Your true unabashed thoughts on the state of all things TMNT

[beaker]

While I am more than overjoyed at the return of the TMNT, there are a few anomaly problems I have.

1) I am very offput by the decision to can the CGI film...I think this could have been the coolest thing in ages.

2) While Im glad there is an ongoing TMNT comic, is it me or does it look like its being made in 1985? Just imagine what TMNT the comic could look like if Dreamwave got ahold of it(the wonders they worked on the various Transformers series is astonishing)

3) Is it me or does the official TMNT site ninjaturtles.com seem stuck in a time warp? I checked out this site called MikeysTMNT.com that blows that site away. The official site seems stuck in a bit of a 1990 Archie phase.

4) The look of the cartoon. Hmmm, while I realize its not in the budget to go all out crisp and detailed anime styled(not the kiddy anime stuff, bu tlike Ghost in the Shell) ...still...and that intro to the new cartoon...I mean I know its all about recapturing the feel of the 80's, but they do to good of a job. It looks like it was made in 1988!

5) Finally, the toyline. Dont get me wrong...I cant wait to get my paws on these. The best toy line out there IMHO besides Palisades Muppet Show line. But still...its 2003 and they look more akin to the 1988 line.
Though...I will say that bus looks like the coolest TMNT vehicle ever!

So those are the only complaints I have. Generally speaking I am more than pleased overall with the new TMNT direction and stuff. Im glad this day and age finally allows for character that were originally black in the comic to be black again(darn history revisionism...) Im also glad its been a good 12 years since the strangulation and washout media blitz of the TMNT has passed. I think things are back on track now.

[Sparvid]

1) I am very offput by the decision to can the CGI film...I think this could have been the coolest thing in ages.Agreed... :(

2) While Im glad there is an ongoing TMNT comic, is it me or does it look like its being made in 1985? Just imagine what TMNT the comic could look like if Dreamwave got ahold of it(the wonders they worked on the various Transformers series is astonishing)Err, it would suck... :P The only thing I could think of that would make the new comic even better, would be if there were somewhat more clear beginnings and endings to the storylines...

3) Is it me or does the official TMNT site ninjaturtles.com seem stuck in a time warp? I checked out this site called MikeysTMNT.com that blows that site away. The official site seems stuck in a bit of a 1990 Archie phase.Yeah, they could make it better, but I kinda like it the way it is now :)

4) The look of the cartoon. Hmmm, while I realize its not in the budget to go all out crisp and detailed anime styled(not the kiddy anime stuff, bu tlike Ghost in the Shell) ...still...and that intro to the new cartoon...I mean I know its all about recapturing the feel of the 80's, but they do to good of a job. It looks like it was made in 1988!No, it doesn't... ;)

[xZAOx]

1) I am very offput by the decision to can the CGI film...I think this could have been the coolest thing in ages..

I think it woulda been cool. But im not too upset about it


2) While Im glad there is an ongoing TMNT comic, is it me or does it look like its being made in 1985? Just imagine what TMNT the comic could look like if Dreamwave got ahold of it(the wonders they worked on the various Transformers series is astonishing) .

The turtles have always been in black and white, and jim lawson has drawn more turtle comics than anyone else. and while his style has changed, i think he draws the turtles better now than in volume 2, but his humans suck. i think the main fallback of the new comic is ther isnt near enough action going on, which is prolly what you are sensing as "1985".


3) Is it me or does the official TMNT site ninjaturtles.com seem stuck in a time warp? I checked out this site called MikeysTMNT.com that blows that site away. The official site seems stuck in a bit of a 1990 Archie phase. .

mikeysTMNT has a good layout, but nowhere near the info that the official site has. i think dan has done a good job. it looks cartoonish, but that doesnt bother me. he has a site that is easy to navigate, with tons and tons of info, which is what i think is important.


4) The look of the cartoon. Hmmm, while I realize its not in the budget to go all out crisp and detailed anime styled(not the kiddy anime stuff, bu tlike Ghost in the Shell) ...still...and that intro to the new cartoon...I mean I know its all about recapturing the feel of the 80's, but they do to good of a job. It looks like it was made in 1988!.

im 100% in disagreement with you there. if it was anime...UGHSOGDHOSH i would kill people. i think it looks great. its an action cartoon, not some stupid japanesse cartooon with big eyes where people stare at each other for 20 minutes while the background flashes and lines go everywhere for no reason.


