Howdy folks,


Mirage's C.E.O. Gary Richardson and Director of Licensing Steve Murphy attended the Licensing Show in New York City last week and here's the scoop regarding the future for the TMNT:


TMNT movie sequel: Mirage and its partners (Imagi, Warner Brothers and the Weinstein Group) are still discussing the possibility of a sequel for the CG film. Hopefully a decision will be made by the end of summer. Think positive - create good karma!


TMNT cartoon on 4Kids TV (USA): Six new episodes of "Fast Forward" will air this fall beginning in September. From January to May of 2008, 4Kids TV will air most or all of the "Ninja Tribunal" episodes (although episode #110, "Nightmares Recycled", WILL NOT be completed or aired). Series producer Lloyd Goldfine and TMNT co-creator/owner Peter Laird are currently in talks regarding a new direction for the series to take in the fall of '08, but no definite decision has been made regarding what this new direction may be. Time will tell - but mum's the word for now.


Playmates Toys: movie-themed toys will continue to be released until mid 2008. No decisions have been made yet regarding what will be released for the second half of '08. Rumors of a 5' tall robotic action figure that can talk and do seven different martial arts moves are not true.


Ubisoft: Mirage is in negotiations with Ubisoft to produce a new TMNT video game. The CG movie models will be used, although the game will be independently produced (so it won't be directly based on any preexisting media like a TV show or film). If all goes well, the game will be out in late 2008 or early 2009. More than likely it will not be released on all of the same platforms that the movie game appeared on.


A retro-licensing program will kick into high gear in 2008 with merchandise based on the 1980s TMNT cartoon series. Lots of adult-sized gear will be available! Can we get a "Cowabunga!" from the faithful? Awe yeah!


Steve Murphy will be spearheading (katana-heading?) special events and merchandise programs to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the TMNT comic book in May, 2009. It's too early to say what will be involved, but Mirage plans to celebrate this monumental achievement in style!


Cheers!
Dan Berger
Mirage Studios' Official Web Dude

-->> .. LICKIN' MY WOUNDS ONCE AGAIN..welp.. gotta get this done and alot of Turtle bits from the past few weeks here to go with the update..so i better get to feelin' better.(('Sides.. Summer's here anyways..so let's think of brighter TMNT-tommorows n' sun,fun,pizza n' Beach Blankets,Bingo !! )) ::




- Image courtesy HGG







..the rest of the TMNT movie 'Stunt Rider' Assortment should be zoomin' into a store near you NOW !!





-..of note for the U.K. ::..








HIGHLANDER: SEARCH FOR VENGEANCE


- Info courtesy of THN ::


We've just got hold of a bunch of new information for an upcoming region two DVD release, HIGHLANDER: SEARCH FOR VENGEANCE. We also have a few clips from the film too. Read on...



From revolutionary anime director Yoshiaki Kawajiri (The Animatrix; Vampire Hunter D; Ninja Scroll), writer David Abramowitz (Highlander The TV series; Highlander: The Source), animation supervisor Kevin Eastman (co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Manga Entertainment comes HIGHLANDER: SEARCH FOR VENGEANCE, a brand new feature-length anime addition to the ever-popular Highlander phenomenon.



After five feature films, an animated TV series and two live-action TV series, the latest member of the MacLeod clan hits the screen with a brand new edge thanks to the unique visual stylings of anime wizard Kawajiri and the team at Madhouse Studios.



A one thousand year quest is about to end and the patience of one immortal man who has endured loss and pain for a millennium is about to be rewardedŠ



A lone warrior, Colin MacLeod has travelled through the ages, endlessly searching for a fellow immortal, Marcus Octavius, the man responsible for killing his lover, Moya, on the Celtic plains tens of centuries ago. His journey has taken him to a post-apocalyptic New York in the year 2187, the city now a partly submerged ruin overshadowed by a vast monolithic fortress. Ruling what is left of the once proud metropolis is none other than Marcus Octavius, whose despotic plans for the future include the mass murder of the city's populace. MacLeod has the power to save the survivors, but driven by a blinding bloodlust, he has only one goal - to avenge the murder of Moya. After countless encounters with each other on the bloody battlefields of history, neither MacLeod nor Octavius has managed to emerge victorious. Will the remnants of New York prove to be the final battleground as these two immortals once again come face to face?



In HIGHLANDER: SEARCH FOR VENGEANCE, writer David Abramowitz continues the Highlander saga in fan-pleasing fashion with a thrilling and epic storyline that brilliantly recalls the spirit of Russell Mulcahy's original 1986 movie.



HIGHLANDER: SEARCH FOR VENGEANCE (cert. tbc) will be released on DVD in the UK (£16.99) by Manga Entertainment on 9th July 2007. Special Features include: East Meets West Part 1; Interview with director Yoshiaki Kawajiri; photo montage; original teaser by Madhouse Studios.



**Click here for more including clips from the film !!




..Tips and interviews courtesy of A.M. !!


- "Fate of TMNT 4Kids Toon"


@ http://www.cynopsis.com/content/view/2557/53/




"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ninja-kicked their way to the top of the box office in March with their CGI movie TMNT!


The movie DVD is released this August by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, supported by a huge marketing budget.


Over 50 licensees are on board with product including toys, video games, mobile content, apparel, books and more.


4Kids TV continues to air the popular Fast Forward TV series and there's a whole new TV series coming fall 2008.


Visit 4Kids Entertainment at Booth 3400, for more about this true everGREEN hit! "









- A.Modeen:: " Interviews with Will Tupper and Kevin Munroe .. ..





