Peter Laird issues a statement

[Andrew NDB]

From his blog:

This evening, my daughter Emily wisely advised me to make a statement about the MTVN/Viacom/Nickelodeon buyout of the TMNT property on my blog... so I am going to try to do that. I suspect it won't be the last statement I will make about this subject.

I will try to touch on some of the things that folks have inquired about, but I can't guarantee that all questions will be answered.

First, why did I sell the TMNT? There are a number of reasons, but first and foremost is that I have been doing this TMNT thing for twenty-five years, sixteen of them in partnership with TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman and the last nine as sole owner of the property. That is a long time. It is almost half my life (I'm 55). I never expected to be working on the same thing for this long. And it has worn me down. I am no longer that guy who carries his sketchbook around with him and draws in it every chance he gets. That guy did all of the pre-TMNT artwork you have been seeing on this blog in many of my "Blast from the Past" posts.

I miss -- I really, really miss -- being that guy.

My fervent hope is that by divesting myself of this wonderful but needful-of-constant-attention property, I might -- I just MIGHT -- get back to being that guy. Or something LIKE that guy.

It will come as no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention that my energy level for things TMNT has flagged in these last few years. As one result, the production of TMNT Volume 4 comics has slowed to a crawl. That's not good. I have a conclusion planned out for that series, and at some point I want to get to it. Maybe this sale will help me get to that point. We'll see.

The idea of a sale of the TMNT property to a third party is not a new one. Kevin and I, while we were still partners, discussed it during the 1990's and actually came to the conclusion that if the right deal came our way, we would take it. We got a couple of offers -- one of which was, in retrospect, pretty decent, and another which was simply ludicrous and insulting. We took neither of them. This one, this sale which was completed on Monday of this week, came out of the blue. I was not actively pursuing selling the property, though Gary (CEO of Mirage) and Fred (my attorney) knew that it was something I might be interested in should the right buyer with the right deal come my way. And then Viacom/MTVN/Nickelodeon showed interest and we started talking.

I've known for a long time that at some point in my life I would sell the TMNT. I just wasn't sure when it would happen. But, as they say, in this case "the stars lined up".

I know that many fans are concerned with how the TMNT will be treated now that they have a new owner. I am also concerned, but I have faith that the new owner will treat the property with due respect and make the most of it. And the simple fact is -- I didn't have it in me any more, and the property DESERVED a new owner. Now it has one, with powerful roots in the entertainment business. I am actually quite excited to see where they take TMNT.

I am pretty certain that what Viacom/MTVN/Nickelodeon will do with the TMNT is NOT going to be what I would have done with it had I kept ownership. But is that necessarily bad? I think not. For example, if Kevin and I had had our way back in 1987, the original TMNT animated series would have been a lot different. It would probably have been a lot more like the 2003 4Kids show. Now, I really like the newer 4Kids series, but I also know that many fans much prefer the lighter, goofier original series. I don't know what the new Nickelodeon series will be like... but maybe it will be something better than either of the old shows, or simply something new and different, with a fresh approach and attitude. I think everyone should wait and see before passing judgment.

One comment -- which I have seen online several times -- expresses the sentiment that this sale will mean "the end of TMNT". This baffles me. Unless I am completely naive, the sale to Viacom could very well mean a brighter future for the TMNT property than was previously feasible.

On a final note (at least for this statement), please understand that I sold the TMNT property, not Mirage Studios. Mirage still exists, and it's still my company. It just doesn't own the TMNT intellectual property anymore. I'm not sure what its future will be. For a little while, it will be helping with the transition of TMNT over to its new owners. But after that...? I don't know. What I am hoping, however, is that this little core group of creators sticks together, both as friends and collaborators. And I think that is certainly possible. -- PL

[CyberCubed]

The way he words that, it's almost as if the deal was made on an impulse decision.

I always figured he'd sell TMNT when he was in his late 60's or something, not now at 55. Its almost as if he simply decided to retire early and had his fill up the franchise.

I respect his decision and all, and we have to wait and see if this actually turns out to be a good thing, but the fact that the franchise is continuing without Peter Laird (or Kevin Eastman) truly makes this the end of an era.

[Cipher]

However dissappointed I am on a personal level, I don't blame Laird at all. Had my late-night joke become a multi-million dollar franchise, I probably would've sold it long ago.

[ZariusTwo]

I'm glad he's decided to focus less on buisness (where his preferences got in the way of diverse ideas, for better or for worse), and try to refocus himself. This has been a tough period for him.

[Buffy]

I can understand why he wanted to sell the TMNT property. Hopefully Mirage will continue to bring new comics out. I'm interested in those dino comics Jim Lawson was working on.

[Archon_Turtle]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

The way he words that, it's almost as if the deal was made on an impulse decision.

I can promise you that this was not an impulse decision.

Edit: Additionally, I am not suprised, but very appauled at the sheer amount of douche-baggery going on in the comments of petes blog.

[onyx]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

One comment -- which I have seen online several times -- expresses the sentiment that this sale will mean "the end of TMNT". This baffles me. Unless I am completely naive, the sale to Viacom could very well mean a brighter future for the TMNT property than was previously feasible.

Thumbs up. For all we know, the future of the franchise was uncertain to say the least. Now we're sure there is going to be more, because no one buys a franchise and does nothing with it. Only time will tell whether the future is going to be good or bad, but at least we now know there is going to be a future.

[ZariusTwo]

Originally Posted by onyx

Now we're sure there is going to be more, because no one buys a franchise and does nothing with it.

