In other TMNT comic news, I finally finished the plot for issue #31, which I gave to Jim Lawson today (actually, I just left it on his desk -- he departed the studio before I did today). -- PL
08-16-08 UPDATE: Jim got rght into it and finished the thumbnail layouts, which I approved, a few days ago. Now he's on to penciling pages! -- PL
Oooooh, preeetty! Well done Mr. Dooney! Great job presenting light, especially as it is refracted by the water. And that shark is unlike any I've seen. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see this issue finished! Please keep us updated Mr. Laird.
On a side note, did you ever decide to make those prints from the Heroes Convention or other prints available on the Mirage website?
"On a side note, did you ever decide to make those prints from the Heroes Convention or other prints available on the Mirage website?"
ReplyDeleteNot yet, but I think I will be selling the portfolio online beginning next month. -- PL
Wow!
ReplyDeleteAwesome job! In a way, it is almost photo realistic (more from the water and lighting).
The shark looks very menacing!
Whose hands are those, btw?
Hi Peter,
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled to see that you are still working on the series. Thank you and Jim for your continued dedication to your fans.
Kind regards,
Austin Vashaw
That's a beaut'! I have to echo the above sentiments too; even if it isn't monthly, I'm thankful you are still producing it!
ReplyDelete"Dinoff said...
ReplyDeleteWhose hands are those, btw?"
Sorry -- can't tell you! -- PL
Woohoo! Cant wait. Heres to hoping theres gonna be limited sketches in these as well!
ReplyDeletecoughINEEDALAWSONSKETCHcough
-r
Oh yeah, it'd be killer if Jim did the sketches that came with the hard copies of this book!!
ReplyDeleteNow THIS is the update I've been waiting for! Looking good!
ReplyDeleteVery cool, it's nice to have a cover that doesn't have a turtle on it for once.
ReplyDeleteI know that may sound odd but I'm such a lover of secondary characters.
Looks really nice Dooney is amazingly talented and I really wish he could do more work for Mirage, but I know he's mr big wig Toy man now hehe
Will the price for this next issue be the same as the last?
-Vaughn M.
Portfolio? Good. Issue #30? Double good :)
ReplyDeleteI've seen a few copies of the prints on eBay and been tempted to buy, but if they are gonna be made officially available to everyone...
I hope the portfolio and the comic will be available for purchase for non-US citizens too.
ReplyDelete-->> LAWSON / Dooney are the perfect Odd - Couple coverwise. Ever have been since the prestige TMNT II Comic adapt.
ReplyDelete>v<
To anyone who would prefer a sketch by Jim Lawson rather than one by me in their copy of one of the upcoming limited edition TMNT comics: You can certainly make that request when you order your copy, though there is no guarantee that any such request will be granted, as Jim has no obligation to do any sketches in any of these books. You can also request no sketch at all in your copy if you so desire. -- PL
ReplyDelete-->> ..o man.
ReplyDeleteApples and oranges tho' !!
Ok ..i'll take this and look at in from the 3rd person : :
"OK, well if one requsts the Lawson sketch, and Jim is too busy or what have you or just generally just doesn't want to do that, can we go ahead and get the Laird sketch in the book. ( Provided that one orders the book early enough . ) ?? "
**
Please don't take my question the wrong way .. it's all " Hypothetical " i guess.
I love all you guys for many different reasons.
And like i said ..apples and oranges.
But in my case, as usual apples and oranges can land me in " IFs & Buts " territory with the candy and nuts and instead of a wonderful Christmas ..i make a jack-ass of myself.
>v<
No offense to Jim Lawson but I'd rather have a Dan Berger, Michael Dooney, Eric Talbot or anyone else who hasn't really done a tun of art as of late do a sketch in the back of an upcoming issue.
ReplyDelete-Vaughn M.
Why not rotate the artist who does sketches in the back? It'd make it more interesting than having a virtually identical sketch from the same person in each subsequent book. Hell, give the artists a bonus for the task. When you're charging a ridiculous $10/book, that shouldn't be a problem.
ReplyDelete-->> ..now there's a great idea, Rosie !!
ReplyDelete>v<
I agree with Rose, it would be cool for each issue of these "limited runs" to have a different individual artist doing a limited back sketch inside...
