"COMICS PUBLISHER PARTNERS WITH NICKELODEON TO BRING TURTLE POWER TO COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS THIS SUMMER
San Diego, CA (April 1, 2011) – More than 25 years after its first comic book, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles return to their roots with IDW Publishing. Today at WonderCon in San Francisco, IDW and Nickelodeon announced a long-term agreement to offer an all-new installment of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics and graphic novels. Starting this summer, IDW’s comic series will bring the “Heroes in a Half Shell” back into action. IDW’s new comics are part of a larger initiative to bring Turtles to a new generation of fans, starting with these new storylines from the original series. Additionally, in fourth quarter 2012, Nickelodeon will premiere a new CG-animated version of the wildly popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise.“Through this partnership, we’re able to introduce Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to a new generation of fans, while also providing new stories for the fans who grew up enjoying these comics,” said Paula Allen, Senior Vice President, Global Publishing, Nickelodeon Consumer Products. “These all-new comics and graphic novels based on the original series will support the overwhelming demand we’ve received from the millions of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans looking to reconnect with this celebrated franchise.”Created in 1984 by Mirage Studios founders Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles quickly went from an independently published, black and white comic to one of the most popular brands in the world. IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will kick off with an ongoing series this summer, featuring new and exciting storylines that also maintain the “turtle power” core beloved by millions of fans. In addition to the all-new series, TMNT fans will also be treated to newly remastered collections of classic Turtles comics, beginning with the original 1980s series that started this worldwide phenomenon.“We’re thrilled to be a part of Turtles,” said Greg Goldstein, chief operating officer for IDW. “This is one of the most successful comic book franchises ever, and we look forward to exploring new territory with our ongoing series, as well as reliving all the classic adventures.”The return of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael and the rest of the TMNT world begins this summer. In IDW’s all-new, original series, readers will follow their favorite characters on exciting adventures that explore new depths of the TMNT universe.TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLESVisit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books."
I don't know much about IDW, but I wish them all the best with their new TMNT comic project. That being said, I feel the need to correct a small detail, a commonly-repeated error:
"Created in 1984 by Mirage Studios founders Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles quickly went from an independently published, black and white comic to one of the most popular brands in the world."
While the first TMNT comic book published by our Mirage Studios was, in fact, published in May of 1984, the TMNT concept was created in November of 1983. -- PL
Its awesome news, only thing that could top that is vol.4 being finshed (I am sorry I just really love that series.) On that note I was thinking if you really wanted to hurry and end it all in vol.4 you could always do a comic like Batman: Hidden Treasures, which is similiar to how your April's origin story was laid out. I am sure the dromer's would love to help for free, I know I sure as hell would.
ReplyDeleteI maybe a bit annoying with mentioning stuff like that, and for that I am sorry. Its just I was really digging vol. 4 and I just would love to see your creation come to an end. Kind of like Stallone did with his pets Rocky and Rambo. Yeah they didnt hold up to today's standards but you could tell the heart behind it. I loved both of those movies btw and thank you for all the heart you put behind vol. 4.
Have a great day.
-Tony-
ffritts.blogspot.com
Ha ha! I always appreciate the fact that I share my year of birth with the TMNT! :-)
ReplyDeleteI wonder if their new series is going to attempt to be in continuity with the Mirage universe or if they're going to start off fresh with a reboot.
ReplyDeleteFrom the sounds of things they want to re-release Vol. 1 in graphic novels, so I wonder what new stories they will tell.
I suppose it would be easier to start with a reboot, similar to, "Ultimate Spiderman" or other comics that rebooted long-lasting comic properties.
I can relate Adam but for me I share it with the original animated series! So if I read this correctly the original Mirage volume will be reprinted in graphic novels and the '87 series will see new adventures in an ongoing comic?
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to see Forever War and I did my own continuation of the animated series so it makes me curious what is in store. I just hope in the end that Mr. Laird will be pleased.
Would you be willing to theoretically let IDW publish a conclusion to Tristan Jones's Gang Wars story-line (with Tristan writing, of course)? Or Ross May's follow-up to his "Change of Power" story? Because from what I understand, they would need to have your permission in order to do more stories set in the Mirage TMNT Universe.
