Does the TMNT franchise deserve to continue without the comic?

[Koi]

If I had to decide, I would say yes.

[Kendamu]

That's not my decision to make. That decision belongs to the target audience of the next incarnation of TMNT. Whether I like it or not doesn't matter because the only thing left on my list of TMNT stuff is Turtles Forever on DVD.

After that, I'm not a wallet for them to tap into unless the movie's good enough for one ticket and a DVD.

[Dragon Turtle]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

You're not thinking bigger picture. The Fred Wolf deal set in motion a mass-media blitzkreig that forever (well, let's hope not) created a certain "image" of the TMNT in the larger public eye. Had they passed on this deal and awaited another type of "Let's try and bring the TMNT to larger media!" deal that would have come along... who knows, you know?

Some other deal that would have brought TMNT into the mainstream MIGHT have come along, but that is pure speculation. The comics could have gone on the way they were much like Usagi Yojimbo (although I don't see either Peter or Kevin sticking to this scenario), or they could have ended like so many other 80s indie comics, forgotten and collecting dust in the quarter bins. One thing to keep in mind about the Fred Wolf deal and the media blitz that followed was that, it help create a certain awareness among Hollywood and others that that these small indie comics could be mined for ideas and could be brought to the masses.

Not likely. We already know a Marvel deal was on the table and they scoffed it away. As they should've.

At that time, but who's to say that Laird and Eastman wouldn't have accepted another offer down the line, comic companies would still be the best suitors for a comic book property, and Marvel and DC were still the biggest companies out there.

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

Not really relevant. Nothing you know of the TMNT now would exist without them.

No one can argue TMNT wouldn't exist without the original comic, but you can argue that TMNT could continue to exist without it.

[ToTheNines]

What the heck do you mean "deserve"?

And I'm almost positive there will be another TMNT comic series in the near future, and just because it won't be Mirage Universe doesn't mean it won't be good.

Originally Posted by Dragon Turtle

Some other deal that would have brought TMNT into the mainstream MIGHT have come along, but that is pure speculation.

I don't think it's speculation at all. However popular any other deal could have become is speculation, but not the fact that there would have been other paths for E&L to take the TMNT down.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

And I'm almost positive there will be another TMNT comic series in the near future

That would be a very safe bet.

[ToTheNines]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

That would be a very safe bet.

Aren't you cool with your inside knowledge?

[Coola Yagami]

In a way, it's always been goin on without the comics. Most fans STILL don't know they originally came from an independant black and white comic book.

[shuriken]

Originally Posted by plastroncafe

It's too early to tell what does, or doesn't, "deserve" to continue.
If the new stuff sucks all joy, then no not really.
If the new stuff adds flavor and substance to what's come before,....well then surely!

I agree with this. Too soon to tell. But saying that something does/doesn't deserve to be around without it's prime inspiration is a bit foolish. But I dunno...

[CyberCubed]

The Mirage universe is probably just about done too. It lasted over 25 years, which is impressive.

Aside from the Image conclusion and the very small chance of Volume 4 getting a proper ending, I see no way the Mirage universe would be continued by another publisher.

Most likely either:

a) A new TMNT comic will be produced as a reboot and have no ties to the Mirage continuity

b) Nick will have a children's comic based on the cartoon, like the Archie/Dreamwave series started as.

[Dragon Turtle]

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

I don't think it's speculation at all. However popular any other deal could have become is speculation, but not the fact that there would have been other paths for E&L to take the TMNT down.

True enough, I'm pretty sure E&L did receive other offers for TMNT after it became an indie hit.

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

The Mirage universe is probably just about done too. It lasted over 25 years, which is impressive.

Aside from the Image conclusion and the very small chance of Volume 4 getting a proper ending, I see no way the Mirage universe would be continued by another publisher.

Well, it's possible someone could start up the Mirage universe again, if the publisher has a strong enough belief they can sell new readers on it.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by sdp

I don't think its short-sighted, that was a once in a lifetime chance. I'm sure you'd agree theres a lot of other great indie comics and yet those have never been picked up as cartoons and made into big franchises, Usagi Yojimbo is a good example. Also a lot was changed from the original concept of the original TMNT for them to become the franchise that it did. Not many people would think "oh lets take this grim and violent comic book and make it into a saturday morning cartoon.

Do you think Usagi Yojimbo cartoon could work?

[Scandia]

Yes, because I honestly do not like a lot of the Mirage comics. To me, they were the seed that sprouted the original idea- the Turtles Prime. But many of the spinoffs are better IMHO. In fact, I liked the Archie comic better than the Mirage one.

[Jephael]

If the cartoon series does well enough, I'm sure Viacom will find a company willing to produce a Ninja Turtle comic at some point. You just have to be patient.

[Spitfire]

Turtles never really gets a raw deal. Granted us as fans may not always be happy turtles seems to get more chances then a lot of franchises. While I love the comics if I had to pick between the turtles only carrying on as a comic or only carrying on in a bigger medium, TV and film, I'd pick motion media. The comics are great but it doesn't turn a profit and it yields very little merchandise. Plus I can't really say the more recent comics have been all that great. While I enjoy reading them they're not all up there with some of the classics and I doubt it will ever get that good again.

Some TV and movie series get canceled and have to continue on in comic books, turtles got the opposite option. It's a better deal in my opinion.