ReplyDeleteThen in the final volume four issue a combined sketch from everyone! haha
By the way, hypothetically speaking - Peter, is there a final volume four issue on the horizon? Not that I want that, but I was just wondering if you had a certain number of issues in mind that will be needed in order to wrap the current volume up.
Here's to hoping its not anytime soon!
-r
"roseangelo said...
ReplyDeleteWhy not rotate the artist who does sketches in the back? It'd make it more interesting than having a virtually identical sketch from the same person in each subsequent book. Hell, give the artists a bonus for the task. When you're charging a ridiculous $10/book, that shouldn't be a problem."
Hmmm... "ridiculous"... well, that's surely a matter of opinion. I think it's fair to say, though, that for someone who has publicly stated that the TMNT Vol. 4 comics are a "steaming pile of Turtle puke", ANY price would very likely be considered "ridiculous".
I'm also curious what portion of the "ridiculous" $10 cover price you are thinking of as a "bonus" for any other artist who might do sketches on the inside back cover, considering that the proceeds from sales of the books are first supposed to (hopefully) cover the production costs -- page rates for penciling and inking (I don't charge for writing, lettering and toning), as well as for the cover painting, along with printing and shipping.
It's all academic anyway -- see my response to Dave. -- PL
" ~ tOkKa said...
ReplyDelete-->> ..o man.
Apples and oranges tho' !!
Ok ..i'll take this and look at in from the 3rd person : :
"OK, well if one requsts the Lawson sketch, and Jim is too busy or what have you or just generally just doesn't want to do that, can we go ahead and get the Laird sketch in the book. ( Provided that one orders the book early enough . ) ?? "
**
Please don't take my question the wrong way .. it's all " Hypothetical " i guess.
I love all you guys for many different reasons.
And like i said ..apples and oranges.
But in my case, as usual apples and oranges can land me in " IFs & Buts " territory with the candy and nuts and instead of a wonderful Christmas ..i make a jack-ass of myself."
Dave, I appreciate your effort to "walk on eggshells" in the manner in which you asked that question. I'm not sure you were completely successful, but regardless, I'm glad you asked the question, as it has made me rethink this issue. And I can see this becoming a real annoyance for Katie (who handles all this stuff at Mirage) -- imagine a scenario in which people hear about this option, and they start putting in orders in which they include, for example, a request for a Dooney sketch -- but if they can't get a Dooney, they'll take a Lawson, a Berger, a Talbot, or a Laird (in that -- or another -- order of preference).
So I think I'm going to return to the simpler proposition -- for those first couple of hundred books or so, you can ask for a Laird head sketch, or no sketch at all. -- PL
I think it's fair to say, though, that for someone who has publicly stated that the TMNT Vol. 4 comics are a "steaming pile of Turtle puke", ANY price would very likely be considered "ridiculous".
ReplyDeleteYes, this is a completely true statement (although I did choose those specific words to be a slight reference to a quote from TMNT3). However, the point remains.
My full-color Doctor Who comics cost me $3.99 an issue. Usagi Yojimbo, in black and white, runs $2.99 an issue. TMNT (black and white)... $10 (plus $2/shipping)!! There is absolutely no logic in the jump from $2.95 to $10.
And for a bit of comparison, I just bought Kevin's hardcover, full-color reprint of Bodycount from him at Comic-Con for $20, which included a full-sized sketch of the character of my choice in the front. That is also a ridiculous price, but in the sense that I almost feel like I'm stealing from him.
I'm also curious what portion of the "ridiculous" $10 cover price you are thinking of as a "bonus" for any other artist who might do sketches on the inside back cover
Well, I'd personally give them $10-$2.95=$7.05/book. They are really awesome artists/people. But to be more reasonable in your mind, maybe $2/book.
considering that the proceeds from sales of the books are first supposed to (hopefully) cover the production costs -- page rates for penciling and inking (I don't charge for writing, lettering and toning), as well as for the cover painting, along with printing and shipping.
If you would actually treat Mirage Publishing as a viable company and allow it to do things that could make it profitable, all of this would be a non-factor and the books could go back to the still-too-much-but-not-completely-unreasonable $2.95.
