Has anyone else lost interest with the IDW series?

[Samhain]

I am sad to say, I have. When # 1 was released last year, I was really excited about this book. It had that old school, comic Tmnt 'feel'. Started out with a street fight, with the turtles wearin' the good ole' red bandanas. It felt right. But the last few months I have really lost interest.

I dunno, maybe because of all the toon references coming in the book. When they switched the bandanas, I will admit it left me with a sour feeling, that I still kinda have to this day. Don't get me wrong, I still do very much enjoy the book, I get it every month. But I am just not as excited month to month as I was with the first 5 issues. Anyone else share the same feelings?

[CyberCubed]

Not at all. You're just experiencing the usual comic book lull of only one issue coming out a month besides one shots.

I reread all 12 issues, the 6 micros, and Infestation story in the span of one sitting and I enjoyed it even more the second time around. The whole year one story and how everything tied together to the end of #12 was very well done.

I also like the fact that Shredder is sticking around, and that IDW isn't afraid of using old toon or Archie characters. This isn't Mirage and it shouldn't be a copy of it.

So if you lost interest, reread all 12 issues and the 6 micros, you'll probably get right back into it.

[DonatelloFan]

I have. I don't like the whole 'reincarnation' angle, I still haven't gotten used to Dan Duncan's art (which I guess doesn't matter now), and it just seems to be going by too slow (I'm not a regular comic reader aside from TMNT and The Walking Dead).

I mean, The Walking Dead is only once a month, and I'm never bored with it, and am excited for each and every issue. The IDW TMNT, not so much.

Since I haven't read Volume One yet, I'm also excited to read each issue of the Color Classics. I love the series so far. I just can't really get into the IDW. I'm going to keep buying the issues, because it's only what, $8 a month for the ongoing and micro's? I've already gotten all the back issues, so why stop now? Who knows, maybe my interest will pick up one day.

[Zulithe]

While I have not lost interest just yet, If your biggest complaint about the IDW series is the bandana color then I consider you fortunate.

At least things like that make sense. They have different bandana colors in EVERY iteration so why should it really matter?

However, other things like April being the one to name the turtles, the reincarnation stuff, and other major changes to both the origin and characters are actually things worth complaining about, IMO.

[DonatelloFan]

Originally Posted by Zulithe

While I have not lost interest just yet, If your biggest complaint about the IDW series is the bandana color then I consider you fortunate.

I forgot to mention that. Yeah, I don't see why people care about bandana color. This isn't Mirage TMNT, so who cares? There are plenty of other things wrong (in my opinion) with the IDW storyline, but I'm not a writer, so I can't complain much about it.

[Jester]

Originally Posted by DonatelloFan

I forgot to mention that. Yeah, I don't see why people care about bandana color. This isn't Mirage TMNT, so who cares? There are plenty of other things wrong (in my opinion) with the IDW storyline, but I'm not a writer, so I can't complain much about it.

My thoughts on the matter, which I've stated elsewhere as well, is that the main TMNT comic, be it Mirage or IDW should keep the red bandanas. Any spin-off comics, like Archie or Dreamwave I have no problems with, they spun off from colored masked roots. Also, it felt like a bait and switch or a cheat. They started in all red, got us excited for Mirage level grit, then gradually added in the FW stuff with the bandanas and the character nods.

[Samhain]

Originally Posted by Jester

My thoughts on the matter, which I've stated elsewhere as well, is that the main TMNT comic, be it Mirage or IDW should keep the red bandanas. Any spin-off comics, like Archie or Dreamwave I have no problems with, they spun off from colored masked roots. Also, it felt like a bait and switch, or a cheat. They started in all red, got us excited for Mirage level grit, then gradually added in the FW stuff with the bandanas and the character nods.

Exactly. Like I said, the first 4 issues felt like classic gritty Tmnt comic goodness. Now, with all the cartoon aspects already in the comic, plus what's coming, they are losing me. It's turning into the 80's cartoon for grown ups. At least that's what it feels like to me.

[ToTheNines]

I did for a little while early in the summer , but ever since the Splinter micro I've been back.

[MikeandRaph87]

Originally Posted by Samhain

Exactly. Like I said, the first 4 issues felt like classic gritty Tmnt comic goodness. Now, with all the cartoon aspects already in the comic, plus what's coming, they are losing me. It's turning into the 80's cartoon for grown ups. At least that's what it feels like to me.

I think its how do we like our turtles? I will never like a red mask killer comic. It will lose my interest as quick as you lost yours. I need '87 cartoon elements and other aspect of the other media for it to feel like Ninja Turtles to me. For you its staying close to the original depiction. I can understand that while I can't agree with it.
The pacing is a pain and I would like an answer if the turtles are willing to kill or not. At this point I like what is being attempted. Mr. Waltz is trying to taking many elements that the large number of us like from the other media and taking a few elements from the comics for those that actually perfer the black and white comics while adding in its own original stuff like Old Hobb and the reincarnation bit. The whole reincarnation really bothered me but 8 months later I can accept it for this version and see that it works....at least for what Tom is trying to achieve. If its not your cup of tea hold on to about #15 then you have your back issues to retreat to. That is always a nice fallback spot.

