Putting TMNT franchise history in context

[Spike Spiegel]

From the comic book to the animations, movies, and beyond, do you think that TMNT has gone through stages or eras as a franchise?

If so, how do you personally separate/define those stages, and where do you predict things are headed next?

[CyberCubed]

You divide them up like Pokemon generations:

Generation 1: Mirage TMNT (1984-1996 as it's original run), Fred Wolf cartoon (1987-1996), Archie TMNT Adventures (1987-1996), and Original Movie trilogy (1990-1993), and the associated toys and videogames

Gen 1.5: Next Mutation and Image...short-lived both started in 1997 and ended in 1998

Generation 2: Mirage's revival with Volume 4 and Tales (2001-2010), 4kids TMNT cartoon (2003-2009), 2007 movie, and the associated toys and videogames

Generation 3: IDW TMNT (2011-present), Nick TMNT cartoon (2012-2017), Platinum Dunes movies (unfortunately), and the associated toys and videogames


As we can see we've gone through 3 very distinct gens of TMNT so far. We'll see where we go from there. It seems there's always a cycle of the comics and cartoons starting at the same time and ending close together.

[neatoman]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

You divide them up like Pokemon generations:

Generation 1: Mirage TMNT (1984-1996 as it's original run), Fred Wolf cartoon (1987-1996), Archie TMNT Adventures (1987-1996), and Original Movie trilogy (1990-1993), and the associated toys and videogames

Gen 1.5: Next Mutation and Image...short-lived both started in 1997 and ended in 1998

Generation 2: Mirage's revival with Volume 4 and Tales (2001-2010), 4kids TMNT cartoon (2003-2009), 2007 movie, and the associated toys and videogames

Generation 3: IDW TMNT (2011-present), Nick TMNT cartoon (2012-2017), Platinum Dunes movies (unfortunately), and the associated toys and videogames


As we can see we've gone through 3 very distinct gens of TMNT so far. We'll see where we go from there. It seems there's always a cycle of the comics and cartoons starting at the same time and ending close together.

I think we can call "Gen 1.5" a "failed experiment" or an "aborted revitalisation".

I'd like to add to this the fact that IDW might continuously publish TMNT comics well after Rise ends, and will indeed do so during it's run. So what do make of that? A part of G3 continuing well into and after G4, or something outside of the generations?

[FredWolfLeonardo]

I wonder whether "rise" would be a new generation or a part of gen 3. Id be tempted to say new, since we might also be getting a rebooted movie franchise even though IDW will almost surely still be running during rise's production.

[ProphetofGanja]

That seems like a pretty decent breakdown, Cubed.

We probably have at LEAST three years before more serious talk of new TMNT movies, and we'll have to see how successful the Rise show is.

Maybe the first ~80 issues of the main IDW series plus all the one-shots and mini-series could be considered Gen 3, and then the next wave of IDW comics could be considered part of the next Gen. Looking at the IDW comics coming out now, they are very different from the comics released in that first year or so.

Really only time will tell though

[CyberCubed]

I think the only difference this time around is IDW TMNT looks like it's going to go on at least 10 years or beyond. All previous times TMNT comics ended the exact same time the cartoons did.

Mirage stopped publishing Volume 2 around late 1995. The original cartoon aired its last season in 1996, and the Archie TMNT Adventures also ended in 1996. Kind of ironic the original "end" of TMNT all happened at the same time.

Then with the revival in the early 2000's, Mirage stopped Tales of the TMNT in May 2010. The 4kids cartoon ended in 2009. The 2007 movie did not get a sequel. So again, everything "ended" at the same time and that's when the sale to Nick happened.

[Prowler]

That is indeed a good way to breakdown the different Turtle generations but I don't get the Pokémon analogy considering the TMNT are always set in the same place(NYC) and the franchise isn't about introducing new core/main characters per generation to catch new Pokémon and face new enemies like Pokémon is.

