TMNT Will Change Yet Again Next Season

[MrPliggins]

I honestly thought it was the end of TMNT on tv when the OT ended. Didn't expect the 2k3 toon to be so awesome (IMO) and last so long. They'll definitely be back after this, in some way, shape or form, whether it's in 2 years or 20 years.

[Machias Banshee]

Originally Posted by gobo

It isn't 'Mah-kee-us'?

Nope, they pronounce it Mah - Chai - us... but I thought it was said that way too when I first heard of it..


When the OT ended, that was when I discovered the Archies at the local Shop N' Save, and would read those whenever my parents did grocery shopping. Once that died off, it was keeping to my own writing, drawing, and not knowing of ninja turtle internet fandom online until my last year of high school.

I would hate to see a TMNT Drought. BUT I'm sure we'll get Something...

[Jester]

Nope, oh and be sure to watch the new related video...

[Ninjinister]

I had a video all ready to post, and then... Youtube took flippin' forever to upload it @.@ It's only like a fleckin' minute long! Oh well... Jester's was longer, more informative, focused on more, and was much more entertaining (not to mention better camera work), so I hope you don't mind me leeching on your video with a video response.

[Jester]

LEACH!!! Nah, at least you used a awesome character.

[Ninjinister]

I had been looking for a topic to bring him out of retirement... seemed like this was the perfect one.

[Ecto Jedi]

Well listen kiddies, we've had a good run. I'm not at all opposed to letting this new series die with dignity (though that's arguable, considering Fast Forward and all that sh*t.)

It's been a blast, but it's over.

Deal with it.

[X]

Tristan, yes I have not only bought and doubledipped the DVD's, but I have also bought numerous other things from this line and other TMNT lines over the years.

I own every OT toy, and DVD that is currently available.

However, we are talking about now. So let's go from 2003 and on.

- All single disc 2k3 episodes released.

- Every TMNT toy that has come out so far, 2k3 series, FF, movie.

- TMNT 1,2,3 on Gamecube all on day 1. 50 bucks each.

- TMNT 1,2 on Gameboy Advance all on day 1. 30 bucks each.

- TMNT 3 on Nintendo DS on day 1. 30 bucks.

- TMNT 2007 movie on DVD x2 (one for me, one for son,) and the Bluray version, all bought on day 1. 3 TMNT movie purchases for one household?

- Double dipping currently on the release of the 2k3 series in season form.

- Bought TMNT 1989 classic arcade.

- Bought TMNT on Xbox 360 on day 1. 65 bucks.

- Bought TMNT 2007 movie on Gameboy Advance on day 1. 30 bucks.

So yea, I would say that I have supported the brand. For what? To be pissed on, like other fans, on the only cartoon I ever cared about, for its 25th annivesary.

All I would like to know is, who ends up being responsible for this. 4kids? Mirage? Playmates? The best thing someone can do in the world, is tell me who ends up being responsible for this, and I swear on my 2 kids life, I will never support that company again, no matter what they bring to the table. Swears are something I never break.

For the record, growing up, my life was nothing but TMNT. Transformers? Passed. Thundercats? Passed. You name the cartoon, and I barely watched any of them, if any at all. TMNT was the cartoon I was just fine with, and to think Saturday mornings are going to be filled with crap, just doesn't make things good.

I just want to know who's throwing in the towel on this awesome brand, on its 25th birthday, so I can pay them in kind when they need it. Capitalists for the lose.

EDIT: Just to clarify... I wouldn't mind the show ending, and going out with dignity as someone else put it on this thread, but killing a show on its anniversary is dirty pool. LET THE SHOW have at least one more season during its 25th year, and then call. Let the show have a ninth season for September to December of 2009, then call it a good run. Don't kill the show midway.

-X-

[Ninjinister]

Originally Posted by Ecto Jedi

Well listen kiddies, we've had a good run. I'm not at all opposed to letting this new series die with dignity (though that's arguable, considering Fast Forward and all that sh*t.)

It's been a blast, but it's over.

Deal with it.

Hey dude, there still seems to be some wiggle room. And some of us are fighting not only because the series is going to be canceled during its anniversary, but it seems like, as Jester said, it's all going down the crapper.

And nobody here knows me well enough, but I never give up without a fight. And I'm notoriously good at getting what I want if I actually put up a fight -even turning corporate heads.

Would the Turtles give up? NO! Would Guile give up? NO! Would Jebus give up? NO!

We stand as one!

"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead, cultural anthropologist and outspoken academic.

[Cipher]

Originally Posted by The S

"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead, cultural anthropologist and outspoken academic.

I'm sure Mrs. Mead would be proud to know that her quotes about civil disobedience are being used to melodramatically protest the cancellation of a children's cartoon.

As for the things that have been said about Laird and Richardson, yeah, I agree. I deeply respect Laird, and I've actually enjoyed (not ass-kissing, but actual enjoyment and appreciation for) every creative desicion he's made since the revival, with the sole exceptions of April's origin and removing tones. I like his work, I love that he funded Volume 4 out of pocket, I am no hater.