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by Samhain

Exactly. Like I said, the first 4 issues felt like classic gritty Tmnt comic goodness. Now, with all the cartoon aspects already in the comic, plus what's coming, they are losing me. It's turning into the 80's cartoon for grown ups. At least that's what it feels like to me.

The first four issues weren't any more gritty than the rest of it. The color of bandanas does not change the story or violence level.

[DonatelloFan]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

The first four issues weren't any more gritty than the rest of it. The color of bandanas does not change the story or violence level.

Exactly. Again, I don't see the point of worrying about bandana color. But I guess 'to each his own'.

[Samhain]

Originally Posted by MikeandRaph87

I will never like a red mask killer comic.

What the hell are you talking about?

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

The first four issues weren't any more gritty than the rest of it. The color of bandanas does not change the story or violence level.

It may have not changed the story, but visually it changed the way I looked at it as a whole.

[MikeandRaph87]

Originally Posted by Samhain

What the hell are you talking about?

I shouldn't have to spell it out for you. Just having a friendly conversation with you,dude. I don't like seeing all red mask and I don't like them to kill. It turns me off while it increase your interest. We both like TMNT but different types of the same thing. That is all I am saying. I can't get into it if it is the way you like it more than likely but will try it out and you can't get into what I perfer but will try it out is all.

[Samhain]

Originally Posted by MikeandRaph87

I shouldn't have to spell it out for you. Just having a friendly conversation with you,dude. I don't like seeing all red mask and I don't like them to kill. It turns me off while it increase your interest. We both like TMNT but different types of the same thing. That is all I am saying. I can't get into it if it is the way you like it more than likely but will try it out and you can't get into what I perfer but will try it out is all.

When did I say the turtles need to kill in order for me to enjoy the book? That's right, I didn't. I certainly don't MIND them killing, if they have to. They are ninja after all.

[MikeandRaph87]

Originally Posted by Samhain

When did I say the turtles need to kill in order for me to enjoy the book? That's right, I didn't. I certainly don't MIND them killing, if they have to. They are ninja after all.

I know. I said it will effect it for ME when desciribng my interest level and really the only thing that could effect it for me at this point . Like you I do associate the mask with the tone. I think a good analogy with tone can be found in Batman. There is Frank Miller, Adam West, and Denny O'Neil. Each name represents a certain way of portraying Batman. I like mine with Denny O'Neil and that is the kind of tone I like seeing in Ninja Turtles. Not gritty yet not silly. You on the other hand perfer Frank Miller, dark and deep storytelling where a hero or perhaps those around him or more willing to take a violent approach.

[Heather Breckel]

I've been enjoying it quite a bit, but I didn't read any of the Mirage comics until recently. I grew up with the old cartoon and the Archie series so for me I appreciate that some things feel familiar. Even seeing the Mirage comics as an adult, I don't really feel like they were ever that dark or gritty. But I'm also a big Berserk fan, so a lot of things are going to feel pretty tame compared to that.

[Ninjinister]

S**t's just getting real, guys. There's no way I'm losing interest now.

[Donnie]

The pacing is the only thing I would complain about. Once a month is a dragging pace; and while others disagree with that statement I cannot help but feel that way. However, that hasn't really dampened my interest in the book, no. I prefer the color bandanas, so that was never an issue for me.

The reincarnation angle may be "out there" but it's no more farfetched than 4 baby turtles randomly coming into contact with a breaking TCRI canister of alien ooze. The only other issue I ever had was the characterization of Donatello being overly aggressive, but I've grown to appreciate it as a new and (in retrospect) refreshing take on him.

[Zany Orange Dude]

I definately lost interest in it, and I don't precisely know why. I didn't really care for the way the characters were portrayed.

[Bauer536]

By the time Donnie got obnoxious, I was starting to lose interest, but I gave it another chance. However, by the fifth issue (a. k. a. reincarnation origin), I slammed the book onto the floor. I felt, "What's the point? If you're not going to stay true to their origins, don't call it Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles because that's not what this is." To me, if Splinter was the only one reincarnated and NOT the turtles, I would've been fine. I just think that the 18 month mutation of the turtles is what caused the reincarnation thing to begin. Tom Waltz, to me (even though he's nice), copped out. Either this idea was in his mind before he worked on the comics, or he didn't know what to do to make it "new." There are ways to make things new without completely changing things for the sake of it. To me, this comic does not have heart. Hoping the Nickelodeon based ones will be better.

So to anyone who may think this pays tributes to the OT, I don't remember Don being that rude to Leo in the OT . . . or for one thing, April naming the turtles and working for Stockman. This is not OT for the adults. And if it is, it needs to start over because, I feel it's just not working. Still, that's my opinion. There have been times where I've exploded on here about this, but that was before I began clearing my mind and thinking about it a little. Still, my opinions really haven't changed.

Plus, Old Hob. Very weak villain. Wasn't needed. Even during the whole reincarnation thing, I feared he would be Oruku Saki. Alopex? Wasn't needed. Karai coming in instantly? They should have waited on her. Everything, I felt, just made this lack magic that TMNT carries. In fact, it makes the 2k3 series better for what it was . . . even during those last cheesey seasons.

Also, hate Dan Duncans artwork. At least Kevin Eastman's turtles look lean, green, fighting machines. Duncan's appear . . . I don't know . . . mean, like the turtles can't stand each other. Plus, I found their look to be ugly. Ross Campell is a better artist than him.