What is it about the TMNT that makes them so unappealing?

[Aignatius]

Originally Posted by Roseangelo

I totally agree.

The only way people are ever going to accept versions of the TMNT other than the 80s toon is if they're exposed to it. And right now Mirage is doing virtually nothing to expose anyone to that darker, more adult side of the TMNT. They're not even printing Tales of the TMNT in quantities high enough to fill orders. Number 32 is sold out on ninjaturtles.com and my comic shop never even got it in. My comic guy doesn't even believe me when I tell him that it's actually be published.

All those Marvel and DC characters exist on two tiers: for the kids and for the adults. Right now TMNT only exists for kids and it's hard to have staying power when you only target kids who are prone to change their minds and interests at the drop of a dime. Give them something of more substance when they get a little older and you can hook 'em for life.

Over the years, I've observed a couple of things, based on my own POV, as limited as it is at times, but a POV nonetheless. It isn't a judgment either, but only an observation:

One, there's a lack of consistency in developing and promoting the TMNT after the inital Turtlemania surge.
Two, there are often marked conflicts of interest among the ranks.

Marvel and DC are much more organized, widespread and have a bigger publishing base than ever.
Mirage has become smaller than it was in its heyday in the late 80s.
Marvel and DC have huge booths at the Comic-Con. Mirage isn't even represented there at all.

Kevin and Peter, as you know, went their separate ways.
Kevin is present at the Comic-Con, has a booth with his magazine Heavy Metal, and enthusiastically meets with the fans. He's outgoing, congenial, and friendly. He travels.
Peter, OTOH, I don't know what he is like in person, but in comparison, he doesn't get out much. He doesn't travel, or go to many conventions, except relatively local ones on the East Coast. He doesn't seem to be the type of person who wants to widely promote things at least in a big way like Marvel and DC do. It just seems to be a pet project he will keep going until he's unable to continue.

There were projects with other publishers, such as Archie, Image, Dreamwave, and such, but the projects get canned before they are completed. A lot of stories didn't get finished.

I don't know if that's as much of a problem as Marvel, or DC, but with Mirage, it seems to be a problem for them.

While the movie was a great leap of faith, and a worthy endeavor, it wasn't enough to offset the other drawbacks that Mirage has been dealing with. It isn't enough to keep things going unless there's new blood infused into an anemic company.

Makes me sad, because TMNT is such a beautiful concept...