- Will Tupper :


@ **http://www.ninjaturtlesempire.com/tupper.html


- Kevin Munroe :


@ **http://www.xs4all.nl/~rgret/munroe%20interview.html






- Dan Berger has answered a few questions for me for an
interview I've posted on the Empire. He gives lots of
answers here about TMNT, his own history with them,
and the comic book industry at large.


Check it out here :


**http://www.ninjaturtlesempire.com/berger.html





- ..And feel free to comment here, or on th Empire board
here :
**http://www.ninjaturtlesempire.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1500#post1500




Also, in what was a surprise to me, a very unexpected
TMNT interviewee has agreed to a hard-hitting line of
questions from myself about the new film. I'm awaiting
now for his responses... stay tuned on this one




-It's old, 7 years now, but it's only viewable exclusively online -- never been printed to my knowledge. ((**CLICK**))





- Courtesy of Jake Black .. :: "Check out my blog **here ** for the first three pages of my TMNT: Fast Forward story to be published in the UK."





- Cool TMNT anatomy perspective from Teletran ::


"I was thinking of putting together an anatomical workup of the turtles based on their appearance and abilities as well as the anatomy of real turtles.
I searched the web to find out if anyone had done anything similar and found this:





Which is helpful but has several aspects that I would have done differently.
If you have any comments or suggestions for this project please let me know. I will update soon.





**http://tmnt.besshudson.com/anatomy.html
.."


Imperative and most recent updates from the official TMNT [d0t] com..


Dan Berger ::




- **Posted the extended synopsis (with screenshots) for Episode #128 "The Freaks Come Out at Night..."


- **Posted the preview for Tales of the TMNT Collected Books Volume III.





- **Posted the extended synopsis (with screenshots) for Episode #125 "Clash of the Turtle Titans"



- **Posted the extended synopsis (with screenshots) for Episode #127 "Invasion of the Bodyjacker"


-Steve Murphy received two Harvey Award nominations for his mini-series "Umbra" for "Best Writer" and "Best Continuing or Limited Series". If you're a comics pro and would like to support Steve and artist Mike Hawthorne, please head over to the Harvey Awards site to grab your ballot. Congratulations Murph and Mike!!!





- **Posted the extended synopsis (with screenshots) for Episode #126 "Fly Me to the Moon"


- **Posted the preview for Tales of the TMNT #35.



- **Updated the Books of the Future page.



.. >v<

-->> .. Round-up of the news ..comin' up..


((sorry,gang.. bad stuff been goin' down and tOkKa's tryin' to get out behind an 8 ball)).. Doc appt. , then after work i'll come back and tackle the News .. thanks for your patience.

>v<

The girl’s gone green


From Ripley’s to VH-1, Michelle Ivey, uh, breaks out of her shell






The infamous Ivey :: 'Believe it or Not'


-->> The Metro Times Detroit pays a visit to M.Ivey the record breakin' shell-for-brains,shell-on-the-brain and one of the biggest TMNT fans on the planet !!


The article has word..from Michelle herself,'Five essential things for the world's biggest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fan, should she find herself stuck on a desert island', settin' some records straight,.. and the possible future of a TMNT Museum ((?!)),we'll see.. but you gotta read !!


**CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCOOP FROM D.M.T.!!



** ** ** ** ** **


Transformers' Megan Fox has a secret ..((of the ooze))..





- Courtesy of MTV.com::






MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet: Justin Timberlake Might Make Megan Fox Pee


'Transformers' hottie Megan Fox goes from indie-geek chic to all-out sleek.




Megan Fox — who is heading to the MTV Movie Awards for the first time — may masquerade as the typical Hollywood stunner, but lurking behind those lush locks, chiseled features and bright baby blues is — a nerd?


"Yeah, I'm a comic book geek," she confessed. When asked to reveal one of her favorite movies of late, she raved about one that was spawned from a comic book series (see " 'Transformers' Set Has Flashy Cars, Robot Models, Exploding Furbys"). " 'TMNT!' " she exclaimed. "I'm down with the Ninja Turtles. For real, that movie was good. It had the greatest fighting scenes between the two brothers, almost 'Crouching Tiger'-style. I was super-excited to see that movie, because I've seen all of them. My favorite was the Vanilla Ice one ['The Secret of the Ooze']."


.. .. ..




..**Click here for the entire article:: The past weekend's MTV Movie awards,Autobot Tatoos, and Urinating about Justin Timberlake .. !!








-Vintage Sports Cards Inc. is offering value repacks of the classic TMNT Trading Card game :: Turtles Unleashed. This set has 1 complete 2 player starter set, 5 Booster packs, and not labeled ..there was a suprise pack of the 3-d TMNT Model Cards inside (from a few years back) !!


The pack retails for $9.99 ..but i was able to snag the box for around $5.oo at a local Kmart store !!


Not too sure how long the pack has been available.. but this is the first time i've noticed it. You may wanna keep an eye out ,'specially at Kmart and are tryin' to complete your collection of the Trading Card Game or are totally new to it altogether !!



- Quick Stats from the official TMNT d0t com ::




Dan Berger::




- ((**CLICK))Posted the extended synopsis (with screenshots) for Episode #124 "Night of Sh'Okanabo!".



- ((**Click))..Posted info about the Season 1 Part 1 DVD.





- And more movie VID info..


