Sophie Campbell plans her own FAN COMIC!?!

[oldmanwinters]

And it's a REMAKE of Secret of the Ooze!!!

This is both the strangest and coolest thing I've seen/read in a while:
http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/162/5/5/tmnt__secrets_of_the_ooze_by_mooncalfe-d533shs.jpg (http://mooncalfe.deviantart.com/art/TMNT-Secrets-of-the-Ooze-307546624)
TMNT: Secrets of the Ooze (http://mooncalfe.deviantart.com/art/TMNT-Secrets-of-the-Ooze-307546624) by ~mooncalfe (http://mooncalfe.deviantart.com/) on deviantART (http://www.deviantart.com)

This one is the most important drawing this week and i saved it for last! this is the first sketch for a TMNT fan-comic i'm cooking up called Secrets of the Ooze, which is a retelling of the second Turtles movie (a.k.a. the one with Vanilla Ice :XD:) with my own spin on the story and characters.

The biggest thing i'm adding is the 5th Turtle, Artemisia (Artie for short), who is the shy worrywart Turtle, whose weapon is the bow-and-arrow (i always felt like each Turtle's weapon was a metaphor for their personality, so Artie's had to be the same!). my Turtles don't have masks, they have natural face markings; they construct their weapons from junk and scraps; and there are some other different things the Turtles discover about themselves and some new things in their origin.

The other characters in the comic are the ones from the original movie, April, Splinter, Keno, Shredder, Tokka, Rahzar, Dr. Perry, and i'm putting Casey and the Utroms into the story. :D

I'm not exactly sure when this is going to happen, i'm hoping next year, i'm hoping i can squeeze a page a week into my schedule and run it as weekly webcomic. it'll have a loose sketchy style like this drawing, it'll probably look just like this, since i won't have time for anything more rendered or refined. but i think that'll be cool, it'll be totally for fun, raw and rough.

Special shout-out to *kyuubi-fox-demon for the support and for inspiration on Artemisia's markings.
http://mooncalfe.deviantart.com/art/TMNT-Secrets-of-the-Ooze-307546624

[TurtleTitan97]

This looks awesome! I can't wait to read this! :)

[corvus]

Construct their weapons from junk and scrap? I always assumed they forged them from scrap metal, at least that was implied in the mirage series. Everything else I've seen they were just pulled out of thin air and given to the turtles by spinter.

[Archon_Turtle]

Will we find out that the 5th turtle IS Vanilla Ice?

[oldmanwinters]

Will we find out that the 5th turtle IS Vanilla Ice?

I wish these forums had a "Like" button, ala Facebook. I would have used it right there.

[pannoni1]

A bow and arrow is not a ninja weapon though, so its not really a "ninja turtle", more like a "Vernonturtle!" Since a team as only as good as its weakest link, it will be interesting to see how Splinter/the others can make her a worthwhile fighter. I thought that was mutated April from that comic though seeing the yellow though. :lol:

[Candy Kappa]

A bow and arrow is not a ninja weapon though

besides the Bo, the bow and arrow are probably more "ninja" then the other main weapons the turtles uses

[oldmanwinters]

In case anyone is interested,, Ross also recently posted some of his VERY old TMNT art back from when he was around 9-years-old:
http://mooncalfe.livejournal.com/196163.html

It just shows how much of a fan he's been his entire life. I think it's such a feel-good story when a guy like him is able to grow up and draw AWESOME comics for the characters he used to day-dream about as a kid.

[TurtleTitan97]

In case anyone is interested,, Ross also recently posted some of his VERY old TMNT art back from when he was around 9-years-old:
http://mooncalfe.livejournal.com/196163.html

Those were great. Anyone else laugh hard when reading that comic he drew with the guys being mean to Leo? :lol:

I think it's such a feel good story when a guy like him is able to grow up and draw AWESOME comics for the characters he grew up day-dreaming about.

It sure is.:tsmile:

[Powder]

Yeah I saw this on DA today too. Not really a big fan of the whole 5th turtle thing everybody wants to do, but I'll humor it. Outside of that I'm sure at the least the art will be awesome and seeing the return of SOTO characters will be a delight.

[Master Splinter]

I like the idea Ross has going here. Will be checking back for more updates!

Thanks!

-ms

[Cowabunga Carl]

This is an awesome idea. I'm looking forward to it. Really interested in how he brings in the 5th Turtle.

[Drose18]

Looks sick! I'd like to see how this turns out!

[CyberCubed]

While I hate the idea of a 5th turtle, I am sure what he does will be interesting.

[Redeemer]

Awesome! Really cool, I would love to see a fan-fic by a actual TMNT staff membber

[Ninjinister]

A bow and arrow is not a ninja weapon though

Completely false.

[Jester]

So is Artie named for her? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_Gentileschi)

[Donnie]

So is Artie named for her? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_Gentileschi)

Yeah, I believe so. I know Ross is gonna be really excited to see all the positive comments here! :)

I can't wait to see what he cooks up, Ross is the man!

[Candy Kappa]

Artie better be using the fire arrows :P

[oldmanwinters]

So is Artie named for her? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_Gentileschi)

A much better designation for a fifth turtle than "Venus De Milo," IMO.

Artemisia was an actual artist, rather than a "work of art." Plus, the Baroque era wasn't too far removed from the Renaissance either. The original de Milo was Greek, after all.

[Ninjinister]

Oh I get it. Bow and arrow... like Artemis, goddess of the hunt. Pretty sneaky Ross.

[oldmanwinters]

A much better designation for a fifth turtle than "Venus De Milo," IMO.

Artemisia was an actual artist, rather than a "work of art." Plus, the Baroque era wasn't too far removed from the Renaissance either. The de Milo was Greek, after all.


Oh I get it. Bow and arrow... like Artemis, goddess of the hunt. Pretty sneaky Ross.

Oh... Maybe Ross did sneak a little Greek culture into his vision after all!

[CyberCubed]

How is the 5th Turtle going to be worked into the plot of the second movie?

What, will they just discover him in the TGRI building or something?

[oldmanwinters]

Because I love you folks (sort of), I've copied some recent comments Ross made on his DevArt page and reorganized them under specific themes:

Just how much will this comic resemble the plot of the film, Secret of the Ooze?
the subplot from the movie will be in the comic but it's got a totally different angle to it. i got a whole new spin on it.

the characters will be a bit different since my style of writing is different than the movie's writers, of course, so it will have my own sensibilities. they'll probably make less jokes, there will more interpersonal drama between them, more talking about their feelings and stuff like that, haha. their dynamics will be pretty similar to the original movie with some changes, but i totally get what you mean about the risk of Artie seeming like she's just along for the ride or tacked on so i've been brainstorming and making notes and trying my best to make her enmeshed in that and feel like she's part of the group. her presence alters some of the dynamics of the other Turtles, and she'll have her own relationships with all of them and with Splinter. the story i'm working on is also more sprawling and involved than the original movie, so Artemisia will have own role in the story.

as for the protagonist/deuteragonist thing, i'm actually hoping to give equal roles to all of the Turtles, and i'm outlining character arcs for each of them. i like the first 3 movies a lot but i always found it frustrating that in each movie at least one of the Turtles got the shaft; in the first movie it was Don, the second it was kind of both Leo and Mike, like you said, although at least Mike came up with the donut idea, and then in the third film i'd argue Don got shafted again and was relegated to making jokes. and in my opinion the 4th movie was the biggest mess in that department, Mike was barely a character and Don was a non-entity with like 2 lines of dialogue and nothing to do. i get why writers do that, it's tough to highlight 4 characters in a 90 minute movie and i also think most writers don't seem to know what to do with Don and Mike, but in a comic where the length is more fluid i think i can remedy that and give equal weight to all the Turtles. the Turtles aren't like the X-Men or something where there are main character and supporting characters, all 4 (or in my case 5, heh) of them should be the main characters since that's a huge part of the appeal of TMNT, at least for me. i don't know if i can pull all of this off yet but i'm going to try!!


Regarding the gender, design, and inspiration for the Artemisia character:
yeah Artemisia is a girl. no shell boobs or eyelashes here! she's also the tallest Turtle. . . .

she lurks in the shadows and strikes from afar! . . .

i waffled on Artemisia's name for a long time, i love the name and the artist, but i think Gentileschi is also considered early Baroque, or she straddles the two periods, so i was like ahhh is she REALLY a Renaissance artist? should i call the girl Turtle Sofonisba or Caterina instead??? but Artemisia was still the best choice (and the best artist), and plus Artemisia = Artemis = bow-and-arrow...

there are other female Renaissance artists, like Sofonisba Anguissola and Caterina van Hemessen, but i suppose they aren't renowned. . . .

for Artie's color, at first i was going between white and grey and i also tried black, but all of those got lost from a color scheme point of view, which maybe would have worked on a symbolic level since she's the shy Turtle. i also tried giving the Turtles all red markings since the type of turtle they are is a red-eared slider, and which would've been like the red Mirage masks of course except you could still tell them apart because each one's markings are a different shape. i guess the red is more believable, the red-eared slider thing, but i felt like the different colors worked better. anyway i think the yellow works well, and also being a separate color like you said with Venus. red, orange, purple, blue, and... light blue. the yellow also doesn't overwhelm or muck up Mike's orange like Venus's blue did with Leo's blue. . . .

i was apprehensive about fans reacting to a 5th/girl Turtle so i was nervous about posting this! not like it's canon or anything official so at the end of the day who REALLY cares, but i know some TMNT fans can have strong feelings about this sort of stuff. . . .

i'll win you over with Artemisia once you see how awesome she is in action.

Updated:
[Regarding] Venus's origin, it was a big retcon to the established origin which can be okay in itself, retcons can be good if done well, but it seemed so forced and having her drift downstream and conveniently get picked up by ANOTHER martial artist is a little too much. plus if she grew up in China and never met Splinter or the other Turtles, why does she wear a mask like they do?! and finally none of this was helped by Venus not having a very strong characterization, it was never entirely clear what she was about other than being "the girl."

so anyway, i'm taking the most straightforward route with Artemisia and the mutation origin: she was there in the beginning in the fishbowl with the other Turtles, just like Venus, but she never got separated from them and she grew up with them and Splinter the whole time, the end. there's no twist or reveal with her showing up later, she's just there as one of the Turtles from the get-go and that's it. no further explanation, it's a different continuity and a different origin, and you'll learn about Artie throughout the story. :)

On the Turtles’ colored face markings:
the basic Turtle face is pretty iconic at this point and most people treat the masks like part of the characters' faces, and i realized that all you need to identify them as Ninja Turtles is a splash of color around the eyes, it doesn't matter if it's a fabric mask or facepaint or natural skin markings. . . .

plus most artists treat the masks like it's part of the characters' faces anyway, and it always bugged me how the Turtles never seem to take the masks off, at least outside of the Mirage comics...

i did think about warpaint, which is a cool idea and opens up being able to draw the facepaint all cracked and smeared and streaming down the Turtles' faces during fights as the battle gets more intense, but after mulling it over (i've been cooking this up for a while now so i've had a lot of time to think about it!) i decided i wanted the color to be permanent and be there all the time. i also thought about things like where do they get the paint, what if Leo runs out of blue paint and can't find any or he accidentally uses some toxic type of paint, haha, i don't know, too many variables.