Refusing to put Vol. 1 TPBs in stores (not to mention the current complete lack of Vol. 1 TPBs), essentially because it'd be "too hard," is as ridiculous as $10 for a comic book is. Renewing a contract with a publishing licensee who seems to have no intention of doing anything viable with the brand instead of finding a company willing to solve the "too hard" problem is pure stupidity. Even though, as I understand it, this revenue wouldn't even go to Publishing, it could increase awareness of the comics Mirage does publish.
It is not the responsibility of the few people left who buy your comic book to make up for this stupidity.
Oh, and for the obvious comment: You would never have gotten into the position of attempting to justify gouging fans if the comic were actually good. It is disheartening to read comments from people who have virtually given up on the Turtles altogether because of this comic book. And I'm not talking just about people who post on the Drome (your favorite lurking location).
-->> ..again again again ..
ReplyDeletei'm just some freek here who doesn't have all the answers. I guess i can only speak for me ::
.. i like the book, i like volume four, and i like you and your writing, and i like Jim.
PL ::
Dave, I appreciate your effort to "walk on eggshells" in the manner in which you asked that question.
-->> ..well maybe i was over-thinking. Indeed. Perhaps i didn't need to walk on eggshells in the first place. I'm all over the map the past several days. While i know that's a cop-out and an excuse, with maternal family member in the hospital and who's almost lost her life .. i'm having difficulty maintaining and consistent level of thought process.
I'm not sure you were completely successful, but regardless, I'm glad you asked the question, as it has made me rethink this issue.
-->> .. no i don't think i was successful. In fact i'm not sure why i did it. Guess i was worried about comparing you 2. And i love your work and Jim's work for different reasons.
And I can see this becoming a real annoyance for Katie (who handles all this stuff at Mirage) -- imagine a scenario in which people hear about this option, and they start putting in orders in which they include, for example, a request for a Dooney sketch -- but if they can't get a Dooney, they'll take a Lawson, a Berger, a Talbot, or a Laird (in that -- or another -- order of preference).
-->> ..well .. i cannot imagine anyones' schedule in that office .. you'd know better than me and Katie is so cool, i wouldn't want to upset her.
So I think I'm going to return to the simpler proposition -- for those first couple of hundred books or so, you can ask for a Laird head sketch, or no sketch at all. -- PL ..
-->> .. like my grampa used to tell me when i was trying to do way to much at the same time ( like i do allot anymore ) ..the old adage::
K . I. S. S. :: Keep it Simple ,Stupid.
>v<
Dear god, I turn my head for two minutes and you guys are killing each other!
ReplyDeleteWhile I am not going to take any sides on any of this (as my area of ranting passion is the toy line), I would like to take a minute to remind everyone that all of this intensity (from both sides) stems from a love for the turtles. As such, nobody (mirage clan or fanbase) need be at eachothers throats. It's both counterproductive and unbecoming.
-->> ..hope i'm not coming across that way.
ReplyDelete>v<
It's ten dollars...TEN DOLLARS...for a comic with an original sketch in it. $10 barely covers three gallons of gas or a fast-food lunch.
ReplyDeleteIf $10 is that financially strapping to people, I suggest they find better work.
Since they only know Casey, that has to be Casey... but why the heck is he swimming with sharks??
ReplyDeleteCould be April, or Shadow, could even be someone new...
ReplyDeleteKlunk reincarnated as a human?!
ReplyDelete...sorry, just trying to cool the tensions down a bit.
pl said...
ReplyDeleteI'm also curious what portion of the "ridiculous" $10 cover price you are thinking of as a "bonus" for any other artist who might do sketches on the inside back cover, considering that the proceeds from sales of the books are first supposed to (hopefully) cover the production costs -- page rates for penciling and inking (I don't charge for writing, lettering and toning), as well as for the cover painting, along with printing and shipping.
Has it been considered to move the TMNT comics or a least have additional titles published by other companies such as Darkhorse, IDW, or Image?
Blogger Tristan Jones said...
ReplyDeleteCould be April, or Shadow, could even be someone new...
tOkKa?
:p
-->> OK, Cynthia.. your right..
ReplyDeletethe cover is actually a scene from my last blind date with my new girlfriend.
Xp ..
>v<
Another point to the snapper...
ReplyDeleteCool custom, dood.
Off-topic-- WHEN is the new cartoon starting? Stan posted the pics of how Usagi looks-- not bad, they didn't seem to change him too much-- and Gen in a TUX? Does this mean he actually makes it to Vegas?
