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Underground > Comic Books >

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

semioticrobotic

14:08 / 19.06.05

I've been a long-time reader and collector of TMNT, and am now now about 17 book shy of having every issue from every volume (not counting mini series, special editions or that dreadful Archie stuff).

It's really fun and interesting to see where the turtles have gone over the last two decades (they're not teenagers anymore, desite the book's persistent title).

Do any other 'lithers read the series (TMNT proper, or Tales)?

19:44 / 19.06.05

I haven't read it for years, but used to follow it. It is a fantastic series, suffered slightly from the interest that the films and cartoon gave it, but the early stuff was brilliant, starting almost like a hero spoof, and then finding it's legs and running. The best story I can remember (not that well either) was a three part tale about them, post a kind of break up, with Raphael alone, hiding in the sewers from a Foot gang about to get him - sorry to be so vague, but all I can really remember is the 3 part aspect and the covers (first one had Raph in rags hiding in the sewers).

Yotsuba & Benjamin!

19:46 / 19.06.05

I loved the storyline the first movie was loosely based on. Where they go out to the suburbs after first meeting Casey Jones.

semioticrobotic

21:33 / 19.06.05

Benny: Are you reading the turtles' adventures now? They're in a similar state: Splinter has died and all four green dudes are on separate paths. It's an interesting time to read/ begin reading.

Ben: That storyline (from "TMNT," the movie) is collected in some of the earlier graphic novels, I believe.

There's just something about the Turtles books -- nostalgia factor notwithstanding -- that keeps them unparalleled in my book. I'm whole-heartedly attached to the characters and appreciate the fact that they're back in Laird's (obviously capable) hands.

21:41 / 19.06.05

I'm not reading them at the moment, no. But if they are along those lines, and if Laird is back on board then I may check them out.

semioticrobotic

21:56 / 19.06.05

Kevin sold his half of the rights to Peter, so Laird is the sole proprieter fo the franchise now. You won't be disappointed.

Vol. 3 of the series was done by the people at Image. That volume ran 22 or 23 issues (have to check the list a ninjaturtles.com). Then Laird got the rights back, and now Vol. 4 is in full swing at 21 issues strong. Volume 4 picks up where Vol. 2 left off; Vol. 3 is not part of the continuity.

Just a heads-up in case you decide to hunt for back issues.

22:23 / 19.06.05

Missed the Image book.
The new Laird one is quite fun though I'm a bit behind.
The original, from the creator-done stuff to 'War in the City' (which probably wasn't called that, but something similar) still gets a reread every so often. Those early parody-heavy issues were and are just a cracking read. The Rextab Building and all the X-Men/Daredevil stuff, yeah!
Casey Jones raising a kid is just off enough to work, too, and I think, possibly one thing that's kept me along for the ride, when otherwise I probably'd have leapt out an open-window some time ago.

semioticrobotic

00:21 / 20.06.05

The original, from the creator-done stuff to 'War in the City' (which probably wasn't called that, but something similar) still gets a reread every so often.

You were close. It's "City at War."

"City at War" was collected in GN format, I believe. I wish I could get my hands on that.

Casey Jones raising a kid (his daughter, Shadow) is indeed a real hoot -- although I think the turtles (especially Mikey) are just as attached to the little one.

Incidentally, we have not heard from Casey or April for some time in Vol. 4. That is about to change, though, as the upcoming next issue is the first EVER without any turtles -- it's all Casey and April.

I'm Rick Jones, bitch

01:32 / 20.06.05

Is the Cerebus cross-over in canon? That sounds brilliantly daft.

01:36 / 20.06.05

Ninety percent sure Renee, who came out of the Cerebus cross-over, has come up since then, which would seem establish it as canon, however, near the beginning of the current series, Peter Laird states, in a text back-up, that they'll probably never involve an on-panel confirmation of Cerebus, while elements can and will be referenced/used.
Actually, I liked their Cerebus better than David demon-X-Men-killer Sim.

06:14 / 20.06.05

I meant than Sim's Cerebus, obviously. Though, now that I think about it...

