Peter Laird on IDW TMNT

[Jester]

Samhain, I think it's because for the last decade he's been the sole owner of the Turtles and everything went through him and he's just totally burnt out. He had to deal with the business end and, probably even more so, fans. Especially some of the ones of us who are never satisfied, and let him know... everywhere. Kevin, on the other hand, seems to get altogether nicer treatment. I can't remember anyone openly complaining on how he handles the Turtles, like many have when Peter was at the helm.

Not saying that their respective attitudes and personalities have nothing to do with it, but I'm sure the TMNT burn-out of being in control for the entire life of the franchise has a lot to do with it. Peter seems to take it all to heart, even if we didn't intend to be hurtful.

[AquaParade]

Originally Posted by Galactus

I do agree to a point but a guy who green lighted the creation of Ch'rell can't be that afraid of change. To me it seems that IDW brought about these big changes right out the gate and it's taken six issues to set up the basics and it doesn't look like we'll be getting round to the "good stuff" just yet.

This is a shame as I do think Waltz writes the turtles and Splinter very well. I'd like to have seen more of this rather than spending five issues ultimate-izing the characters.



I was excited about Old Hob as I figured we weren't getting an army of mutants and he was billed as a different but just as important villain as the Shredder and well....he just isn't.

I agree that the earlier issues could have been utilized better. At least that is my perspective so far. I can't imagine going back and reading issue's 1-4 in the long run, honestly. I'll probably usually start with 5, 6, and the Raph Micro, in the future, which were the issues I've really enjoyed so far.

Originally Posted by Jester

Peter seems to take it all to heart, even if we didn't intend to be hurtful.

Aw.

[CyberCubed]

Issues 1-4 are great and if you read them as one story arc it opened this universe quite nicely.

[Mayhem]

Maybe when we look back at #1-4 here in context they will appear better, but they didn't spring out at me like the early originals did. I guess because they are a story arc, not singles, and that things are a little spread out in explaining. I have still enjoyed them though.

[oldmanwinters]

To be honest, if I wasn't a hard-core TMNT fan, I probably would have dropped the title after issue #4.

Of course... the hype behind #5 may have drawn me back in one more time just so I could finally get the full(er?) origin story.

I do have high hopes for the near future of IDW, however!

[CyberCubed]

It is bizarre that PL said he would erase it all in a second if he could go back in time. Not only is it strange because he flat out said his daughter Emily might not have existed...but this made him a millionaire.

No matter how successfull he might have become being an illustrator, he sure as hell would have never become a millionaire like he did when TMNT became really big.

And as he said, what about all the friendships he made over the years through the Turtles? The enthusiasm from fans? The impact on pop culture?

It really is weird. It almost makes it seem like he feels he wasted his life on the TMNT franchise and wanted to be something else.

[Samhain]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

It is bizarre that PL said he would erase it all in a second if he could go back in time. Not only is it strange because he flat out said his daughter Emily might not have existed...but this made him a millionaire.

No matter how successfull he might have become being an illustrator, he sure as hell would have never become a millionaire like he did when TMNT became really big.

And as he said, what about all the friendships he made over the years through the Turtles? The enthusiasm from fans? The impact on pop culture?

It really is weird. It almost makes it seem like he feels he wasted his life on the TMNT franchise and wanted to be something else.

Yeah. I just wanna know what has he LOST by being the co-creator of the Tmnt? One of the reasons why I have such a huge heart for the Tmnt franchise as a whole is it's kinda the american dream. Stuff they make movies about. Just 2 regular guys, late one night decide to do a silly comic. It takes the world by storm and they get rich. Maybe 10 years away from the turtles will put everything into perspective for Peter.

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by Samhain

Yeah. I just wanna know what has he LOST by being the co-creator of the Tmnt? One of the reasons why I have such a huge heart for the Tmnt franchise as a whole is it's kinda the american dream. Stuff they make movies about. Just 2 regular guys, late one night decide to do a silly comic. It takes the world by storm and they get rich. Maybe 10 years away from the turtles will put everything into perspective for Peter.

Agreed, its not like his family life is bad either. He has a wife that's been with him for like 20 years, he has a daughter in College, he still keeps in touch with his friends at Mirage, etc.

If he was divorced, never had kids, and was a bitter old man living by himself I could see where the disdain stemmed from...but that's clearly not the case. His family life seems very positive and loving.

