always hope for a new TV show. "I wonder if Kevin Eastman
is kicking himself right about now," was one remark from
Phishtar. But maybe giving up any of his TMNT rights to co-creator
Peter Laird was an integral part of making this possible.
Anyway, I would just like to give
my most sincere thanks to all working to see this project through!
Thanks to everyone who contributed
to this article, including Neil Vitale, Matt Goode, Dan Berger,
Phishtar, and UltimateScreamer!!!
Related Articles:
http://www.variety.com/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4207928,00.html
http://www.aintitcoolnews.com/display.cgi?id=9382
Top
of page
06.06.01
San Diego Comic Con International
2001
What it takes to cosplay
By MIKEY
Cosplay is not a word you hear very often... unless you are
a convention or anime nut. Fortunately (or unfortunately however
you see it), I am beginning to live my life much like these
people.
Cosplay. To tell you the truth, I
had never heard the term before -- okay, so I still have never
HEARD the term even pronounced -- until around February. That's
when one of my best TMNT buddies Roseangelo of the Splunkyard
invited me to join her unlisted cosplay Yahoo Group. Cosplay
is the term used to descriobe the action of dressing in the
guise of your favorite character from a comic, movie, video
game, or television show. This is what you see when people are
walking around the convention dressed as Klingons, Sailor Moon,
or Spiderman.
COS from the word costume and
PLAY -- to play in costume. It's all very simple.
Or so you may think. This year, I have decided to actually partake
in this comic con tradition. Lemme be the first to tell you,
it's HARD WORK! I've never had an awesome Halloween outfit.
That is, until the Halloween before last. I decided I was going
to be a mummy. I bought sheets, shredded them, soaked in coffee,
dried in the dryer. The outcome was awesome to say the least
(and a little smelly). I even only wore a pair of fruit of the
loom briefs under the shrouds, making me look like i was pulled
straight from the tomb. I looked dreadful... that was a good
thing. Since I didn't get to dress up for this past Halloween
(damn flu), I decided to take Roseangelo up on that invitation.
She and Dawnatello had a request of
me: Would I mind cosplaying Harry Potter at the Comic Con? I
was kind of wary of it at first. I had never read Harry Potter,
and I had only some idea of what it was supposed to be about.
I agreed, nevertheless. I also figured that if I was going to
dress up as a character that I had no ties to, I should come
up with another character to cosplay... one I was familiar with.
You may think that because you are
reading this on a TMNT page, I am ONLY interested in TMNT...
not so. I am also an avid Legend of Zelda fan, and I had just
visited a Zelda site that detailed how to make a Halloween costume
for Link. I had made my decision. Because several of my fellow
cosplayers would be dressing as April O'Neil on one of the days,
I decided that I would attempt a Ninja Turtle or Casey Jones.
Did you happen to see my mask on the cam page?
At any rate, it's been a challenge
organizing costumes, buying patterns, getting things sewn and
embroidered, not to mention finding the right materials to make
our costumes. But, it's been fun, and we can't wait until we
can show them off at the con. We have been considering entering
the masquerade at the Con, but would much rather have fun parading
around the floor showing off our costumes than hiding them until
the actual show. I also read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's
Stone, and LOVED it... can't wait to get the others. So suffice
it to say, you will see more than several excited cosplayers
at this year's con, and I will be one of them!
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of page
06.06.01
San Diego Comic Con International
2001
A little over a month to go, but
already packing!
By MIKEY
I think I started making plans to attend this year's Comic-Con
when I was on the plane back home from the event last year.
It's just that cool. I had never in my life experienced the
whole convention scene. People in Klingon outfits, tons of comics
everywhere, and best of all California! Okay, so it wasn't much
of a change of scenery for me, since I live about 20 minutes
from South Padre Island on the Gulf of Mexico, but to me, I
always thought that I didn't belong in that crowd of people.
It's not like I have a hundred thousand comic books, or even
know who the current illustrator of Spider Man is. The only
comics I have are TMNT comics and several Groo The Wanderer
issues my dad picked up.