[Shred87]

Should they keep going without the comics?? I don't see how thats even a debate... I hate to say it but the turtles really dont have that strong of a comic foundation... I mean has there even been 200 issues that are considered canon? How many comic arcs are well known or have been adapted in another media? 2? 3? When you look at characters like Superman and Batman that have multiple titles with over 7-800 issues there's really no comparison.. The comic may have been the first step but the OT/movie/action figures is what made this franchise.

[Powder]

Originally Posted by Splint87

Should they keep going without the comics?? I don't see how thats even a debate... I hate to say it but the turtles really dont have that strong of a comic foundation... I mean has there even been 200 issues that are considered canon? How many comic arcs are well known or have been adapted in another media? 2? 3? When you look at characters like Superman and Batman that have multiple titles with over 7-800 issues there's really no comparison.. The comic may have been the first step but the OT/movie/action figures is what made this franchise.

Many issues & story arcs were adapted into the 2k3 show. There were alot of hints & nods to the comics in all 4 feature films & obviously Turtles Forever too. They don't have a strong comic foundation? Really? Let me see...

Definitions of foundation on the Web:

the basis on which something is grounded; "there is little foundation for his objections"
an institution supported by an endowment
lowest support of a structure; "it was built on a base of solid rock"; "he stood at the foot of the tower"
education or instruction in the fundamentals of a field of knowledge; "he lacks the foundation necessary for advanced study"; "a good grounding in mathematics"
basis: the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained; "the whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture"

Their foundation IS the comics. I'm not gonna act like the comics are the most popular part of the franchise, we all know thats not the case, but to act like they are of little significance is straight-up ignorant. Many characters were brought into shows from the comics and alot of others were based on some.

[Shred87]

Look dont get me wrong I LOVE the comic version... I have collected all of the 4 volumes.. I feel it's the best version of the characters because lets face it, it's the original and I think that says something... maybe I chose my words wrong I'll give you that but the point I was trying to make is that even though the comic was the first step there wouldn't be a franchise if there wasn't the OT..

I feel if you take someone off the street and ask the what are the TMNT, the majority would say that they're a cartoon...whereas if you asked someone who Batman/Wonder Woman are they'd answer comic characters. The turtles really aren't known as comic characters outside of die hards like on these boards... I was young when the OT was in its heyday and the only comics I bought was the archie series because I thought I was buying a book form of the cartoon.

The 2k3 series absolutely pulled from the comics... but I don't care what you say there really isnt much there... Most of V1 is not even canon..I believe it's 25-30 issues... None of V3 is canon...the cartoon (to my knowledge) didn't refer to V4 as the Turtles are in their 30's... and V2 was 13 issues For a comic that has been around 25 yrs thats really not that impressive... So to go back to the question of the topic should the franchise continue w/o the comic... I agree with a previous poster that if the comic ended after V1 the franchise would not have been affected in any way..

[Powder]

I don't know if you could TRULY say that, its really a "What if?" situation. Many people didn't follow the comics because they assumed it was just as immature/aimed for kids as the OT was. Alot of OT fans wouldn't get into the comics because they weren't goofy enough & "had the colors wrong" on their bandanas. The turtles got their toon because of the increasing rate of popularity & potential the comic had. If the show had come first, there likely wouldn't have been a comic spawned from it. Now lets think about this- Spiderman & alot of other legendary comic franchises were vastly popular for a long period of time before they ever saw animated or live action shows/movies. Had the turtles gotten that very same chance, say they hadn't been made into a tv show or movie until now (26 years is a good bit of time I think), they might have maintained that insane popularity with both the show & comic alike. Spiderman comics currently still flood the market & sell heavily, as do the toys & ticket sales for films. I'm sayin' they very well could have had both sides of it blossoming had that been the way it went. Having the OT come out kinda ruined the comics chance at future success because in a sense (though I love the show to death & will always defend it) it was a really bad bastardization of the source material.

[Shred87]

I'll give you that... the turtles are in some case a victim of their time... When your talking about the Batmans and Supermans of the world they came out in the 30s. TV simply wasn't a factor then.. Even with the late 40 serials that came out the main material came from the comics so you get a much larger body of work to fall back on. The turtles came out and may have been rushed to the television. Then you throw in the TV show and the cowabunga's and the Krangs of the world really blurred comic/tv show line. Going back to what I said before how many people off the street would even know that Krang and cowabunga weren't even part of the original canon??

I see a lot of similarities between Batman and the turtles...The 60's Tv show kind of sent the view on the character for a loop with the campiness.. It really took close to 20 yrs to restore order (Dark Knight Returns/Year One... I wish the same would happen with the turtles but I can't say I'm too hopeful. Even though Nick may not be the same as the Rugrat days I just don't see them taking them any grittier than the 2k3 series.

I feel that the origin story is very strong and if done properly can be very gritty and very good in other media forms.. It's just when you start messing with space travel and all kinds of crazy aliens their story weakens. Look at what happened even with the 2k3 show with the Fast Foward season. I'm hoping Nick starts a comic seperate from the cartoon and lets someone start fresh. As radical as the Image volume is those stories would probably come off better than a lot of the space travel stuff in terms of movies/cartoons. After the first Mirage Volume the comic quality greatly dropped IMO.

[VaughnMichael]

There should be another option for "who cares".