Paul sent in the following news:


"The recent TMNT movie will be coming to not only standard DVD on August 7, but also next-gen formats HD DVD and Blu-Ray as well. The HD DVD version also includes the standard DVD on one side of the disc for $39.98 and the Blu-Ray movie will be $34.95. Both versions feature high-definition video, while HD DVDs typically boast nicer menus and Blu-Ray discs often include uncompressed audio. These will be the definitive way to watch Leo and Raph argue at home!"


**HiDefDigest.com

..>v<

Mark Bodé's Miami Mice #4 [[TMNT,Cerebus X-over]] (1987)







Bar scene ::






..>v<

-->> ..'k ..my brain n' beak are about to explode.. ((..yeh it's apea-brain..but i ain' lookin' for some split-peas soup on my pizza heres so ..i better take this a step-at-a-time..))

..i'll start the Round-up of TMNT bits n' bites from the past week's TMNT news now n' finish up when i get back from work n' feed ya some more Turtle Kibbles n' Bits.... i just luve them Kibbles n' bits ..RAWWRRF !!..





- **OUT NOW AT YOUR FAVOURITE SHOP AND on AMAZON!! ..Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Season 1, Part 1 (2003) **




- Out later..


Mirage: "August will see the release of not one, but TWO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles DVD releases! Lionsgate will release the entirety of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon's fifth season across a 3 disc boxed set (which saw the animated debuts of characters such as Mondo Gecko, Muckman and Joe Eyeball, Groundchuck, Tattoo, Wingnut and Screwloose) while Warner Bros. will release this years TMNT feature film on all DVD formats! Both are expected in stores early August - .. .. "








((Check out the cool HDDVD/DVD combo disc !! [!?] ~tOkK))





- Courtesty of A. Modeen ; Mirage Studios officially is now on Myspace !! Friend'em now !! ::




> > > " Here it is :

**(click) http://www.myspace.com/miragestudiosinc

> > > Yes, it's legit. "





- Thanks to Dierna ::" Check it out folks. Previews, clips, sneak peaks of
ALL the new shows coming out this fall. From sci-fi to
comedy to drama to reality.


For TMNT fans: Paige Turco (movie 2 and 3 April) will
be seen this fall in Big Shots, Judith Hoag (movie 1
April) will be seen this fall in "Wild At Heart" (a
dramady set in Africa!), and James Saito (movie
Shredder) is in "Eli Stone"...2 of the shows ("Eli
Stone" and "Big Shots") are on ABC! ..


**(Click)http://tvweek.com/page.cms?pageId=733 .."




- Standard and important updates from Danny B.'s original TMNT dot c0m.. ,fromt he past 7 + days or so ..::




DAN B. ::


- **Posted a page that illustrates the differences between the first three printings of TMNT volume one #1 as another forgery showed up on eBay this week. Click here to view it.





- ** J.W. Cornelius sent in two new PSP wallpapers.






- |**Greg Cook sent in an image of the 1993 Giant Trolls TMNT figures.





- Several people have sent in the following link regarding the TMNT Season Five (original series) DVD:


**(..as posted above) TVShowsOnDVD.com






- Trey sent in the following link regarding the second TMNT: Fast Forward DVD release:


www.TVShowsOnDVD.com




- Dan has also incorperated a Google co=op search engine into the site .. the site is just a veritable Turtle library. And after over 10 years online ..it's got volumes of good stuff !!


**Click here to get a help on searchin' for what ya need.




..more later when i return from work ..
>v<

New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Comic launches in the UK!

Click here to subscribe!

Source: Titan Magazines, Titan House, London

-->> ..Gosh it's been a crazy few months .. when all the movie news washed me away earlier this year, so much cool Turtle stuff n' tid-bits got swept aside or under the rug like Michelabgelo's left over pizza crumbs !! Some of it i didn't even see at all..until now. With the current television Turtles lookin' to go thru' yet another facelift and TMNT 4 DVDs n' stuff oozin' ever so slowly outta the media mutagen can.. i'm thinkin' a quick Round-up is in order so i can get some gooey stuff outta the way !! Oy!!




- ..Courtesy of A.Modeen .. the TMNT Fanatical eps are not on Youtube !!


A.M. ::




Part One : **http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xaxev-59fcA


Part Two : **http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbCIxmF4n_U


Part Three : **http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLRqToN2URA


Part Four : **http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm3dC6z1cLw


- Courtesy of 4 Colorrebellion & Gaygamer.net..




Fellow Gamer and Video Game concept artist Angie Lai rendered a beautiful Raphael..that your Moron-snapper totally let slip ((stoopit stoopit..!!))


**Click the Thumb below for Angie's depict- of everyone's favourite mood-monger in the full pic ..





** Click for Angie's PDF portfolio .. !!




- TMNT - TV .. in for another revamp


Via.. T-drome.. with thanks to Tortugapower (noted insider),Roseangelo,V.M. and Cybercubed..::


..here's the notes i took .. -





Tortugapower::Fast Forward is done. One of the partners in the shows production has decided to not go ahead with the planned new episodes that would have comprised the next season, I will not say who or why for now.


So for the moment there will be no Space Usagi showing up, let alone any of the other things that were planned, which I will not reveal here.


So what happens to the show? It's not canceled, the show will likely be re-developed, your guess is as good as mine as to what the result may be... but either way production will not resume until sometime later this year.


So it's not the end of the world - but it may come as bad news for some.


Quote:
Originally Posted by CyberCubed
Does that mean 10 eps of Fast Forward were in production but were cancelled?
Yes. They are dead in the water.


