Does the TMNT franchise deserve to continue without the comic?

[CyberCubed]

This thread is hypothetical, since we know Viacom has a new theatrical movie and cartoon geared up for 2012, along with most likely a new toy line from Playmates.

However the future of the comics is in doubt. Volume 4 may never be completed, and aside from that we don't know if or when a new TMNT comic will be introduced.

Nick could have a comic started based on the cartoon, but that would be like what Archie and Dreamwave were based on their respective cartoons, not the Mirage universe.

Do you think the TMNT franchise in terms of movies/cartoons/toys should continue without the comics?

[Andrew NDB]

If the movie(s) and cartoon suck then no, it doesn't deserve to continue. But the jury's out on at least one of those two things.

[Dragon Turtle]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Do you think the TMNT franchise in terms of movies/cartoons/toys should continue without the comics?

Some could argue that the TMNT franchise has continued without the comics for quite a long time.

[Roseangelo]

Originally Posted by Dragon Turtle

Some could argue that the TMNT franchise has continued without the comics for quite a long time.

This was going to be my response.

[Powder]

I am un-decided. The best aspect of the franchise to me is the comics so I can't say I'd like to see the TMNT carry on without a comic line or some sort... even if it were many years down the line. Do I think they deserve to go on without one? Sure... I love all versions of the TMNT & I think each one has offered something good to the table whether that be lots of action, morals/messages, or just laughs. As a whole the franchise rules so I'd hate to see it not exist in some form.

I guess maybe what I stated makes me seem like I should've voted yes... Although I'd like to see them continue regardless, never seeing another new comic would be a real kick in the head.

[sdp]

TMNT is a franchise thanks to the OT, if it wasn't it'd be an obscure indie comic that comic book geeks would recommend each other but no one in the mainstreamw ould know about. So yes the TMNT should and will continue without any Mirage universe, it may have been the origin of the TMNT but the franchise is bigger than Mirage ever was.

And yes even if the new toon and movie suck the turtles should continue, one bad interpretation hasn't stopped other franchises from getting new kick ass takes. And even a major company owning DC hasn't stopped from the best interpretations of the characters to be done recently.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by Dragon Turtle

Some could argue that the TMNT franchise has continued without the comics for quite a long time.

Aside from the brief pause when Mirage shut down after Volume 2 and the equally brief pause after NT:TNM and the Image cancellation, I'm not sure how you mean. We've only been continuing without the comics for a couple of weeks now.

TMNT is a franchise thanks to the OT, if it wasn't it'd be an obscure indie comic that comic book geeks would recommend each other but no one in the mainstreamw ould know about.

There's worse things to be, I suppose. Though it's pretty short-sighted to think that Fred Wolf would have been the one and only viable, franchise-creating offer Kevin and Peter would have gotten had the original comic continued with it turned down.

[Luzmagica]

I voted first option because I get into TMNT with cartoons/movies/cards....just in last place (not less important, of course) I´d found the comics....but the franchise can live healthy without comics...IMO.
Of course if there area new released line of comic book it will be nice!!

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by Luzmagica

....but the franchise can live healthy without comics...IMO.

It's possible, I guess. There's been studies.

See here.

[Dragon Turtle]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

Aside from the brief pause when Mirage shut down after Volume 2 and the equally brief pause after NT:TNM and the Image cancellation, I'm not sure how you mean. We've only been continuing without the comics for a couple of weeks now.

What I really mean is that the TMNT franchise has since moved beyond the influence of any single aspect of the franchise, especially the comics, since the comics have had a fairly low profile for quite some time, many people didn't even know volume 4 was being printed given its lack of marketing and odd scheduling. Most people would probably only recall Volume 1, and a few others would vaguely recall the Image series.

The 2k3 cartoon, 2007 movie, the 2012 movie and cartoon, all developed due to the TMNT brand, not necessarily because the TMNT comics themselves were still being produced.

There's worse things to be, I suppose. Though it's pretty short-sighted to think that Fred Wolf would have been the one and only viable, franchise-creating offer Kevin and Peter would have gotten had the original comic continued with it turned down.

Most likely sold to DC or Marvel.

[Roseangelo]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

Aside from the brief pause when Mirage shut down after Volume 2 and the equally brief pause after NT:TNM and the Image cancellation, I'm not sure how you mean. We've only been continuing without the comics for a couple of weeks now.

Technically, yes. But what have the comics contributed to the rest of the franchise, the actual money-making part of it, since the end of City at War? The comics are still barely acknowledged by the general public, so I can't imagine things would be much different had they just stopped publishing them for good in the 90s. You could argue about exactly when that stopping point might be, but certainly the past 10 years of comics could be non-existent without having any impact on the number of plastic figures, t-shirts, pajamas, etc. sold. Those are the numbers that count in the end. Doesn't mean people haven't enjoyed them, but were they necessary to the franchise? Absolutely not.

[Luzmagica]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

It's possible, I guess. There's been studies.

See here.

LOL!!! 10/10 points!!!

[Ninja Tiptup]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

This thread is hypothetical, since we know Viacom has a new theatrical movie and cartoon geared up for 2012, along with most likely a new toy line from Playmates.

However the future of the comics is in doubt. Volume 4 may never be completed, and aside from that we don't know if or when a new TMNT comic will be introduced.

Nick could have a comic started based on the cartoon, but that would be like what Archie and Dreamwave were based on their respective cartoons, not the Mirage universe.

Do you think the TMNT franchise in terms of movies/cartoons/toys should continue without the comics?

When has the comics ever really meant much to the franchise outside of the comics? The 4Kids show did a good job of retelling some of the stories from those comics and eventually gave us a brief look at what a more direct animated adaptation of Mirage TMNT might be like even if it was sort of a satire. Other than that the movies, the cartoons, video games, etc. have rarely been influenced by the comics other than having some of the same characters.

What you're really asking (and don't think I don't notice how you ask one question when you really mean another quite often around here) is should the franchise continue without guidence from the creators as well as without the original TMNT story still being widely available? Several patches TMNT's existence were without comics and without guidence from the creators. Sometimes this ended in disaster and typically better things came out of producers working with Laird and/or Eastman but both of them seem to understand that with TMNT they created something much bigger than either of them. Something downright timeless that would see many transmutations throughout the years but hopefully remain true to the original in at least some sense.

I'm saddened that Laird isn't going to finish Mirage Volume IV but honestly I didn't keep up with it or many TMNT comics for that matter. It was pretty hard to find some of them even when they were being printed.

TMNT is a franchise that has never really relied on its' comic routes for success while the same cannot be said for various long standing comics that were the most influential as comic books. TMNT while rather groundbreaking for indie comics was not a show stopper as a comic book. It was a show stopper when it became a hit cartoon series. And while I personally dislike when people write off the comics and consider the 80s cartoon to be the TMNT all others should be like I did like the 80s cartoon as well. I love it to this day. I have enjoyed many stories told in the various mediums that TMNT has dabbled in but none more than I love the characters themselves as long as the TMNT are still the TMNT I welcome any new variation and I also welcome a future without the original comic stories still being told and without the creators guiding the projects.

I remain cautiously optimistic that Nick will do great things with TMNT. That's really all I can hope for. As long as TMNT continues to delight new generations I'm content. Nick has made poor decisions from time to time but they're not stupid. They know people will reject TMNT that isn't TMNT. So I'm certain TMNT will continue to be TMNT without the comics being around to remind people where they came from.

With a great deal of respect to the comics. TMNT does not end with the comics. It never has and it never will. Is that a good thing? That's entirely up to each individual fan to decide for themselves.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by Dragon Turtle

What I really mean is that the TMNT franchise has since moved beyond the influence of any single aspect of the franchise, especially the comics, since the comics have had a fairly low profile for quite some time, many people didn't even know volume 4 was being printed given its lack of marketing and odd scheduling. Most people would probably only recall Volume 1, and a few others would vaguely recall the Image series.

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?

Most likely sold to DC or Marvel.

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

[Shark_Blade]

I don't even know the comic still existed? They are no where to be found for decades.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by Shark_Blade

I don't even know the comic still existed? They are no where to be found for decades.

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

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Nick could have a comic started based on the cartoon, but that would be like what Archie and Dreamwave were based on their respective cartoons, not the Mirage universe.

Of coruse, they could still exist. And what I've heard, people liked Dreamwave.

[Eiko]

I think the Turtles will be fine without a comic.

[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!

[sdp]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

There's worse things to be, I suppose. Though it's pretty short-sighted to think that Fred Wolf would have been the one and only viable, franchise-creating offer Kevin and Peter would have gotten had the original comic continued with it turned down.

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.