However, number one on my life's to
do list was "Meet the creators of the TMNT". After
building a relationship with the online fandom of the TMNT (the
biggest group I've ever encountered), that goal was beginning
to seem feasible to me. Many of the people I had chatted with
for a year and a half prior to last summer had already met Kevin
Eastman and Peter Laird, others had at least met one of them.
Heavy schooling and lack of funds prohibited me from making
the journey in 1999, so I decided I HAD to go in 2000. Boy am
I glad I did.
The convention kicked ass to say the
very least. I got to meet many of my online friends in person
for the first time. I bought a ton of comics and toys. I even
got a TATTOO of Michaelangelo!!! But nothing compares to the
very first thing I did at the con -- I met Kevin Eastman. Some
of my friends had already met up with him earlier in the day,
so they just went back to the Heavy Metal booth for a quick
chat and to casually invite him to dinner. I stood there like
an idiot not saying a word. Other people shook his hand, thanked
him for the Turtles and wished him well on Heavy Metal. I just
stood there.
After the day drew to a close that
day, we headed out to Spaghetti Warehouse or Factory or something
like that. The wait was horrendously long. We were even deliberated
whether or not to stay there -- I mean, it's not like Kevin
Eastman was going to show up anyway. While we waited, comic
writer and artist Jeff Bonivert (currently Muscle and Faith)
showed up, so he entertained us by sketching as we waited to
be seated. Then, the unthinkable happened -- Kevin Eastman showed
up! He sat, chatted, laughed, and approved Dawn's tattoo design
for her ankle (also Michaelangelo). After we were seated, we
all ordered, talked some more, and laughed a lot more. I sat
closer to GreenWillow and Jeff as the others crowded Kevin,
but still... here I was EATING DINNER WITH KEVIN EASTMAN! We
were all doodling Ninja Turtles as the waitress came around,
"Oh Ninja Turtles! I remember those!" If only she
knew that the guy sitting at the other end of the table was
half responsible for the $4 Billion industry. After we ate,
we talked more, and Kevin finished up his beer. He thanked "his
posse" for a wonderful time and we all regretted saying
goodbye.
A while later, the waitress came back
and informed us that the man who was sitting with us had taken
care of the bill... @_@;; ... Yes, KEVIN EASTMAN BOUGHT ME DINNER!
It was so insane, all of it... we all just kept laughing on
the way back to the hotel. So as you can see, this was something
that had a profound impact on my life. I had to do it again.
This year's con is coming up July 19-22. I'm already packing!
Related Links:
San Diego Comic Con 2000 Photo
Album
http://www.mikeystmnt.com/sd2000/index.htm
San Diego Comic Con International
2001
http://www.comic-con.org
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of page
05.26.01
The New Book
Promotion has at last begun!
 |
|
The flyer, printed on 11x17 paper,
is a black and white graphic of all four turtles. Underneath
the graphic it is printed:
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
A New Comic Books Series from Mirage Studios / Written,
Inked, Toned, and Lettered by Peter Laird, and pencilled
by Jim Lawson
COMING IN FALL 2001!
|
By MIKEY
Just about three months ago, the creative team of Peter Laird
and Jim Lawson announced the production of the new TMNT book.
The anticipated arrival of the Mirage Studios publication (the
original studio Turtle-house) was set for late summer or early
fall.
It seems that the release date will
indeed be the latter as summer draws nearer, and the book hasn't
even been sent to the press. Yet they are moving as quickly
as possible to meet the deadline for the release.
There isn't much more that Laird and
Lawson can do while the book is being published. But they can
do one thing for certain, and that is advertise.
At this month's Motor City Comic Con,
the United TMNT Fans hosted a booth specifically for the faithful
fans and followers of the Ninja Turtle Phenomenon of the last
16 years, and even for those who forgot all about the Green
Team when they "grew up." The event gathered major
support from both TMNT creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.
Although the two live on opposite coasts of the US, they contributed
in many ways to the TurtleCon booth.