Quote:
Originally Posted by CyberCubed
Does that mean they were as far along as the Lost season before that got axed?


They were not that far along. Lost Season is complete (except for "Nightmare's Recycled" which is only in work print form, meaning it's watchable but has no music/foley/dialogue or animation retakes.)


From all I hear the retooling will probably make the show more along the lines of the movie.

..stay tooned' ..


Official Site spots from Dan Berger.. -



- ** Posted the extended synopsis (with screenshots) for Episode #123 "Bishop To Knight".




- New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Comic launches in the UK!





Individual issues cost £2.60


13 subscription is only £28.75


For subscription info **click here (hopefully it will take you to a TMNT page soon).


-Storm Eagle sent in the following info:


I don't know if this has been brought to the attention of the site yet, but according to davisdvd.com, the TMNT movie from March of this year will be out on VHS on August 7.




- More info on the U.K. Mag courtesy of Hero..::
Hero::"I managed to pick up a couple of copies of the said comic today. The first issue is bundled with a fancy little skateboard launcher (with the skateboard on a bigger scale than the usual tech deck).


The main strip is scripted by Trist Huw Jones and drawn by Anthony Williams (best known for Sonic The Comic and The Real Ghostbusters) and looks pretty decent. The second strip is a reprint of the Raphael TMNT Movie prequel comic IN COLOUR! "
















- Also from Hero::


.."..grabbed a free copy of Toxic from this weekends Bristol Comics Expo. Inside was a couple of TMNT goodies including Gross Grub! .."










.. >v<

-->> TMNT Fast Foward U.K. & Tristan Jones


- Thanks to A.Modeen :: "Tristan Jones, writer of "Tales of the TMNT" Vol. 2#36 as well as the UK Titan "Fast Forward" comics has conducted an interview with me for the Ninja Turtles Empire. Check it out here :


**Click for the interview..http://www.ninjaturtlesempire.com/tristan.html .."




- Thank you to Hero for pointing out the fresh release of TMNT F.F. MAGAZINE ..!! ::






Hero:: "I managed to pick up a couple of copies of the said comic today. The first issue is bundled with a fancy little skateboard launcher (with the skateboard on a bigger scale than the usual tech deck).





The main strip is scripted by Trist Huw Jones and drawn by Anthony Williams (best known for Sonic The Comic and The Real Ghostbusters) and looks pretty decent. The second strip is a
reprint of the Raphael TMNT Movie prequel comic IN COLOUR!"


Hero also provided me with a preview for the second issue..check'it !!






>v<

-->> ..Cereal:Geek #1


The other month,Mikey was sent in an slick,glossy U.K. based publication tip ::Cereal:Geek - Animation of the Eighties..


Sadly ..the cool news kinda got buried under the massive attack of movie news that followed during the weeks subsequent. So here we'll dig out one cool quarterly and take another look at a great book dedicated to a slice of animation history that refined n' defined a generation..and anymore is pretty timeless. Also Slick new artwork ::




cereal:geek is the new magazine from Busta Toons Productions that focuses strictly on animation from the eighties. On a quarterly basis this 100 PAGE glossy publication with NO ADVERTS features refreshing and enlightening articles, illustrations, scripts, storyboards, a wealth of unseen production materials from your favorite shows, and interviews with those individuals that helped shape this particular decade of animation history! Dungeons & Dragons, G.I. Joe, Galaxy High School, He-Man, Jem, M.A.S.K., The Real Ghostbusters, She-Ra, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, ThunderCats and The Transformers are just some of the shows that appear in the first issue!


Also inside is fresh new comic art on your favourite shows ..incluiding TMNT of coarse !!


"..There are plenty of Ninja Turtles related goodies in the first issue, including illustrations by professional comic artists alongwith an in-depth look at the intro sequence. .. issue #2 will featurea new illustrated pin-up of the Channel Six news team!"






£6.00 (includes postage, packaging, and shipping anywhere in the world!)/$12.00 (again, includes postage, packaging, and shipping)


**Click here for ordering info and more previews.. !!




News via T-drome::








- Thanks to EctoCooler :: New TMNT toy pix ..


**CLICK - http://toynewsi.com/news.php?catid=20&itemid=11199


**CLICK - http://i.toynewsi.com/g/index.php?mode=album&album=TMNT%2FFall_07_Basic_Figure&dispsize=600&start=0







- Thanks to Fixer and Roseangelo for a spot i totally missed in April..EESh !! .. ::


FIXER ::.." wonder if you've already encountered these...
They're plush TMNT figures made by Play-by-play, a plush toy company from
Valencia, Spain. Apparently, they have a truckload full of licences. This is the list on



their website:


**CLICK - http://www.pbpes.com/index.asp?modo=licencias


Strangely enough, the TMNT licence isn't on the site...
Well, anyway... Their TMNT plushes are great. Their shells, plastrons, elbow- and kneepads


are made in some sort of cool fake leather which looks really great. Also, the iron bars in


their arms 'n legs make 'em posable
They have this oldschool 'Muppet' quality about them.
..







ROSEANGELO ::


I got my movie Mike plush today - He's HUGE!!!!


Here's a comparison pic with my old school Mike plush:


..
.."




..**CLICK here for an Ebay seller with many plushes available..