On why he went the fan-comic route as opposed to pitching this to IDW:
i've been brainstorming for this a while now.

i thought about pitching it to IDW but i didn't think they or Nickelodeon would be keen on having a non-continuity story that didn't relate to the main TMNT book, and i wasn't sure if what i wanted to do with the character designs was too radical and i really wanted to do my own thing and do ideas that would never fly in an official Turtles story, and i didn't want to have to worry about people hovering over me. i loved doing Leonardo for IDW, that was a dream come true and i loved working with Bobby and i hope i can do more, but it was also really stressful and lots of pressure, so i wanted to a TMNT comic that's free of that where i can goof off and be in charge. i guess Nickelodeon might cease-and-desist me but i'll deal with that if it happens, and not like i'll be making any money off this, nor do i want to. or maybe they'll really dig it and want to publish it, haha.

this will also be bigger than a one-shot, i think, it's probably going to be pretty long, like graphic novel length, i don't know if IDW or Nick would be into that. we'll see!

On Shredder, Tokka, Rahzar, and Vanilla Ice!:
Tokka and Rahzar are totally cooler than Bebop and Rocksteady!!!
Tokka and Rahzar are going to rule! the Tokka in the comic will probably look similar to this older Tokka i drew a couple years ago: http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/044/3/c/tmnt__tokka_by_mooncalfe.jpg (http://mooncalfe.deviantart.com/art/tmnt-tokka-154012229)

you'll have to wait and see about Vanilla Ice, that will be a closely-guarded secret...
i have plans for Vanilla Ice and that whole scene and how to do it, but you gotta wait!
in any case, i'm excited about it, i really hope i can make it work and not drop the ball. hopefully i'll have some more character sketches to post soon, i've already started on Shredder and he's like nobody's ever seen him before!!

[Princess Anri]

...pretty damn excited about this.

We believe in you, Ross.

[Jester]

Wonders if IDW would do a TMNT Elseworlds imprint. I mean, it could bring in some awesome, non continuity stuff, like this.

[Slap-Happy]

Man, when he said he was working on a fan comic, I was very excited.

But, this fifth turtle thing... It's a deal breaker for me.

[Candy Kappa]

Wonders if IDW would do a TMNT Elseworlds imprint. I mean, it could bring in some awesome, non continuity stuff, like this.

Soul's Winter is one of my favorites, so I'd be all for a Elseworld/What if comic line

[Spitfire]

Wonders if IDW would do a TMNT Elseworlds imprint. I mean, it could bring in some awesome, non continuity stuff, like this.

If they do I'm gonna have to throw a story at them I've been writing on and off for a few years now. It's perfect for a Elseworld's style book.

[Plasticplayhouse]

A bow and arrow is not a ninja weapon though, so its not really a "ninja turtle", more like a "Vernonturtle!" Since a team as only as good as its weakest link, it will be interesting to see how Splinter/the others can make her a worthwhile fighter. I thought that was mutated April from that comic though seeing the yellow though. :lol:

the bow and arrow is one of the world's earliest weapons. it was also a HUGE part of both china and japan's warring culture. you’d better believe both samurai and ninja were well trained with the bow and arrow. it was the most compact form of a long-range attack they had. any faction who's sole purpose is war/attacking/defending would have, without a doubt utilized such a profound piece of weaponry. in many cases the bow and arrow gave an advantage to whom ever had them/more of them.



Yeah I saw this on DA today too. Not really a big fan of the whole 5th turtle thing everybody wants to do, but I'll humor it. Outside of that I'm sure at the least the art will be awesome and seeing the return of SOTO characters will be a delight.

agreed. i'm so not into the fifth turtle idea either. though i have to say that i've heard Ross' pitch for this before and it is the most appealing that i've heard from anywhere. i LOVE the use of the bow and arrow. in my mind it's the most logical weapon to follow. his art is always on point and we know from wet moon and shadow eyes that he is an equally talented writer. the only thing i'm not really feeling was the name Artemisia. it feels a little too complex of a name. i would have chosen Monet (Mona for short) if the name had to be from the Italian renaissance period than i would say Masaccio (Mace for short). but in all likelihood, she was not brought up/raised by splinter so he probably has a more crafty kind of name that was given to her as a nickname which would have been inspired probably by her personality. in the end the name is trivial. the key to a successful fifth character would be in the character's personality and how well she gels with the other four. i'm looking forward to reading this story and Ross' interpretation of the secret of the ooze :)

[oldmanwinters]

Wonders if IDW would do a TMNT Elseworlds imprint. I mean, it could bring in some awesome, non continuity stuff, like this.

I was thinking the same thing, man. If TMNT books are selling well, why not capitalize on the interest?

However, Ross's project is one of love rather than business. He just wants to do his own take on the Turtles and doesn't want to be bothered by the stress of deadlines.

[CyberCubed]

I don't think we need else world tales this early into a new TMNT series. Stuff like this should stay as fan comics.

Else world tales ruined the middle of Volume 1.

[Cowabunga Carl]

I think if they are ever think of doing an Elseworld title they should just go straight TPB with them. Don't make them part of the monthly series.

Ross's project has me excited. I'm really curious to see how he pulls everything together.

[Powder]

Else world tales ruined the middle of Volume 1.

Only due to the fact they were forced in place of the main narrative. On their own, as another volume, would've been fine.

[CyberCubed]

Only due to the fact they were forced in place of the main narrative. On their own, as another volume, would've been fine.

The only good else world tale was Soul's Winter, everything else was just a goofy parody. Don't forget those green-grey soup sushi turtles in the Turtle Soup volumes.

[oldmanwinters]

Don't forget those green-grey soup sushi turtles in the Turtle Soup volumes.

I liked them; the Green-Grey Sponge-Suit Sushi Turtles were probably Mark Martin's best contribution to the TMNT books. The official first movie parody was a pretty good commentary on the TMNT's evolution from indy comic sensation to mass-marketed kid's franchise. That type of multi-verse story worked much better than trying to shoe-horn Martin's unique ideas of art & comedy into the ongoing title in issues #22-23.

[Candy Kappa]

I really love the designs of Artie, no human female curves, no boobs. I'm a huge fan of his early Venus design

It's very refreshing

[Jester]

Only due to the fact they were forced in place of the main narrative. On their own, as another volume, would've been fine.
Exactly. I would want the "Elseworlds" TMNT stories to be distinctly OUTSIDE the continuity. There'd be no confusion...these are alternate, what if stories/universes.

[CyberCubed]

In all seriousness I would actually drop the IDW series if they introduced a 5th Turtle as part of the "team." For fan projects like this its OK, but I don't even want to see in in "elseworlds" tales either.

Thankfully Tom has already stated before there shall be no 5th Turtle.

[Cowabunga Carl]

Where did Tom state there wouldn't be a 5th turtle? I mean I'm not saying that I want one, but I'm not opposed to the idea.

Anyway how do you guys think he will work the Utroms in to the narrative of SotO?

[Cowabunga Carl]

Where did Tom state there wouldn't be a 5th turtle? I mean I'm not saying that I want one, but I'm not opposed to the idea.

Anyway how do you guys think he will work the Utroms in to the narrative of SotO?

[Luzmagica]

:o:o:o WOW!!! WOW!!! 8) Looks so awesome!!!!! Cant wait to read it! :tgrin::tgrin::tgrin: Nice!!!!!! Cool!!!!!! :tcool::tcool: :tgrin:

[Plasticplayhouse]

I think if they are ever think of doing an Elseworld title they should just go straight TPB with them. Don't make them part of the monthly series.

Ross's project has me excited. I'm really curious to see how he pulls everything together.

yeah kinda like what they did with the Shell Shocked book. i agree that would be the best route.

[Sophie Campbell]

wow, i'm so happy with all the support and interest from you guys, thanks so much!! it's truly appreciated. :)

i was expecting more 50/50, like half interested and encouraging, and half uninterested or dismissive because of my weird redesigns and particularly my 5th/girl Turtle, but both here and on deviantart the vast majority has been positive. it's very encouraging!

i hope i can make this work next year and pull it all together. years ago i used to self-publish mini-comics between projects but i haven't done that in a while because my schedule's filled up so much, so i've been wanting a comic to do just for the pure fun of it, something that isn't professional and without any pressure, and this TMNT comic would be the perfect thing. i'm thinking about registering "secretsoftheooze.com" or maybe i should just run the comic on my blog, i don't know.

i got the story and characters outlined and i know what the ending is going to be, and i'm working out character arcs for each Turtle. and right now i'm doing Shredder sketches! :D

anyway, thanks again for the support, you guys!! much appreciated, as always.

[Kendamu]

If this were something official and in-universe, the fifth Turtle would've made me go, "Blech!" However, in fanmade stuff or in stuff that's out-of-continuity I'm not nearly as strict on redesigns and whatnot.

[Sophie Campbell]

If this were something official and in-universe, the fifth Turtle would've made me go, "Blech!" However, in fanmade stuff or in stuff that's out-of-continuity I'm not nearly as strict on redesigns and whatnot.

i know what you mean. but even though my thing is a fan project i was still expecting way more people to make fun of it or roll their eyes at my 5th Turtle or most to just ignore me and not even comment at all since it's not official.

as a fan myself i know fans can be super picky even with fan-made goof-off stuff, so i didn't know what to expect, especially since a lot of people watching me on deviantart probably do it for my pretty straightforward traditional TMNT art. or maybe all the people who hated the drawing just stayed quiet and didn't comment.

in any case, i appreciate any sort of attention at all, just the fact that there's even a thread here about this blows my mind.

[Cryomancer]

Always liked your TMNT work, so I'm looking forward to checking this out. If anything the only part weirding me out is that for natural markings those masks look very intentional, haha. They are neat designs though so it's cool regardless.

I'd much rather see a new take on things anyway, instead of the same old stuff every time. And since it's unofficial anyway, anything goes! So yeah have a good time and do what you wanna do.