:D
And... what do you think of the new season/series?
That is one scary Hammerhead! Meep!!
ReplyDelete"Splinter's Iroonna said...
ReplyDeleteWHEN is the new cartoon starting? Stan posted the pics of how Usagi looks-- not bad, they didn't seem to change him too much-- and Gen in a TUX? Does this mean he actually makes it to Vegas?
:D
And... what do you think of the new season/series?"
I'm not sure if this question was directed at me specifically or at everyone, but I can answer at least part of it.
I don't know exactly when the new season of the TV show will be starting. But so far I have seen the "locked picture" versions of the first three episodes (these are with all of the animation compete but no music or sound effects) and I am liking it. I'm especially pleased with the look that they have given "cyberspace".
I'm very happy that we were able, through the good graces of Stan Sakai, to get Usagi and Gen into an episode of this upcoming season. I can't reveal everything about it, but I can tell you that it is the last episode of the season and it does not take place in Las Vegas. -- PL
♥ ♥
ReplyDelete-->> VIVA !!
ROCK, VEGAS !! ..
>v<
roseangelo said...
ReplyDelete"There is absolutely no logic in the jump from $2.95 to $10."
Having read many of your postings, it's my opinion that you are no great judge of logic. But be that as it may, it is my contention that there IS logic in the new pricing structure for the TMNT Vol. 4 comics --- you are simply unable to grasp it. I'm not going to waste my time going over it again when I have written about it at length elsewhere -- and in any event, given your oft-stated attitude toward Vol. 4, any argument I could make regarding my reasoning would very likely be an exercise in futility. On a side note, I do think it's interesting to point out that you conveniently (well, convenient for your specious argument, anyway) neglect to mention the fact that each issue of Vol. 4 is available for FREE online, in a nicely-readable (and printable) PDF format at Wowio.com.
"And for a bit of comparison, I just bought Kevin's hardcover, full-color reprint of Bodycount from him at Comic-Con for $20, which included a full-sized sketch of the character of my choice in the front. That is also a ridiculous price, but in the sense that I almost feel like I'm stealing from him."
Yes, I believe we are all aware of your hero-worshipping of Kevin Eastman. More evidence of it is not necessary.
"I'm also curious what portion of the "ridiculous" $10 cover price you are thinking of as a "bonus" for any other artist who might do sketches on the inside back cover .
Well, I'd personally give them $10-$2.95=$7.05/book. They are really awesome artists/people. But to be more reasonable in your mind, maybe $2/book. "
Hmmm... so your genius idea to get a comic which has a limited print run of 1000 and a cover price of $10 closer to breaking even and maybe profitability is to ADD $7.05 to the cost of producing each copy. Thank you for providing more incontrovertible evidence that any of your pronouncements about how to run a business correctly should be taken with a HUGE grain of salt.
"You would never have gotten into the position of attempting to justify gouging fans if the comic were actually good. It is disheartening to read comments from people who have virtually given up on the Turtles altogether because of this comic book. And I'm not talking just about people who post on the Drome (your favorite lurking location)."
Given that (a) I have never felt that I am "gouging" fans with my "$10 per limited edition hardcopy/free to read online" Vol. 4 publishing experiment, and (b) therefore can't possibly be "attempting to justify" something that I don't think I'm doing, and (c) that I DO feel the comic is "actually good", your comment has no value except as yet another simple-minded insult. And I think that anyone who has "virtually given up on the Turtles altogether because of this comic book" (if there are, in fact, such people outside of your imagination) seriously needs to get some perspective. -- PL
Blogger PL said...
ReplyDelete"Splinter's Iroonna said...
WHEN is the new cartoon starting? Stan posted the pics of how Usagi looks-- not bad, they didn't seem to change him too much-- and Gen in a TUX? Does this mean he actually makes it to Vegas?
:D
And... what do you think of the new season/series?"
I'm not sure if this question was directed at me specifically or at everyone, but I can answer at least part of it.
Yes, it was directed at you, and I'm sorry I didn't make that clearer.