- Thanks to A.Modeen and Tristan Huw Jones for the follwin'..::



A.M.::


Tristan Jones, writer of "Tales of the TMNT" Vol. 2,
#33 has posted on the Ninja Turtles Empire board this
snippet :


"Check it out guys - the preview for Tales #33 by
Murph and Mike Manley has just gone up! While you're
there, check out the newer previews for my own #36!
Head on over to comicscontinuum.com for Augusts
solicitations too! Links below:


** Click - http://au.comics.ign.com/articles/786/786236p1.html


** Click - http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0705/07/index.htm


For the original article, click here :
http://www.ninjaturtlesempire.com/forum/showthread.php?p=407#post407


Looks awesome! Tristan intends to literally revisit
"City at War" from Vol. 1, with -- for lack of a
better word -- badass art!




- Roundin' out.. Danny B.'s offical Turtle site updates ::


- ** Click .. Posted the extended synopsis (with screenshots) for Episode #122 "Playtime's Over".




- **Greg Cook sent in a picture of Giant Slam Dunk Don from 1992.





- *Vaughn Michael(infamous ~t).. sent in box pix of the **(Click)Talkin' Turtle Communicator (1993) and **Krang's Android Body (1992).





- abc123xyz890 sent in pix of the boxed ** (Click)Super Mutant Splinter (1994) and **Cheapskate (I'm guessing 1988 - I think it was in the first assortment - if not, I'm sure someone will let me know :)



- Christina sent in this info:


"I was browsing **Hottopic.com and came across four pages of TMNT gear and DVDs. They even have shirts for us ladies! Just put "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" in the search bar. Thought everyone would like to know! .."




- Marius sent in the followin ginfo:



I've just located the other Next Mutation DVDs. It could be they're dubbed in German:



**Next Mutation DVD 3



**Next Mutation DVD 4



**Next Mutation 4 Disc DVD Set




..
>v<

- Very special thank you to my sweet friend anzyAprico in Japan ..for this lead ..!!::


"..i happen to find his animated cartoon on tv at the monday early-evening . and i recalled you at once!! :))))




it had started in April in japan.."


** Click for Tv-Tokyo's official TMNT animation site !! :: www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/m_turtles/


**Click here for the English translation..of the TMNT site !!


((You know how geeky tOkKa gets when it comes to international Turtle news.. site includes bios,staff and music info,a super cool trailer tv-spot and more ..!!))




- News for the week on Danny B.'s offical Turtle Site ..::




- ((**Click)) Posted the extended synopsis (with screenshots) for Episode #121 "Headlock Prime".


- ((**Click)) Posted the alternate cover images for Tales of the TMNT vol. 2 #32.


- BJ sent in the following info:


"((**Click)) TMNT 2: The Arcade Game is coming to Wii's Virtual Console. However, no release date has been announced: www.gamespot.com"




- ((**Click))Posted the extended synopsis (with screenshots) for Episode #120 "Home Invasion".


- Purple Leopard sent in a PSP wallpaper. **Click


- Cape1ape sent in the following info (check your local listings)((As Mikey reported earlier ..~t)):


May 5th, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie", and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Secrets of the Ooze", will be on the Family channel at 8:00 and 10:00 PM.


..


>v<

-->>"Dude! South Side video store gets sued over Ninja Turtles trademark"




- Courtesy of Paula Reed Ward of Pittsburgh's Post-Gazette.com ..::




A mural on the outside wall of a small video store on East Carson Street in the South Side features four turtles, wearing bandanas and grimacing as if going into battle on a bright green background.


There are other images, too, including a wolf wearing what appears to be a red robe and a villainous-looking, armor-clad character.


The mural -- along with a flier sent out by the business, MIB Ninja Entertainment -- has become the subject of a trademark infringement lawsuit in federal court.


Mirage Studios Inc., the company that owns the trademark for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, claims the store is illegally using the popular comic book-turned-movie characters for advertising purposes without permission.


The lawsuit, filed late Monday, seeks an injunction to keep the video store from using the images, an order requiring that all materials featuring the characters be destroyed and monetary damages.


But Milton Barr, 20, who has operated the store on the South Side, and another on West Liberty Avenue, for about six months, called Mirage Studios' demands "ridiculous," and a classic example of a big company going after the little guy.


"Under the First Amendment, I have the right to paint whatever I want, as long as I don't make money off of it," Mr. Barr said.


But Michael Madison, a professor of trademark law at the University of Pittsburgh, said that's not true.


"There is an idea of a free speech defense, but it's very narrow, and it almost never applies when you're using a trademark to advance your business," he said. "They are using the Turtles in connection with a for-profit business."


Mr. Barr, who says he enjoys the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, called the mural an adult version of the theme.


He also said that he believed trademark law allowed him to use some version of the characters if they were 15 percent different from the originals.


Looking at the mural, he noted differences from the Mirage characters in his turtles' shapes, smiles, color, chests and masks.


But Mr. Madison said there is no magic number for difference. Instead, what really matters is the "likelihood of confusion," for the public: Would members of the public likely be confused by the video store's use of the Turtles and think that it is in some way connected with the characters?


The more details taken out of the design, he said, the better defense a person would have against a trademark claim. But crime-fighting, anthropomorphized turtles who walk upright are pretty specific, he continued.


Mirage contends that the MIB Ninja Entertainment stores also have used its Shredder character -- the Turtles' arch enemy -- in advertisements.


Mr. Barr acknowledged that occurred under a former investor at the business, but not since he's been in charge.


In addition to the trademark infringement allegation, Mirage also filed a claim for dilution, saying that the video stores are diluting the distinctive quality of what they call famous trademarks.