[Kendamu]

i know what you mean. but even though my thing is a fan project i was still expecting way more people to make fun of it or roll their eyes at my 5th Turtle or most to just ignore me and not even comment at all since it's not official.

as a fan myself i know fans can be super picky even with fan-made goof-off stuff, so i didn't know what to expect, especially since a lot of people watching me on deviantart probably do it for my pretty straightforward traditional TMNT art. or maybe all the people who hated the drawing just stayed quiet and didn't comment.

in any case, i appreciate any sort of attention at all, just the fact that there's even a thread here about this blows my mind.
I tend to ignore a lot of fanfiction as well, having only read two or three TMNT fanfics total back between the Image series cancellation and the start of Volume 4. The thing that probably sells it most for me, like with MNT Gaiden (http://www.mntgaiden.com/en/aboutmntgaiden.php) is the medium: comics. If your story were to mostly be a novel-type thing like most fanfiction, I'd probably ignore it.

[RskimB]

wow, i'm so happy with all the support and interest from you guys, thanks so much!! it's truly appreciated. :)

i was expecting more 50/50, like half interested and encouraging, and half uninterested or dismissive because of my weird redesigns and particularly my 5th/girl Turtle, but both here and on deviantart the vast majority has been positive. it's very encouraging!

i hope i can make this work next year and pull it all together. years ago i used to self-publish mini-comics between projects but i haven't done that in a while because my schedule's filled up so much, so i've been wanting a comic to do just for the pure fun of it, something that isn't professional and without any pressure, and this TMNT comic would be the perfect thing. i'm thinking about registering "secretsoftheooze.com" or maybe i should just run the comic on my blog, i don't know.

i got the story and characters outlined and i know what the ending is going to be, and i'm working out character arcs for each Turtle. and right now i'm doing Shredder sketches! :D

anyway, thanks again for the support, you guys!! much appreciated, as always.

Although I'm a little nervous about the inclusion of a 5th turtle, I'm super confident in your abilities and anxious to see how everything will play out. The fact that youre one of my favorite TMNT artists and youre crafting something supposedly, "graphic novel" length has me itching with excitement. Good luck Ross, hope you have a tremendous amount of fun working on this project!!

[Cowabunga Carl]

Ross I can't say enough about how excited I am about this. Out of the new stuff you are one of my favorites. I'm just really stoked that your doing this. I know right now you're doing this as a fan project, but here is to hoping that IDW decides to collect it and print it.

[Cowabunga Carl]

Just wondering if there was any updates about this? If you'd share a few sketches of things maybe?

[Sophie Campbell]

thanks for the interest, Hob!! much appreciated! :) i do have some character line-ups i've been working on, but i'm holding off on posting them right now until i iron them out a bit more. maybe soon!

is there a way to move this thread into the Fan Works section? it's an honor to have this thread in the official comics section, but maybe my fan-comic baloney doesn't belong here? :\

[Jester]

Gotta admire the man's humility...a fan comic by an official staffer. It's a tough call. :D

[nelodiavolo]

This thread has gained my interest for sure! Ross, your art style is very fitting for turtles and I think many of us are anticipating this fan release. Go ninja, go ninja, GO!

Oh and I checked out your earlier work as a kid. One word. Awesome! I wish I knew where my mom stored my old drawings...:tlol:

[Mewzard]

thanks for the interest, Hob!! much appreciated! :) i do have some character line-ups i've been working on, but i'm holding off on posting them right now until i iron them out a bit more. maybe soon!

is there a way to move this thread into the Fan Works section? it's an honor to have this thread in the official comics section, but maybe my fan-comic baloney doesn't belong here? :\

Maybe you could do your comic at your own leisure, and if you think it's up for publication, just let them do a release afterwards. That way, less pressure.

Otherwise, I look forward to reading it online.

As for "Fan Works", I agree that it's a tossup. Not "Official", but you did do work on the series. It's like Andrew's comic Odyssey; unofficial, yet Jim Lawson's doing a lot of the art, so it's got that official feel.

But hey, it's up to you as to how you view it. I just can't wait regardless.

[Cowabunga Carl]

Your Leo issue is my favorite art in the whole sereis. I really wish you were the monthly artist.

[oldmanwinters]

is there a way to move this thread into the Fan Works section? it's an honor to have this thread in the official comics section, but maybe my fan-comic baloney doesn't belong here? :\

Hey, Ross, I just started the thread because I thought it was a legit news story in TMNT comic book history. I recommend you just start your own personal thread in the Fan Works section if you want to start a Drome page for sharing updates. I think that's generally how things work.

[Sophie Campbell]

Hey, Ross, I just started the thread because I thought it was a legit news story in TMNT comic book history. I recommend you just start your own personal thread in the Fan Works section if you want to start a Drome page for sharing updates. I think that's generally how things work.

oh, cool, that's a good idea. i might do that! i'm still kinda new around here so i don't know what the typical etiquette is... i hope i'm not coming off like i don't appreciate you making this thread here in the first place, i do and thank you, i just thought maybe some people might get sick of it because it's not an officially-sanctioned TMNT thing and i don't want to overstay my welcome or whatever!


Maybe you could do your comic at your own leisure, and if you think it's up for publication, just let them do a release afterwards. That way, less pressure.

that's what i was planning on, i'll be running it on my blog or my deviantart page or something. i'll be trying to do a page a week but it's totally a leisure thing, just for the fun of it. even if the powers-that-be approached me to publish it i'm not sure that i would say yes. tough to say unless i was confronted with it. in any case thanks for the support!


Your Leo issue is my favorite art in the whole sereis. I really wish you were the monthly artist.

thank you as always, Hob!! that means a lot. :D


This thread has gained my interest for sure! Ross, your art style is very fitting for turtles and I think many of us are anticipating this fan release. Go ninja, go ninja, GO!

Oh and I checked out your earlier work as a kid. One word. Awesome! I wish I knew where my mom stored my old drawings...:tlol:

thanks so much!! haha yeah, it was super fun finding my old art. i wish i could find more of it. is there a Childhood TMNT Art thread here? that would be fun. i saw some of Andrew's childhood stuff here, i could go through a whole thread of little kid art and never get bored.

[oldmanwinters]

that's what i was planning on, i'll be running it on my blog or my deviantart page or something. i'll be trying to do a page a week but it's totally a leisure thing, just for the fun of it. even if the powers-that-be approached me to publish it i'm not sure that i would say yes. tough to say unless i was confronted with it. in any case thanks for the support!



Having actually done a (short) fan-comic myself, I gotta say that there really is a unique sense of satisfaction of doing something completely out of a love for the property without anybody else's involvement.

Of course, I don't know anything about the sense of satisfaction that comes with getting your work publishing officially. :tlol:

[n-zero]

Anyway how do you guys think he will work the Utroms in to the narrative of SotO?

I read somewhere that the character of Dr. Perry was originally supposed to be an Utrom, but that plot twist was nixed because they thought fans who only knew the cartoon would be convinced that he was Krang, and keep waiting for him to turn on the turtles. TGRI, the company that made the ooze in the movie was based on TCRI, the Utrom-run company that accidentally created the ooze in the mirage comics and 2K3 series.

[TMNT is cooler than MOTU]

Really digging these redesigns, Ross! I wouldn't be opposed to seeing something similar used for the movie.

[Sophie Campbell]

Really digging these redesigns, Ross! I wouldn't be opposed to seeing something similar used for the movie.

thanks so much! :D

I read somewhere that the character of Dr. Perry was originally supposed to be an Utrom, but that plot twist was nixed...

i read this too, it seems legit. the movie also makes way more sense if you watch it with Perry being an alien in mind. there are narrative threads that point to it, not to mention narrative closure for Donatello's crisis of faith/identity crisis which would have been buttoned up nicely, and dialogue that makes more sense with the alien element taken into account (Perry: "sometimes the best place to hide is right out in public," etc.). that was also the secret of the ooze if you think about it, because as it is now in the movie there IS no secret! they cut out the secret from the Secret Of The Ooze! XD

[oldmanwinters]

i read this too, it seems legit. the movie also makes way more sense if you watch it with Perry being an alien in mind. there are narrative threads that point to it, not to mention narrative closure for Donatello's crisis of faith/identity crisis which would have been buttoned up nicely, and dialogue that makes more sense with the alien element taken into account (Perry: "sometimes the best place to hide is right out in public," etc.). that was also the secret of the ooze if you think about it, because as it is now in the movie there IS no secret! they cut out the secret from the Secret Of The Ooze! XD

Agreed!

I don't think it's quite fair to say "there is no secret" because you've at least got the TMNT and Splinter finding out where the Ooze came from, but I agree that such a reveal isn't quite as big a payoff as the title of the film would indicate. With the TCRI reveal out of the way early on, the film was pretty much all about Keno, Tokka, and Rahzar from that point on; i.e., more of a Monster Movie than a mystery.

[Sophie Campbell]

Agreed!

I don't think it's quite fair to say "there is no secret" because you've at least got the TMNT and Splinter finding out where the Ooze came from, but I agree that such a reveal isn't quite as big a payoff as the title of the film would indicate. With the TCRI reveal out of the way early on, the film was pretty much all about Keno, Tokka, and Rahzar from that point on; i.e., more of a Monster Movie than a mystery.

yeah, that's true, but it's a pretty dull, obvious secret. it still felt like they titled the movie the Secret of the Ooze with the alien element in mind, but then during the script stage or whatever cut out the alien portion but kept the title!

[Cowabunga Carl]

So are we going to see Perry as an Utrom in your version? I just think that weaving that particular tale back into the narrative could be really well done under your guidance.

[The Purple Dragon]

i like it and i dont mind a 5 turtle i think ross is the right person to do it .but i must say i dont like it if they got colord skin color instead of the bandana. war paint is fine and a new twist i will like. but not if they got red,blue etc skin color then ross shoued go fore the old bandanas instead. that said and done i must say i cant wait fore ross to finish this i think he will pull this off and make a good book

[Sophie Campbell]

So are we going to see Perry as an Utrom in your version? I just think that weaving that particular tale back into the narrative could be really well done under your guidance.

yeah, Perry will be a Utrom, but i've got my own spin on the alien angle... ;)

is it AN Utrom, like you said? i always pronounced it like yoo-trom but seems like most people say oo-trom...? i heard Kevin Eastman say ULTrom a bunch of times so who knows. XD


i like it and i dont mind a 5 turtle i think ross is the right person to do it .but i must say i dont like it if they got colord skin color instead of the bandana. war paint is fine and a new twist i will like. but not if they got red,blue etc skin color then ross shoued go fore the old bandanas instead. that said and done i must say i cant wait fore ross to finish this i think he will pull this off and make a good book

thanks for the vote of confidence about the 5th Turtle! i'm going to try my best. :) my version of the Turtles do have natural colored-skin markings on their face, it's not war paint. i know it's a leap from the traditional masks/bandanas that have been there since day 1, but i don't think it's a huge stretch, either; mutation is weird and fraught with abnormalities and regular/real turtles do have colored markings and stripes and stuff already, like the red-eared sliders have red stripes on their heads in addition to varying shades of green, black, and yellow. so the Turtles having unusual markings like that, even in strange colors like purple and blue, seems believable enough to me given the context. maybe once you read the actual comic i can convince you!!