[Donnie]

I'm glad he feels the same way most of us do about the first film, though. The ideal TMNT movie.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

It is bizarre that PL said he would erase it all in a second if he could go back in time. Not only is it strange because he flat out said his daughter Emily might not have existed...but this made him a millionaire.

He specifically said he would only go back if it meant his daughter wouldn't cease to exist.

[Jester]

I am reminded of the old adage, "Money can't buy happiness."

Just sayin'.

EDIT: Also, didn't he say "Emily as we know her..." Meaning the Turtles in a way shaped her life quite a bit, and she'd be a different person if she wasn't the daughter of "that guy who created the Turtles."

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by Jester

I am reminded of the old adage, "Money can't buy happiness."

Just sayin'.

EDIT: Also, didn't he say "Emily as we know her..." Meaning the Turtles in a way shaped her life quite a bit, and she'd be a different person if she wasn't the daughter of "that guy who created the Turtles."

Its common sense if you have a baby in a different year, it won't be the same baby as you would have had otherwise.

If you went back in time to have your first born a year later than what it was originally...it would turn out to be an entirely different baby or person.

[Samhain]

This thread is getting weird...

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by Samhain

This thread is getting weird...

We're trying to get inside Peter Laird's head, that's all.

[Noah13]

TMNT is known for being re-invented. Think about all the different versions we have of the turtles.

The IDW is just another re-invention, and from what I've read from Peter Laird, he doesn't like change to his work.

I like the IDW verison. Seeing some ideas from OT being brought into comic form and having a gritty feel to it, just keeps things interesting.

Its just getting hard to still like the guy when he negativity criticizes on other peoples interpretations all the time.

[Dovahkiin]

I agree with Peter on the changes to TMNT. The idea of Old Hob is not great in any way and it is true that it does seem like "...there just seem to be alot of changes made for change's sake."-Peter Laird. I also believe that none of the changes make sense.

Like April O'Niel naming the turtles and the idea of them being mutated instantly into teenagers and all of a sudden develope deep feelings for one another, which is unrealistic behaviour.

-but in the end I can't deny the fact that IDW did create a interesting setup for TMNT. Even though I have alot of dislikes I will still read/watch the comic and new show and just enjoy it for it's own reasons.

[Dovahkiin]

Originally Posted by Noah13

TMNT is known for being re-invented. Think about all the different versions we have of the turtles.

The IDW is just another re-invention, and from what I've read from Peter Laird, he doesn't like change to his work.

I like the IDW verison. Seeing some ideas from OT being brought into comic form and having a gritty feel to it, just keeps things interesting.

Its just getting hard to still like the guy when he negativity criticizes on other peoples interpretations all the time.

Many great directors and developers state their dislikes of a product for the sake of improvement. It is the hard part but the people who make the product must heed a critic's review. Paying attention to only the likes will cease innovation that would make the product better.

[Andrew NDB]

Myself, I think it's premature for Peter to say there's changes for the sake of changes... when we have not yet seen the fruition of those changes, where the plot threads will take us to.

It's true, they may take us to... crap. But I really suspect not.

[Plasticplayhouse]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

What do you mean? Vol. 2 in color was something he pushed for.

Volume two being colorized was originally something that I looked forward to during vol one. I always thought, "man if the turtles were in color it would be even more awesome!" Once vol two hit, I quickly came to the realisation that black & white was a big part of what I really loved about the turtle comics. It added to the grittiness that the turtle comics were known and loved for. IMO that was one of the major reasons vol two tanked. I think many fans found that colorization was a mammoth change that was better in theory than actuality. After the first two issues I was (temporarily) done with the turtles. A big part of my being done with them was the feeling of being let down and the fact I was going into high school so my new priorities were girls and saving up for a car. The tmnt comic just didn't feel the same anymore.

Any way...I also agree with Pete about the borders and comic being able to breath.

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by Dovahkiin

I agree with Peter on the changes to TMNT. The idea of Old Hob is not great in any way and it is true that it does seem like

Its quite obvious Old Hob is in the series for the long haul. I truly expect him to go rogue and betray Baxter and/or Krang.

Like April O'Niel naming the turtles and the idea of them being mutated instantly into teenagers and all of a sudden develope deep feelings for one another, which is unrealistic behaviour.

April naming the Turtles is actually clever, when you think that they already had previous names in this version. After all, why would Splinter name them again then?