5) Finally, the toyline. Dont get me wrong...I cant wait to get my paws on these. The best toy line out there IMHO besides Palisades Muppet Show line. But still...its 2003 and they look more akin to the 1988 line.
Though...I will say that bus looks like the coolest TMNT vehicle ever!.

i love the new toys! they are a HUGE step up from the old toys. once again, this is an american franchise, not japanesse like most of the action figures on the market. they are highly detailed, and i think just look overall badass. im not a fan of the van thingy tho, but thats just cause i dont like vehicles in general.[/quote]

well you know what they say...you cant please all the people all of the time. =)

[Karpo_007]

The CGI was scraped because they couldn't sell it...

And Lawsson's style is a matter of opinnion, and He's style has changed a lot. Well the current style is excellent for the TMNT, but Humans are a little ...weird. And yes, Mirgae has always been black&white, except few specials and Volume 2. It is part of the magic.

And the website, I don't think there is nothing wrong with it. It servrs it's purpose very wel.

[Peanut]

I agree woth ZOA completely when it comes to the animation. Putting the turtles in anime would completely RUIN the show. Love the DBZ reference LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Karpo_007]

Well the First season of the TMNT was animated by Japanese company... Did you really hate it? It is the best season of the cartoon.

[PWDESAI]

Umm... dude you are saying everything is like it's back in the 80's, maybe it's just you are too far advanced ;)

[xZAOx]

Well the Furst season of the TMNt was animated by Japanese company... Did you really hate it? It is the best season of the cartoon.

i never knew that. but what i was referring to is how nowadays at least 95% of japanesse cartoons are anime. i sat through an hour and a half of fox box this morning while cleaning up this collection of ninja turtle action figures i got in the other day...oh bleh. some guy is fighting a big cell phone? wtf?

[Mr. Snackpants]

I like the cartoon how it is, it looks fine. The figures are awsome, nothing wrong with them.

[Karpo_007]

LOL :lol: ... Well there are some great animes like Akira. The plot is hard to understand, But it is clear that the Japanese have much more skill in doing animation than western contries. Of course the there is the thing with big eyes and small mouths... Well I have to admit that most of the anime I have seen is not so good...

[Anarchistguy]

Anime is one of the best animation I have ever seen in my life. You think
Anime sucks because you guys only check out crap like Digimon, Pokemon and the junk that's on the FoxBox. But there's more to anime than that. There are some great movies such as Ninja Scroll and "X". And about Dragonball Z, It sucks because Funimation censored the crap out of it. So it's not because you see ONE boring Anime that they ALL suck.

[PanMan]

i for one cannot stand anime :dead: . some of the shows in anime i might watch if they were in regular animation but i really cannot stand it. for example, if Samurai Jack was in regular animation i would watch it but i can't stand watching it now in anime

[Aztec General]

My thoughts on the current state of TMNT:

Mirage Comic Volume 4:
Good:
1) The story is very indepth and constantly evolving. I have no idea what will happen next.
2) Lots of returning characters.
3) The alien beast looks like he has some potential as a villian.
Bad:
1) Where's the action? It's been 7 issues with a lot of building but no action. They haven't even broken out their weapons yet.
2) Lawson's humans.
3) No villian has emerged yet.

The New Toon:
Good:
1) The in depth story and continuity.
2) The fact that Laird is sticking close to the Mirage story but still adding something new.
3) The Foot Clan sounds pretty bad ass.
4) The art looks great.
5) The characters will evolve and respond to the events around them.
Bad:
1) It's on a Saturday morning cartoon block with some of the worst shows in history.

As for the Dreamwave comic I think this project has a lot of potential. Dreamwave has some awesome artists and serious comics. I'm very interested.

Also the new Tales of the TMNT line should rock. It'll be great to see the other classic Mirage artists get a crack at the TMNT. While at the same time filling up the continuity gap between Volume 2 and 4.

One final thing: I think Anime is downright awful :dead: .

[Karpo_007]

Rat king has good points there. We think pretty much a like when it comes to TMNT. Of course I can't judge Volume 4 yet because im still reading 1.

And as t has been said, not all anime is bad. Just Get Akira somewhere. It is almost 20 years old, but still better animated than any action cartoon today made by the western countries. Well when it comes to anime, there is only few movies/series I rally like, But im not saying that Japanese animation sucks. That's because when they animate an action scene, no western animation company can compete.

[Raphael-sama]

The TMNT line is growing strong, stronger then it has in quite a few years. I'm certain that once the cartoon comes out, we'll see the new fans emerging and the toys flying off the shelves.