[Heather Breckel]

I like the face markings quite a bit, it adds a unique spin on their design. I think I like Raph and Mike's markings best there.

[ToTheNines]

is it AN Utrom, like you said? i always pronounced it like yoo-trom but seems like most people say oo-trom...? i heard Kevin Eastman say ULTrom a bunch of times so who knows. XD

Funny stuff. I used to pronounce it as uh-trum, until the 2k3 cartoon corrected me.

[FoxZerro]

yeah, Perry will be a Utrom, but i've got my own spin on the alien angle... ;)

is it AN Utrom, like you said? i always pronounced it like yoo-trom but seems like most people say oo-trom...? i heard Kevin Eastman say ULTrom a bunch of times so who knows. XD

Thank you for bringing up this question I have always pronounced it "yoo-trom" as well and I didn't even consider it might be the other way until I saw Utrom written with an "an" before.

Also very happy to hear that you are going to be bringing back the whole Perry is a Utrom lost storyline from the movie. I had tracked down both releases of the Comic Book adaptation of the movie, hoping that like the first Movie adaptation it would include scenes that had been omitted from the movie. I was very disappointed when this was not the case.

Perry being a Utrom makes so much sense when you consider his mannerisms, dialogue, and overall character (just that sheer delight on his face when he first meets the Turtles). I'm sure your way of incorporating it into the story will be great and even if its not how the script initially intended I'm very excited at the prospect of having that extra layer as part of the Secret of the Ooze storyline

[The Purple Dragon]

yeah, Perry will be a Utrom, but i've got my own spin on the alien angle... ;)

is it AN Utrom, like you said? i always pronounced it like yoo-trom but seems like most people say oo-trom...? i heard Kevin Eastman say ULTrom a bunch of times so who knows. XD




thanks for the vote of confidence about the 5th Turtle! i'm going to try my best. :)

you welcome:) i think it will be fun to have a 5th turtle and afther wath i have read you will do a good backstory. not just throw in a 5th turtle fore the fun of it

my version of the Turtles do have natural colored-skin markings on their face, it's not war paint. i know it's a leap from the traditional masks/bandanas that have been there since day 1, but i don't think it's a huge stretch, either; mutation is weird and fraught with abnormalities and regular/real turtles do have colored markings and stripes and stuff already, like the red-eared sliders have red stripes on their heads in addition to varying shades of green, black, and yellow. so the Turtles having unusual markings like that, even in strange colors like purple and blue, seems believable enough to me given the context. maybe once you read the actual comic i can convince you!!

well whene you said it like that i guess i am sold .hehe like whene i did read about the 3 toe figures i was not that happy about it. but whene i did see the figures.i did like it and more than the old 2 toe tmnt

[natecm]

The markings actually make a lot of sense. Great idea, I'm intrigued.

[psyrusly]

Or they could be from different species of fresh water turtles, for example: Raph remained a red ear slider while Mike's a yellow bellied turtle or Don could be a painted turtle. So they'll have similar physical features with distinctive markings and skin colors, something like that, just an idea tho.

[frank_one]

I don't know, I think I prefer them to be the same species.

[Sophie Campbell]

Perry being a Utrom makes so much sense when you consider his mannerisms, dialogue, and overall character (just that sheer delight on his face when he first meets the Turtles). I'm sure your way of incorporating it into the story will be great and even if its not how the script initially intended I'm very excited at the prospect of having that extra layer as part of the Secret of the Ooze storyline

yeah, Perry as a character makes more sense if you think of him as an alien, and the movie itself makes so much more sense thematically and narratively if he's secretly an alien. i hope i can do it justice in my fan-comic!

[Sophie Campbell]

Or they could be from different species of fresh water turtles, for example: Raph remained a red ear slider while Mike's a yellow bellied turtle or Don could be a painted turtle. So they'll have similar physical features with distinctive markings and skin colors, something like that, just an idea tho.

that's an interesting idea! especially since most pond-type turtles seem to all be similar in build and size, it could work and not miss a beat. i'll likely have the Turtles some kind of non-descript pond turtle and leave it at that, though, since the artwork isn't going to be super-realistic, it'll be like in the old Mirage comics where the baby turtles are drawn cartoony enough that their species is unclear.

in the comic i probably won't get that detailed into the Turtles' species, anyway, and also because i like the idea that the colored markings are the result of a turtle's natural stripes being amplified by the mutation process or something. i like the idea that the process can cause abnormalities; not only something like the colored markings but something like the Turtles having 3 fingers/2 toes and that sort of thing, traits that regular turtles don't have but which the mutation gives rise to.

[oldmanwinters]

yeah, Perry as a character makes more sense if you think of him as an alien, and the movie itself makes so much more sense thematically and narratively if he's secretly an alien. i hope i can do it justice in my fan-comic!

Hey, Ross, did you read Peter Laird's ideas for the Secret of the Ooze movie a while back?
http://peterlairdstmntblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/blast-from-past-483-thoughts-on-second.html
I also started a thread (http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showthread.php?t=36749) on it a while back.

He wanted to adapt the TCRI stuff and include Utroms, Baxter Stockman, and Mousers. A potential big twist would have been the reveal of Baxter as an Utrom! It could have been pretty awesome, and it would have set up a third movie to feature Triceratons and the Shredder's ultimate return.

[Sophie Campbell]

Hey, Ross, did you read Peter Laird's ideas for the Secret of the Ooze movie a while back?
http://peterlairdstmntblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/blast-from-past-483-thoughts-on-second.html
I also started a thread (http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showthread.php?t=36749) on it a while back.

He wanted to adapt the TCRI stuff and include Utroms, Baxter Stockman, and Mousers. A potential big twist would have been the reveal of Baxter as an Utrom! It could have been pretty awesome, and it would have set up a third movie to feature Triceratons and the Shredder's ultimate return.

i did read that! very cool. would've been a pretty sweet movie, i would've loved to see the Mousers. i wonder how they would've done them back then, maybe as puppets? and then for big movement scenes i suppose stop motion or green-screening it would work, like some of the creatures from Labyrinth.

the only thing i wasn't crazy about in Laird's note is the April/Casey/Charles love triangle idea. and i love love triangles, but i feel like people continually make April's main function to be a love interest since she's the only woman character. April and Casey together is cool, exploring their relationship as-is is interesting enough to me, it doesn't need a second guy for some "omg will he steal April away?!" baloney.

i really dig that Laird wanted to bring back Danny and have him involved. i'm still mulling over bringing him into my fan-comic but i probably won't, too many characters already. maybe a little cameo.

hopefully someday we'll get a TMNT movie with Triceratons. SIGH.

[n-zero]

I've just got this image in my head now- after Dr. Perry and the Turtles part ways, Perry is in the lab with a canister of mutagen in his hands, then he glances over at a terrarium with a baby alligator in it and smiles.

[TurtleTitan97]

Ross just posted these for the fan comic:

http://my.deviantart.com/messages/#/d5fd1p4

http://my.deviantart.com/messages/#/d5fd289

These are so awesome!:tgrin:

[natecm]

Wow. Tokka and Rahzar look beastly!

[funatic]

Ross just posted these for the fan comic:

http://my.deviantart.com/messages/#/d5fd1p4

http://my.deviantart.com/messages/#/d5fd289

These are so awesome!:tgrin:

Very cool! Artemisia is so tall! (Tho maybe that's true of turtles as a species that females are bigger?) and the evil mutants are huge - way more menacing in stature, well, save for Shredder, who appears to be, ermm, shredded.

[Candy Kappa]

Very cool! Artemisia is so tall! (Tho maybe that's true of turtles as a species that females are bigger?) and the evil mutants are huge - way more menacing in stature, well, save for Shredder, who appears to be, ermm, shredded.

The female Red Eared Slider is bigger then the male, my own females are almost twice the size of my male pet turtle

[Cowabunga Carl]

I want a poster of Tokka and Rahzar. Love the designs. Today was like christmas thanks for the pictures.

[nelodiavolo]

Looks great! thanks for the links TurtleTitan. Some huge bad guys in there.

[Powder]

I love how deliciously 80's the humans are. Awesome stuff.

[Lampy]

wow... that is an awesome rendition of rahzar! i'm wondering who skess and oroku tomi are though. and i like that saki is in a wheelchair. i always wondered... even as a kid... how'd he survive that fall and still come out walking? crazy stuff Ross! your art is sick!

[Redeemer]

Ross just posted these for the fan comic:

http://my.deviantart.com/messages/#/d5fd1p4

http://my.deviantart.com/messages/#/d5fd289

These are so awesome!:tgrin:

Pretty awesome! Good job Ross!

[okguy456]

I cannot wait for this! The characters look awesome!

[n-zero]

Those look great. The evil mutants look really cool and dangerous. I like the touch of putting Shredder's shin armor on Skess.

Shredder looks more like a guy who survived being crushed in a dump truck. It could also make the impact of the "Super Shredder" moment much stronger.

There are a few questions, though.

Is Tatsu still in the story, or is Oroku Tomi his replacement?

Is April still a reporter? Her wardrobe suggests otherwise, or that she simply has a different casual attire than her professional attire. In the original movie, we only saw her at work or just home, so this may just be a hint at more screen time for April.

Can't wait to see Dr. Perry, and get a chance to read this comic!

[Cowabunga Carl]

I hope somebody somewhere takes notice of this and collects it once you are done. I'd love to have a printed copy of this story with your art.

[oldmanwinters]

Ross Campbell, are you a god?

[Better answer "yes!"]

[Lampy]

took a second look at the foot pic. SHREDDER IS MESSED UP BAD! two legs amputated. both hands... gone. pretty gritty stuff man... despite the bright colors. also... is that a poncho (on don)?!

[n-zero]

took a second look at the foot pic. SHREDDER IS MESSED UP BAD! two legs amputated. both hands... gone. pretty gritty stuff man... despite the bright colors. also... is that a poncho (on don)?!

You can almost imagine him wanting to use the mutagen to restore what the turtles took away from him ...

[Lampy]

You can almost imagine him wanting to use the mutagen to restore what the turtles took away from him ...

yup.... and i think this would help make sense of the super shredder scene. and his vengeance on the Turtles and Splinter will be more personal. honor be damned!

[Cowabunga Carl]

Like I said earlier I'm really digging the whole changes you've made. I'd so love to have a printer where I could make a wall graphic/poster of those two lineups. I'm super curious about the bat mutant and what role he plays in this though.