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by Prowler

That is indeed a good way to breakdown the different Turtle generations but I don't get the Pokémon analogy considering the TMNT are always set in the same place(NYC) and the franchise isn't about introducing new core/main characters per generation to catch new Pokémon and face new enemies like Pokémon is.

It's the same concept that each new TMNT series is aimed to attract a whole new gen of kids to the franchise, while older fans either continue or grow out of the franchise. That's why they're called "generations," as in they're aimed at a new gen of kids who weren't even born when the older series was airing.

[ToTheNines]

Golden Age: 1984-1987

Silver Age: 1988-1999

Bronze Age: 2002-2010

Modern Age: 2011-Current




I predict the Modern Age to end in 2019. IDW #100 comes out that year and I don't expect Rise to last longer than a season or two.

At that point, hopefully it rests for a bit while Viacom gets their sh*t together to finally make a good movie. Cartoons, comics and merch would follow of course, but I'll always have a massive backlog of that to go though. I really want to be blown away by a TMNT movie in theaters.

2024 is the 40th anniversary. Maybe that'll be a nice time for a real Turtles film.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

It's the same concept that each new TMNT series is aimed to attract a whole new gen of kids to the franchise, while older fans either continue or grow out of the franchise. That's why they're called "generations," as in they're aimed at a new gen of kids who weren't even born when the older series was airing.

I know what a "generation" is. But I'm sure more franchises had their own different generations. Stop using Pokémon as a blue print/reference for every other franchise out there.

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by Prowler

I know what a "generation" is. But I'm sure more franchises had their own different generations. Stop using Pokémon as a blue print/reference for every other franchise out there.

What do you call all the DC and Marvel relaunches then? They divide up their comics, movie universes and shows in a similar way.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

What do you call all the DC and Marvel relaunches then? They divide up their comics, movie universes and shows in a similar way.

No idea, I don't read/watch anything from those franchises, elt alone know what their chronology is.

Regardless, they pre-date Pokémon considering Spider-man and Batman have been around since like forever. So they can't have Pokémon-style generations. That's like saying Mega Man has Pokémon style of gameplay when the first MM game is from the 80s and considering it also uses a rock, papers scissor formula.

[Rooish]

It's cool seeing it divided by gens like this. What's everyone's favourite gen? I think each generation has had its awesome parts and its stinkers... but I guess I like "gen 1" and "gen 2" best. Love IDW though.

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

2024 is the 40th anniversary. Maybe that'll be a nice time for a real Turtles film.

What do you all think is the best way we fans can get a GOOD movie?

We need to compile evidence that the more mature versions of TMNT will bring in money... IDW and the 1990 movie I guess? Because the Nick show has definitely declined in profit as it has gotten more ridiculous and out there, no?

[pferreira]

Originally Posted by Prowler

That is indeed a good way to breakdown the different Turtle generations but I don't get the Pokémon analogy considering the TMNT are always set in the same place(NYC) and the franchise isn't about introducing new core/main characters per generation to catch new Pokémon and face new enemies like Pokémon is.

Transformers goes by generations as well.

[ProphetofGanja]

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

Golden Age: 1984-1987

Silver Age: 1988-1999

Bronze Age: 2002-2010

Modern Age: 2011-Current




I predict the Modern Age to end in 2019. IDW #100 comes out that year and I don't expect Rise to last longer than a season or two.

At that point, hopefully it rests for a bit while Viacom gets their sh*t together to finally make a good movie. Cartoons, comics and merch would follow of course, but I'll always have a massive backlog of that to go though. I really want to be blown away by a TMNT movie in theaters.

2024 is the 40th anniversary. Maybe that'll be a nice time for a real Turtles film.

'Ages' is probably the best way to refer to eras of TMNT, if not referring to a specific iteration (such as a show/movie/comic series), but eventually the Modern Age would need to be referred to as something else, possibly the Millennial Age?

In any case, its a very mixed bag, what with the worst TMNT movies and (IMO) the best TMNT comics.

[ToTheNines]

Uh... the iron age? Or change '84-'87 to the stone age?