I am highly interested in the new season. I have not made it a secret that my TRUE feelings regarding TMNT revolve around the fact that I discovered and fell in love with the 2K3 series. I never could get into the original toon, and I only read a few of the original comics. "Fast Forward" was a disappointment to me mainly because of the "OMG!" attitude of the Practice and Standards regarding the 2K3 stuff-- I'm glad that you guys got the Ninja Tribunal done (though there are those who didn't like it, but frankly I don't care).
And JUST when FF was actually getting good, once again 4Kids seemed to take a 180 degree turn and change it yet again.
So, yes-- I'd like to be happy with the new series.
I liked the first-ever movie, but not to the point where I define it as the turning point of my life. I LOVE the 2007 movie and that is that.
Okay-- and I know that you were not happy with Roseangelo's frank talk, but I have to admit, there are so many loose threads in the current series comic/wise-- and I shall never be happy with the passing of Splinter (though I did not expect him to live forever)-- that it makes it really difficult to stay with. I do not have patience, which is why I don't watch soap operas.
I do prefer the Tales books to Vol. 4. Perhaps I have A.D.D. in old age when it comes to reading comics-- who knows?
I just want everyone to calm down and not get so angry-- with all the tension in the world, with all the violence and all the homelessness and incurable illnesses and hatred and such, fighting about a comic-book really is a waste of emotion, imo.
I will leave it at that. Except to add that I'm glad you were happy with the "locked" versions, and I have a bit more hope regarding the new season. In the end, I need my entertainment.
Cynthia
" I can't reveal everything about it, but I can tell you that it is the last episode of the season and it does not take place in Las Vegas. -- PL"
ReplyDeleteI hear wedding bells.
ReplyDeletePL said...
"$10 per limited edition hardcopy/free to read online" Vol. 4 publishing experiment,
I'm curious as to what the future plans for the TMNT comics are after the "Vol. 4 publishing experiment" comes to an end. I personally don't see how any of this is raising the profile of the ninja turtles in the comicbook community, most people don't even know the books are still in print, or anything about the book being published for free on wowie and at the ninja turtles website, the last thing most people remeber about TMNT, in terms of the comics, were the Dreamwave comics.
Is it good enough that the comics just exist, or should more be done to try to reconnect with older fans who don't know the turtles still exist in comic form, as well as any potential new fans.
" Splinter's Iroonna said...
ReplyDelete"I am highly interested in the new season. I have not made it a secret that my TRUE feelings regarding TMNT revolve around the fact that I discovered and fell in love with the 2K3 series. I never could get into the original toon, and I only read a few of the original comics. "Fast Forward" was a disappointment to me mainly because of the "OMG!" attitude of the Practice and Standards regarding the 2K3 stuff-- I'm glad that you guys got the Ninja Tribunal done (though there are those who didn't like it, but frankly I don't care).
And JUST when FF was actually getting good, once again 4Kids seemed to take a 180 degree turn and change it yet again.
So, yes-- I'd like to be happy with the new series."
And I hope you will be! Like "Fast Forward", it's kind of an experiment, but this one is taking the show back towards the original approach of the 2K3 series. It's not COMPLETELY there, but it's trying. Actually, one of the things I'm having a bit of a hard time getting used to is the new look of the Turtles with their eyeballs showing behind their masks. But I'll deal with it!
"Okay-- and I know that you were not happy with Roseangelo's frank talk, "
I have to interrupt you there to clarify something -- I have no problem with "frank talk", but that's not how I would qualify what "Roseangelo"' wrote with which I took issue. I do have a problem with ill-considered, gratuitous insults.
"but I have to admit, there are so many loose threads in the current series comic/wise-- and I shall never be happy with the passing of Splinter (though I did not expect him to live forever)-- that it makes it really difficult to stay with. I do not have patience, which is why I don't watch soap operas.
I do prefer the Tales books to Vol. 4. Perhaps I have A.D.D. in old age when it comes to reading comics-- who knows?"
And that is entirely fine by me -- I have no problem with people preferring TALES to VOl. 4. I get irritated, however, when someone who has repeatedly stated her absolute disdain for Vol. 4 (to the point of admitting, in her recent response to me, that she sees it as having no value at all) comes to my blog and starts leaving blatantly negative comments (bizarrely, on a post which is described in the first line as being for "you fans of the TMNT comic book" -- did she not get the hint?) in a very "Internet troll"-like manner. I mean, if you hate something that much, what is the point -- besides deliberately generating ill-will -- of posting comments about it on the blog of the guy who does the comic in question?