[Sophie Campbell]

thanks so much, you guys!!! i'm honored by all the positive response and interest in this stuff. it still blows me away that anyone even cares about my little fan thing.

some answers:
Skess is a third mutant Shredder creates along with Tokka and Rahzar, a female bat. why not make up some new characters, right?? :D

Oroku Tomi is Shredder's daughter and she replaces Tatsu who was killed by Casey's golf club to the head in my version of the first movie continuity. i like Tatsu a lot but i thought Shredder having a daughter would humanize him a bit and make for some fresher dynamics, and Tatsu being dead also plays better to the Foot being utterly decimated by the Turtles and Casey, like there's hardly anyone left and Shredder is alone, his derelict punk kid Foot ninja scattered and his pal Tatsu dead.

i almost used Karai instead of Tomi, but she's always been a developed, central, leader-like character, and Tomi's role is more a subordinate goon type and i didn't want to downgrade Karai and create some in-name-only character whose only thing in common is the name 'Karai' and not much else. so i figured why not make up someone new who has no previous version to live up to and risk not doing Karai justice?

April is still a reporter, yep! she's a bit younger in my version than the movie April (i believe Judith Hoag was 21 in the first movie), she's about 18-19, more teenagery, but this is her in casual wear or whatever, she'll still get cleaned up when reporting. :) i really want to develop April as a character and nail down what her personality is, she's usually pretty undefined in most TMNT versions, so there'll be more screen/pagetime for her and some more background on her.

i almost drew Dr. Perry into the line-up but i didn't feel like drawing an unassuming regular guy in a labcoat who would probably look exactly like he does in the movie, heh. Perry's a Utrom but i haven't nailed down the design for him and his exoskeleton yet so i left him off the line-up. i could've waited on posting these until i got Perry done but i thought i'd leave him as a surprise. :)

thank you again, everyone!! i truly appreciate the interest and everything, it's really encouraging.

[thelouisguy]

Great work!

Any idea on a timeline? I know there probably isn't one, but the anticipation is crazy?!

[FoxZerro]

Love the designs on Tokka and Rahzar, looking sweet.

April kind of scares me a little bit, super 80's but overall the character looks good.

My favorite bit though is that your two female mutants Skess and Artemisia don't appear overtly female, cheers and kudos to not giving them human mammorial traits

[TurtleTitan97]

thanks so much, you guys!!! i'm honored by all the positive response and interest in this stuff. it still blows me away that anyone even cares about my little fan thing.

some answers:
Skess is a third mutant Shredder creates along with Tokka and Rahzar, a female bat. why not make up some new characters, right?? :D

Oroku Tomi is Shredder's daughter and she replaces Tatsu who was killed by Casey's golf club to the head in my version of the first movie continuity. i like Tatsu a lot but i thought Shredder having a daughter would humanize him a bit and make for some fresher dynamics, and Tatsu being dead also plays better to the Foot being utterly decimated by the Turtles and Casey, like there's hardly anyone left and Shredder is alone, his derelict punk kid Foot ninja scattered and his pal Tatsu dead.

i almost used Karai instead of Tomi, but she's always been a developed, central, leader-like character, and Tomi's role is more a subordinate goon type and i didn't want to downgrade Karai and create some in-name-only character whose only thing in common is the name 'Karai' and not much else. so i figured why not make up someone new who has no previous version to live up to and risk not doing Karai justice?

April is still a reporter, yep! she's a bit younger in my version than the movie April (i believe Judith Hoag was 21 in the first movie), she's about 18-19, more teenagery, but this is her in casual wear or whatever, she'll still get cleaned up when reporting. :) i really want to develop April as a character and nail down what her personality is, she's usually pretty undefined in most TMNT versions, so there'll be more screen/pagetime for her and some more background on her.

i almost drew Dr. Perry into the line-up but i didn't feel like drawing an unassuming regular guy in a labcoat who would probably look exactly like he does in the movie, heh. Perry's a Utrom but i haven't nailed down the design for him and his exoskeleton yet so i left him off the line-up. i could've waited on posting these until i got Perry done but i thought i'd leave him as a surprise. :)

thank you again, everyone!! i truly appreciate the interest and everything, it's really encouraging.

Thanks for telling us this, Ross. :)

[junkboy]

Damn .. those good guys , bad guys drawings are wicked cool.
I liked the ripped jeans and the hair styles. Awesome... haha

[oldmanwinters]

Oroku Tomi is Shredder's daughter and she replaces Tatsu who was killed by Casey's golf club to the head in my version of the first movie continuity. i like Tatsu a lot but i thought Shredder having a daughter would humanize him a bit and make for some fresher dynamics, and Tatsu being dead also plays better to the Foot being utterly decimated by the Turtles and Casey, like there's hardly anyone left and Shredder is alone, his derelict punk kid Foot ninja scattered and his pal Tatsu dead.

Aw, I gotta say I'm disappointed that ol Tatsu and his Aikido mastery have kicked the bucket. I agree that Casey laid an essentially killing blow on him in the movie, but I think you might be setting yourself up for an undesirable "Casey as Murderer" subplot that could be awkward if you don't ever address it again. Maybe just assume that Tatsu got some moderate to severe brain damage from the hit and now prances around in Central Park in awkward outfits begging for loose change? :lol:

[n-zero]

i almost drew Dr. Perry into the line-up but i didn't feel like drawing an unassuming regular guy in a labcoat who would probably look exactly like he does in the movie, heh. Perry's a Utrom but i haven't nailed down the design for him and his exoskeleton yet so i left him off the line-up. i could've waited on posting these until i got Perry done but i thought i'd leave him as a surprise. :)


You can put him in a page with your Vanilla Ice design. :tlol: I hear he's turned juggalo these days, which might make for an interesting Ninja Rap-

Water, Fire, Air and Dirt
F'ing Mutagen, how does it work?

[Cowabunga Carl]

Ross do you do commissions?

[TMNTChris1980]

Ross do you do commissions?

Agreed! I want one soooo bad. Love Ross' style.

Cant wait for these to be posted.

[TMNTChris1980]

wow, i'm so happy with all the support and interest from you guys, thanks so much!! it's truly appreciated. :)

i was expecting more 50/50, like half interested and encouraging, and half uninterested or dismissive because of my weird redesigns and particularly my 5th/girl Turtle, but both here and on deviantart the vast majority has been positive. it's very encouraging!

i hope i can make this work next year and pull it all together. years ago i used to self-publish mini-comics between projects but i haven't done that in a while because my schedule's filled up so much, so i've been wanting a comic to do just for the pure fun of it, something that isn't professional and without any pressure, and this TMNT comic would be the perfect thing. i'm thinking about registering "secretsoftheooze.com" or maybe i should just run the comic on my blog, i don't know.

i got the story and characters outlined and i know what the ending is going to be, and i'm working out character arcs for each Turtle. and right now i'm doing Shredder sketches! :D

anyway, thanks again for the support, you guys!! much appreciated, as always.

WHOA Ross, is Casey in a Pantera shirt? Holy @$%#, that is sooooo awesome.

[Lampy]

Agreed! I want one soooo bad. Love Ross' style.

Cant wait for these to be posted.

I want a commission too... but I'd rather see him finish this fan comic. Id rather not detract him from completion. Its looking really great. But maybe next time after he's done.

[Azrael Macool]

Interesting idea about Shredder's daughter, though I will throw out that Pimiko is a semi-official daughter of his as well, and doesn't have near the character-work that Karai has.

[Sophie Campbell]

i was doing TMNT commissions for a few months after the Leonardo issue came out, but i've had to close down because i got too busy! so i'm closed for commissions at the moment, i'm sorry. :( i still have a few backlogged TMNT pictures to finish and i can't take on any more until i get things under control. i sure could use the money but it's tough finding time for commissions when i have my Image book to keep up with. hopefully next year i can do some more. :) thank you for the interest!

Interesting idea about Shredder's daughter, though I will throw out that Pimiko is a semi-official daughter of his as well, and doesn't have near the character-work that Karai has.

i alllllllllllmost went with Pimiko, i was THIS close! but then i figured that even my character would kind of end up Pimiko-in-name-only, so i decided to go with a blank slate instead. i do like Pimiko, and she has an awesome name and i like how she's got a group of kunoichi which is an idea i might use, but at the end of the day i decided that my Shredder's daughter character is simply a different character.


Aw, I gotta say I'm disappointed that ol Tatsu and his Aikido mastery have kicked the bucket. I agree that Casey laid an essentially killing blow on him in the movie, but I think you might be setting yourself up for an undesirable "Casey as Murderer" subplot that could be awkward if you don't ever address it again. Maybe just assume that Tatsu got some moderate to severe brain damage from the hit and now prances around in Central Park in awkward outfits begging for loose change? :lol:

i'm a little disappointed in myself that i'm having Tatsu kick the bucket, i'll admit, haha. maybe it doesn't make much sense that i'm disappointed in a decision that i made myself, but i think it's best for the story. i don't think Casey-as-murderer is a big deal, though, i mean it seemed pretty obvious to me that Casey either intended to kill Tatsu or at least didn't care to determine if he did or not, and Casey also deliberately crushed Shredder in the garbage truck, if that wasn't intent to murder i don't know what is! so i don't think it's a big issue, Casey has probably killed other dudes while out beating up crooks, whether intentionally or accidentally, that's just the kind of guy he is. it's not pleasant but he's definitely a killer or capable of killing. :\

You can put him in a page with your Vanilla Ice design. :tlol: I hear he's turned juggalo these days, which might make for an interesting Ninja Rap-

Water, Fire, Air and Dirt
F'ing Mutagen, how does it work?

haha! i like that verse, nice. doing a third line-up is a great idea though, Dr. Perry, Vanilla Ice, Casey in his vigilante gear, and maybe a Foot ninja or two. good call!

[Xav]

Did you get the idea of Skess from T'Cleass the Bat mutant from the Palladium RPG or Scrag the guy who got mutated into a bat from the old toon? She sort of looks like a cross between the two. Her name sounds like a combination of their names, and like Scrag she is a mutant created by Shredder.

[Sophie Campbell]

Did you get the idea of Skess from T'Cleass the Bat mutant from the Palladium RPG or Scrag the guy who got mutated into a bat from the old toon? She sort of looks like a cross between the two. Her name sounds like a combination of their names, and like Scrag she is a mutant created by Shredder.

yes! you are right! i almost used T'Cleass, actually, that was going to be her name originally. at first i was waffling between T'Cleass and basing a character off the awesome Eastman/Laird porcupine mutant before going in the direction of a female bat.

anyway, it's great to see someone else familiar with the Palladium TMNT RPG, that was a huge part of my childhood, both that and the After The Bomb supplements like Mutants Down Under. i even tried to figure out a way to get Dr. Feral and Bio-Spawn in the comic but it didn't work.

i do not remember Scrag at all! damn. i had to look him up. was he later in the show? i didn't watch the Fred Wolf show much when i was a kid, i watched it here and there but i don't remember much of the specifics other than the theme song and that as a kid i was really into the crush between Michelangelo and Kala.

