Two new "old" characters in IDW! *SPOILERS*

[AquaParade]

Great interview and awesome cover! Thanks for posting.

I absolutely love reading these interviews and getting a peek behind the scenes with Bobby, Tom, or Kevin. Please keep doing these guys, I find them fascinating.

[old_hob88]

Originally Posted by oldmanwinters

If I remember, Eastman started a fan club where subscribers could get advanced peeks at his various drawings and cover concepts. I'm guessing some subscriber decided to share the wealth on that French fansite. International immunity, I guess?

Nah Kevin leaked the info at the con he was at in Belgium this weekend

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Originally Posted by Bobby Curnow

This was definitely not meant to be shared! Cat is out of bag, but yeah: this was meant to be secret, so consider yourself spoiled.

Originally Posted by AlZarkovski

New interview with Waltz and Curnow on “TMNT” 60+ Issues In!

Spoiler:

http://multiversitystatic.s3.amazona...TMNT71_cvr.jpg

Great interview! Sorry stuff got spoiled... I'm sure it annoys the team.

That said, I'm definitely excited for #71-72. But first... BACK TO BISHOP.

[TigerClaw]

Originally Posted by MikeandRaph87

So Jagwar and Mammoth are going to appear in #71/72. Jagwar like Nill has been gender flipped. That is fine, but what would Null and Jagwar of Archie say in response? Friend or foe? Pantheon members? Mutants? Something else?

I wonder if they are gonna make Jagwar a mutant, and they will borrow the idea from the archie comic of him being born of a human mother, and jaguar spirit.

[CyberCubed]

Hard to believe after this and the Trial of Krang, IDW TMNT will be at nearly 80 issues. After that just 20 issues till the big 100. They're probably going to wrap up a lot of the major plotlines by then, most obvious one being the Pantheon finally, so I hope they take care of a lot of the groundwork now.

[AquaParade]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Hard to believe after this and the Trial of Krang, IDW TMNT will be at nearly 80 issues. After that just 20 issues till the big 100. They're probably going to wrap up a lot of the major plotlines by then, most obvious one being the Pantheon finally, so I hope they take care of a lot of the groundwork now.

It is pretty impressive what they've manage to do, especially given the current state of the comic book industry and it's struggle to keep readers hooked without a new #1.

That said, I wouldn't mind a fresh start after issue #100/150. By that I mean a new main writer and set of artists to shake things up and give a fresh direction. I'd still love to see Kevin involved in whatever capacity.

I'm blown away by what the current team has been able to achieve in regards to keeping things consistent over such a long period of time, but I do think it's nearly time to see what another team can do with the reigns.

That said, I'd never wish anyone out of a job, the current book is something special, and "the grass is always greener...", so I look forward to whatever comes next for this book.

[CyberCubed]

Well all the specials and Universe have different writers already. I prefer they continue with the same continuity until whenever the series ends or gets canceled, which hopefully won't be for a long time.

[ChosenOne]

I've repeatedly stated that I feel like this book can go to #150 and possibly even further beyond. There's just so much history to mine, and new original directions to take, that a reboot/relaunch wouldn't really be bringing anything worthwhile to the table. How would it start? Another feud with Shredder? Nope, much better they stay the course and keep building on the world and its characters. IDW TMNT can go up to #200, if it keeps up this level of quality.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Originally Posted by AquaParade

That said, I wouldn't mind a fresh start after issue #100/150. By that I mean a new main writer and set of artists to shake things up and give a fresh direction. I'd still love to see Kevin involved in whatever capacity.

No way, man, the main comic industry (DC/Marvel) is nothing BUT new starts, restarts, refreshes, reboots, retreads... all plot and character developments are overwritten or undone in a couple of years.

I'd MUCH rather see this build to Issue #300. Just keep going and going. Then, if Bobby, Tom, and Kevin run out of ideas, build to an epic climax and end.

THEN a new take.

