Friday, July 20, 2012

Blast from the Past #567: April 16, 2008: Re: Hey Mr. Comicom!!




Subj: Re: Hey Mr. Comicom!!
Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 8:05:58 PM
From: Peter Laird
To:   Lloyd Goldfine

In a message dated 4/15/08 8:48:11 PM, Lloyd writes:

Hey Pete!
 
 Yesterday a box arrived on my desk from Mirage, and in it, much to my happy  surprise, I found the NEW ISSUE of TMNT!!!
 
 WOOOO – HOOO!  And also let me throw in a HALLELELUJAH (for good measure)!
 
 What a great way to start the week!  I just finished reading it and wanted to let you know I enjoyed it thoroughly.  I also realize that I have MISSED IT IMMENSELY!
 
 A question: was this written before you put the series on hold, after, or a little of both?  Just curious.>>

Lloyd,


Your enthusiastic words are MUCH appreciated... thank you! As for when I wrote it... I think I actually wrote the dialogue about a year and a half after Jim had drawn the book, so I guess that would mean about six or seven months ago. Now I'm curious -- why are YOU curious?
 
<< Some quick favorite bits:
 
 ·         I loved the Utroms sharing the “need-to-know” look between them  when Casey asks what they’ve been working on
 ·         Scary men’s room complete with alien urinals and tentacles visible under the toilet stall doors>>

I had originally planned to make that "alien bathroom" scene longer and goofier, with Casey -- in his inebriated state -- trying to figure out how to use some crazy looking alien toilet, and maybe even interacting in some embarrassing way with some alien in the bathroom... but it ended up working better as is, I think. I like the sense of melancholy Jim achieved in how he drew Casey taking a leak while thinking about April.

 <<·         Let’s hear it for Q.I.R. ladies and gentlemen!
 ·         Special cameo appearance by everyone favorite ninja femme fatale (especially yours) Karai
 ·         Gnotaga!
 ·         I have to admit I get a thrill outta seeing stuff from the show become part of the official comic canon (BattleNexus, Daimyo, Gyogi)>>

You know, I get a big kick out of that. I know I've said this before, but it probably bears repeating -- I'm really proud of being part of the team that did (is doing!) the new TMNT tv show. And it really is fun to have that kind of backwards integration (is that the right term?) of stuff from the new show into the comic. (Something that would NEVER have happened in the old Fred Wolf days!)

 ·       <<  The art is just great.  Jim kicks ass on this book, with a million great touches everywhere you look.  Great cover from Mike.>>

I agree! If you can, please find a moment to tell those guys that too -- they'd appreciate it!
  
<< Welcome back one and all!  : )>>

Thanks man!
 
<< Re: the Con, what’s the plan?  Gary tells me you’re there for the duration.  Any plans?  Any time better or worse to come by?  Lemme know.>>

I'll be happy to see you any time, Lloyd! (Although I am obligated to be at the NECA booth signing toy packages from 1 to 3 on Saturday, I believe.)
  
-- Pete

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Subj: Re: Hey Mr. Comicom!!
Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:44:19 PM
From: Peter Laird
To:   Lloyd Goldfine

In a message dated 4/16/08 9:27:33 PM, Lloyd writes:

Oh, and by the way, I also meant to mention two additional things about the comic:
 
 ·         I think the way you’ve set about “distributing “ the book is VERY cool>>

Lloyd,


Thanks! So far, it is going pretty well -- I think Katie told me today that since the ordering info went up on the website Monday or Tuesday, we've gotten about 250 orders. I am still hearing (or reading online, actually) comments from befuddled Turtle fans who don't quite get what I'm doing with it, but I'm hoping that will pass. And so far I've done head sketches in 225 copies... I might do more, but I think that is enough for now.
 
<<Thanks so much for the kind words about season 7 (or is it 8?)!  All the 4Kids crew got a real kick out of it!  ;)>>

You (and the crew) are welcome! I'm looking forward to seeing these episodes animated.
 
<< I’ll try and drop by and see you guys Friday, and I’ll definitely be around Saturday.>>

Sounds good!
 