[Chris]

i'm a little disappointed in myself that i'm having Tatsu kick the bucket, i'll admit, haha. maybe it doesn't make much sense that i'm disappointed in a decision that i made myself, but i think it's best for the story. i don't think Casey-as-murderer is a big deal, though, i mean it seemed pretty obvious to me that Casey either intended to kill Tatsu or at least didn't care to determine if he did or not, and Casey also deliberately crushed Shredder in the garbage truck, if that wasn't intent to murder i don't know what is! so i don't think it's a big issue, Casey has probably killed other dudes while out beating up crooks, whether intentionally or accidentally, that's just the kind of guy he is. it's not pleasant but he's definitely a killer or capable of killing. :\

I have never looked at it that way, but you are so right! I need to watch the film again with this in mind (any excuse :tlol:)

[Xav]

yes! you are right! i almost used T'Cleass, actually, that was going to be her name originally. at first i was waffling between T'Cleass and basing a character off the awesome Eastman/Laird porcupine mutant before going in the direction of a female bat.

anyway, it's great to see someone else familiar with the Palladium TMNT RPG, that was a huge part of my childhood, both that and the After The Bomb supplements like Mutants Down Under. i even tried to figure out a way to get Dr. Feral and Bio-Spawn in the comic but it didn't work.

i do not remember Scrag at all! damn. i had to look him up. was he later in the show? i didn't watch the Fred Wolf show much when i was a kid, i watched it here and there but i don't remember much of the specifics other than the theme song and that as a kid i was really into the crush between Michelangelo and Kala.I just recently read RPG book and remembered that there was a bat mutant in it. Scrag was in the first season. He was human in the first two episodes of the season and a mutant in the last two.

[oldmanwinters]

i'm a little disappointed in myself that i'm having Tatsu kick the bucket, i'll admit, haha. maybe it doesn't make much sense that i'm disappointed in a decision that i made myself, but i think it's best for the story. i don't think Casey-as-murderer is a big deal, though, i mean it seemed pretty obvious to me that Casey either intended to kill Tatsu or at least didn't care to determine if he did or not, and Casey also deliberately crushed Shredder in the garbage truck, if that wasn't intent to murder i don't know what is! so i don't think it's a big issue, Casey has probably killed other dudes while out beating up crooks, whether intentionally or accidentally, that's just the kind of guy he is. it's not pleasant but he's definitely a killer or capable of killing. :\

Well... okay, Ross. :-P

You do raise a convincing point with Casey and the Garbage Truck incident. It was clear what his intentions were in that scene from the end of the movie, even if none of us kids were willing to believe that Shredder could have been killed off so conveniently. hehe

I still think you might have to acknowledge that aspect of Casey's personality in your comic at some point, but I'll trust your vision for the narrative regardless!



haha! i like that verse, nice. doing a third line-up is a great idea though, Dr. Perry, Vanilla Ice, Casey in his vigilante gear, and maybe a Foot ninja or two. good call!

Yes, please do! I also wouldn't mind seeing your Reporter April in addition to Vigilante Gear Casey.

[n-zero]

Hmmm... turns out you really CAN walk away from being compacted in a dump truck ... multiple times, even ... with only minor injuries.

http://www.cracked.com/quick-fixes/3-people-who-cheated-death-using-cartoon-physics/

Granted, ending up either dead or like Ross' Shredder design is MUCH more likely.

[Lampy]

Hmmm... turns out you really CAN walk away from being compacted in a dump truck ... multiple times, even ... with only minor injuries.

http://www.cracked.com/quick-fixes/3-people-who-cheated-death-using-cartoon-physics/

Granted, ending up either dead or like Ross' Shredder design is MUCH more likely.

After falling how many stories? :teek:
Ol' Shredhead did a swan dive with a half gainer right into the back oh a garbage truck AAAAHHHHHHHH!

[funatic]

Ross has put up a few more images pertaining to his fan comic project on his deviantart site since the last post on this thread :tgrin:

http://mooncalfe.deviantart.com/gallery/40109625

These 2 are especially amusing:

http://mooncalfe.deviantart.com/art/out-cold-338453604

http://mooncalfe.deviantart.com/art/turtle-power-364155169

[FlogginMcMurryZombiePizza]

Construct their weapons from junk and scrap? I always assumed they forged them from scrap metal, at least that was implied in the mirage series. Everything else I've seen they were just pulled out of thin air and given to the turtles by spinter.

I liked to imagine that, being a rat 'n all, Splinter stole actual weapons from a store or dojo. Or he atleast stole weapons from a shipment to be delivered for either store lol
But growing up, in the cartoon, it was established that Donatello made the weapons (if I remember correctly).

[Half Sh3ll Hero]

Hell yeah Ross! I believe in you brother!

The art looks great! Your take is refreshing! Curtains up!

[electric_sheep]

awesome idea dude, i ad a similar idea for some other movie, i cant remember what it was now, but the fifth turtle? since Venus De Milo i twitch when i hear that, i wasn't working on my comic i would probably do something similar, but i can give a quick summary of what would make the comic, if anyone is interested...

[Redeemer]

I liked to imagine that, being a rat 'n all, Splinter stole actual weapons from a store or dojo. Or he atleast stole weapons from a shipment to be delivered for either store lol
But growing up, in the cartoon, it was established that Donatello made the weapons (if I remember correctly).

WIth what people throw away now a days he probably didn't to steal them he probably just found them in the junk yard or in some ones trash can!!.
My uncle found three guns in trash cans in a single day, and few more over the years. (trash man). He also found chainsaws, newer tvs just about anything you can think of.

[Luckyday]

So any news on when this web comic will ever see the light of day?

[Powder]

No news, Ross is taking his time to treat it right, and is otherwise very busy with the various comic projects he's a part of. His deviantart is the best place to stay up to date, for future reference. http://mooncalfe.deviantart.com/

PS your sig is a bit too big.

[Sophie Campbell]

it's still in the works! :D thanks for the interest. like Powder said, keep an eye on my deviantart page, that's where i'll be posting updates and the actual comic itself once i start doing pages. i have a specific gallery of all the artwork i've done so far if anyone's interested, check it out here (http://mooncalfe.deviantart.com/gallery/40109625).

i know it's been a while, i can't believe it's been almost a year since i posted that first drawing, but i've been working on the story outline this whole time whenever i have free time, it's really detailed at this point and it's one of the more complex things i've written so it's taking a lot of work.

my schedule's been crazier than expected this year and going to get crazier in the fall/winter, but after that's all done i'm hoping to make 2014 the Year of Ross and get this stuff going!! i'm still pumped to do it, even more so than when i first started posting art, i can't wait to get started on the actual comic.

anyway, thanks again, you guys. keep an eye out for the Alopex issue next month! ;)

[Kendamu]

Not sure if it was said already, but I think Tokka, Rhazar, and ha bat need special markings, too, to stay consistent on what mutations do to animals.

Unless you have some other idea that hasn't been revealed yet, of course. :)

[TurtleTitan97]

Sorry for the Necro-posting, but I thought I'd share this new piece of art Ross just posted for the fan-comic:

http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/050/0/c/the_search_for_a_beginning_by_mooncalfe-d777rvv.jpg

[Redeemer]

Sorry for the Necro-posting, but I thought I'd share this new piece of art Ross just posted for the fan-comic:

http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/050/0/c/the_search_for_a_beginning_by_mooncalfe-d777rvv.jpg

Pretty interesting Ross is including Alopex and the owl mutant from IDW in this story line.

[Andrew NDB]

Is this still cooking?

[Zulithe]

Naa he's too busy drawing plus-sized women with super huge lips.

[Sophie Campbell]

thanks for the continued interest in this, you guys!! i really appreciate that and the insane patience everyone has.

Is this still cooking?

yeah! i actually have a bunch of work done on it, i was going launch it in summer of last year but i got completely sucked into working on preplanning/concept stuff and covers for TMNT: Northampton, and the fan-comic just had to be set aside. i only finished up Northampton about a month ago and i've been kinda slacking since then, taking a vacation, but i'm ready to to get it going once my Turtles In Time issue is done. it'll probably be a page-a-week schedule.

i really should've waited to announce the stupid thing, i can't believe it's been almost 2 years since i posted that first picture?? i HAVE been working on writing it this whole time, at least, you should see how sprawling my story outline is. XD i guess that's how things go in comics, though, time goes so fast and the next thing i know it's been 3 years.

Naa he's too busy drawing plus-sized women with super huge lips.

thanks for checking out my work! ;)

[BabyTurtles]

arrg I can't waiit for this!! all the character designs are just perfect *__*

[nimajneb]

Like the idea, Ross.
Sounds like a nice take on the TMNT

[TheBlueTurtle1]

can't wait, thanks for the update.

[Mr Null]

While I hate the idea of a 5th turtle, I am sure what he does will be interesting.

Yeah, I don't like the idea of a 5th turtle either. There are enough characters from that movie to flesh out instead of adding new ones just for the sake of it.

[nimajneb]

I do agree with this, Flesh out some of the previous cameo characters rather then add another turtle but i'm still interested in reading this.

[electric_sheep]

Interesting, reminds me of something i have been working on.
If anyone wants to see it here

http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showthread.php?t=43308
It's old and it's kinda confusing. I need to Reedit it to make it more readable, maybe take some of the forced references out...

[Plasticplayhouse]

Yeah, I don't like the idea of a 5th turtle either. There are enough characters from that movie to flesh out instead of adding new ones just for the sake of it.

i think you misunderstand Mr. Null, this is his FAN comic. it's a project he is doing for HIS personal enjoyment that he is choosing to share with us and anyone else who may enjoy it too. he is not asking us to be his editors. the beauty of doing fan work is making something the way you would like to see it; not the way someone else would like to see it. the later is commonly referred to as "work".

[TheBlueTurtle1]

It should be great, can't wait to see how the new female TMNT turns out. The art is just out of this world.:o

[Mr Null]

i think you misunderstand Mr. Null, this is his FAN comic. it's a project he is doing for HIS personal enjoyment that he is choosing to share with us and anyone else who may enjoy it too. he is not asking us to be his editors. the beauty of doing fan work is making something the way you would like to see it; not the way someone else would like to see it. the later is commonly referred to as "work".

I didn't misunderstand anything buddy. I stated my opinion on a forum. You need to take it down a notch.

[Plasticplayhouse]

I didn't misunderstand anything buddy. I stated my opinion on a forum. You need to take it down a notch.