[onyx]

Pixar isn't a franchise in the same sense as the TMNT And... let's not be that sceptical yet?

[Archon_Turtle]

Originally Posted by ZariusTwo

Are we not counting Up and Toy Story 3?

[Wildcat]

Well if he was tired of all the attention TMNT needed and the work he could of just taken a break from the franchise but still of kept ownership.

However after reading this I have a bit more respect for his decision, but why did he have to pick Nick? The offer came all of sudden yet he didnt feel a need to think of it for awhile and maybe think that some other company would be better?

So its like the first huge offer he gets that he thinks is enough and he says ok without thinking how the TMNT could turn out?

[Buffy]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

However after reading this I have a bit more respect for his decision, but why did he have to pick Nick? The offer came all of sudden yet he didnt feel a need to think of it for awhile and maybe think that some other company would be better?

So its like the first huge offer he gets that he thinks is enough and he says ok without thinking how the TMNT could turn out?

I don't think it really matters which big company purchases the franchise, it can always turn out right or wrong. For example: Disney has made a lot of good stuff but there have also been some rather crappy things they produced. It goes the same for Fox: Buffy the vampire slayer was a big hit, while Dollhouse isn't.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by Buffy

I don't think it really matters which big company purchases the franchise, it can always turn out right or wrong. For example: Disney has made a lot of good stuff but there have also been some rather crappy things they produced. It goes the same for Fox: Buffy the vampire slayer was a big hit, while Dollhouse isn't.

You have a point, but imo Nick has a longer track record for crap...I mean its like once the 90s were over they just went completly downhill with all the teeny-bopper stuff and thier main channel hardly showes that much, most of thier line-up is NickJr. and Nick@Nite.

Although I would not of picked Disney either...Pixar says it all. I would waited for something else. Even Cartoon Network, though not as great as it used to be, they have some good shows imo and keep a pretty consistent flow of new things.

[odupianist]

I feel for Peter after reading this. As a musician, I can understand how he feels about being that guy with the sketch pad. So I really hope for him that he can do that. Personally, I think a hiatus might have been better for him, but even then, I'm sure it would still be in the back of his mind while he was taking a break. So best of luck to him, and who knows, this break for him might help inspire something fresh and new from Mirage that will start another 25 years of great memories.

I am still hoping for a garage sale at the Mirage Studios so I can stock up on the books I don't have and so I can meet the guys at the studio since I never have before lol

[siamese goat]

I feel it was a good decision. Yes it is the end of an era but not the Turtles. I liken it to musicians that change sounds, there is only so many times you can play the same song the same way before you get burnt out. I hope there is a break and then a return to comics with a new spark and maybe some new characters to get into like the turtles.

As for the Nick decision that too makes sense. Disney tends to do a little and then lock things in their "vault". Cartoon network does not give things long enough before they change the schedule to where no one can find it and then scrap it due to lack of interest. At least with Nick there is plans to take time to develop it into a proper series and they do back what they put out by giving it time to catch on and even bring back older stuff from time to time to try and gather a new interest.

[plastroncafe]

I'll admit it, I kind of wanted to give Mr. Laird a hug after reading that. And as silly as it sounds? I'm glad he waited until later in the day to issue a statement. There was no small amount of grieving that needed to happen yesterday, and an immediate statement would have probably hit me at the wrong stage in that process.

You know, the angry stage.

Nothing good would come from that.

This doesn't change my disappointment in the series of events, and I am still disappointed. I used to believe that the Turtles stood for something, and...that was a belief that I projected onto them, and not something that they ever set out to do.

It took some time to remind myself that Mirage Studios didn't really set out to start and maintain a revolution. And it's just not fair to expect Peter to be the general of an army fighting a war that he very well may never have wanted to "fight" to begin with.

I don't know, I'm thinking maybe this reply doesn't make nearly as much sense as I was hoping it would.

I'd love to drop Peter a note and apologize for all the negative energy I helped release into the universe yesterday, but methinks that'd make me come across as some sort of new-agy crackpot. So instead I'll blather here about how I'm finally reaching that "Acceptance" stage of grief, and then quote pithily from the comics:

Life at best is bittersweet.

[General Traag]

Originally Posted by plastroncafe

I'll admit it, I kind of wanted to give Mr. Laird a hug after reading that.

Haha, agreed. He's definetely back on my christmas card list. :J

[Lordmylar06]

Thanks for posting this. I admit, when I first heard the news, I was pissed, but after really hearing his point of view it definately softens the blow. I'll miss reading my "new" TMNT, and Tales of the TMNT comics, but there's always a possibilty for the comics to continue.

[BoggleKng]

It will be interesting to what and if the new Movie goes anywhere.. while I agree with cartoonistaaron.. Nick will focus on the OT and the marketable parts of the franchise, I would still like to see something revolving around the comics.. and the original stories of the TMNT.. after all, that is where the story begins.. Turtles Forever would be a great start for Nick to pursue..

[Canadian Turtle]

I am glad to see people are happy for Peter. Mark Sarah and I had this very conversation about getting back to drawing and the "guy with the sketch pad" with Peter when we were with him last. I felt his sincerity in his desire to find his humble roots as an artist when we had that conversation. That is not to say we were discussing anything regarding the potential sale of Turtles at that time with Peter. This feels right to me after hearing Peter say some of these things in person. It is easy for someone to judge from an arms length, know that this is coming from a good place with Peter, this is not some crazy decision made without careful consideration. We should all feel happy for him and hope for the best in the future of TMNT!!