That claim does not include the "likelihood of confusion," standard, so even if Mirage would lose the trademark infringement case, Mr. Madison said, it could still win on dilution.


The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles first appeared in comic books in 1984. They became the subject of an animated series three years later, and most recently were released in the form of a computer-animated movie in March.


"With the movie, I get the sense the marketing machine is gearing up again," Mr. Madison said.


That means the company has to protect its trademark by policing any unlicensed use of it. Sometimes that means sending letters to cease and desist -- Mr. Barr received two -- and sometimes it might mean filing a federal lawsuit, he said.


"Ultimately, big companies have the power and the money most of the time to get what they want. A little video store on the South Side -- I'm guessing is not likely to have the resources to fight this."


((**original article ..here))
++ ++ ++ ++ ++
- In from Buslady.. ::


"If you guys want to see who this Raphael freak is, well, you in Canada...turn on TVTropolis because...*fanfare* my episode of FANATICAL is airing!! WOO!! Features is yours truely and Michelle Ivey. And you can see my turtles!!!


Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles


Air Times:


Tuesday, May 01, 2007 @ 12 a.m., 7 p.m., 11:30 p.m., ET/PT


Tuesday, May 08, 2007 @ 6 a.m., ET/PT


Buslady
Keeper of Raphael's Heart and 13 turtles, 5 of them in eggs"
- - - - - - - -




Turtles come to India !!





- More mobile news courtesy of TECHTREE.com ::
..

Jump Games, India's premier games publishing company, has signed an exclusive contract with uclick to release and distribute two mobile game titles based on the cult series, 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'.


The games will be launched on all leading carriers in the country. Along with the games, Jump will offer an entire range of mobile content, including ring tones, wallpapers, screensavers, and themes based on the Ninja turtles.


The first game to be released is called 'TMNT - The Power of Four,' based on the recent movie, 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,' reportedly a runaway hit in the US.


The game pushes the player into the shoes of any one of the famous four Ninja turtles, letting the player experience a high flying, high octane combat adventure specially designed for mobile phones. With hair-raising locales as backdrop, players get to defeat opponents to claim victory.


The second game to be released shortly is called 'TMNT - Ninja Training NYC,' a cartoon-based game that enables players jump start to 100 years ahead, as they take on the streets of Manhattan along with the super turtles.


Speaking about the association, Salil Bhargava, CEO of Jump Games, said, this is for the first time that TMNT is being released in India, and that they are really excited to bring the age-old classic to audiences here.


Meanwhile, Jeff Webber, Vice President of Product Development, uclick, said the turtles have a fan base that spans generations and continents. This is the first time these world famous characters have ever been available on mobile phones, where they can reach legions of fans in a way they never have before.


'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,' that comic strip-inspired formidable foursome, including Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo - with an equally formidable global fan following, have been riding the popularity crest since conception in the early 1980s. The franchise has gone on to inspire 3 television shows, 4 feature films, numerous video games, and a wide range of toys and merchandise, among others. ((**original article))




..Rollovers from last week..



- Danny B. of the official TMNT ..:: " .. .. "




- Spitfire666xxxxx sent in this image of the 4Kids Season I Part I DVD cover, slated for release on May 22:







- ** (Click) Posted the extended synopsis (with screenshots) for Episode #119 "Obsolete".





- Laura Probst of Charity Folks sent in the following info:


You can make your television debut in the company of the world's four coolest Turtles - Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael - when you receive an opportunity of a lifetime to tape a line for one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoons which will air on television! To make your experience truly unforgettable, you will be taken on a tour for four individuals of the 4Kids Entertainment studio, where Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is produced and receive great 4Kids swag!


Bid at **Click - www.charityfolks.com through May 4th - and it's for a GREAT cause! ((**Great cause.. but it's not cheap..but if you can afford it, go for it !! ~tOkKa))





- BJ sent in the following info:




Ubisoft announces that TMNT video game has sold over 1.1 million copies and that a Playstation 3 version has been announced. PS3, PSP, and PC versions will be released later this year: **Click - gamespot.com




- Jeff sent in this report ((!!)):


In the forum on usagiyojimbo.com, creator Stan Sakai states: "Space Usagi (and Rhogen) will be in a couple of episodes of next season's TMNT cartoon. I just received one of the script outlines this past week, and it's wonderful - lots of action, but still time for character and relationship development."




-Double-whammy Christmas-in-April day! Posted the complete issues for both **Click - Michelangelo #1 and **TMNT Vol. 1 #6. Cowabountiful!

Shredder's infant formula ..(Cracked Magazine ..'1991')


-->>.. hey don' knock it til' ya try it !!
..errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..

**~~ runs away ..

>v<

TMNT on ABC Family

There's going to be a TMNT double feature on ABC Family, Saturday beginning at 8/7 central. The double feature starts with TMNT 1, then continues with TMNT 2: The Secret of the Ooze.

-->> ..oi ..sorry..i fell in the toilet over the weekend.. n' ended up poppin' my noggin' outta Donald Trump's golden plated crapper !!


Luckily ..D.T.'s Tower Crapper security team escorted me back to the nearest manhole sewer entrance ((i was fired..)). So here i am .. with 'nuther round up for ya. Did you know D.T. uses $100 dollar bills for toilet paper !! ?? Sadly i was thrown outta the golden throne before i could raid the janitors' closet. D4mm !! >8*{ .. .

