Quote:
Originally Posted by Venom
(Post 812427)
Not to sidestep anything you said, because I know you were clarifying your frustration but "TMNT by Peter Laird" largely didn't sell...only a handful of us were faithful followers.
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Yes. From my understanding, very few copies of each Vol. 4 issue were printed, with only like the first or second getting a second print run. All of Vol. 4's issues but three are readily available. So, few copies per issue, those still being available in abundance... I'd say it didn't sell so well.
And aside from being tired of having a life revolving around the Turtles, I kind of wonder if another reason Laird sold the property is perhaps he wanted public interest to be sparked again, for old and new generations. The Turtles were the most popular in the late '80s to early '90s, and I'm guessing Laird probably wants his creations to reach that peak popularity again where "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is a household name. Though it lasted a number of seasons, I doubt the 2K3 series was watched as much as the original toon during its prime, and I also doubt the toys attached to it sold as well as the old toys. (I could be wrong on this; I'm only assuming.) That and I think I heard the 2007
TMNT didn't do incredibly well in the box office. That is, a lot of people went to see it, but it didn't rake in nearly as many people nor as much dough as the first three films during their theatrical runs. (Not saying this as fact either. Again, just what I've been told.)
Nickelodeon, if they go all the way with the TMNT property—and they will, 'cos they wouldn't buy it for $60 million just to do nothing or even something small—will with very little doubt make the Turtles a smashing success and something kids everywhere love. With that kind of exposure and money behind it, it's almost a guaranteed thing. I'm not sure I'll end up liking what they do (I hope I like it, though I don't have cable/satellite TV, so that makes me sad), but whether I dig it or not, if it makes a whole new generation of kiddies incredibly happy, that's what matters.
I know Laird has expressed not really liking the original toon nor the second movie and so on, but I'm sure he adored the widespread exposure of his and Eastman's characters. And, let's face it—Peter Laird knew full well that "Peter Laird's
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"
hasn't been selling. I'm sure most people who are familiar with the Turtles, those of us who grew up with the show, only know the names Eastman and Laird as being "those guys who created the Turtles"...and nothing more. And those names I'm sure were only familiar to most of us because they were plastered on the Archie comics and other licensed products or mentioned in the Turtles magazine.
Sure, I mean, the comics sold well in the beginning. In the mid to possibly late '80s,
TMNT was a pretty big comic, for an independent comic. The cartoon, the toys... They brought the franchise into superstardom. And the Turtles, in both fields ("Mirage comics" and "outside the comics") have never seen that kind of popularity since.
But anyway, to go back to the very original topic... All I can say is, "That's not really much of an update, now is it?" We all know Laird
may finish up #32 in the future. We've known that for years. Where's the update? The newsflash? Sorry to sound like a dick, but...this isn't news; this isn't an assurance of it ever being completed.
And hell, if I had made a once-hugely-successful property and were offered $60 million to sell all rights to it...hell
yes, I'd go through with the deal! Hey, as a fan, I'm a wee bit sour about Laird selling the Turtles and no longer having much creative control over them (that's assuming he continues the comic and Nickelodeon keep their fingers out of what he and Mirage do with it), but...$60 mil, man. From that, Laird would have had to pulled in a huge amount—the majority, I would assume. Life isn't money, and can actually have disastrous consequences when not spent wisely, but I'd be pleased to have that kind of money and never worry about personal poverty or struggle to pay bills, and have the ability to help out friends and family and churches monetarily. I don't begrudge Laird for "selling out"; hopefully, he'll be able to pass that money on to future generations of Lairds, and many will be blessed by (t)his wealth.