Is Peter Laird returning to Volume 4 simply to wrap it up?

[CyberCubed]

A tidbit Murphy posted:

Unrelated to this was Peter Laird's recent announcment that he would return to scripting TMNT v4 very soon, hinting that he would wrap the storyline up in 12 or so issues (but that those issues would first be published electronically - details not yet determined).

So in other words, we get about a year or two more of Volume 4 when Laird returns simply to tie up all the story arcs he had going since 2001. It looks like Volume 4 might actually have an ending after all.

My question is, what happens after this? If Laird ends Volume 4, do the TMNT go into comic book hiatus yet again...or will Tales simply continue to go on as long as Mirage can afford it?

[Roseangelo]

My question is, what happens after this? Do the TMNT go into comic book hiatus yet again...or will Tales simply continue to go on as long as Mirage can afford it?

The comment you refer to has the most answer to this question that you're going to get, which is simply that no one knows.

[CyberCubed]

Yeah, I know. I'm just actually surprised that PL is actually going to wrap up the stories going on in Volume 4, considering it was his "vision" and that it looks like he'll be done scripting comics for a while.

I'm just glad he won't leave us hanging.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

I'm not surprised--I really don't know what new storylines he could introduce.

But what will Volume 5 be? Cause ya know if we have anything to say about it, Vol. 5 WILL eventually come out.

Will it continue Vol 4 or Vol 3? (I, of course, would prefer Vol 3. Bring back Gary Carlson!)

And what about Tales? How long will it last?

[odupianist]

I'm thinking him and Kevin need to do some talking real quick like if we want a Vol 5. If PL does what his fans suggest and he tries to cater to the fans, PL needs to talk with KE. I mean they're both adults, I'm sure they can work something out like adults. Maybe having a reunion tour will help spark new things for everyone.

[DrSpengler]

This *is* surprising, considering in the letters page PL said that he would never end the TMNT story or provide any clsoure. Good news, in any case.

[OA]

or Vol 3? (I, of course, would prefer Vol 3. Bring back Gary Carlson!)

I HIGHLY, HIGHLY doubt that!

[Magneto]

This *is* surprising, considering in the letters page PL said that he would never end the TMNT story or provide any clsoure. Good news, in any case.
True.

I'm satisfied now because atleast vol. 4 is not going to be left open ended apparently. And that's fine. Doesnt really state whats happening beyond that, but I'll take what I can get for the moment.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

I HIGHLY, HIGHLY doubt that!

Unfortunately, so do I. But still, one can only hope...

[Kendamu]

If he only comes back to wrap it up then so be it. At least he'll finish his story(which is very rare in TMNT comics). I like Vol. 4 but I prefer Tales, anyway.

[ZariusTwo]

Tales has been pushing the Turtles future lives tremendously hard, especially with Leo and soon Raph, so Volume Four's conclusion could very well be the end of the established present TMNT comic canon. In all accounts, Tales of the TMNT can still tell storylines post-volume four and Laird co-plotting.

[Jester]

12 issues....would end in what...2009...in time for the 25th anniversary....;) Maybe...just maybe for the 25th Kev and Pete will work together again.

[The Shelf]

I think we can all more or less predict how Don, Raph, and Leo's stories will end, but.... What about Mike?! Will we have a bunch of little Mikey's running around by the end of Vol. 4 or not? That is perhaps the biggest reason why I want Vol. 4 to continue. Mike's actually the least favorite turtle of mine, though I like them all, but I'm more interested in his story right now than any others.

I haven't read anywhere near all the canon comics that are out there, so perhaps someone can tell me this. Do we know anything about future Mike? Obviously, we know something about future Leo and I think future Raph. Future Don is apparently still making awesome gadgets, but has anything at all been mentioned about Mike?

[DrSpengler]

I think we can all more or less predict how Don, Raph, and Leo's stories will end, but.... What about Mike?! Will we have a bunch of little Mikey's running around by the end of Vol. 4 or not? That is perhaps the biggest reason why I want Vol. 4 to continue. Mike's actually the least favorite turtle of mine, though I like them all, but I'm more interested in his story right now than any others.