Eastman and Laird supported by donating
autographed books and memorablia, but Laird included in his
donations probably the first bit of advertising for the brand
new book. Available to distribute to those in attendance at
TurtleCon 2001, were all new TMNT flyers. Laird gave the crew
of TC2K1 the permission to reproduce these flyers to make them
available to anyone. The flyer was a hit at the convention,
as many distributors, comic shop owners, and fans in general
got wind of the latest development from Team Mirage.
Peter Laird announced in his latest
Blast From the Past that he has finally finished applying the
duotone shading that on the first issue of the new series that
made the original so unique.
Jim Lawson, the new book's principle
penciller, has already begun working on the next issue. He has
also just released another publication called Paleo this
month. Paleo is a pictorial view of the day in the life of dinosaurs.
Undoubtedly, these are busy men. But
not too busy to overlook their obvious ways of gaining readership.
The release of this flyer is the first step in what will surely
become another media craze. In the past 16 years, the TMNT have
grossed over $4 Billion in merchandise and media. Here's to
four more!
Related Links:
http://www.planetracers.com/Blast/blast30.html
http://www.TMNTfans.com/
http://www.ninjaturtles.com/
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of page
05.23.01
Turtle Con 2001
It happened; did you miss
it?!
By DONATELLO IVEY
Hiya all,
Here is my report on Turtle Con 2001!
It really started a few weeks ago for me, when Tygra pointed
out that
Turtle Con was in less than 2 weeks away. I about freaked as
I knew I
had many ideas I wanted to do for this Turtle Con that didn't
get done
last year. Making signs and a banner and much more. So I got
one of my
best friends Shadow Wolf and started to put things together.
Shadow
Wolf donated a lot of time and money into making these signs
and banners
with me for the next few weeks.
The banner turned out to be 21 ft long. It says "Bring
Back the
Ninja Turtles, Turtle Fans United" And has a Turtle
drawing on both
sides of the banner. There's the 'Why Turtle Con' sign, the
price list,
and many other signs made for the booth. On Sunday May 13th,
Phoenix Gal arived and started to help us with the banner, at
this time
my friend Shannon was also helping. So we had a good size group
working
on the banners and signs.
The donations were low this year, so Shadow Wolf was paying
for most of
the art supplies with the deal that she'll get the left overs
for her art
work. We ate a LOT of pizza this week, as if we couldn't get
around it
(and usually I'm lucky to get pizza once a week!).
On Wedesday TN and her mother joined us and we took the night
off to
hang out for a little before getting back into work. We had
pizza and I
showed them to the store I use to work at last year, which was
only two
exits away from the convention center. Once we came back we
all were
tired and got some sleep.
Thursday was fun, we had to go to my Grandma's, pack up my car,
than go
get things from the house, and make flyers for the new Turtle
Comic,
since Peter Laird said he wouldn't be able to send any. We made
100
copies of the flyer than went out for some Chinese food. After
that I
got my hair cut and we went to my Grandma's house to pack up
the display
cases and big signs into the van. After that we went and picked
up
Shadow Wolf and headed out to the convention center (yes very
busy day!)
We got to the convention center and started to set up the booth,
and
man was that a LOT of work. We had to set up the display case,
and hang
the banner, and set up the tables and much more, but we didn't
get
everything done on the first day, we had to set some things
aside and
wait till Friday morning.
Thursday night we got back to the hotel and just hung out for
a bit.
Shadow Wolf stayed in our room that night, while TN and her
mother got
their own hotel room. We were up for awhile though visiting.
Friday morning we all were going to meet for breakfast at McDonalds.
Though on the way there, my car wouldn't go over 30 miles an
hour, with
some major problems. I've been having a leak in my transmission
fuild.
We got to McDonalds and I talked to my dad, he had me check
my trans,
there was some in there, so it wasn't that, than I checked my
oil (which
was changed only a few weeks ago) and it was FLOODED! Way too
much oil
in there. So he told me to do an oil change... than we hung
up.