But even I have to admit that under the leadership of he and Richardson, promotion of the franchise has been piss poor. No trade paperbacks, no quality control with toys (so say the collectors who actually care), no movie promotion, no promotion of the comics at all. Is it their fault that the franchise seems due for a hiatus? I have no idea, but c'mon guys, you can do better.

[Dragon Turtle]

Wow.. very interesting to see so much doom and gloom over the future of the TMNT franchise, even if the cartoon and vol. 4 end next year, I hardly see that as a death rattle for all of TMNT.


The cartoon has done remarkably well for action cartoon in this day and age, over 150 episodes, and a direct to tv special, Warner Bros doesn't give that type of treatment to their own DC properties.

As to the whos and whys, I did recieved this e-mail from Dan Berger a few weeks ago:

"The decision to do another season of TMNT lies in 4Kids' hands, so I'm afraid that we don't have any light to shed on the matter right now."

Despite TMNT being one of their highest rated shows, one look at all the Toy/Card based shows coming out this spring and the recent success of Chaotic, it's not hard to see why 4Kids is shelving the turtles, at least to see if they can get any of these other properties they are producing to take off.


As for the comics, Tristan did post this to his blog a week ago:

"I know there's a lot of doom and gloom circulating around the TMNT brand in spite of the upcoming TMNT 25th Anniversary, but what I've been hearing from Publishing and what I've seen has me excited.......there are a couple of things in line to happen next year that I think people have been worried about to a certain extent, that should please a number of them AND give a huge number of casual Turtle fans who also happen to be hardcore comic fans something they've been asking for for a while now."

[Cipher]

Originally Posted by The S

"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead, cultural anthropologist and outspoken academic.

I'm sure Mrs. Mead would be proud to know that her quotes about civil disobedience are being used to melodramatically protest the cancellation of a children's cartoon.

As for the things that have been said about Laird and Richardson, yeah, I agree. I deeply respect Laird, and I've actually enjoyed (not ass-kissing, but actual enjoyment and appreciation for) every creative desicion he's made since the revival, with the sole exceptions of April's origin and removing tones. I like his work, I love that he funded Volume 4 out of pocket, I am no hater.

But even I have to admit that under the leadership of he and Richardson, promotion of the franchise has been piss poor. No trade paperbacks, no quality control with toys (so say the collectors who actually care), no movie promotion, no promotion of the comics at all. Is it their fault that the franchise seems due for a hiatus (possibly, maybe, in the near future)? I have no idea, theses things happen, but c'mon guys, you can do better.

that should please a number of them AND give a huge number of casual Turtle fans who also happen to be hardcore comic fans something they've been asking for for a while now."

Archie trades, yes?

Also, server lag caused the double post.

[NameGoesHere1066]

well thats all folks!

[TristanHuwJones]

Originally Posted by X

Tristan, yes I have not only bought and doubledipped the DVD's, but I have also bought numerous other things from this line and other TMNT lines over the years.

I own every OT toy, and DVD that is currently available.

However, we are talking about now. So let's go from 2003 and on.

- All single disc 2k3 episodes released.

- Every TMNT toy that has come out so far, 2k3 series, FF, movie.

- TMNT 1,2,3 on Gamecube all on day 1. 50 bucks each.

- TMNT 1,2 on Gameboy Advance all on day 1. 30 bucks each.

- TMNT 3 on Nintendo DS on day 1. 30 bucks.

- TMNT 2007 movie on DVD x2 (one for me, one for son,) and the Bluray version, all bought on day 1. 3 TMNT movie purchases for one household?

- Double dipping currently on the release of the 2k3 series in season form.

- Bought TMNT 1989 classic arcade.

- Bought TMNT on Xbox 360 on day 1. 65 bucks.

- Bought TMNT 2007 movie on Gameboy Advance on day 1. 30 bucks.

So yea, I would say that I have supported the brand. For what? To be pissed on, like other fans, on the only cartoon I ever cared about, for its 25th annivesary.

Wow. You certainly have. But with all that, I don't understand why you don't see fit to shell (no pun intended...serious!) out $4 on a comic book. At least that $4 is going straight to Publishing, whereas with the toys, games and DVD's, while there is a portion going to Mirage (TMNT is their property), you're still funding every other company that has a stake in each of those products.

I think if you like the cartoons, particularly the 2k3 series onwards, you'll really get a kick out of the comics. They're mixed, they tell the stories and there's no pandering to a specific target audience. Honestly, I think you'll find that the continuity isn't as big a deal as you seem worried about.

Originally Posted by X

All I would like to know is, who ends up being responsible for this. 4kids? Mirage? Playmates? The best thing someone can do in the world, is tell me who ends up being responsible for this, and I swear on my 2 kids life, I will never support that company again, no matter what they bring to the table. Swears are something I never break.