06:51 / 20.06.05

one of my favorite issues is the one that michael zulli drew. i believe it was part of the very first series.

"city at war" is also a great story-line. fortunately i managed to collect all individual issues of that.

trying to keep away from the tv- and kid-safe versions of the TMNT and defending the importance of the original TMNT for independent comics, i was especially glad to see that latest run is well in stride with the earliest appeal: partly philosophical, adventurous and most of all versatile. back then it was no contradiction to have one issue of all-out slug-festing turtles vs. foot brawling and then another issue w/o any fights whatsoever and only character dialogue. both (and everythin in between and left and right of it) were part of what made up the TMNT, and i'm glad that laird is going in that direction again.

semioticrobotic

12:00 / 20.06.05

I like your description, werwolf. A seemingly infinite variety is what keeps me anxiously coming back to the book every other month (wish they could get on a monthly schedule, but I wouldn't want the book's quality or size denegrating at all).

I'm glad there are other TMNT fans here. Perhaps I will start a thread or two and discuss particular issues, when they arrive, and if they strike me as particularly worthy of discussion.

13:14 / 20.06.05

>> but the early stuff was brilliant, starting almost like a hero spoof, and then finding it's legs and running.

Exactamundo, to quote The Fonz. The first issue, with its Ronin-spoof cover and Frank Miller jokes abounding, is really terrific. Possibly my favorite moment in that issue, which summarizes the tone of the early series, is when the Turtles storm a Foot compound. One Foot guard says "Who goes there? Ninja?" And one of the turtles takes center stage, sword drawn, and says dramatically: "No. TURTLE!"

I love how their origin is tied in with Matt Murdock's.

Fugitoid was fun too, for a bit (tied into and spun out of issues 4,5 and 6 of the first series).

semioticrobotic

14:53 / 20.06.05

Finderwolf: The Fugitoid has returned! He's getting quite a bit of "panel-time" in the new issues. I love him. (Dare I say he's my favorite character? I'd have to thik about that.)

18:50 / 20.06.05

can you summarize this new Peter Laird series for those who haven't read it since, oh, issue 8 of the first series? What's the appeal and tone of it now? Is Laird both writing & drawing it?

semioticrobotic

21:19 / 20.06.05

I shall do my best, Finderwolf.

Laird has done some interesting things to the TMNT universe. It's bigger. He's found a creative way to allow the turtles to come above ground (and not live their lives exclusively below the streets, in the sewers) and mingle among everyday folk (I'll leave that as teaser #1, in case you want to explore the new stuff). The turtles have some new friends, and have retained many old ones. Other old characters have made surprising appearances that have likewise made significant impacts on the story (teaser point #2).

Splinter is dead. He died of natural causes (I hinted otherwise in a published letter to Laird, but was promptly squelched). Since his death (in issue 10 or 11, I think?), the turtles have all gone their separate ways, and things have been happening to each one. The plot lines are slowly intertwining (although, as I said earlier in this thread, the next issue will contain no turtles, so we'll have to wait and see where things go for them all). Laird's imagination is obvious in every issue. Some complain the book moves too slowly, but I prefer a dialogue-based, thick-plotted book, so I'm enjoy his new work.

The tone of the books is much as it was in the early and mid-eighties. It's not as dark (because, again, the turtles are above ground and in the sunlight now), but still maintains very mature themes (it's not your kid brother's Archie book).

In answer to your final question regarding Mr. Laird, I must admit I'm fuzzy on his position(s) at Mirage right now. I know he writes, and I'm fairly certain he also draws. Can someone help?

23:21 / 20.06.05

I have a lovely phone book style reprint of the first 15 or so issues of TMNT back before it was the comic of the cartoon of the film... It was great fun, but I don't think I'll pick up this new series...

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

08:02 / 21.06.05

I only ever read the first few (the first 3 or 4 First collections, I think) but I loved 'em... hmmm, maybe time to dig 'em out again.

semioticrobotic

13:10 / 21.06.05

Stoatie: It's a good thing you have them. I've been trying to round up the First collections to no avail.

