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Sunday, March 30, 2008

Tales of the TMNT Michelangelo Mini-Series Covers!



My buddy tOkKa got an exciting email from long-time TMNT artist and colorer Steve Lavigne with cover art for all four issues of the upcoming Tales of the TMNT Michelangelo Mini-Series attached! The covers are penciled by Jim Lawson with colors by Steve.

The cover to issue #1 is featured to the left. You can check out all four covers over at Mikey's.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Coming Out of Their Shells - Hebrew



Here is certainly one of the more obscure things I've picked up over the years. Yes, this is another foreign language edition of the Coming Out of Their Shells Tour - This time in Hebrew.

Once again, I'm offering MP3s of the album for download for a limited time only.

Due to my complete illiteracy in Hebrew, I had to call in some help on the translating of the track names, and even then my volunteer got stumped on a few of of the vowels (but a big thanks to oldmanwinters for at least giving me something to work with!). So the blank underscores are missing vowels. If anyone can offer more complete translations, please let me know and I'll send you a photo of the track names. However, all of the songs are completely recognizable, so providing the English titles is no problem.

Here is your download link.

Track listing:
  1. Ysano M_hs_rion (Coming Out of Our Shells)
  2. Kot pisa (Pizza Power)
  3. Mata (Tubin')
  4. Shira Sh_l (April's Ballad)
  5. Qowabunga (Cowabunga)
  6. Yalak Yashar (Walk Straight)
  7. Ad Mvvt (No Treaties)
  8. Yyalak Im Helev (Follow Your Heart)
  9. Son_ Mosipa (I Hate Music)
  10. Y_s Al Mi L_smok (Count On Us)

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Happy Easter!



In celebration of today's Easter holiday, here's a look at some old TMNT Easter decorations. Have a happy day!

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Tales of the TMNT #44 Now Available



Tales of the TMNT #44 is available in comic shops as of yesterday (Wednesday). This issue contains the story of "The Amulet," by Jake Black and Murphy, as well as the backup story, "The Lessons," by Dan Berger.

If your comic shop doesn't carry Tales of the TMNT, whack 'em with a foam nunchuck and click over to NinjaTurtles.com to get yourself a copy.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Restored TMNT 1 Leonardo Movie Costume



This is REALLY neat! Over at the Technodrom forums, Bmaga123 posted a link to a movie prop restoration service where on a page featuring examples of their work is an original Leonardo costume from the very first TMNT film! If you hit the link, you can see the amazing before and after. Consider me extremely impressed, both by the restoration work and by the simple existence of the costume in the first place!!

New TMNT NECA Packaging Variant



In the comments section of The 5th Turtle, rm posted a link to Big Bad Toy Store that features the above picture of Leonardo in a really neat tube packaging. They say that these figures will only be packaged with each Turtle's signature weapons and no additional accessories. Considering how neat this looks, I don't think the lack of other accessories really matters!

The Leo in the pictured package, if you couldn't tell, isn't the final product.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

TMNT Flashback: The Good Ol' Days



On the heel of today's big announcement, how about a moment of reflection on the days that were. Above is a press photo from the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie with Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman on the set with Leonardo. Back when two men were able to work and collaborate together to create characters and stories that inspired and brought joy to millions of people around the world.

I can accept that business partnerships come and go, just as friendships do. But today's press release seems to be dripping with insincerity as far as Kevin and Peter's appreciation for each other goes. Kevin's sale of the TMNT to Peter shouldn't exclude him from being a creative mind that can occasionally be tapped for the purpose of good storytelling, but because the two of them are apparently unable to speak directly to each other, that's exactly what it does mean.

I can only hope that they'll be able to put aside they're differences just enough so that whatever participation Kevin has in next year's 25th anniversary events, there can be some sincerity showcased between these two creators. As it stands now, it seems they go as far as avoiding each other when they're at the same convention.

If the TMNT are ever going to get the respect they deserve from the world at large, there needs to be some reconciliation. There is no shame or lost pride in reconciliation; it's a standard show of being an adult.

