After Peter wraps up Volume 4, where do you see the comic franchise headed?
 

I believe Pete's said some stuff along the lines that Volume 4 will be wrapped up in about 12 or so future issues, but given how long it takes him to release these issues we could be looking at it still going for a number of years yet.

In any case, assuming Volume 4 is "concluded" in some form, what do you think will happen to the comic franchise? Will a "Volume 5" be started with an entire new development staff, or perhaps published by a different company like Image did with Volume 3?

The Image run got some mixed reactions from the fanbase, so I don't know if Mirage would let another publishing company handle the plots and stuff again. What do you think will happen?

I doubt he even knows the answer to that. TMNT has alot of potential in any medium, so hopefully they continue it in some way. Personally I'd like to see a new staff start over fresh rather than build upon the current continuity, if this happens Pete better choose wisely...

I think a Volume 5 would be appropriate, but something that essentially did the same thing as a reboot. It wouldn't rewrite continuity the way the Ultimate and Allstar universes have, it would just give the Turtles a completely new set of back-up cast members and villains, while retaining the iconic old ones (Casey, April), without making getting too bogged down in continuity. Certain big events can be alluded to quite easily, and if trades are published of said events next year, there wouldn't really be a need to start over (#1-11 + micros, Return to NY, CAW, Volume 2, and 4).
You throw the turtles into a relatively new situation that is familiar all the same, but you mix it up. You could even get away with bringing in a new Shredder, one that doesn't necessarily have to be personally tied to Splinter or the Turtles (the mantle alone does that already).
If Spiderman can reboot, bringing back characters like Harry Osborne, and throwing all new ones into the mix, any comic can. People just need to be willing to give it a go, both on the company end and the fan end.

Probably with Tristan on that.

I like it!

There are two things I would like to see focused on in a reimagined Volume 5:
1. Teenage Turtles
2. Ninja Turtles

:tgrin:

I've always thought a shortening to just "Ninja Turtles" at some point seemed a sensible evolution.

Not terribly interested in them returning to their teens, though, aside from Lost Stories-type stuff.

I wouldn't mind seeing them in their teens again. But I'd be interesting to see them in their early twenties in stories. It'd be nice to see a fresh start.

I think Mirage will shut the door on publishing. *If* there are more comics, they will be licensed, based on TV shows, like Titan's short-lived Fast Forward series.

Definitely with you there.

1. If by "Teenage" you mean "18-years-old" and "finishing up the events of Volume 3" I can go for it.

2. Agreed. Very agreed.

You never know. If it were to happen, I'd personally like to see IDW pick it up. They've done the Transformers ludicrous justice by publishing stories from all continuities. With Turtles you could easily have stuff based on the shows, movies and original continuity.

I could totally dig that. Similar to the Thundercats comics my girlfriend has.

I've always wondered if Laird would ever hire artists from Marvel, DC, IDW, Image, or Dark Horse. Eh, I kinda doubt it, but it would be pretty cool. There are a lot of possibilities for a so called "volume 5".

I'd love to see what DC or Marvel could do with the turtles. If either company picked it up it would be pretty darn big and available in more places

If we're lucky? IT get licenced to Image.

IF Gary's still there? All comics go out of print forever.

They actually were celebrating their 19th birthdays in the last issue of Volume 3.

And if DC or Marvel acquired TMNT... I don't think that'd be a good thing at all. Short of a massive, massive earth-shaking premiere and extraordinary buzz from Wizard, etc., I don't think either company would let the TMNT continue seeing print beyond the first 7 or so issues -- their cancellation threshold is much higher than something indy like Mirage... they routinely cancel books selling 15,000 copies or so.

TMNT/Tales of the TMNT sells an average of about 3,400 or so.

Then again, with someone actually Advertising and distributing these comics properly, they might not be doing so crappily.

I echo these sentiments. If more people knew about the book it would be doing a lot better.

Exactly. With a big name company behind it and proper promotion people would pick up the books.

Just like the whole world rushed out and picked up Batman and Iron Man comics this summer? The people I've talked to at Marvel and DC say they've not seen a significant bump up in sales on those comics which couldn't have asked for better promotion this summer...

I said in another thread that part of the issue is the US economy, as well as the comics industry in general. It's not *just* that Mirage doesn't promote the books...