13:14 / 21.06.05

>> Splinter is dead. ....Since his death (in issue 10 or 11, I think?),

Wow! And what issue is this new series up to now? I find myself surprised that it's up to 10 or 11, I thought it was only up to issue 2 or 3 for some reason...

semioticrobotic

16:13 / 21.06.05

Nope, FinderWolf. We're approaching issue no. 22.

The official site of everything Turtles is ninjaturtles.com, but for osme reason it's down right now.

When it's back up, head there, click "comics" (lefthand menu), and you'll be able to browse all the issues from the new volume (and others!).

22:33 / 21.06.05

Bryan,

How many of the issues are collected in TPBs? As this thread and all these new revelations makes me regret loaning out my old single issues and doubly makes me want to pick up the new stuff.

semioticrobotic

02:03 / 22.06.05

Of the new issues? Of these, none have been collected -- yet. Laird has hinted that he'd like to collect volume 4 when the time is right.

02:18 / 22.06.05

One Foot guard says "Who goes there? Ninja?" And one of the turtles takes center stage, sword drawn, and says dramatically: "No. TURTLE!"

Ha ha yeah, I have that. That's one of my all-time favorite comic panels.

And,

I love how their origin is tied in with Matt Murdock's.

Ohhh, ha ha ha---

04:51 / 22.06.05

sleazenation:

got the same old phonebook. I loved it as a kid, but it was confusing watching the cartoon at the same time. i was always wondering why they never killed anyone on tv!

semioticrobotic

22:31 / 22.06.05

I'm trying to picture the "phonebook" you're both describing, but I'm having trouble. Is this a first-run First GN, or something else?

Solitaire Rose as Tom Servo

03:11 / 23.06.05

There were the First collections, in color, that reprinted 4 - 5 issues each, and the Mirage came out with "phone books" much like Cerebus had started at the time. They did 4 volumes (maybe more....their shipping turned to crap around that time and they promiced a LOT of stuff that never came out) that reprinted the first 25 or so issues as well as one shots an mini-series.

I'd like it if they'd re-release those...there's a new audience that's pretty hungry for them.

I read TMNT from the first issue (and sold my first print for a car stereo in 1986) and loved the first 12 or so, but once the TV show started, the series took a HUGE drop in quality IIRC. They had a lot of stories being published out of order, late issues and other problems that made it hard to follow what was going on, and by the time they ended the first volume, I had long since given up.

12:07 / 05.07.05

just read the latest TMNT issue, where april's origin is presented. this is what i'm talking about. it might not be the "best" TMNT issue ever, probably not even in the top-quarter, but it displays all the rich imagination and fine-tuned character studies that have enamored me to the action-world of the TMNT in the first place.
quite a read.

semioticrobotic

13:31 / 05.07.05

Right with you, Werwolf. What a great issue. I was going to start a seperate thread for its discussion, but didn't know if doing so would be warrented.

I always feel like I get my money's worth with TMNT, and this issue was evidence of why I feel like that. What an involving, compelling read -- in terms of both story and art.

It's really hard to believe Laird has managed to keep something like April's origin disclosed for this long. But what an explosive way to reveal!

11:21 / 07.07.05

Watching Peacekeeper Wars last night, and I had a sudden sneaking feeling the writers may have read TMNT as kids.

Looking at the stuff when the TMNT's get 'ported into space.

The Human Federation are a quasi-facistic military society (Peacekeepers) going up against the bigger, stronger, reptilian Triceratons (Scarrens), both pursuing teleportation technology as a way of securing victory (wormhole weapons).

Just a thought, and doesn't stop Farscape from ruling the school with sleek, cat-like ease.

semioticrobotic

03:03 / 11.03.07

Just needed to bump this thread because I am going through withdrawl at the moment. Laird is working on the new TMNT movie, and he therefore hasn't written a comic in the ongoing series for many, many months.

Is anyone still reading? Still enjoying?

I think the series remains just ace, and was so disappointed to see Laird take the hiatus. I said upthread that we hadn't heard from April in a while . . . but, well, that certainly changed (will refrain from writing more unless others chime in, for fear of spoiling).

I also want to point werwolf to a new TMNT TPB that collects all Zuli's work, because of the previous nod.