I wasn't trying to be snarky, looking back I can see how you read it to sound that way; my apologies. I was simply stating that his intention was to share his plans, not ask for opinions. Your post focused on your dislike of a 5th turtle. I doubt he is adding this new character for the sake of it. You can tell by Ross' opening statement posted by OMW that this new character has already been developed to a degree. There are quite a fee fans who genuinely like the 5th turtle concept.

[Lampy]

I haven't checked this thread in a while. But damn Ross!!! I'm loving that - i'm assuming - cover pic. I can't wait to see this come to fruition. I've always wondered what that movie would've been like if it were taken a little more seriously. On top of that, the art is standard mooncalfe: cute yet edgy and amazing.

[Mewzard]

I've been a Power Rangers fan for many years (though at this point, I'm more focused on Super Sentai for my entertainment), so adding in a new member to a pre-established team is something I'm used to, and tend to enjoy when done well.

I trust Ross Campbell to do a good job on this, he hasn't let us down yet (or at least, that's how I feel).

Stuff like this makes me think IDW needs a Turtles Elseworld book though. Sometimes it's fun to let people go their own way with characters and stories unfettered by a "canon" interpretation of characters.

I do like the designs. Have for a while now. They're rather interesting to say the least.

[Ninjinister]

I've been a Power Rangers fan for many years (though at this point, I'm more focused on Super Sentai for my entertainment), so adding in a new member to a pre-established team is something I'm used to, and tend to enjoy when done well.

I trust Ross Campbell to do a good job on this, he hasn't let us down yet (or at least, that's how I feel).

Stuff like this makes me think IDW needs a Turtles Elseworld book though. Sometimes it's fun to let people go their own way with characters and stories unfettered by a "canon" interpretation of characters.

I do like the designs. Have for a while now. They're rather interesting to say the least.

Agreed. I'd like to see this published in sort of a new alternate continuity sort of thing.

[Mr Null]

I wasn't trying to be snarky, looking back I can see how you read it to sound that way; my apologies....

No problems. Its all good.

[Raven]

Ross has the first three pages up!

http://mooncalfe.deviantart.com/art/Secrets-Of-The-Ooze-page-1-453307365 -Page 1
http://mooncalfe.deviantart.com/art/Secrets-Of-The-Ooze-page-2-454792874 - Page 2
http://mooncalfe.deviantart.com/art/Secrets-Of-The-Ooze-page-3-456229175 - Page 3

[Master Splinter]

Everything is awesome!

-ms

[Plasticplayhouse]

i'll wait for the collected hard cover edition :P

seriously though, i've been diggin it so far :)

[pennydreadful]

Good stuff; I've been a fan of Ross Campbell's ever since I first picked up Volume 1 of his "Wet Moon" series. :) Two thumbs up!

[Casey]

Definitely just found this thread. This is beyond cool.

[Eiko]

Yes very cool, Ross Campbell is awesome. :)

[Sophie Campbell]

thanks so much for the support, you guys! page 11 will be up this week. :) i'm also running the comic on smackjeeves which might be easier for some people to read: http://secretsoftheooze.smackjeeves.com/comics/1974138/the-search-for-a-beginning/

should this thread be in the Fan Works section? i'm not sure if threads can be moved, though. i don't want my fan-comic to get mixed up with official stuff or be where it doesn't belong.

anyway, thanks again! :tsmile:

[Heather Breckel]

It's official in our hearts.

[Ninjinister]

Official or not, at least there's this

http://turtlepedia.wikia.com/wiki/Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles:_Secrets_of_the_Ooze

[coreyrc87]

thanks so much for the support, you guys! page 11 will be up this week. :) i'm also running the comic on smackjeeves which might be easier for some people to read: http://secretsoftheooze.smackjeeves.com/comics/1974138/the-search-for-a-beginning/

should this thread be in the Fan Works section? i'm not sure if threads can be moved, though. i don't want my fan-comic to get mixed up with official stuff or be where it doesn't belong.

anyway, thanks again! :tsmile:

Wow... Can't wait to see the rest! Beautiful art, as always, and great story so far!

[Sewer Sirens Podcast]

Wow, this is great to see some of the project finished! Saw the first page and cover, and I'm super excited to dive in to the first chapter.

Thank you Ross for doing this for the fans (and I'm pretty sure you're getting a kick out of it too). Will be fun to read more. (Also, you are doing great work on the IDW comics, keep it up!)

[Werecat]

Ross should rename the title to Alopex and friends! lol 'cause it is mainly about Alopex and Artemetisia than the turtles. Very interesting though, the Splinter part tugged at the heart strings. I did not have to deal with old people meeting their mortality yet, who were close to me. But watching a close friend whose dad is old and barely clinging to life is very sad. The Splinter becoming too old part is very interesting but it's impact is lessened by the fact that the story revolves around Alopex and Artemetisia who I don't care for.

That is my only criticism. If I am being shown a story that tries to get me to sympathize and invest into Artemetisia & Alopex then why should I care for the turtles.

I also did not like how Raph was portrayed in the story. His characterization sickens me because it is too cute and nonviolent. Raph is supposed to be powerful, fearsome and bloodthirsty. I don't consider fleeting emotions as personality traits. Which is why I omitted anger.

I am not being 100% serious by the way and mean no offense to anyone. I am just sharing my thoughts.

[Technogeek29]

I like it so far. I can understand the focus on Al and Artie since we already know about the others. But as a fellow dromer has pointed out they are diffrent do of course the focus will shift to them at some point. I see Splinter getting the least amount of screen time since and more of it on the Turtles having to grow up amd slowly grow apart. (Of course they'll get back togethor)

P.S. April is Bi-racial. Should've guessed from the obvious features.

[pennydreadful]

Absolutely gorgeous; the art is exquisite... and yay for frizzy-haired April!!! :D But it's giving me sadfeelz! :cry: I must hug them all...

[Metropoliskid41]

Looks awesome so far!

[Sophie Campbell]

thank you so much again for all the nice words and support! :D thanks for reading, you guys.

I like it so far. I can understand the focus on Al and Artie since we already know about the others. But as a fellow dromer has pointed out they are diffrent do of course the focus will shift to them at some point. I see Splinter getting the least amount of screen time since and more of it on the Turtles having to grow up amd slowly grow apart. (Of course they'll get back togethor)

P.S. April is Bi-racial. Should've guessed from the obvious features.

yep! you got it, Alopex and Artemisia have a bit more attention (although Artie barely does anything for the first 8 pages) because we don't know them and how they interact with the others yet. they haven't been established in the way the others automatically are.

my personal approach to the traditional characters notwithstanding, the other characters have an entry point that Alopex doesn't really have, and Artemisia definitely does not have. i think for the first 9 pages i've done a pretty good job juggling all of the characters and giving each of them moments, though. :)

[Metropoliskid41]

Man I'd love for this to be printed in a hardcopy of somepoint! If IDW doesn't do it, it'd be great to see it come out under Mirage since they get to release 18 books a year! (unlikely I know, but hey I can dream can't I?)

Can't wait to see the finished product in completion Mr. Campbell!

[Andrew NDB]

Man I'd love for this to be printed in a hardcopy of somepoint! If IDW doesn't do it, it'd be great to see it come out under Mirage since they get to release 18 books a year! (unlikely I know, but hey I can dream can't I?)

I can't imagine Peter Laird being interested in something like this. For a variety of reasons.

[Sophie Campbell]

I can't imagine Peter Laird being interested in something like this. For a variety of reasons.

haha, yeah, really. i'm sure he would hate this. XD

anyway, no plans for a printed book, i just want it to be for free online, no money involved on either end. i want to keep it low profile, simple and stress-free.

[Metropoliskid41]

Yes I know, that's why I said "Unlikely I know, but hey I can dream can't I?"

[Tazi]

But, after it's fully concluded, what about a DIY fan-print, or something like? :)

[Technogeek29]

Just letting you know Ross is still updating his comic for the small percentage that aren't aware. Now with Character Bios

Leonardo
http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/212/e/d/secrets_of_the_ooze__leonardo_by_mooncalfe-d7t1cvd.jpg

Raphael
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/211/2/4/secrets_of_the_ooze__raphael_by_mooncalfe-d7sx1xr.jpg

Donatello
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/212/0/c/secrets_of_the_ooze__donatello_by_mooncalfe-d7t1hfa.jpg

Artemisia
http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2014/211/1/6/secrets_of_the_ooze__artemisia_by_mooncalfe-d7sshnj.jpg

Michelangelo
http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/211/8/0/secrets_of_the_ooze__michelangelo_by_mooncalfe-d7ssa58.jpg

Alopex
http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2014/212/3/2/secrets_of_the_ooze__alopex_by_mooncalfe-d7sshdg.jpg

Splinter
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/211/2/d/secrets_of_the_ooze__splinter_by_mooncalfe-d7sy0i8.jpg

April
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/213/4/5/secrets_of_the_ooze__april_o_neil_by_mooncalfe-d7stm9k.jpg

[Technogeek29]

Pimiko
http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2014/214/2/7/secrets_of_the_ooze__oroku_pimiko_by_mooncalfe-d7td0a5.jpg

Tokka
http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2014/213/9/d/secrets_of_the_ooze__tokka_by_mooncalfe-d7tavpx.jpg

Rahzar
http://th01.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2014/213/9/e/secrets_of_the_ooze__rahzar_by_mooncalfe-d7taoen.jpg

Koya
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/212/2/6/secrets_of_the_ooze__koya_by_mooncalfe-d7t6eub.jpg

Saki
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2014/230/f/1/secrets_of_the_ooze__oroku_saki_by_mooncalfe-d7vqhdn.jpg

And my new favorite page so far.
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/225/2/c/secrets_of_the_ooze_ch__2_page_4_by_mooncalfe-d7uziyr.jpg

[funatic]

Thanks for sharing these Technogeek! I often forget to check Ross's site for updates.

This is looking SO fun the more I see. Such a fresh reimagining, and it seems like the scope is pretty large too. Is there an estimated page count on this Ross?

[RedRocBoy]

Just letting you know Ross is still updating his comic for the small percentage that aren't aware. Now with Character Bios

Leonardo
http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/212/e/d/secrets_of_the_ooze__leonardo_by_mooncalfe-d7t1cvd.jpg

Raphael
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/211/2/4/secrets_of_the_ooze__raphael_by_mooncalfe-d7sx1xr.jpg

Donatello
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/212/0/c/secrets_of_the_ooze__donatello_by_mooncalfe-d7t1hfa.jpg

Artemisia
http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2014/211/1/6/secrets_of_the_ooze__artemisia_by_mooncalfe-d7sshnj.jpg

Michelangelo
http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/211/8/0/secrets_of_the_ooze__michelangelo_by_mooncalfe-d7ssa58.jpg

Alopex
http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2014/212/3/2/secrets_of_the_ooze__alopex_by_mooncalfe-d7sshdg.jpg

Splinter
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/211/2/d/secrets_of_the_ooze__splinter_by_mooncalfe-d7sy0i8.jpg

April
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/213/4/5/secrets_of_the_ooze__april_o_neil_by_mooncalfe-d7stm9k.jpg

Damn!! April thick as hell. Me likey. :tgrin::tgrin::tgrin::tgrin:

[discordiatookie]

Read through this earlier today and I have to say that I really like it. Ross's art is amazing, and it turns out his writing is pretty awesome too! Looking forward to seeing where this goes.