What I'M concerned about is this. When this whole 80s nostalgia fad that He-Man and all of them are hopping on finally goes away (and it will), will the TMNT still be able to hold their ground? Or will they be washed away into the depths of time for another 10 years?

-Badabing.

[Karpo_007]

Well the TMNT aren't goign away, the comic is selling very good. But if the cartoon isn't succesgull enough, there might not be a season 2. Well let's hope that it wil become a hit.

[BigThew]

I feel that it should be a hit...the outcomes of this shows sucess are limitless

video games, movies, even Origional Season TMNT DVD's, and of course more action figures

but one thing that i just can't seem to get past is the appearance of splinter...he looks really lame and he is grey!

[Mondo_Gecko]

yeah Splinter does look so lame bring back the old cartoon Splinter

[Karpo_007]

He definetly looks better than the old cartoon splinter, But not as good as the mirage one. They should have made him brown. Oh well, he color is not that big a deal. And yes, the TMNT has almos always been popular when it has been on tv, So the chances are good.

[Aztec General]

The TMNT line is growing strong, stronger then it has in quite a few years. I'm certain that once the cartoon comes out, we'll see the new fans emerging and the toys flying off the shelves.

What I'M concerned about is this. When this whole 80s nostalgia fad that He-Man and all of them are hopping on finally goes away (and it will), will the TMNT still be able to hold their ground? Or will they be washed away into the depths of time for another 10 years?

-Badabing.

You raise a valid question about the '80s nostalgia. The TMNT, He-Man, Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Thundercats are all making a huge comeback. It is also true that it will not last. But I think the TMNT have a good shot at remaining because the new comic is a hit, there are two more comics on the way that appear to be of quality, the new cartoon looks good enough to please most fans and bring in some new ones, and because TMNT has a huge foundation of "hardcore" fans.

[Raphael-sama]

Little nitpick: the Transformers are making a comeback? Man, they've been around for EVER now. Beast Wars? Beast Machines? RiD? Just now people are starting to notice this, and more then a few thought-and still think-that Transformers ended in 1986, when most people stopped watching.
-Badabing.

[beaker]

It is really unfortunate the saturation of all these kiddy Pokeom/Yu Gi Oh pocket monster card colletcing animes has pretty much ruined anime in the eyes of most folks. I myself would be sad if TMNT had come back as some anime kiddy show. Look at what they did to Transformers RIB! They turned it into Pokemon!?!?:( So when I say anime, Im not talking the kiddy stuff...I mean the very crisp and detailed Ghost in The Shell or Akira kind(Two fine example that would blow peoples minds) You all are correct to bag on anime in that respect(of kiddy anime)...its just horrific. I mean look at Fox Box as it stands, unwatchable. Even the American cartoons are trying to go for that cheap look...however...

I point you to thematrix.com, with a preview of the upcoming Animatrix...I doubt theres anyone who can watch that and say it sucks...that to me(a combination of the people who did Final Fantasy, Ghost in the Shell, Blood, and Ninja Scroll) is one of th emost astonishing things...and a TMNT cartoon in that regards would rock.

But as it stands I am more than excited about the show next month. I think the title sequence song through me off, I think that was it. The whole back alley Double Dragon street punk thing is a nice throwback.

I think what I mean by a return to the 80's...is the facts for a lot of licences its a return, but in a new eovlution, or facelift...same goes for TMNT.

The figures do look good...I understand the move to go 5"...I just really enjoyed the Jim Lee Image figures better, seemed more adavanced a bit.

And finally, I have to say...the first season of TMNT is my fave. It had a bit of that Japanese flavor to it since it was a Japanese copany...That pilot episode where they throw a katana blade to a second roof, and slide down just as the skyscraper explodes with water...wow! Breathtaking.

Finally, for folks that totlaly off put anime...remember, the TMNT are strongly influenced by various Japanese things in manga, etc. I mean just look at Stan Saki's USagi Yojimbo...it can almost be seen as a kind of companion piece to TMNT the comic...both long standing humanoid ninja animals who have crossed paths several times.

[Aztec General]

Little nitpick: the Transformers are making a comeback? Man, they've been around for EVER now. Beast Wars? Beast Machines? RiD? Just now people are starting to notice this, and more then a few thought-and still think-that Transformers ended in 1986, when most people stopped watching.
-Badabing.

Yeah I'll give you that. I was actually thinking about that as I made my post. But what I mean is that it's making a comeback to the mainstream. Then again Beast Wars was on Fox only a few years ago...