My mom told me to use a ton of McDonald cups to do the change,
I said it
wasn't going to work, but she reassured me it'd be ok. (YEAH
RIGHT!).
I told them all to leave me and go to the convention center
to finish
setting up, Shadow Wolf stayed with me. I told her to hand me
the cups
as I say I need them, as soon as I got it open, the oil ATTACKED
ME! It
was HOT oil splashing down on my hands, we couldn't get the
cups there
fast enough to catch all of it, but we did fill EVERY cup and
a cooler!
Though there was a BIG mess on the ground.
I went in to wash my hands, trying to stop the burning feeling
I was
getting from it, only to come out and see my mom back at McDonald's.
I
kind of got worried seeing everyone was with her. I asked why
they
weren't setting up, the con was going to open soon, and my mom
said she's
on the phone with my dad. He was upset that I changed it with
only
having cups to fill the oil into, and said to move my car so
that no one
calls the cops on us. I was feeling sick as ever, we moved my
car to
the other side of the lot and parked it. I waited as my mom
took the
others to the convention center and went to pick up oil to put
into my
car.
While waiting a big rain fall came in, it was pouring hard as
Shadow
Wolf and I sat in the car. We didn't say much, just sat there.
I
started to draw on the walls and ceiling of my car with some
glitter
glue, since I was bored. Till I saw a Cop pull up in the parking
lot of
the mall next to us, he sat in the parking lot, in the middle
of an allie
just facing our way. Than after a good five minutes of sitting
there
he started to come towards us, the ran stopped. And I was feeling
sick... I fastly grabbed my keys and told SW that we're moving,
cause I
didn't want to get in trouble. Just as I put the keys in to
start the
car, my mom pulled up with the oil and the cop got into the
drive thru
line.
We put the oil in my car and drove to the convention center,
my car
still acting up. Once I got there I went in and the others had
everything set up for us... and HT called saying she was going
to be an
hour late. My mom left to go get my brother, and as she did
that we
realized a big mistake. Michaelangelo's head was in her CAR!
So we
had to start setting up and getting ready.
By this time we already knew that Tokka was not going to make
it, and we
were hoping to talk Kaybea into wearing the costume for us.
There was
no shopping time, as the con open, because all of a sudden people
were
coming and we were keeping busy. TurtleNinja made a new program
for
this year, in full color and wonderful pictures all the way
through it,
it had games, and profiles, TMNT web pages URLs, and Thanks
to the Con
crew with what they're doing. These turned out wonderful, originally
we were going to sell them for 50 cents, but selling didn't
work out to
well at the booth, and we really wanted the word out. I wasn't
there
when things got changed, but we ended up giving these out. (THEY'RE
ALL
GONE! Everyone of them was taken through out the weekend and
was a
success!!!!)
We made a new NewsLetter as well for this convention. It had
an
interview from both Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, which was
a selling
point. We only sold these for 25 cents. And since people really
don't
hear much on the two of them these days, most of these are gone.
Thanks to HorseTurtle for helping edit it and printing it up
for us.
The Flyers we made about the comics also went over very well
through out
the weekend, we had to go make another 200 copies and most of
them are
gone as well, we have like only 20 left and no I didn't see
these things
laying around on the ground or in the trash it was for real...
people
were taking these and keeping them!
Friday went over real well with people buying our Chocolates
and
NewsLetters. Once my mom returned I got into the Michaelangelo
costume
for two hours, getting out at my break time. Heh, which wasn't
much of a
break, we were so busy that through out my break I was working,
striking
up deals with other booths and helping fix signs at the booth.
I only
got a 15 minute break instead of the hour that I thought I had.
As soon
as my break was over, Belle was my escort as I got back into
costume. We
walked around for a good two hours as well... and I was getting
very
tired! After getting out of costume that time was my break,
which I
decided to spend alone. I took off into the dealers area and
didn't go
near the booth, since I was so tired. I talked to a few dealers.
After that break I returned to the booth for the last hour of
the day,
and believe it or not there was still stuff I was needed for.