Yeah, Mike's story is the one I'm most interested in as well, which is especially weird considering I generally loathe the character.

I'd definately like to see Mike have some kids. He's in his 30s and he seems like the one Turtle likeliest to settle down. It would make a good ending (not that Laird intends to write an ending, I know).

I haven't read anywhere near all the canon comics that are out there, so perhaps someone can tell me this. Do we know anything about future Mike? Obviously, we know something about future Leo and I think future Raph. Future Don is apparently still making awesome gadgets, but has anything at all been mentioned about Mike?

We actually had a thread about this some time ago. Mike is the only Turtle who hasn't appeared in any future stories in the Mirage canon.

We know Raph loses an eye then goes to live in Tokyo and in a Swamp (though not necessarily in that order).

We know Leo gets all mystical and receives a techno katana from Don for his 100th birthday. He also moves in Japan.

We know that Don lives in Japan and has a sophisticated computer named Chet. He also misses the "good ole days" and weeps about them. The point of that has yet t be revealed.


Mike's future remains a mystery. Perhaps he is dead?

[CyberCubed]

Mike's future remains a mystery. Perhaps he is dead?

Ouch, don't say things like that. :p

The Turtles come in a set, you can't kill one of them off without killing them all off. Not to mention I doubt Peter Laird would ever approve of such a thing in Mirage canon. ;)

[Scandia]

While it would be cute if Mikey had kids of his own, I seriously doubt that Seri's children were sired by Mikey.

"That was fast!"

MAJOR clue that something is NOT right. Look at the size of that egg case- reptiles do not have external fertilization. In order for the egg to have grown to that size, it would have been incubating inside the dam for a while.

Personally, I think that Mikey will discover the disappointing truth- but will return to Earth with a clear conscience. If Seri and the biological father were to be incompetent parents, the Turtles may adopt the babies.

But I think that if they want to have kids, they will go the same route that their father went- adoption.

[Andrew NDB]

Cool, sucks, or meh, it will feel very weird holding "The Last TMNT Story Ever," written by Peter Laird.

[Ninjinister]

Ouch, don't say things like that. :p

The Turtles come in a set, you can't kill one of them off without killing them all off. Not to mention I doubt Peter Laird would ever approve of such a thing in Mirage canon. ;)

Laird: I won't be killing off Splinter....

(Three issues later)

Splinter: (Dies)

[Roseangelo]

Laird: I won't be killing off Splinter....

(Three issues later)

Splinter: (Dies)

Everyone Else: Oh darn.

[Magneto]

Everyone Else: Oh darn.

:embarass:

[Kendamu]

Everyone Else: Oh darn.
Meh. This is a comic we're talking about here. For all we know, some alternate universe emo Superbo--er--Leonardo trapped between dimensions will throw an EMO PUNCH (TM) that'll mess up the entire timeline and bring back Jason Tod--er--Splinter if somone was so inclined to do so.

[odupianist]

Splinter will still be around, either as Rat King or astral form ... simple as that ... we also know Raph will return to normal. I see Mike's writing career come in to play at some point in his future. Or is it silly to assume so?

[Time Mistress]

If he only comes back to wrap it up then so be it. At least he'll finish his story(which is very rare in TMNT comics). I like Vol. 4 but I prefer Tales, anyway.

My feelings too. All I want most for Vol. 4 at this point is closure. I hate it when good independant comics are forced to end with a dangling storyline. I'm glad it looks like that won't be the case with TMNT.

[Raph's Girl]

Peter Laird also said that Splinter wouldn't return in any shape or form. Then he starts popping up in dreams (to Raph and Mike), his astral form helps Raph control his gamera rage and for some strange reason he shows up in Alaska while April is about to fall off a cliff.

See Splinter didn't die per say. His body died yes but he actually became an ancient and (oh wait...wrong show)...anyways...he joined the animal pantheon to be with his beloved cat woman er cat queen (oh come on.. I know I wasn't the only one who saw the chemistry between em) and he became the Rat King/God.

We know all the turtles are alive in old Leo's time because Leo said that he's never had to deal with the death of his brothers. Perhaps we'll see Mike in Tales 41 since it's an Old Leo story.