<< Also, you and I need to discuss the idea me and the guys have been percolating for the TMNT 25th Anniversary project!>>

Also sounds good!
  
-- Pete

9 comments:

  1. :) Hello Laird. I just want to say, I'm a huge fan of the 2003 TMNT series,one of my favorite TMNT things along with the mirage comics and the first TMNT movie from 1990. I was wondering, how are you feeling about how Nick is handling the new TMNT cartoon? I really like all the references to both the original comics and the 80's series in the new TMNT show, and how the ending for the new theme song is a reference to TMNT Vol.1 #1 (Which was pretty cool). Also, in case you haven't seen it, here's a new tralier for it if you would like to see it: http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/07/20/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-trailer-nickelodeon/

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    1. I'm happy to hear that you liked the 2003 TMNT series. As I mentioned in another comment elsewhere, I am cautiously optimistic about the new series. I do think it is really too early -- MUCH too early -- to make any kind of reasoned judgement about it, as one of the most important aspects (arguably THE most important aspect) of the new show -- story -- is not yet evident from these very brief clips.

      I'm not sure how the "ending for the new theme song is a reference to TMNT Vol.1" -- I must have missed it. Can you elaborate? -- PL

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    2. Yeah, I really loved the Utrom Shredder in the show. I thought it was a great twist in the story. By the reference to TMNT Vol.1 #1, I meant this image here: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.comicsalliance.com/media/2012/07/tmntthemesong.jpg

      Quick question: What was the decision to make Karai Shredder's adopted daughter? Also, which turtle in the 2003 show did you like the most? :)

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    3. "By the reference to TMNT Vol.1 #1, I meant this image here: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.comicsalliance.com/media/2012/07/tmntthemesong.jpg"

      That is nice.

      

"Quick question: What was the decision to make Karai Shredder's adopted daughter?"

      Not really sure what that question means, but if you're asking WHY we made Karai the Shredder's adopted daughter, it just seemed like a good idea, and worked well for their relationship.

      " Also, which turtle in the 2003 show did you like the most? :)"

      Donatello… but I liked them all very much, really. -- PL

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  2. Hey Pete!

    This is Matthew Montelione, writer of the "Dark Energy" series. After some deliberation, I've realized my favorite Turtle is always going to be Donatello! How could I ever think of switching?

    I have two questions for you, if you don't mind:

    1) Out of all 4 Turtles, who do you think cared the most for human history, or the general study of history (both pre- and post human)? I would guess it would be either Donnie or Leo, but in "Tales" it's revealed that Mikey also cares about history as he used his knowledge of it to write one of his stories. I know Raphael isn't even considered in this question!

    2) Was there ever any significance in assigning each Turtle with a respective color? Did you just favor purple and therefore gave it to Donnie?

    Thank you!
    -Matthew

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    1. "

I have two questions for you, if you don't mind:

1) Out of all 4 Turtles, who do you think cared the most for human history, or the general study of history (both pre- and post human)? I would guess it would be either Donnie or Leo, but in "Tales" it's revealed that Mikey also cares about history as he used his knowledge of it to write one of his stories. I know Raphael isn't even considered in this question! "

      Interesting question. I know for sure which Turtle is LEAST interested in human history -- Raphael, as you suggest. But of the other three, I would say Don, then Leo, then Mike, in descending order of interest in the subject.

      

"2) Was there ever any significance in assigning each Turtle with a respective color? Did you just favor purple and therefore gave it to Donnie?"

      My memory of the choosing of colors for the bandanas is that Playmates Toys suggested some colors, we liked them, and that was that. I don't think there was any particular reason for assigning each color to each Turtle, at least not consciously. -- PL

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    2. Thanks for the reply, Pete!

      Sincerely,
      Matthew

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  3. Hey, you said that integration of stuff from the show into the comic would never have happened in the Fred Wolf days. Was this because of legal issues? Or did you simply not like any of the original characters created for the show.

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    1. At the time, there may have been some potential sticky legal issues, but the real reason is that there were no characters developed for that first animated series that I liked ENOUGH to bring into the comics. -- PL

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