As we
kept busy the last hour, I was in shock. Kaybea did put on the
Bebop
costume a little bit for us, though like a lot of people I know,
the heat
of the costume was too much and we knew we couldn't put her
into the
costume again. Though she did say she'd get back into it for
the party
and I thank her for the offer, though I don't want anyone to
really
suffer in those things.
After the last hour we packed up and headed to the hotel. And
man
was I happy to get back to the hotel. We rested and got to hang
out that
night. And guess what we had for dinner, again... wow you guessed
it...
PIZZA!
Saturday morning we went to Big Boy for Breakfast. Since there
was so
many of us, it took awhile to sit us. And our food took awhile.
So we
ate as fast as we could and headed to the convention center
a half hour
late (meaning at con opening time.) Lucky for us HorseTurtle
saved the
day, as she was sitting there with the booth all set up and
ready to go,
I thanked her a million times.
This day things went a little more on shedule. As Michaelangelo
got
out and about more. And we also got a nice surprise. Peter Laird
decided to send us a bunch of flyers as well. So we got these
really
cool looking flyers from Peter that we set out on the table,
he sent us
75, we ended up making another 100 copies because those ran
out as well.
Of course we were all out of those before the con was over.
Saturday's party was much smaller than last year, which was
good,
because we got to spend more personal time together and get
to know each
other better. We had a few people show up that wasn't originally
a part
of our group. So it turned out good. We had better prizes and
it was
more in order this year with prizes planned out in advance.
Sunday morning we had to move TN and her mother's stuff back
up to our
hotel room for the night, so we did that before going to the
con, again
getting there as the con was opening and being saved by HT getting
there
to set it up again! THANKS HT!!!!!!
We brought along the slices of cake and sold them at the convention
as
well, it was GREAT cake, so it sold out FAST! Going to have
to pick up
a small one sometime soon for some more <G>
All in all Turtle Con was a hit again. The convention people
loved us,
we had a good party, and we even got invited to another convention.
We're looking at doing our next con in PA. It'll be in April
2002.
I'll annouce if we're doing this convention in October. Depends
on how
much we make through out the summer.
Ways of making money for Turtle Con 2002 that we have right
now.
1. Donations
2. Fan Club - still in the works but will at least have a yearly
NewsLetter.
3. Putting up a page for Art Toons on the Turtle Con web page.
Any cell sold through us will give Turtle Con a percent of the
sale.
4. Selling TMNT comics and toys on the Turtle Con web page.
All sales are towards helping Turtle Con 2002. And hopefully
we'll
have just as much fun next year in PA.
Donatello Ivey
Please help Save Our Turtles by donateing to Turtle Con 2001,
if it's
just $5 or $10 any amount will help.
Donatello Ivey, P.O. Box 20998, Ferndale, MI, 48220
http://www.TMNTfans.com/
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of page
05.11.01
New TMNT Cartoon?
Mirage attempts reviving a faithful
venue
By MIKEY
It's nice to know that Mirage is still up and running, but it's
even better to know that they are trying everything in their
power to bring the TMNT back into mainstream entertainment!
Official TMNT Website developer Dan
Berger confirmed that Mirage Studios is indeed developing a
new Ninja Turtles cartoon. However, he stresses that the project
is only in the DEVELOPMENTAL stages. Currently, they are planning
on making it true to the original comic book creations of Peter
Laird and Kevin Eastman, thus making it more popluar to the
15-20 year olds. According to Berger, this will also increase
the chances that younger kids will want to see the show -- If
it's cool to a 16 year old, it will be even cooler to a 10 year
old. "Ya gotta get as much of the "demographics" as ya
can these days. If you're show isn't an instant hit, it gets
the axe."
However, Mirage is also trying to
keep as much as they can under wraps. It's too soon to tell
what will come of these plans, and they don't want to let down
the fans. They are aiming for a release two years from now.
"(But,) People are obviously ignoring the 'potential' aspect
of that statement (and applying 12 months to the 24 month projected
release date."