[ProphetofGanja]

Originally Posted by AquaParade

That said, I wouldn't mind a fresh start after issue #100/150. By that I mean a new main writer and set of artists to shake things up and give a fresh direction. I'd still love to see Kevin involved in whatever capacity.

Nooooooo. We already have a rotating stable of artists for the main ongoing and TMNTU and other minis have different writers all the time. It would be dumb as hell to say "hmm we've got a phenomenal team that has reached an incredible milestone, let's fire them all and bring in a new team". That's just my opinion though. I'm super stoked that this series is well on its way to an issue #100, something other TMNT comics haven't achieved.

That being said, I could understand if the team decided to restart their numbering after #100, without rebooting. Call it a jumping on point for new readers, whatever, it'll probably be a new and interesting status quo anyways. The Turtles will likely have laid to rest some of their foes for good and have a whole new batch of enemies to fight. Those of us who have been here since the early days will know that that #1 is really a #101.

[ChosenOne]

Originally Posted by ProphetofGanja

Nooooooo. We already have a rotating stable of artists for the main ongoing and TMNTU and other minis have different writers all the time. It would be dumb as hell to say "hmm we've got a phenomenal team that has reached an incredible milestone, let's fire them all and bring in a new team". That's just my opinion though. I'm super stoked that this series is well on its way to an issue #100, something other TMNT comics haven't achieved.

That being said, I could understand if the team decided to restart their numbering after #100, without rebooting. Call it a jumping on point for new readers, whatever, it'll probably be a new and interesting status quo anyways. The Turtles will likely have laid to rest some of their foes for good and have a whole new batch of enemies to fight. Those of us who have been here since the early days will know that that #1 is really a #101.

I'd still prefer it being numbered as #101 and onwards. It's a silly notion that every successful comic needs to relaunch constantly, IDW TMNT is consistently the best book(s) on the market right now and I'd love to see it go on without resorting to such fanbase-alienating gimmicks.

Making it past 100 issues and counting should be a badge of honor, not something to be ashamed of.

[ProphetofGanja]

Originally Posted by ChosenOne

I'd still prefer it being numbered as #101 and onwards. It's a silly notion that every successful comic needs to relaunch constantly, IDW TMNT is consistently the best book(s) on the market right now and I'd love to see it go on without resorting to such fanbase-alienating gimmicks.

Making it past 100 issues and counting should be a badge of honor, not something to be ashamed of.

While I agree that a series reaching issue #100 is a badge of honor and a sign that the creative team definitely knows wtf they're doing, it seems to me that with the state of the comics industry as it is, as a series' issue numbers go up and up and up, it can become more and more intimidating for new readers to jump in.

Think about it like this: if you could choose between getting another 100 issues, guaranteed, with no reboot and all plot threads being continued, but with the issue numbering starting over, or another 100 issues starting at #101 but with only a, let's say, 50% chance of sales staying strong enough to get through another 100 issues without getting canceled before then, which would you choose?? I know I'd go for the sure thing! Of course things aren't nearly that simple in real life, but just as a simple thought exercise I would much rather IDW do what is best for the series' longevity than get caught up on something as trivial as issue numbering.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Originally Posted by ProphetofGanja

While I agree that a series reaching issue #100 is a badge of honor and a sign that the creative team definitely knows wtf they're doing, it seems to me that with the state of the comics industry as it is, as a series' issue numbers go up and up and up, it can become more and more intimidating for new readers to jump in.

Think about it like this: if you could choose between getting another 100 issues, guaranteed, with no reboot and all plot threads being continued, but with the issue numbering starting over, or another 100 issues starting at #101 but with only a, let's say, 50% chance of sales staying strong enough to get through another 100 issues without getting canceled before then, which would you choose?? I know I'd go for the sure thing! Of course things aren't nearly that simple in real life, but just as a simple thought exercise I would much rather IDW do what is best for the series' longevity than get caught up on something as trivial as issue numbering.

If it's only a matter of branding/numbering, then I don't care. Do what makes sense for the property.