[Reznorite420]

Anime is one of the best animation I have ever seen in my life. You think
Anime sucks because you guys only check out crap like Digimon, Pokemon and the junk that's on the FoxBox. But there's more to anime than that. There are some great movies such as Ninja Scroll and "X". And about Dragonball Z, It sucks because Funimation censored the crap out of it. So it's not because you see ONE boring Anime that they ALL suck.It's not the plots, it's not the storyline, it's not the action...it's the ANIMATION, the DIALOGUE, and the VOICES that make it bad. I don't care if it's action-packed to the brim and exciting...if it's done in the 'anime' style of animation, I won't watch it.

[xZAOx]

I point you to thematrix.com, with a preview of the upcoming Animatrix...I doubt theres anyone who can watch that and say it sucks.

it sucks. hehe, just had to say it =).

but yeah, the animation there was really top notch, i didnt mind it. still, the serious animation has a "bad egg" sense to it, b/c alot of it is porn as well. i've heard of the anime where its nothing but girls with way too big breasts fighting monsters with like 5 penises or some jazz. im still not a huge fan of the drawing style altogether, but yeah, the animatrix stuff didnt suck. but i still prefer stuff like batman, batman beyond, superman, and justice league over animation any day.

[Karpo_007]

The shows you mentioned above have pretty good animation, but one thing about those bother me. The white flashes. Always when a character hits another, there is a white flash right before the blow lands. I seriously hope that won't be the case in the new TMNT.

[Anarchistguy]

Anime is one of the best animation I have ever seen in my life. You think
Anime sucks because you guys only check out crap like Digimon, Pokemon and the junk that's on the FoxBox. But there's more to anime than that. There are some great movies such as Ninja Scroll and "X". And about Dragonball Z, It sucks because Funimation censored the crap out of it. So it's not because you see ONE boring Anime that they ALL suck.It's not the plots, it's not the storyline, it's not the action...it's the ANIMATION, the DIALOGUE, and the VOICES that make it bad. I don't care if it's action-packed to the brim and exciting...if it's done in the 'anime' style of animation, I won't watch it.

Then just don't watch it!!

[Reznorite420]

I never said I did...I was just giving my own insight.

I think Tokka's 'tude has diffused from him to you.

[Prowl]

The animatrix is one of my most anticipated piece of media this year. Between Square's stuff and that awsome-looking samurai piece, I will be in animation heaven. I too would love to see the turtles in this style, but the top noch stuff, not the crap that's on TV now.

[Anarchistguy]

Me too!

[Jephael]

1) I am very offput by the decision to can the CGI film...I think this could have been the coolest thing in ages.

As disapointed as I was myself, I would much rather see a new live action film. But perhaps this time around the turtles' faces can be CGI while the rest of their bodies are costumes.

2) While Im glad there is an ongoing TMNT comic, is it me or does it look like its being made in 1985?

Hey that happens to be my favorite year! I don't have any major complaints about the comics since they're merely just trying to build up some suspence.

3) Is it me or does the official TMNT site www.ninjaturtles.com seem stuck in a time warp? I checked out this site called www.mikeystmnt.com that blows that site away. The official site seems stuck in a bit of a 1990 Archie phase.

Even if Dan Berger were to renovate the official site, do you know how much work he's have to go into just to replace each page's color coding? It would take forever.

4) The look of the cartoon. Hmmm, while I realize its not in the budget to go all out crisp and detailed anime styled(not the kiddy anime stuff, bu tlike Ghost in the Shell) ...still...and that intro to the new cartoon...I mean I know its all about recapturing the feel of the 80's, but they do to good of a job. It looks like it was made in 1988!

I definatly agree, even though I haven't even seen it yet.

5) Finally, the toyline. Dont get me wrong...I cant wait to get my paws on these. The best toy line out there IMHO besides Palisades Muppet Show line. But still...its 2003 and they look more akin to the 1988 line.
Though...I will say that bus looks like the coolest TMNT vehicle ever!

I believe that the new toy line is basically a refreshed version of the original.

[Supermik]

Hi Gang!

it would be... but i love the first series of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cartoon :D (in Italy we call the cartoon "Tartarughe Ninja alla Riscossa!") the years were 1987,1988,1989,1990 after the first movie the cartoon changed, personally for me in bad :( , also the movies were not very beatiful :( :( .
It's a my personal opinion :wink: .