The official statement:
"We're currently in the initial stages
of development for a potential new animated TV show that we
hope will make it to TV within the next 24 months."
Thanks to Dawnatello
for providing the information from Dan
Berger.
Mirage Studios Official TMNT Website: http://www.ninjaturtles.com
Top
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05.11.01
Peter Laird's Blast from the Past
Turtle Co-Creator brings a bit
of the old and more of the new
By MIKEY
Peter Laird, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,
updates his portion of the Planet Racers website called Blast
From the Past weekly. At this rate, we'll probably see the
entire new comic book before its scheduled release in late summer
or early fall.
But we're not complaining! Quite the
opposite. While Blast shows us Laird's works from his
collection of TMNT art c. 1984 to present, he is also giving
TMNT fans everywhere a hint as to what the new comic book series
will be about. The first issue, although still a complete mystery
plot-wise, has been revealed two panels at a time. Fans can
only guess as to what is happening in the story because Laird
posts only the artwork (pencilled by Jim Lawson, which Laird
inks) without voice bubbles.
Late last year, co-creator Kevin Eastman,
editor of Heavy Metal Magazine, signed over his rights of the
TMNT to Peter Laird. On March 2, 2001, Peter Laird announced
to the Internet audience of TMNT and Planet Racers fans that
he and Jim Lawson, a TMNT veteran, would be releasing a new
run of the hugely successful Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic
book series.
Presumably, the series would take
place directly after the 2nd volume of the original Mirage Studios
run ended. To Laird, the Image Comics series is easily put aside
-- just another character universe, much like the Archie Adventure
Series. Possibly bi-monthly and black and white, like the original
TMNT comic, the new comic will be at least thirty-two pages
long and likely published by ZeroMayo Studios.
Peter Laird's Blast From The Past:
http://www.planetracers.com/Blast/blastarchive.html
The official announcement:
http://www.planetracers.com/Blast/blast18.html
First set of panels:
http://www.planetracers.com/Blast/blast22.html
Second set of panels:
http://www.planetracers.com/Blast/blast25.html
Third set of panels:
http://www.planetracers.com/Blast/blast27.html
Fourth set of panels:
http://www.planetracers.com/Blast/blast28.html
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of page
05.04.01
TurtleCon 2001 from Donatello Ivey
Latest info on this year's TMNT
Convention!
Hiya everyone,
I got some news for those coming to
Turtle Con 2001. And yes it matches what's in the topic. Kevin
Eastman Birthday is going to take place in 10 days after the
convention so where better to hold a surprise Birthday party
for him?
This in today from Kevin Eastman....
I'm still up in the air about getting out to the show, I've
got a ton of work going on, but who knows I might jump on a
plane at the last moment, but I still can't make any promises
to you.
Meaning we don't know if Kevin Eastman
is coming or not to Turtle Con 2001. Though we still would like
to be ready incase he's coming so here's how we're going to
do it.
First off we really want to throw
a nice surprise for Kevin, so the party on Saturday night will
be turned into a Surprise Bday party for Kevin Eastman IF he
comes. We'll have presents, cake, and Birthday supplies up around
the hotel room and should have a lot of fun, so now instead
of just being Turtle Con it's also the fans Birthday party for
Kevin.
Though if Kevin doesn't show, we'll
take all the cards and presents and put them in a box to ship
to Kevin Eastman so he'll still get what ever is there for him.
So if you want to bring a card for him or present for Kevin
Eastman, feel free. This party should be a blaste and this should
be alot of fun for everyone, if Kevin Eastman is there or not.
Updates on Turtle Con.
Most everything is paid for, we are
still about $200 short for some of the stuff needed for Turtle
Con, so if anyone wants to help with donations, feel free..
our P.O. Box is still open.
Mitch has sent me an email saying
he won't be able to make it this year. So now we're going to
have Frank Fosco and maybe Kevin Eastman. I wish we could say
more guest like we originally had. Though still the guest that
are coming for Motor City Comic Con will still be there. So
it's not like we're not going to have any famous people for
you all to meet.
