IDW Plans New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Comics Options

[The Adventurer]

IDW Plans New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Comics

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 TURTLES comics will be available in comic stores throughout North America in Summer 2011.

Source: IDW

When Peter Laird sold his ownership of the TMNT to brand to Viacom, it was a dark day. I don't have a lot of faith in IDW to really keep with the spirit of the original comic Turtles. Laird's relaunch of TMNT, and Tales of the TMNT under his Mirage Publishing label in the 2000s was some of the best sci-fi action to come down the pipe in years. I was really angry when the TMNT went on infinite hiatus, and double pissed when Tales of the TMNT got cancelled with the Viacom sale.

However, one of the bigger let downs of Mirage was they kept promising new trade collections of the original TMNT material, and it never really materialized. If IDW can at least get that stuff back in print (even at the insane mark ups that are IDW's trademark) I will be very happy.

Though I wonder how they will deal with Dave Sim and Cerebus. Early on in the original series there was a TMNT crossover with Cerebus, but latter Sims and Laird had a falling out. And one of the big hold ups of putting together early TMNT collections was that Laird wanted the Cerebus issues edited to remove the offending Aardvark.

At any rate I'll be keeping an eye on this. I'm curious what kind of creative team they might piece together for an ongoing TMNT series. But I'm fearing the comic will be more animated series Turtles, and less comics Turtles.

[Tim Tilley]

Peter tried, he gave keeping the series alive for over two decades and you can't fault him for that. It is sad to see Viacom/Nickelodeon take over, but there isn't much we can do about that. As for IDW, I am not impressed with most of their stuff anymore. I was let down by Transformers and GI Joe, so I doubt TMNT will be any different.

[Carl Shinyama]

Whoa, I sure hope so!

[The Adventurer]

Peter tried, he gave keeping the series alive for over two decades and you can't fault him for that. It is sad to see Viacom/Nickelodeon take over, but there isn't much we can do about that. As for IDW, I am not impressed with most of their stuff anymore. I was let down by Transformers and GI Joe, so I doubt TMNT will be any different.

Yeah there's that too. I thumbed through their Jurassic Park comics, and the art was amateurish and the writing not much better.
And I honestly don't understand how a person could sell off every ownership of something he created if there was a choice in the matter. I think Laird was tired of driving the brand though it's more profitable venues (see: TV movies video games toys) and was disappointed that the comic side never gained any traction. I'd get sick of that too. It's just too bad because Mirage had such an amazing, dedicated group of creators that really had a passion for TMNT. And I fear we'll never see it's like again on TMNT.

Whoa, I sure hope so!

What is this in response too?

[Carl Shinyama]

It's a response to the original post, in which I hope that they actually bring TMNT back to comics. Not all announcements follow through.