In Italy today TMNT are out of style today people watch on TV Dragonball, Pokemon, and stupid manga cartoons! :x :x :x .
But no problems the people who were born in 1979 1980 1981 1982 don't forget TMNT and watch still TMNT tv shows and if possible read comics.
In my Police District all of my job friends watch TMNT tv shows! for the most part they were born in the years 1979 ---> 1981.
TMNT are ours heros!
heros in a half shell!

[Nickokapo]

i for one cannot stand anime :dead: . some of the shows in anime i might watch if they were in regular animation but i really cannot stand it. for example, if Samurai Jack was in regular animation i would watch it but i can't stand watching it now in anime
:sweatdro: Do you even know what anime is?
An animation made in japan or by japanese.
As simple as that...and samurai jack is NOT 'anime', it's a cartoon, an american one!Maybe anime has influencied samurai jack, or it might look anime-ish to you, but it just isn't anime.
Geesh, some people refer to anime as "some guys staring up and down and lines flashing all over", well that is only a series, aimed at kids BTW so i don't think you should judge it SINCE IT WAS AIMED AT KIDS, NOT YOU, besides, the american version of dragonball z is very dumbed down...and for the record, in those "staring for 20 minutes" episodes AKIRA TORIYAMA WAS TRYING TO KILL THE RATINGS TO GET THE SERIES TO END SINCE HE WAS SICK OF MAKING EPISODES ALREADY :sweatdro: But those are probably the only episodes you have seen, if you have seen any dragonball z episodes at all, that is.
Most people don't seem to understand there is more to anime than dragonball and pokemon...go watch some SUBBED anime like evangelion, akira or i dunno, maybe ghost in the shell, there's so many titles to choose from, then think again if you should generalize, if everything would be like you say, i could label cartoons as "some animals being hunted by some bald guy for 10 minutes then saying 'what's up doc'", but that's only 1 cartoon.
Meh, dubbies..
. i've heard of the anime where its nothing but girls with way too big breasts fighting monsters with like 5 penises or some jazz. im still not a huge fan of the drawing style altogether
:roll: That's hentai, if you're new to anime DON'T look at that first...actually, i'd suggest you to not look at that at all, most of it's bizarre and it sucks (no pun intended)
What's funny is that japan has some law that doesn't let em show penises so that's why you see so many tentacle monsters in hentai movies, or something like that :blanksta: weird japanese people...
As for the new tmnt toon, well i think it's gonna be great, like what the red sky seasons should have been :evilgrin: and i don't think they look anime-ish, they can't be anime, they're american, period, and still they look cartoony, the only anime-wannabe show i've seen was "totally spies", it was american animation but they tried to make it look like anime...it's one of the worst pieces of crap i've ever seen in my life :dead:

[Jephael]

I kinda like Dragonball Z, and I've even come to love their ideas. But I've been getting the feeling they've been milking it with the Majin Buu storyline. I mean it just annoys me that they're trying to go for this whole "worse-case scenario" factor with the plot. It's not that I mind millions upon millions of fictional characters being killed, it starts to get boring after awhile.

[Nickokapo]

That's because they've been milking the series, at least at that point, since as i posted above akira toriyama was kinda sick of doing new dragonball episodes (i don't blame him, at that time he did more than 300 :blanksta: ) so he was trying to kill ratings and get that over with...it's a pretty boring part of the series imo, but i like the earlier dbz episodes, and the android/cell saga.
At some point it was always like this:
New enemy appears, someone dies, someone goes a level of power up and beats the crap of enemy, enemy goes a level up or something, someone kills him with some fireball of some sort, they collect the dragonballs and resurrect the guy who died.
Hurray... :sweatdro:
That's probably why toriyama wasn't involved in dragonball gt, he was tired of dragonball :p
I hope the new toon doesn't get as popular as for the series getting like 300 episodes and needing 'filler' episodes which are pretty much pointless...or maybe i do, it's kinda tricky as it has its advantages and disadvantages :P i'll have to wait and see what happens...

[beaker]

It's no use trying to convince non anime fans, that there is anime out there that ISNT kiddy Pokemon shite or hentai tentacle babe action. Its no use. Pokemon/Yu Gi Oh/Card Captor/etc has ruined the publics mind on what good anime is. Even I hate to say, as much as Ive been a fan since the 80's, Dragon Ball/DBZ.

Anime has to be homogenized and prepackaged in the form of Disney's Tarzan or Atlantis...or really crappified like Power Puff for people to ingest it. The same folks who dont like anime usualy enjoy some form of aniamtion that is very anime influenced. Heck, go to your local comic stand. Name more than 15 titles that have absolutely zero manga influence.

[DarthRaphael]

Hmmmm... one word. Macross