Will Tupper's "Practical Jokes" (Michelangelo backup comic) - Page 2

GreenWillow · 09-02-2010, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nelson

...
Although it begs the question: would Mike still be the man (turtle) with the jokes if he had lost an arm, or an eye, or half his body?

All the more, I would think. Mikey's the kind of guy who would be cracking jokes on his death bed just to keep his brothers' spirits up.

***First of Two Latin Kings*** · 09-02-2010, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenWillow

All the more, I would think. Mikey's the kind of guy who would be cracking jokes on his death bed just to keep his brothers' spirits up.

I agree. I was in the wrong mindset when I originally read this, put into context it is really good (the joke itself is kind of dumb in my opinion but it works well within the actual story). The thing I really struggled with was the fact that this took place within the Image universe, as much as I LOVE the Image turtles, they aren't really "the same" as the Mirage turtles--so essentially, we have the Image turtles acting out of character (because they're acting like the Mirage turtles) so it is almost like this story takes place in an alternate alternate time line. I don't want to sound like I'm bashing it, I have a lot of respect for all three of you: Andrew, GreenWillow/Donna, and Will Tupper-- I tend to read between the lines too much...sometimes a short is just a short.

*Powder* · 09-02-2010, 07:20 PM

The image turtles by no means ever acted out of character. They were so well defined in that series. Gary took what LITTLE he had to work with and went from there. Maybe the first 2-3 issues are a little off but outside of that, they're the same guys.

jaymq · 09-03-2010, 07:25 AM

That was enjoyable. I like when people can write Mikey as a likable jokester. <3

willtupper · 09-04-2010, 07:00 PM

Y'all are incredibly kind.

While I don't associate any of the Turtles with any particular religious worldview (outside of the sort-of requisite Zen / Taoist ideals inherit with, you know. Being a ninja

), this poem is something I like to associate with the Mikey in my imagination.

I probably would have worked it into a future story, had I had the chance. It was a favorite ot the late Chris Farley (a biography of him, The Chris Farley Show, is where I first heard it mentioned).

The author is unknown:

The Clown's Prayer

As I stumble through this life,
help me to create more laughter than tears,
dispense more cheer than gloom,
spread more cheer than despair.

Never let me become so indifferent,
that I will fail to see the wonders in the eyes of a child,
or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged.

Never let me forget that my total effort is to cheer people,
make them happy, and forget momentarily,
all the unpleasantness in their lives.

And in my final moment,
may I hear You whisper:
"When you made My people smile,
you made Me smile."

I also associate this poem with Mikey, and imagine he would quite like it. It was a favorite of the great Stan Laurel:

God bless all clowns.
Who star in the world with laughter,
Who ring the rafters with flying jest,
Who make the world spin merry on its way.

God bless all clowns.
So poor the world would be,
Lacking their piquant touch, hilarity,
The belly laughs, the ringing lovely.

God bless all clowns.
Give them a long good life,
Make bright their way—they’re a race apart!
Alchemists most, who turn their hearts’ pain,
Into a dazzling jest to lift the heart.
God bless all clowns.

I love the idea of Mikey as a kind of "comedy missionary." Looking through my notebook the other night, I found this line: "Laughter is the opposite of war." I definitely would have put that into "Practical Jokes," had I written it at the time.

You all rule. Thank you, again

.

***First of Two Latin Kings*** · 09-05-2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powder

The image turtles by no means ever acted out of character. They were so well defined in that series. Gary took what LITTLE he had to work with and went from there. Maybe the first 2-3 issues are a little off but outside of that, they're the same guys.

Those were orignally GW's words, NOT mine. We went back and forth about this for years and she finally convinced me that the Image turtles (with the exception of maybe Raph) are NOT the Mirage turtles.

*Andrew NDB* · 09-05-2010, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ***CJJ***

Those were orignally GW's words, NOT mine. We went back and forth about this for years and she finally convinced me that the Image turtles (with the exception of maybe Raph) are NOT the Mirage turtles.

Stop listening to her.

GreenWillow · 09-06-2010, 12:50 AM

I've been misquoted.

(Phhbbttt!!)

*Luzmagica* · 09-06-2010, 12:50 AM

I love it!!

Thanks a lot for share!!! ^-^

***First of Two Latin Kings*** · 09-06-2010, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenWillow

I've been misquoted.

(Phhbbttt!!)

If I had truly misquoted you, you'd be mad!!!

*shuriken* · 09-06-2010, 06:38 PM

It's a pretty cool little story. Mikey was always the one that would brighten the mood not to steal the show, but to raise his brother's spirits.

*Sage Ninja* · 09-07-2010, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

Stop listening to her.

seconded. Really. I thought Michelangelo was spot on in that series.

*Andrew NDB* · 09-07-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sage Ninja

seconded. Really. I thought Michelangelo was spot on in that series.

Absolutely. Vol. 3 did more for Michelangelo by itself than any comic or any volume before or after it.

*Kendamu* · 09-08-2010, 12:09 PM

Vol. 3 actually has one of my favorite issues ever and probably my favorite Mikey story ever. I just wish I could find the damn thing (the one where he rescues Shadow from the mob).

About the short, though, I'm a little late to the party but this little story is freakin' amazing. It gives Mike so much context to how he acts and confirms a lot of things for me. It says a lot of things in just a few pages.

willtupper · 09-08-2010, 06:09 PM

Thank you, Goongasnootch. You've got great comic taste AND a killer screen name!