[RedRocBoy]

Just got through reading it and it's pretty awesome. Really hope Ross can get this officially released some how cause this is dope. Would love to own a hardcover edition. Amazing job Ross. :tcool::tcool::tcool:

[rickwj324]

HOLY COW.... I really hope this sees an actual printing. Sign me up for a copy now!!!

[Tazi]

I'm liking this, great art as always! :)

the tone is somewhat different from what I'd prefer in TMNT usually, but still it's interesting to see what happens when new members added to the 'core turtle family'. Artemisia is sympathetic, I can relate to the type of personality she has.

[909 Turtle Fan]

Right on this is going to be cool, Pimiko looks hardcore! Koya the junk food addict lol and Alopex drinks beer and smokes cigs lol, that's awesome, where are the Casey, Keno and Shredd bios :tgrumble: couple of questions tho, is April black and is Artie a lezbo in this universe?

[Technogeek29]

Right on this is going to be cool, Pimiko looks hardcore! Koya the junk food addict lol and Alopex drinks beer and smokes cigs lol, that's awesome, where are the Casey, Keno and Shredd bios :tgrumble: couple of questions tho, is April black and is Artie a lezbo in this universe?

April is Mixed her mother black and her father is White. Robyn looks the part more than April does.
I'm not sure on Artie however Ross will have to help you there.

[pennydreadful]

I will never not love Ross Campbell's artwork. :)

[Sophie Campbell]

thank you so much, you guys! as always. :D i really appreciate the enthusiasm and everything. i'm having so much fun doing the comic, it's great to be able to do whatever i want and goof off with it without any pressure or anything. i can't wait to start revealing the Turtles' new origin. ;D

couple of questions tho, is April black and is Artie a lezbo in this universe?

come on, cut that out. quit with the derogatory "lezbo" sh*t, that's hurtful and offensive, and unless you're a lesbian yourself you should watch it when throwing terms like that around. i don't know if mods crack down on stuff like that but they should.

[TheBlueTurtle1]

Ross your art is amazing, I can't put it any other way. Thanks for sharing!:o:o

[pennydreadful]

come on, cut that out. quit with the derogatory "lezbo" sh*t, that's hurtful and offensive, and unless you're a lesbian yourself you should watch it when throwing terms like that around. i don't know if mods crack down on stuff like that but they should.

This could be the flu meds talking, but I swear I'm so in love with you right now. :tlove:

[Tazi]

Just noticed Artemisia's weapon is actually in tone with her somewhat distant/introvert personality since bow/arrow is kind of a 'stay away' weapon. Nice idea. :)
I hope this will see a fan print in a hc/tpb form some time after it's finished, my bookself would enjoy this comic sitting on it.:)

Also a question: Is the bat guy/gal is still in this or got replaced with Koya?

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

I love Raph's design. His Face Markings remind me of the Bat Logo.

[coreyrc87]

The art, the writing, and - never thought I'd say this - the 5th turtle... All so awesome. There HAS to be a limited printing of this when its done! HAS to be! (and count me in on buying a copy or two if there is!)

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

Just read all of what has been uploaded so far. I really like it.

Finally, someone got the idea of a 5th Turtle right.

Look forward to reading more Ross:D

[Cryomancer]

I love Raph's design. His Face Markings remind me of the Bat Logo.

If you ask me, it's totally

http://i.imgur.com/9gJTlUu.jpg

[Andrew NDB]

Is this still supposed to be a direct sequel to the first movie?

[Sophie Campbell]

thank you again, you guys!! i'm really surprised and happy with the response Artemisia has been getting, i thought for sure there'd be more people criticizing her.

Is this still supposed to be a direct sequel to the first movie?

sort of, it's a sequel to a loose version of the first movie with all the basic plot beats, and then imagine my 5th Turtle Artemisia and Alopex added in (Artemisia was there since the mutation so she doesn't have any special origin, and Alopex's origins will be explored later).

i try to drop little hints of how the events prior to my comic took place, and there will be a few flashbacks. :) basically all you need to know is the Turtles & Alopex meet April and Casey, they go to Northampton after the antique store burns down and to let Raph recover, there's the Splinter/campfire scene, and finally Shredder is tossed into a garbage truck and left for dead. my comic picks up about several months after that.

[Ninjinister]

The fan-addition of a fifth turtle is as old as turtle fan fiction itself, and at most points is cliché. But, I do believe that any character and any situation can rise above the norm given the man or woman behind the pen's talent. You've proved that enough so far with this 'book', Ross. Plus I'm sure that your tenure with the boys has built you some credibility as well.

[oldmanwinters]

thank you again, you guys!! i'm really surprised and happy with the response Artemisia has been getting, i thought for sure there'd be more people criticizing her.



sort of, it's a sequel to a loose version of the first movie with all the basic plot beats, and then imagine my 5th Turtle Artemisia and Alopex added in (Artemisia was there since the mutation so she doesn't have any special origin, and Alopex's origins will be explored later).

i try to drop little hints of how the events prior to my comic took place, and there will be a few flashbacks. :) basically all you need to know is the Turtles & Alopex meet April and Casey, they go to Northampton after the antique store burns down and to let Raph recover, there's the Splinter/campfire scene, and finally Shredder is tossed into a garbage truck and left for dead. my comic picks up about several months after that.

While I have been concerned that adding the new characters into the plot as if they have always existed would weigh down the backstory, I look forward to seeing where things go from here. The little hints are a nice way to try and explain the continuity but I wouldn't want the narrative to lose itself in flashbacks or exposition. Love the Pimiko/Karai angle . . . that might be my favorite aspect yet.

The fan-addition of a fifth turtle is as old as turtle fan fiction itself, and at most points is cliché. But, I do believe that any character and any situation can rise above the norm given the man or woman behind the pen's talent. You've proved that enough so far with this 'book', Ross. Plus I'm sure that your tenure with the boys has built you some credibility as well.

Well put, indeed.

[Cryomancer]

I wonder if having Alopex there as well diminishes "5th turtle" complaints, as we effectively have 6 "turtles". She sticks out a lot more thus far, too.

[Technogeek29]

Going from what I posted on Deviantart.


Ok so re reading the comic I notice some things. Others I have suspicions of but I need more evidence. But during the campfire Raph was gazing at April throughout the comic he takes several glances at her with Mikey and Artie noticing as well.

When they fall asleep April is hugging on Raph as he sleeps which leads me to believe she is closest to him. Artie of course is nearby as well and she seems more comfortable in Raph's assertive precence. Understandable wall flowers like her tend to stick to people who they wish they could be like.

I notice Donnie seems to detache himself from the group multiple times. In fact if they aren't at the beat of his drum he seems to ignore them. Even more evident during the campfire when originally he was in the back of the pile, but when they went to sleep he is removed from it and sleeping a good distance away for his own personal space. Also during the movie even Leo takes the time to break away and enjoy time with his siblings but Donnie prefers to be left to his own devices. Reminds me of Mirage Don in that aspect.

[Sophie Campbell]

thanks for reading the comic so carefully, Technogeek29! i really appreciate that and all your analyses and observations are great and on-point. it's satisfying to know that people are giving the storytelling and character stuff some attention and not rushing through it.

[discordiatookie]

holy sh*t to the return of the Shredder! He got messed up! Kinda reminds me of the Rat King...

[Tazi]

Are there some 'central page' where I can reach all invidual pages from?

For some reason the Deviantart interface never made much sense to me, and I always get confused with it. :tconfuse:

[Ninturtle]

Can you guys link me to were I could find these comics

[discordiatookie]

http://secretsoftheooze.smackjeeves.com/comics/1974138/the-search-for-a-beginning/

Here yas go :D

[Chabrendeki]

I just read it (in the background with the soundtrack for T. Malick's Thin Red Line) and wow!

I also like the art of Ross Campbell in the IDW-series, and this is just great - so sensitive, so fine. Great storytelling!

[Luckyday]

Man, the turtles in this look really young and act twelve too.

I didn't mind one bit though. They just adorable. http://i.imgur.com/TkmEI2D.gif

Karai is pretty like to her mirage counter part.

It seems like they straying away from alien sci fi aspect as much as possible by making the mutagen as a earth made chemical substance.

How old is April in this?

[Raven]

It seems like they straying away from alien sci fi aspect as much as possible by making the mutagen as a earth made chemical substance.


I take it you haven't read the last three pages yet?

[Birdman37]

Damn I love thick April :o and is this going to continue?

[Andrew NDB]

Yeah, what word?

[neatoman]

Damn I love thick April :o and is this going to continue?

Don't you mean "extra thick"?
OPSCjnwD3gc

[Utrommaniac]

It looks like Sophie's tumblr no longer has the link to the comic. It comes up as "not found". With so many other things going on, I wouldn't be surprised if she put it on hold.

I am, however, following Shadow Eyes, which is a pretty awesome story.

(The things that change in the three years since the topic went dead...like the name)

[Sophie Campbell]

It's still going! Here's the tumblr: http://secretsoftheooze.tumblr.com/

I don't get to update it very often right now because of work, but it's not dead! The latest page was in December, not that long ago. I'm hoping once my TMNT Universe story is done I'll be able to get some more pages done. :)

Thanks as always, you guys!!

[Utrommaniac]

Oh, cool :D

I think the link on your tumblr is just broken.

[Sophie Campbell]

Oops, you're right! I fixed the link. :D I forgot to put the http in it so it was redirecting to my main tumblr page.

[Andrew NDB]

These were a lot of fun to read, what's there so far.

[Tyma]

Thrilled to see this is still going on, but re-reading it has raised a question that's driving me nuts :

Did Sophie ever draw Splinter in the IDW comic?

Edit : OF COURSE SHE DID, he was in Northampton! I much prefer the SOTO style, though :(

[Sophie Campbell]

Thrilled to see this is still going on, but re-reading it has raised a question that's driving me nuts :

Did Sophie ever draw Splinter in the IDW comic?

Edit : OF COURSE SHE DID, he was in Northampton! I much prefer the SOTO style, though :(

I was trying to emulate Mateus's designs a bit for Northampton, his look for Splinter gave me a lot of trouble! I definitely prefer my SOTO design for him, too. ;)