"I just want everyone to calm down and not get so angry-- with all the tension in the world, with all the violence and all the homelessness and incurable illnesses and hatred and such, fighting about a comic-book really is a waste of emotion, imo. "
I agree with you.
"I will leave it at that. Except to add that I'm glad you were happy with the "locked" versions, and I have a bit more hope regarding the new season. In the end, I need my entertainment.
Cynthia"
And I hope you will not be disappointed! -- PL
"The S said...
ReplyDelete" I can't reveal everything about it, but I can tell you that it is the last episode of the season and it does not take place in Las Vegas. -- PL"
I hear wedding bells."
If I believed in psychics, I would have to ask you if you are one. But given that I have no such belief, I will just commend you on your powers of perception and analysis. -- PL
"Dragon Turtle said...
ReplyDeleteI'm curious as to what the future plans for the TMNT comics are after the "Vol. 4 publishing experiment" comes to an end."
Rght now, I have no idea.
" I personally don't see how any of this is raising the profile of the ninja turtles in the comicbook community, most people don't even know the books are still in print, or anything about the book being published for free on wowie and at the ninja turtles website, the last thing most people remeber about TMNT, in terms of the comics, were the Dreamwave comics."
I'm a little suspect when anyone uses the "most people" type of comment in this context, as, while such a thing is easy to say, I don't think it's very provable, and falls into the nebulous "I guarantee that..." type of commentary. I think a compelling argument could be made that (with a few exceptions, of course) if someone is REALLY that much into the TMNT, they would be aware that the comics exist. I mean, in this day and age, it simply is not that hard to find out. -- PL
ReplyDeletePL said...
I'm a little suspect when anyone uses the "most people" type of comment in this context, as, while such a thing is easy to say, I don't think it's very provable, and falls into the nebulous "I guarantee that..." type of commentary. I think a compelling argument could be made that (with a few exceptions, of course) if someone is REALLY that much into the TMNT, they would be aware that the comics exist. I mean, in this day and age, it simply is not that hard to find out. -- PL
I'm pretty sure a die hard TMNT fan would find the TMNT comics, I'm thinking more about the casual comic book/TMNT fan who isn't particularly looking for turtles comics, but would buy it if they found out about them and were constantly reminded about them.
Although I know it's not a very scientific way of measuring the public's perception of the TMNT comics, but when I visit comic book related websites (Newsarama, Wizard, Comic Book Resources, ect..) as well as their corresponding forums, any news concerning the TMNT comics is usually met with surprise and a somewhat half-hearted "maybe I will check it out" response.
It doesn’t help that none of the aforementioned sites run many articles on the comics, prior to the 25th anniversary article at Newsarama, the only articles I could find were ones on Tales of TMNT #36 (which actually got a fair amount of coverage and was one of the higher selling tales issues.)
"Dragon Turtle said...
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure a die hard TMNT fan would find the TMNT comics, I'm thinking more about the casual comic book/TMNT fan who isn't particularly looking for turtles comics, but would buy it if they found out about them and were constantly reminded about them."
Hmm... yes, that makes sense. The question then is -- how many of these "casual comic book/TMNT fans" are there, and would they make a significant difference in sales? I don't know the answer to that one. -- PL
It's my general impression that, while it wouldn't make a DRASTIC difference, it would still be significant one. When I was doing the rounds with solicitations and talking to people last year, the impression I got was that it was a Transformers like quality. The Transformers took off in a huge way because they managed to grab all the casual readers and fans that were just sort of interested (as well as the diehards). I think Turtles has just as much resonance and potential with the broader population of comic book readers, it's just a matter of making these people realise that the books are out there, and, perhaps just as importantly, making the retailers know they're out there. Gotta run off to uni now! Peace!
ReplyDeleteBlogger Tristan Jones said...
ReplyDelete.....I think Turtles has just as much resonance and potential with the broader population of comic book readers, it's just a matter of making these people realise that the books are out there, and, perhaps just as importantly, making the retailers know they're out there. Gotta run off to uni now! Peace!
That is true. Unless one gets their attention, there's no chance. The other week when I was out trying to find the most recent Tales, the guy at the one store said "we're all sold out. We only get three."