Maybe next time i'll get lucky and end up in Rosie's crapper.. err wait'a sec.. -BAH-B'-WAH..WAH WAAAHHHHH?! .. - - umm heyyyyy!! .. so much to cover ..!! XD




-- Official Site updates from the past several days from Dan B. !! ::


- Posted the extended synopsis (with screenshots) for Episode #118 "Future Shellshock!" **Click.




-Mark sent in the following info:


Here is an article, "Imagi: Making of TMNT" from a Hong Kong CG website:


**Click for Article - www.cgvisual.com



** Click for translated version of the article..













-Posted the extended synopsis (with screenshots) for (**CLICK)Episode #103 "Good Genes Part" II and the extended synopsis (unfortunately no screenshots as it hasn't been released on DVD) for (**CLICK)Episode #104 "The Ninja Tribunal".




-Michael sent in this report (from April 19 ~t):


This week Target stores will be getting Ninja Turtle adult men tees featuring Michael Dooney's artwork from 2003! And next week Turtles tees will be $8.88 (or $10.88 for 2XL)!




- **Posted the preview for TMNT - Official Movie Adaptation.




- **Check out this wicked cool Brazilian TMNT movie promo on YouTube.com




- Jennifer sent in the following info:




In Belgium the fastfood chain Quick has four figures to collect of TMNT. These are different ones than the figures McDonalds has:










NEWS,NOTES,ARTICLES .. ect. ect. ::




- Writer Jake Black on a tip from Hero :: "The secret is out! In the UK-published magazine that will feature stories set in the universe of the new TMNT cartoon "Fast Forward" (for which I've written two stories thus far...) will also appear colorized versions of the movie prequel comics I wrote -- Mikey and April. Very fun!" ((This is a monthly publication.. more info soon. ~t))






- Special notes from the past week from to Nacho regarding the TMNT film !!::


Nacho:: "my friends in mexico have told me that the movie is a success over there, the same in venezuela.


i still need to talk with my friends in colombia, chile and costa rica.


in mexico, people where selling action figures and others tmnt stuff and in a couple of hours all the items were sold!


we have seen that a good part of the audience is not only the parents with kids but young and adults without kids, so i hope kevin munroe can think of a movie rated pg 13.


and talking about kevin munroe:


http://www.darkhorizons.com/news07/070305e.php ((as posted prior ..~tOkK))




u can see there some pics regarding



..
the premiere in venezuela and some videos in youtube with the turtles promoting the movie. u can see leo and company dancing reggaeton! ..


this is the link:**Click http://usuarios.lycos.es/lastortugasninja/"


** Click here for Translation ..




((Nach also has pix and promo info for Venezuela's TMNT McDonald's promotion,DVD info on TMNT ,promo vids,poster pix and Nacho and friends caught up in the excitement of the new Turtles film !! ..so cool..THNAK YOU ,NACHO ))
..


..also ..


"Check the promo of the new tmnt movie in brazil:


- **Click **http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXFYfqclMnI



and these ones in venezuela:


** Click**http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mbZSFH-OlI


**Click **http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mEMoArJnU4


**Click**http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2rjLgGEFgw








- Thanks to this Mobil-news ..via of Hero & PocketGamer ::


TMNT: Fast Forward Mobile/Cell Phone game


Hero: "Looks pretty decent Smile There are three screenshots on that link but no gameplay info so far but the gameing style is pretty obvious. Raph's level looks interesting." ..


**Click for info and tiny tiny screenshots..eesh !!




- Purple Dragon site !!


From Kismet ::


.."a little homage to the Purple Dragons, since I've seen no PD
sites.


** Click - http://purpledrangons.bravehost.com/


Hope you get a smile out of it. .. "

..


- A discovery from Sketch @ Toone Zone .. ::
.. pretty decent and balanced article on 'All you need to know about recent TMNT console games' in case ya been outta the Turtle Vid-game loop the past few years..


..i mean decent if yir a Turtle outsider kinda just entering into the wonderful n' weird realm that is TMNT-Video Game fandom..((or just a generally mixed up gamer like me..)) ::


** CLICK - Click **http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=187708




- Another K.Munroe interview courtesy of GW, and Kitsune .. 8) ::


@ ** Click ..http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/blogcritics/2007/04/tmnt.html




- Thanks to A.Modeen


A.M.: " .. Not sure if this is old news or not, but it was posted
on April 9th.


** click http://animated-views.com/2007/director-kevin-munroe-on-tmnt/


I quote Kevin Munroe on his ideas for the sequel in
the interview : "Okay, Pete, they time-travel back,
and they go to Mayan culture, and they fight aliens,
who just happen to be teleporting back at the same
time." .. .."


!! ??





- Shred and Krang fromT-drome::


SHRED:TMNT Giveway Winners! BBC Looking for UK TMNT Fans for Documentary
Congratulations to the following winners in our TMNT Movie Giveaway:


1st Prize: Ken Wiesedeppe
2nd Prize: Wenrog
3rd Prize: mikey2007


1st Runners-Up: Sharon Boyle, Michael Bradley, Christine Aguiar
2nd Runners-Up: William Causey, Daunt, JohnnyBlaze, Cindy Allen, Tazukie Fearon


We will be mailing out the prizes within the next few days. Thanks again to everyone for participating!


Also, we have been contacted by the BBC regarding an upcoming documentary about the history of children's television. They are looking for TMNT fans in the UK who grew up watching the Turtles and buying TMNT merchandise to share their memories. If this applies to you and you're interested, please **email either Krang or me as soon as possible, so we can put you in contact with them. Thank you!