Turtle Con is on May 18th, 19th, and
20th. That weekend Shrek Comes to Threaters. So just like last
year with Dinosaur, we're going to do a movie after the convention
ends on Sunday evening. It's a pay your own way, we'll be gathering
at Star Southfeild for the movie, there's a pizza buffe place
there, so we can have pizza after the movie. Everyone is welcome
to come to this event, it's just a gathering so we can have
fun, and a chance that we might make it on TV with the Me TV
booth at that threatre, if it still has room left on the tape.
(last year the tape was full when we were there.).
We got a great crew lined up to be
working this years Turtle Con booth for us. TurtleNinja and
her mother Linda are returning from Last years Crew. HorseTurtle
is added upon the crew list, along with Phoenix Gal and Tokka.
The Booth will be playing videos all weekend long and will have
a display from the early days of the TMNT and the other display
at the booth will be Turtles Around the World, with items from
different countries.
So feel free to join the fun and come
to Turtle Con 2001.
Donatello Ivey
P.S. This years Turtle Con might be
the last one for awhile, we were really low on any help with
support from the fans this year, and the feedback has gone down
a bit from last year... so I'm afraid we don't raise enough
money this year at the booth that we won't be doing another
one for a long time.
Turtle Con is a non profit group of
fans putting together a booth to get the Turtles in the public
where a large number of people are that might effect people's
thoughts about the Turtles. Last year was a hit, as we got on
other web pages and more people at least in Michigan have been
bringing up the Turtles... though the money didn't come in to
well, as it had to go back out to pay off a few loans that was
needed to get certain items for the booth.
The way we'll judge if there's another
Turtle Con is each October I'll check the Turtle Con account,
if there's over $1,000 in that account, than there'll be a Turtle
Con the following May, the more money the more chances of traveling
to other cities and states. Though if there's under $1,000 the
money will remain in the bank, and there won't be another Turtle
Con that up coming year.
This way the stress of trying to get
money at the last minute is not going to be on the heads of
the crew like it has been. And the people know way in advance
if there's going to be a convention or not the next year. Ways
we're doing to earn money is selling Turtle Con stuff on the
Turtle Con Web Page AND selling Turtle stuff on ebay every now
and then.
Just to let you all know how we're
doing this now. Hopefully we can keep Turtle Cons going from
year to year, and make it better each year and be able to start
traveling with it. Though if we can't... I'm sorry, maybe I'm
dreaming a little too high. Turtle Con is about the fans done
for the fans and by the fans. Everyone of us have a part in
it... including if it's going to happen or not.
Please help Save Our Turtles by donating
to Turtle Con 2001, if it's just $5 or $10 any amount will help.
Donatello Ivey, P.O. Box 20998, Ferndale, MI, 48220
...
http://www.TMNTfans.com/ ...
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04.16.01
TurtleCon 2001 from Donatello Ivey
More info for Michigan's TMNT Convention!
By MIKEY
Well, everyone. I chatted with Donatello Ivey the other day,
and she assured me that Turtle Con is in full gear. The booth
is paid for, but they still need help getting other preparations
done. She is still waiting to hear from Kevin Eastman. Whether
he makes an appearance or not, he will still send tons of autographed
items, including sketches and drawings he's done himself.
Many people agree that this booth
is awesome, and the only way to keep it going is by showing
your support to the hostess.
There will be tons of TMNT fans at
this year's con as well. If you are interested in going, please
contact Donatello
Ivey or visit the Turtle Fans web site:
...
http://www.tmntfans.com ...
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03.02.01
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR TMNT COMIC
BOOK FANS
As seen on Peter
Laird's Blast From the Past!
"As of this past week, Jim Lawson
has started penciling, from my plot, the first issue of the
all-new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book series which
should see print sometime this year, hopefully late summer or
early fall. I'm not sure what kind of publishing schedule the
new book will have -- possibly bimonthly like the original TMNT
comic. It will be black and white, and the first issue (at least
as it stands now, in rough layout form) will be thirty-two pages
long. I'm very excited to be working on a turtle comic book
again, and even more so to be working with my good friend, motorcycling
buddy, and PLANET RACERS collaborator Jim Lawson. Now I have
to go start inking...!"