It's a bit of a mixed bag. Playmates and 4kids were both the driving forces behind the Fast Forward change. Lost Season WAS ready to go, but toy sales and ratings made Fast Forward a sudden priority. One could argue that Mirage made the call as well, but that said, had Fast Forward not happened and been as successful as it was, Lost Season probably wouldn't have gone to air, and neither would the BTTS season. Unfortunately it just seems like certain marketing aspects were poorly mishandled. By who, I can't say, because my main dealings are with Mirage Publishing, but I know that 4kids and Playmates both have huge says in what happens with the shows and toys (because, as everyone knows, the two go hand in hand), which was evident with Fast Forward.

Originally Posted by X

I just want to know who's throwing in the towel on this awesome brand, on its 25th birthday, so I can pay them in kind when they need it. Capitalists for the lose.

Why would Mirage want to screw the pooch on their only property?
Wal-mart stopped carrying the toys.
4kids are not renewing the TV show.
To point the finger at one person or company in this situation is ridiculous, and ultimately, as Peter said, there are cycles to everything, and as I've been saying the whole time, plans take time to be put into action, and the results are never immediate. Patience is key until something OFFICIAL is said.

[CudleyCowlick]

If it truly is the end, all I can say is... can't say I didn't see it coming.

I won't gripe and I won't speculate on what comes next. I'll just wait patiently. There'll always be something to fuel my need for the green team.

[Ninjinister]

Originally Posted by Cipher

I'm sure Mrs. Mead would be proud to know that her quotes about civil disobedience are being used to melodramatically protest the cancellation of a children's cartoon.

"It takes Diff'rent Strokes to move the world. " - Cheesy 80's TV theme song

[TristanHuwJones]

Originally Posted by Cipher

But even I have to admit that under the leadership of he and Richardson, promotion of the franchise has been piss poor. No trade paperbacks, no quality control with toys (so say the collectors who actually care), no movie promotion, no promotion of the comics at all. Is it their fault that the franchise seems due for a hiatus (possibly, maybe, in the near future)? I have no idea, theses things happen, but c'mon guys, you can do better.

I think that error has been noted, and is definitely being rectified. Steps are being taken to really throw the comics back out in the larger comic book fanbase for the 25th anniversary, and yes, some will argue fairly that it's too late. Point is, it's happening, and people can either help or bail. So far I've heard that Newsarama, CBR, IGN, Shotgun Reviews, Wizard, Comics Continuum, and a number of other sites are lined up to help out.

What a lot of people don't seem to realise is that Publishing is a separate part of Mirage. There's Licensing and Publishing and I think another. Publishing exists almost entirely on Peter Laird's love for comics and his creations. He funds Tales and TMNT ongoing out of his pocket, usually at a loss. Publishing ends when Peter pulls the plug. But that said, Mirage Publishing needs Mirage, Inc. to continue funding books working at a loss. They can't afford lavish marketing unless the books warrant it and unless they can squeeze it into the budget.

This is a celebration of the Turtles in general, sure, but it all started with the comics, and chances are, they'll keep going even when the show is gone. I just hope people will find it in themselves to support Mirage directly by going straight to the source. If Gary and Peter and everyone else sees that there's growing support for the comics, where do you think the attention is going to turn? Word is that Playmates have already started turning their attention to the comics. If the comics take off again, people will take notice and sooner or later you'll have another boom. It's happened with X-men, Spiderman, Batman and it can happen with Turtles. It's just a matter of shifting focus.

Originally Posted by Cipher

Archie trades, yes?

Maybe...

[ZariusTwo]

Originally Posted by X

and to think Saturday mornings are going to be filled with crap, just doesn't make things good.

You can assume that, but most of us with an open mind will be able to find a lot of strong shows currently.

[blue_angel99]

Bummer. I was hoping they would do more episode based off Tales of TMNT comics.

There were so many unhappy comments about TMNT (mostly about FF and the Tribunal Saga), that I'm not surprised the big guys upstairs felt it was time to pull the plug. Complaining that a kids show is to kiddy?! Come on. I don't think we gave FF a chance.

Ah well. Like Kirby said to Don: "Life at best is bitter sweet."

Here's to hoping they'll give us more seasons.

[Spitfire]

This actually works in the favor of anyone who wants a PG-13 turtles movie.

Think about it, the series is canned then turtles is allowed to fade away for awhile. After a bit they can reestablish the turtles in a PG-13 movie and from there a new TV series could follow.

This is what they did with Spider-man and Iron Man so far. There's a new Batman show now too isn't there? And a new Transformers show right?

Sure turtles isn't as big as those, or maybe it is. You know I wore a turtles shirt today and I kid you not I had over 10 people say something to me about it and that's not counting the ones that starred or gave me a thumbs up when passing by. The public loves turtles and the series wouldn't still be on if the ratings were poor.

This was obviously choice by the creators of the show I can't see any way around it. I seem to remember it being the highest rated show on 4Kids last time around and still must be since FF is being re-run non-stop.

This could also be misinformation that someone heard wrong or a rash decision that was made quickly and might later be revoked. Maybe someone isn't happy with how the new series is turning out so far and jumping the gun a bit. There's a lot of possibilities and I'm sure many have been discussed in here already.

Kick back, relax, enjoy what we got, and hope for the best in the future.