**Venom** · 09-08-2010, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goongasnootch

Vol. 3 actually has one of my favorite issues ever and probably my favorite Mikey story ever. I just wish I could find the damn thing (the one where he rescues Shadow from the mob).

Volume 3, #8. It has the cover of Mike hiding in front of a gargoyle, guarding Shadow, while some armed mobsters patrol the area.

Adam · 09-09-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by discordiatookie

I gotta ask - who be this Adam O. Pruett fella? He a regular in here, or is ha an actual letterer? Or even both? Anyhoo, I like the cut of his jib.

I'm a regular lurker, if that counts. I promised myself I wouldn't keep joining message boards as I already waste enough time on the computer as it is... but I'm pretty sure that's a promise I'm not gonna be able to keep.

Anyway, yes, I am a letterer, though I've really only done indy stuff. Thanks for your kind words.

*Kendamu* · 09-09-2010, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venom

Volume 3, #8. It has the cover of Mike hiding in front of a gargoyle, guarding Shadow, while some armed mobsters patrol the area.

I know which it is but I can't find a copy.

*Andrew NDB* · 09-10-2010, 09:13 PM

You can download a .PDF of it in HQ here.

Nelson · 09-11-2010, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

I'm a regular lurker, if that counts. I promised myself I wouldn't keep joining message boards as I already waste enough time on the computer as it is... but I'm pretty sure that's a promise I'm not gonna be able to keep.

Anyway, yes, I am a letterer, though I've really only done indy stuff. Thanks for your kind words.

Welcome to the forums!

09-03-2010, 07:25 AM	#24
jaymq Hench Mutant Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 435	That was enjoyable. I like when people can write Mikey as a likable jokester. <3 __________________ Nom

09-06-2010, 12:50 AM	#28
GreenWillow Hench Mutant Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: The Mountains Posts: 425	I've been misquoted. (Phhbbttt!!) __________________ Hugs, kisses, GreenFaerieDust(tm) and a small vial of Belladonna. Life is good.

09-06-2010, 12:50 AM	#29
Luzmagica A Magic Light Dudette! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Spain. Posts: 3,878	I love it!! Thanks a lot for share!!! ^-^ __________________

09-06-2010, 06:38 PM	#31
shuriken Second City Shinobi Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chi-town Posts: 4,182	It's a pretty cool little story. Mikey was always the one that would brighten the mood not to steal the show, but to raise his brother's spirits. __________________ Some things are better left unsaid. This isn't one of them

09-10-2010, 09:13 PM	#39
Andrew NDB Weed Whacker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 34,479	You can download a .PDF of it in HQ here. __________________ [ ODYSSEY \| ORIGIN \| THE IMAGE/VOL. 3 CONCLUSION \| THE SHELLSHOCKED PODCAST \| ON FACEBOOK ]

09-02-2010, 07:20 PM	#23
Powder 40 Years of TMNT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shell-Ri-La Posts: 26,945	The image turtles by no means ever acted out of character. They were so well defined in that series. Gary took what LITTLE he had to work with and went from there. Maybe the first 2-3 issues are a little off but outside of that, they're the same guys.

09-04-2010, 07:00 PM	#25
willtupper Official TMNT Staff/Cast Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 322	Y'all are incredibly kind. While I don't associate any of the Turtles with any particular religious worldview (outside of the sort-of requisite Zen / Taoist ideals inherit with, you know. Being a ninja ), this poem is something I like to associate with the Mikey in my imagination. I probably would have worked it into a future story, had I had the chance. It was a favorite ot the late Chris Farley (a biography of him, The Chris Farley Show, is where I first heard it mentioned). The author is unknown: The Clown's Prayer As I stumble through this life, help me to create more laughter than tears, dispense more cheer than gloom, spread more cheer than despair. Never let me become so indifferent, that I will fail to see the wonders in the eyes of a child, or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged. Never let me forget that my total effort is to cheer people, make them happy, and forget momentarily, all the unpleasantness in their lives. And in my final moment, may I hear You whisper: "When you made My people smile, you made Me smile." I also associate this poem with Mikey, and imagine he would quite like it. It was a favorite of the great Stan Laurel: God bless all clowns. Who star in the world with laughter, Who ring the rafters with flying jest, Who make the world spin merry on its way. God bless all clowns. So poor the world would be, Lacking their piquant touch, hilarity, The belly laughs, the ringing lovely. God bless all clowns. Give them a long good life, Make bright their way—they’re a race apart! Alchemists most, who turn their hearts’ pain, Into a dazzling jest to lift the heart. God bless all clowns. I love the idea of Mikey as a kind of "comedy missionary." Looking through my notebook the other night, I found this line: "Laughter is the opposite of war." I definitely would have put that into "Practical Jokes," had I written it at the time. You all rule. Thank you, again .

09-08-2010, 12:09 PM	#34
Kendamu Sewerhead Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,890	Vol. 3 actually has one of my favorite issues ever and probably my favorite Mikey story ever. I just wish I could find the damn thing (the one where he rescues Shadow from the mob). About the short, though, I'm a little late to the party but this little story is freakin' amazing. It gives Mike so much context to how he acts and confirms a lot of things for me. It says a lot of things in just a few pages.

09-08-2010, 06:09 PM	#35
willtupper Official TMNT Staff/Cast Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 322	Thank you, Goongasnootch. You've got great comic taste AND a killer screen name!