Three?
Of course, it may have just been that place. I have had more luck going to this other store (which is like 40 miles away) and with the price of gas... *shrugs*
Oh, and going back to something you said earlier, PL-- I am NOT looking forward to seeing them with their eyes visible. I could handle it in the movies, but the toon just looks... I don't know...
Still! Bring it on!
I actually dig the eye thing. I do like both, though I think you can emote a lot more with the eyes when you can see them (or maybe it's just easier. After all the eyes are the window into one's soul.
ReplyDeleteEach time I draw Turtles they have the whole eyeball kit and kaboodle, but as I said, I like both and think they look badass without too!
-->> ..could there be something to be said about this 'experimentation ' as far as the V.4 goes ??
ReplyDeleteAside from the signed copies, there is a point that these comics are available for free. and then Dan has been putting them on the site.
The market globally is uncertain, and in North America it's in pretty shoddy shape. I dunno, is there a way to figures on how many times the V.4 book or what have you has been downloaded ??
Those figures must count.
>v<
"PL said...
ReplyDeleteHmm... yes, that makes sense. The question then is -- how many of these "casual comic book/TMNT fans" are there, and would they make a significant difference in sales? I don't know the answer to that one. -- PL
That's true, I can't with any certainty say where the upper threshold of casual TMNT comic book buyers lie, especially if one is to take into account the current state of the comic book industry, as well as trying to predict what a casual fan of the TMNT franchise expects from a ninja turtle comic.
The best I could do is maybe compare TMNT to other similar independent comics like Usagi Yojimbo or properties such as Transformers, maybe 5000 - 7000, even though it was 5 years ago, the last Dreamwave TMNT comic sold 13,721 comics.
But where ever that upper threshold exist, I believe there should be one major push for the comics using the extra resources that Mirage has available to it, resources that other independent comics don't possess. A sort of rebirth or reintroduction of the franchise, and then given a hard push. Ultimately it may not work out, but no one could ever accuse Mirage of not trying, and at the very least would raise TMNT’s profile in the eyes of the comic book community, who may have written off the turtles as a niche cult comic book or as a strictly for kids property.
DT: ..But where ever that upper threshold exist, I believe there should be one major push for the comics using the extra resources that Mirage has available to it, resources that other independent comics don't possess. ..
ReplyDelete-->> ..while it's only part of the picture ( and maybe i am kinda answering my own questions ), things like Wowio ARE a positive step.
EEssh.
'Scuse me now while i go spit in the wind.
>v<
Actually that makes me think of a question I've had for awhile.
ReplyDeleteWill there at some point be more trades released? I enjoy them quite a bit and I've been hunting down the newer tales trades. I have almost all the old trades except the release that has the first 15 issues in it.
Also I dig the cover can't wait to see who that is. My guess is Casey, he always seems to get himself caught up in strange sea bound adventures.
" Tristan Jones said...
ReplyDeleteI actually dig the eye thing. I do like both, though I think you can emote a lot more with the eyes when you can see them (or maybe it's just easier. After all the eyes are the window into one's soul.
Each time I draw Turtles they have the whole eyeball kit and kaboodle, but as I said, I like both and think they look badass without too!"
Trist, the eye thing is really a fairly minor deal for me -- it's just that I have pretty much always drawn the Turtles with the "no eyeball" look (at least while they have their masks on), and I pushed hard for that when we started the 2K3 show. I just think the Turtles look cooler with those stylized white eyes.
That being said, I think back to the way the Henson Studio did the Turtles in the live action movies, and I thought those guys looked fabulous, big eyeballs and all. I think as long as the stories work and flow properly, then it won't matter very much. I will be curious to see what the general consensus will be. -- PL
" SpitfireImages88 said...
ReplyDeleteActually that makes me think of a question I've had for awhile.
Will there at some point be more trades released? I enjoy them quite a bit and I've been hunting down the newer tales trades. I have almost all the old trades except the release that has the first 15 issues in it."
I've said this a number of times in the letters pages of the Vol. 4 comics, but it doesn't hurt to say it again -- yes, there will be more trade paperback reprints of the old TMNT comics released at some point in the future (possibly in unaltered AND "remastered" versions). I can't say when that will happen, partly because -- to be COMPLETELY honest -- doing these reprints doesn't pique my interest very much, and thus I have been dragging my feet on putting them together. But who knows -- that could change. And at some point -- maybe when I am finished with it-- I'd like to do a big Vol. 4 collection. -- PL
I definately prefer the "white eye" take on the Turtles. Makes them look more mysterious and ...well, cool!