BREAKING: Kevin Eastman 100% Bought Out of the TMNT



Just released on ninjaturtles.com, you can click the image on the left to read the full press release. The contents of the release are transcribed at the bottom. The bottom line is this: The TMNT are now 100% owned by Peter Laird.

You may be asking the question, "Didn't Peter already buy out Kevin's share of the TMNT?" Well, that is certainly what Peter has lead everyone to believe ever since the mentioned June 1, 2000 date. It wasn't until just last year that we learned that Kevin still had a financial stake in the franchise due to materials written by Kevin and interviews given.

So what changes now? Nothing, really. The TMNT have been creatively Peter's since June 1, 2000.

What will never change: Kevin Eastman's work on the TMNT is forever and always Kevin Eastman's. The art, the writing, and everything else he did is his work. Peter Laird may have the legal right to do with that what he wants, but changing it will never be the morally right thing to do. And IMO, it is beyond insulting to even attempt to sell these sad and pathetic efforts to the fans.

Northampton, MA (March 12, 2008) - Dear Fans, Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman wish to let you all know that on March 1, 2008, Peter and The Mirage Group completed the buyout of Kevin's entire right, title, interest and income participation in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles property and the four Mirage corporations involved in the ownership, management and protection of the TMNT. This latest event finalizes a transaction that began on June 1, 2000, when Peter and The Mirage Group purchased all of Kevin's ownership interest in the TMNT property and the corporations, except for a small continuing income participation.

Commenting on this latest transaction, Peter said, "I want to take this opportunity to once again thank Kevin for working side by side with me in creating the TMNT and moving them from the pages of Mirage's humble comic to the heights of success they achieved in animation, movies, toys, video games and other TMNT products and entertainment. Couldn't have done it without you, dude! It was an amazing and wonderful experience."

Kevin echoed these sentiments by commenting, "When I think back to the old days, two Jack Kirby fanboy artists, the living room studio in Dover, New Hampshire, my first sketch, our first page, the first issue stacked in the living room.. sure we'd never sell a copy.. ahhh, those were the days! Peter and I lived the dream, lost some along the way, but together built a foundation, heck, an empire that lasts and still resonates with kids around the world today. I look back at this gift, this partnership, with only the fondest of memories.. knowing Pete and Mirage will take excellent care of the boys, while I seek other artistic callings."

And this announcement is probably a good place and time for us to jointly thank all you fans for being so great in opening your hearts to our characters and making the Turtles and us a part of your lives. Neither of us could have done it without you. THANKS!

[Kevin Eastman] [Peter Laird]

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Boxed NECA TMNT + NYCC Exclusive!



The 5th Turtle today revealed the look of the upcoming boxed set of all four NECA TMNT figures. Not only that, but it was also revealed that there will be a New York Comic-Con exclusive boxed set that will include all of the figure bases and accessories (the regular set only comes with the weapons).

And bonus for those lucky enough to attend NYCC: Both Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird will be at the show (and you'd be a fool not to get 'em both to sign your box)!

Monday, March 3, 2008

Official: Blue Bunny Still Sells Ninja Turtles Ice Cream!



After speculating over the weekend that Blue Bunny did, indeed, still sell the Ninja Turtles ice cream that they've been selling since the early 90s (late 80s?), I sent an email to them in search of some confirmation. I received a response today that confirmed it is still sold, but unfortunately you are stuck locating an ice cream man if you want to enjoy it.

Thank you for contacting our Consumer Affairs line in which you inquired about the availability of the BLUE BUNNY Ninja Turtle Face Bars. We truly appreciate hearing from our valued customers.


Unfortunately, the Ninja Turtle Face Bars are Impulse (Ice Cream Trucks, Convenience Stores and in Vending Machines) Items only. They are only sold in single-serve sizes.


They are not available for retail sale through grocery stores. We do not have a list of businesses that sell single-serve items. And, unfortunately, due to the inherent dangers of shipping items on dry ice, we do not have a service to sell directly to the consumer.


We appreciate your interest in our products and taking the time to contact us.


If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me.


June
Consumer Relations Specialist
Wells Dairy, Inc.