Krang: .."Unfortunately, we ran into a small problem that prevented us from shipping the packages when we planned to. That should be resolved very soon, though, so we will still be shipping the prizes within the next few days. .. ..


**UPDATE**


.. we forgot to mention that the deadline for the BBC Documentary was Friday (I think Shredder covered that in the forum announcement that was posted here, but that was set to expire on Friday)..


BTW, to the winners of the contest, sorry for the delay, but the prizes have been shipped! I'll be sending emails tomorrow with the tracking numbers for those that have them. .. "




.. >v<

"TMNT" director Kevin Munroe has been interviewed by Chicago journalist Adam Fendelman. Check it out!
Acting Without Actors: "TMNT" Director Kevin Munroe Envisions R-Rated CGI
http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/2007/04/acting-without-actors-tmnt-director.html
Source: Adam Fendelman

-->> TMNT ..spinnin' to # 1 in the U.K. !!


..not even Nintendo's powerhouse Pokemon could keep your TURTLE pals outta the top tier ..and this week takin' the BRIT's top spot for video game Hero Turtles !! .. (Courtesy of IGN ..**Click ) ::




UK ALL-FORMAT TOP 20, WEEK ENDING APRIL 14

1 TMNT: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (X360, PS2, PSP, PC, WII, GC, DS, GBA)


2 POKEMON RANGER (DS)


3 TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 07 (X360, PS3, PS2, PSP, XB, WII, GC, PC)


4 COMMAND & CONQUER 3: TIBERIUM WARS (PC)


5 BRIAN LARA INTERNATIONAL CRICKET 2007 (X360, PS2, PC)


6 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2006-2007 (X360, PS2, PSP, PC)


7 GUITAR HERO II (X360, PS2)


8 VIRTUA TENNIS 3 (X360, PS3)


9 MEDAL OF HONOR: VANGUARD (PS2, WII)


10 THE SIMS 2: PETS (PC, PS2, GC, DS, GBA, PSP)


11 NEED FOR SPEED: CARBON (X360, XB, PS2, PSP, DS, GBA, GC, WII)


12 MOTORSTORM (PS3)


13 NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. (DS)


14 CRACKDOWN (X360)


15 RESISTANCE: FALL OF MAN (PS3)


16 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 6 (PS2, X360, PC)


17 LEGO STAR WARS II (PS2, X360, GC, XB, PC, PSP, DS, GBA)


18 FIFA 07 (X360, PS2, PSP, XB, DS, GBA, GC, PC)


19 GEARS OF WAR (X360)


20 CALL OF DUTY 3 (X360, XB, PC,WII)




..more later,gang-green !! 8)

>v<

-->>
..sorry ,tOkKie-spiky pokies.. been a long week so ,umm!! Here's another TMNT news Round-up to wet ya' whistles for the weekend ..with a look at all the news from the past week's news i can manage to pull outta my plastron and my training bra.


..err i mean .. hey wait just second here.. umm .. -- !! Look over there < < -- IT's PAT MORITA !! .. o wait.. that won't work .. ummmm ok , here's the news !! ::






- Summin' very cool in from my pal ; Wes of Scary Crayon fame ..::



WES::".. here's a link to the review of TMNT: Manhattan Missions (( one of the Rarest TMNT vid- games.. that also happens to be amongst the very coolest !! ~tOKK)) that I just posted on Scary-Crayon:


(**Click ).. http://www.scary-crayon.com/games/tmnt3pc/


Do let me know what you think -- and if you do end up giving the game a try (or have already played it), I'd love to hear what you think! .. .. "




- Thanks to LEX for this !! :: Lex: ".. i love reading random things on MSN.
this one is about why some shows have lasted and lasted.
and who's on the first page?
none other then our guys.
how sweet is that?!


anyhoo, reading the entire article is pretty cool. :) some fun shows to reminisce about!"


**CLICK - http://tv.msn.com/tv/longrunningtvshows-1?GT1=7703


- The following landed on the top of a pile of emails in my inbox this past week **AND IT MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUNGER VIEWERS ..!! **..From my buddy ,Zac :: "A review of TMNT3 with lots of swearing ..


** Click- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z02d9e4vvT0 .. part one


**Click - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te7NwAacJ8w&mode=related&search..part two


Hope you like them/relate to them. =3




- Here's my dawggie, Nacho reportin' in from South America with TMNT movie news ..!! ::



Nacho : ".. my friends in mexico have told me that the movie is a success over there, the same in venezuela.


i still need to talk with my friends in colombia, chile and costa rica.


in mexico, people where selling action figures and others tmnt stuff and in a couple of hours all the items were sold!


we have seen that a good part of the audience is not only the parents with kids but young and adults without kids, so i hope kevin munroe can think of a movie rated pg 13...


and talking about kevin munroe: ((Article regarding Munroe's take on the future of TMNT 5 and the Shredder !! ~t))


**Click - http://www.darkhorizons.com/news07/070305e.php .. "




- Left-overs from weeks ago i kept putting off ((so sorry ..))from the infamous Vaughn Michael ::





..an odd TMNT FF poster from the last Toy Fare ..


..and Vaughn's equally infamous review of the TMNT movie ((May not be suitable for younger readers.. !!)) :


** Click here !!




- Danny B.'s official TMNT site is takin' in alotta new visitors and has been so durn buzy .. but he did add on Friday the 13th this.. ::


.." ((**CLICK..))Posted the extended synopsis (with screenshots) from Episode #102 "Good Genes Part I". .."

..more as i go along here.. >v<