ReplyDelete-r
ReplyDelete~tokka said...
-->> ..while it's only part of the picture ( and maybe i am kinda answering my own questions ), things like Wowio ARE a positive step.
It's good to explore alternatives to traditional publishing as a way to reaching out to those who may not buy comics through regular means, but as the main delivery system for a flagship title, I'm not sure how effective it is.
How many people know about Wowio? How many are comic book readers? How many are TMNT readers? Are there any other major comic book titles beside TMNT being published by Wowie.
In the short term it's fine to experiment with things like Wowie, which may prove to be beneficial, but if the turtles are going to grow and be seen as a prominent and long lasting fixture on the comic book landscape, it will have to be done through more traditional channels.
I don't read the letter sections in my comics sorry. That's cool to hear. I was more or so interested in trades of issues that haven't been collected yet. I think a Volume 2 trade would be nice. It's a short series so that'd be perfect. Good to hear you at least have plans on releasing them at some point.
ReplyDeleteI'd love a Volume 2 trade also but I think with some new tales issues coming out covering some things that take place then it may be better off to wait on that.
ReplyDelete-Vaughn M.
"Trist, the eye thing is really a fairly minor deal for me -- it's just that I have pretty much always drawn the Turtles with the "no eyeball" look (at least while they have their masks on), and I pushed hard for that when we started the 2K3 show. I just think the Turtles look cooler with those stylized white eyes.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I think back to the way the Henson Studio did the Turtles in the live action movies, and I thought those guys looked fabulous, big eyeballs and all. I think as long as the stories work and flow properly, then it won't matter very much. I will be curious to see what the general consensus will be. -- PL"
The eye thing is really only a minor detail for me too, but one I'm interested in seeing. I think a lot of it comes down to the art style. I think they certainly look cooler in the comics with the "white eyes" (in fact, I think almost everyone does) and I think it was done perfectly in the 2k3 series, but ultimately I'll be watching more for the stories than anything else.
I actually have a great book about the Jim Henson Creature Shop called "No Strings Attached" (I was/am a puppeteer... when I get the time) which has some excellent material on the production of the first Turtles movie. Until I read that book, I had no idea how revolutionary the puppetry in TMNT was. They really had to fine tune those animatronics to get them into the Turtle heads! They also use Mikey as an example in their chapter discussing the importance of the eyes on the puppets.
Eyes or no eyes, it's the story and the characters that are important in the end.
-->> (( ..good points , DT ))
ReplyDelete**
Like you and Vaugn.. i've quite a history with puppetry as well ( mainly marionette styled characters tho' )
I do recall vividly interviews with Henson and company regarding the ' eye ' issue.
Paraphrased :: "It was the eye, and the sparkle in the visible eye that made them come to life."
.. i'm not convinced that seeing the eye in the mask will hurt the Turtles in the toon, in fact i think it'll help it.
>v<
roseangelo- I have to ask, if you think the books are such puke...why the heck are you posting here? I mean, I disagree, but you've every right to your opinion. But if you hate the price so much, then stop buying the book!
ReplyDeleteAll you do comming in with these kind of statements is basicly make yourself look like you're here just to start crap. Honestly, if you feel so strongly, a simple "I disagree with the price hike, and how the books are done, and I've decided not to buy them" and then go. All that needs said. Come on, really.......
Personally, I've decided to keep buying myself. I've looked at the work, and decided that supporting an indy studio I have always love is important enough to spend my dollars on. Thats my choice.
Sarah HW
-->> There's more to Rose's story than you are reading into, Sarah.
ReplyDelete>v<
Perhaps so Tooka, I give you. But I have to call them like I see them, and thats pretty much how it looks here.
ReplyDelete-->> ..understandable.
ReplyDeleteStill it remains that there is more to the story than what just appears in this post.
And with all due respect , that is a fact.
>v<
After reading all of those long comments, I'd like to address the issue at hand, this post. I love Dooney's art and this piece is exceptional.
ReplyDelete