[AlessandraDC]

I agree. I'm sick of re-launching! TMNT is doing great right now. They have good writing and artistic talents. I say keep it up! TMNT Universe definitely allows for them to try out other things and types of stories. In the future, there may be something that works really well on Universe that can be carried over. But I for one, am happy with the continuity of the main book!

[AquaParade]

I can understand why I am in the minority on wanting a "fresh start". It's a breath of fresh air, what IDW is doing with their numbering.

[ChosenOne]

Originally Posted by ProphetofGanja

Think about it like this: if you could choose between getting another 100 issues, guaranteed, with no reboot and all plot threads being continued, but with the issue numbering starting over, or another 100 issues starting at #101 but with only a, let's say, 50% chance of sales staying strong enough to get through another 100 issues without getting canceled before then, which would you choose?? I know I'd go for the sure thing! Of course things aren't nearly that simple in real life, but just as a simple thought exercise I would much rather IDW do what is best for the series' longevity than get caught up on something as trivial as issue numbering.

Honestly? I realize this may be an unpopular opinion, but if the cancellation left them enough time to wrap things up with one big bang of a final arc (like what Invincible is doing), I'd rather things just kept going as they are. Even if sales dip, they won't believably dip that far and that fast that the cancellation can't be seen coming in time to properly end the series. But this is just me. I blame Marvel and DC for giving me an aversion to all things reboot and relaunch.

You have to realize that the jumping-on point notion wouldn't afford them that much extra leeway if things were really that bad... It's a temporary fix, 10 issues or so into the relaunch and sales would be the same as they were in a post-100 landscape. That's almost always the case.

[CyberCubed]

Honestly issue count going on past #101 is just a number. IDW TMNT ALREADY has 100+ issues when you count all the specials/mini's/Universe combined.

If they feel starting over at #1 after issue 100 comes out will increase sales and keep the series around, that's for the best. It'll likely keep the same continuity and I doubt Tom or Bobby will quit anytime soon, so we'll have the same creative team.

[ChosenOne]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Honestly issue count going on past #101 is just a number. IDW TMNT ALREADY has 100+ issues when you count all the specials/mini's/Universe combined.

If they feel starting over at #1 after issue 100 comes out will increase sales and keep the series around, that's for the best. It'll likely keep the same continuity and I doubt Tom or Bobby will quit anytime soon, so we'll have the same creative team.

It is and it isn't just a number. Imagine if, for instance, The Walking Dead comic had started over after issue #100. Same exact continuity, same exact characters, same exact creative team. Would it have worked? Would it have been well received? Would it have boosted the sales any more?

Now, I'm not gonna comment on the quality of that comic post-All Out War, but for such a great series as IDW TMNT, and all things being equal, I'd rather they kept pushing the envelope as far as they can on the numbering. Counting past 100 says to the readers, both current and potential: "Look, here is a confident long-running comic that isn't afraid of its own history, it's good and we know it, why don't you come find out too?"

How often are readers hooked solely on relaunches, anyway? Isn't that a bit too 90's speculative boom-ish? Personally, I've often picked up new comics (Afterlife with Archie, Manifest Destiny, etc) several issues in and only because someone told me about them, or I read something about them online that made me curious. Word of mouth can have a much more positive impact than seeing a new #1 in the stores.

[AquaParade]

Anyone else curious as to what Tom is hinting at when he mentions having a bigger reveal than the reincarnation aspect?

The reincarnation idea really was fantastic, so I'm definitely curious to see what other big plans he has in store before issue 100. Any hints, Tom?

[ChosenOne]

Originally Posted by AquaParade

Anyone else curious as to what Tom is hinting at when he mentions having a bigger reveal than the reincarnation aspect?

The reincarnation idea really was fantastic, so I'm definitely curious to see what other big plans he has in store before issue 100. Any hints, Tom?

I definitely am, and I got the impression he has more than one big reveal up his sleeve. Considering the recent focus on the Pantheon, it's likely (but not 100% guaranteed) to be something that involves their machinations.