--Peter Laird
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02.27.01
More Words on TurtleCon 2001 from
Donatello Ivey
The latest on Michigan's Premiere
TMNT Convention!
Hello all,
Turtle Con web page is starting to
put some photos from Turtle Con 2000 up on the page. We'll also
love to add as many links to other people's pages that have
photos up. So if you went to Turtle Con 2000 last May, please
let us know and we'll put a link up to your page in our photo
area on the Turtle Con Web Page.
Photos on the Turtle Con web page
is from TurtleNinja's and my cameras.
We'll also make a photo page this
summer for Turtle Con 2001 as well. So if you're coming to the
Convention don't forget your cameras! ([;{-)
OH! Like last year, we'll be doing
a page on who's coming, where they're staying and how long they'll
be in town. I'll let you all know when this page is up. We'll
also be doing a movie on Sunday like last year as well. So save
money for Sunday nights little good bye get together!
Yes I'm working hard on getting everything
together early this year! We'll try and get as much stuff as
we can up for everyone to enjoy!
Remember any comments, fan art, games,
is all welcome. Just send me an email here at TurtleFansUnite@juno.com!
Donatello Ivey
Please help Save Our Turtles by donating
to Turtle Con 2001, if it's just $5 or $10 any amount will help.
Donatello Ivey
P.O. Box 20998
Ferndale, MI 48220
...
http://www.TMNTfans.com ...
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02.26.01
TurtleCon 2001 Developments and Notes
from Ivey
Hiya all, Letting you all know
what's going on with Turtle Con
at this moment in time.
A lot of changes are happening and
I'm happy to annouce that the booth is going to be lot better
this year. The display cases this year will not just be randomly
placed items, but will be planned out before they even get to
the convention center. Two crew members are even coming in early
to make sure the booth is set up before Friday afternoon when
the convention opens.
None of the Guest has been annouced
yet, if they're coming or not. So we are still in the dark about
this. I will be getting a phone card soon to give both Mitch
and Niki a ring. We got one month to hear back from Kevin Eastman
about coming. Mark and Molly Bode are both not sure if they're
coming, though I'm almost sure that Frank Fosco will be returning
this year.
We'll be holding raffles at the booth
for Ninja Turtle items this year. And will have the Turtle Con
2000 items returning, as well. I can't afford to have new stuff
made this year, though if we sell and raise up more money this
year, we'll have enough to raise up money for the next convention
to have new stuff.
I'm going to be doing some emails
with the company making the new TMNT shirts to see if they'll
like to sell any of their shirts through our booth, it'll be
a good way of getting those shirts around to the fans that don't
have a Hot Topic near them, and don't get online.
If you can't make it to this years
Turtle Con, though would like a Turtle Con item. All items are
for sale right now on the Turtle Con Web Page. Once these items
sell out, they will not be made again. So these are limited.
Though they don't have the TMNT on them, the meaning of the
shirts does go towards the Turtles.
We need to raise up $300 more before
April 1st, or the price will go up by another $50 to $100 on
the booth. Remember this year donations are repaid with items
for our web page. So if you donate, you will not be wasting
your money, you will get packages in return for helping out.
Thanks for your support! If you have
any questions at all about Turtle Con please feel free to email
me at TurtleFansUnite@Juno.com
We're also still excepting fan art and games. So far we have
two games, if anyone wants to make one or two more games for
the News letter anyone is welcome to it.
Thanks again!
Donatello Ivey
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01.24.01
Leah’s Little Guide to Comic-Con-ing
Do you need help on anything when
going to a fan convention?
In this guide to Comic-Cons by Leah-nardo,
there are simple and easy to understand tips to prepare for
the trip of a lifetime. There are various ways to save money,
stay safe, and protect your belongings. Here's just a sample
of the wise advice she offers:
