Peter Laird on IDW TMNT

[Andrew NDB]

From his blog:

"I've read a couple of issues of the IDW comics, and I just can't get into them, for whatever reasons. I think the most off-putting thing about them -- for me, at least -- is that they don't seem very unique, especially as far as the artwork goes. Say what you will about the weaknesses of our original comics as far as the art is concerned -- and I freely admit we had our weaknesses -- at the very least Kevin and I put a lot of effort into what we were doing and tried to make it look different. Or maybe it just ended up looking different because that's all we were capable of doing!

There is also something about modern color comics which drives me nuts, and that is the unfortunate (as far as I am concerned) tendency towards filling every available space with something -- be it linework and/or color -- instead of taking the classic approach of panels with borders and white space in between. I think the latter approach allows the pages to "breathe", and to my eye, anyway, the former approach is cluttered and generally ugly.

I am also disheartened by the way the story seems to be developing -- there just seem to be a lot of changes made for change's sake. And the introduction of yet another mutated animal character right away (Old Hob) pushes one of my buttons, and not in a good way.

I'm thinking that when the first IDW collection of these new TMNT comics is released, I may pick that up and read it all at one sitting and see if my opinion changes.

As far as wanting my input for any ongoing new TMNT productions at IDW, no, they have not approached me. That's probably a good thing, given the direction in which they seem to be heading. And lest people get the wrong idea, I wish IDW all the best of luck with their TMNT projects."

And later:

"Not really knowing anything about this new "Krang", I won't venture an opinion.

[on April naming the Turtles] This is one of the things which I think gives this new comic series a significantly different "feel" than the original TMNT stories that Kevin and I created. There seems to be more trying to make things seem -- I don't know -- "realistic"? Like it's easier to buy a human female naming turtles after Renaissance artists than a mutated rat. There seems to be less acceptance of some of the ofttimes whimsical nature of what Kevin and I did… and I find the result somewhat lacking.

[about the reincarnation angle] It does nothing for me, and in fact seems emblematic of a trend -- to make things bigger and more "meaningful" than they really need to be -- that I see in modern comics, especially in new "takes" on established characters. I was just reading something online recently about someone remaking the origin of Spider-Man, I think, so that instead of just being a kid who is transformed by the bite of a radioactive spider, he's actually the latest incarnation of some spider deity or something (sorry if I am messing this up -- I just quickly read the piece and don't remember where to find it again). I think it kind of started with Alan Moore when he reinvented "Swamp Thing" and turned him into a "plant elemental". That worked pretty well, but the problem is most writers aren't as brilliant as Alan Moore often is.

I also feel that it diminishes the characters of the Turtles and Splinter… like they can't be who they ARE, they have to be like someone else WAS.

And finally, one of the things about the way we created the Turtles that I always liked was the random, accidental nature of it. For some reason, I find that appealing (possibly because the origin of the Turtles sort of mirrors the creation of that first TMNT comic itself!)… and it's why whenever a new project would come up and someone would suggest redoing the origin of the Turtles and almost inevitably start with "See, there's this firm that's working on genetic engineering, and they take these turtles and -- ", I would shoot that down right away. It always felt so boring to me, so hackneyed. So obvious.

Now, I say all of the above with this caveat: I have not read all of the IDW TMNT comics. I think someday I will, in collected form, so that I can read a bunch of them all at once, conveniently. Maybe after I've done that, I will change my mind. Not likely, but possible. -- PL

[AquaParade]

This is pretty much what I expected. Interesting nonetheless. I feel that Peter is very much a fan of respecting source material. His thoughts on the recent Star Trek reboot, and his big concern with what and what isn't "canon" in the Mirage comics, etc. Stuff like that kind of paints a picture. I suspect he isn't a man accustomed to change. I can only guess, though. Not to say his opinions aren't valid. I wouldn't mind hearing him expand on his thoughts later on.

Thanks for gathering the info though, I kept putting off asking Peter this question, myself.

[CyberCubed]

He's just not fond of color comics, that's what seems to be distracting him. I see why he kept the Mirage run black and white for 25 years.

Other than that the story does read better when you have 4 issues together. The whole first arc was meant to be read in one sitting. I think that his awkwardness around it was the same we had due to the new origin but we're more used to it now.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

He's just not fond of color comics, that's what seems to be distracting him. I see why he kept the Mirage run black and white for 25 years.

What do you mean? Vol. 2 in color was something he pushed for.

[ToTheNines]

I was gonna call him out, but with a 13:170+ color to black and white ratio, I gave Cyber the benefit of the doubt.

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

What do you mean? Vol. 2 in color was something he pushed for.

They only did that to boost sales, which failed. That's why Mirage stopped publishing among other financial problems at the time.

[TonySiegel]

Not surprised by this... There goes the chance of Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman "collaboing" with IDW for atleast 1 issue

[Powder]

Originally Posted by TonySiegel

Not surprised by this... There goes the chance of Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman "collaboing" with IDW for atleast 1 issue

Not at all. Pete said he'd work on something but only by the personal invitation of Kevin Eastman.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by Powder

Not at all. Pete said he'd work on something but only by the personal invitation of Kevin Eastman.

That's right. That's what he's said.

[twopinacoladas]

These are things I thought myself, I didn't like the idea of a new mutant cat, I didn't particularly care for the artwork and some of the coloring threw me off. I think some of the recent issues have been a bit better tho. I see where Pete is coming from any how as I had very similar first impressions.

[Uki]

As a big fan of Pete's, I was excited to read his thoughts. I understand where he's coming from, but at the same time, I like the changes made in IDW. I stil looooove me some classic Mirage stuff, but this is a great new take with some fresh blood pumped in and a bit of the OT sprinkled in for seasoning. (Sorry for the mixed metaphors.)

[Oculus Orbus]

Originally Posted by twopinacoladas

These are things I thought myself, I didn't like the idea of a new mutant cat, I didn't particularly care for the artwork and some of the coloring threw me off. I think some of the recent issues have been a bit better tho. I see where Pete is coming from any how as I had very similar first impressions.

Pretty much the same here. More than the coloring, is the overall of the art what doesn't really look too good in my eye. I can tell Dan Duncan is a great artist, but I feel like TMNT doesn't fit him somehow, and there's quite a lot of pages that seem a bit rushed. I can't wait to read Ross Campbell's Leonardo, because I think he'd be more like the kind of artist that perfectly suits in the Turtles universe. Script wise, I was expecting changes to be made, and was actually very excited about it. But I can't help thinking that some bits have been done kind of careless, like Casey and his dad's reaction when they first see Raph (not to mention him buying a hot dog). I mean, I'd be just fine with those things, if the mood of the story were to go that route, wich in my opinion, it doesn't. I've read Waltz's explanation on the subject, but it still doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I feel like IDW's Turtles are already very far from the 'urban legends' type of concept. Then you've got the whole new origin, wich could potentially bring a lot of things that I never wanted to see in the franchise. I already dislike the idea of reincarnated Turtles, but also, I'm worried there's gonna be stuff related to that going on forever.

And, rainbow bandanas.

[Venom]

Originally Posted by Powder

Not at all. Pete said he'd work on something but only by the personal invitation of Kevin Eastman.

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

That's right. That's what he's said.

Link to the quote, please. I can't find it again for the life of me. :/

[AcidBurn30]

maybe Peter should of thought about this before he sold them to someone else..If he upset about the comic books, (Which to me did a GREAT job)..Wait til he finds out about the 3 toe CGI Nicks are doing to the turtles..I have a feeling he'll be back with the turtles. I mean we did hear Kevin was finish with tmnt and now he's back..

[Powder]

Maybe you should read Pete's other feelings about the TMNT as a whole before you get mixed up.
He basically said if he could go back and un-create them, he would. Don't bank on it.
Besides, Kevin was gone for over a decade. Pete's only been out of the scene for roughly 3.

[Galactus]

He was gentler in his criticism than I expected him to be although maybe I'm projecting my own negativity of the series onto Laird.

I agree with some of what he said and then add in some of my own issues as a fan that probably cares in a very different way to a creator.

I feel that Peter is very much a fan of respecting source material. His thoughts on the recent Star Trek reboot, and his big concern with what and what isn't "canon" in the Mirage comics, etc. Stuff like that kind of paints a picture. I suspect he isn't a man accustomed to change. I can only guess, though. Not to say his opinions aren't valid. I wouldn't mind hearing him expand on his thoughts later on.

I do agree to a point but a guy who green lighted the creation of Ch'rell can't be that afraid of change. To me it seems that IDW brought about these big changes right out the gate and it's taken six issues to set up the basics and it doesn't look like we'll be getting round to the "good stuff" just yet.

This is a shame as I do think Waltz writes the turtles and Splinter very well. I'd like to have seen more of this rather than spending five issues ultimate-izing the characters.

These are things I thought myself, I didn't like the idea of a new mutant cat

I was excited about Old Hob as I figured we weren't getting an army of mutants and he was billed as a different but just as important villain as the Shredder and well....he just isn't.

[CyberCubed]

Old Hob is awesome. He'll probably go rogue at some point.

[Jester]

Maybe. Right now he's almost early Bebop and Rocksteady caliber.

[Samhain]

Originally Posted by Powder

He basically said if he could go back and un-create them, he would. Don't bank on it.
Besides, Kevin was gone for over a decade. Pete's only been out of the scene for roughly 3.

Yeah, this comment in particular left me feeling a little... weird. I don't see how Kevin is the way he is and Peter is like that. I mean, what has Peter gained by creating the turtles? Alot. He has his wife and his daughter. A happy life, at least on the outside. And he's a millionaire. I just don't get how Kevin can be such a cool dude and Peter such a .... well, you know.

Maybe there are things that happened behind the scenes that we don't know about but jeez, when a creator says something like that about his creations it's a bit unsettling, to be honest.

[VaughnMichael]

I'm in agreement with him thus far but still along for the ride.