ReplyDelete"John Pannozzi said...
ReplyDeleteWould you be willing to theoretically let IDW publish a conclusion to Tristan Jones's Gang Wars story-line (with Tristan writing, of course)? Or Ross May's follow-up to his "Change of Power" story? Because from what I understand, they would need to have your permission in order to do more stories set in the Mirage TMNT Universe."
John, I am pretty sure that is not the case. -- PL
If Tristan gets to work for them, good for him. I do think he'd probably want to continue his story with Hun and the gangs.
ReplyDeleteI agree that I wouldn't want to see them touch Volume 4. If we ever get a conclusion to that it should be by PL himself, (with Lawson back doing the art) and nobody else.
- precita helms
Peter, I was wondering but under the new contract does it mean you can still attend comic conventions? Do you have any plans for attending any in the future?
ReplyDeleteSorry to hi-jack your thread here Pete, but just to answer the two questions above -- if IDW wanted me to finish it off, I wouldn't say no, but I'd be more interested in doing something new. At the end of the day, what they do is up to them. I'd love to work on the Turtles again!
ReplyDeleteHi-jacking over...!
Ha ha! I hope you send that correction to Nick... after all that fansy presenting, it seems kinda embarrassing on their part that they would get the birth year of the Turtles wrong;)
ReplyDeleteOne other thing is catching my eye in that press release, though... "TMNT fans will also be treated to newly remastered collections of classic Turtles comics, beginning with the original 1980s series that started this worldwide phenomenon."
Just wondering, do you think you'll be involved in these 'newly remastered' collections of your original comics? And do you know anything about when they'll be out? I'm very much looking forward to these, especially as I didn't get hold of your reprinted Volume 1 from 2009 before the prices went sky high.
Mesterius said...
ReplyDeleteHa ha! I hope you send that correction to Nick... after all that fansy presenting, it seems kinda embarrassing on their part that they would get the birth year of the Turtles wrong;) One other thing is catching my eye in that press release, though... "TMNT fans will also be treated to newly remastered collections of classic Turtles comics, beginning with the original 1980s series that started this worldwide phenomenon." Just wondering, do you think you'll be involved in these 'newly remastered' collections of your original comics?"
I can't really see why I would -- or should -- be. I know that I have not been asked to be part of it, and I don't expect to be
"And do you know anything about when they'll be out? I'm very much looking forward to these, especially as I didn't get hold of your reprinted Volume 1 from 2009 before the prices went sky high."
Sorry -- I have no knowledge of the plans of the new owner of TMNT regarding the reprints. -- PL
Mr Laird, by saying you just saw it on the web, it seems you have no involvement at all so far.
ReplyDeleteWill it be possible for Mirage to gather enough money, to . . . say, publish all the rest of Volume 4 in a single graphic novel? That would then be done and over with. And I really hope that IDW's new comics would be Vol. 5, set in the Mirage continuity. I would hate to think that after nearly 27 years, they would just finish the Mirage dimension, what started it all, and I'm sure, is everyone's favourite. Mr Laird, please think about my suggestions, and perhaps the TMNT would rise up from the ashes in this dark age. Thank you.
Yes, I think Mirage could scrape together enough money to print all of the remaining pieces of Volume 4 in a single graphic novel. Setting aside whether I think such a project is a good idea (I don't really know, though right at this moment I am kind of leaning toward "no"), money isn't the problem. The fact is that there is at this point no material to put into such a publication, and won't be until and unless I get inspired to produce it (with the able assistance of TMNT stalwarts Jim Lawson and Eric Talbot, hopefully). And I have no idea when and/or if that will happen. -- PL
DeleteHey Peter,
ReplyDeleteHave you been approached to do any variant covers for IDW? And would you even consider doing any? I mean don't get me wrong, Kevin's stuff is great. But I totally prefer your lines. Gritty is awesome, its how I like to draw them. But he's gone pretty overboard on the grit lately. Food for thought.
Long time fan,
Zac
Actually I did recently get a nice request from IDW to do a cover for one of the upcoming collected editions of the original Mirage TMNT comics, but I had to decline due to the fact that I was not inspired enough to come up with something of equal worth as Kevin's covers for the earlier volumes. We left it open for possible future covers, though. -- PL
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