TMNT Fansite’s Staff Gives Thanks

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have gone from obscure comic book to international pop icons. With starring roles movies, television shows, and video games – along with a plethora of toy lines – the Turtles have undoubtedly made an impact in most people’s lives (especially if you’re reading this website). With Thanksgiving here, we here at the TMNT Fansite thought it appropriate to reflect on the franchise that has been an important part of our lives, and highlight those things we are thankful for.

I’m thankful that we actually got a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie which gave the fans a lot of the elements they wanted to see. For years, we’ve been wondering if they would ever put characters like Baxter Stockman, Krang, Bebop or Rocksteady in a TMNT film, and now they finally have. Although the film didn’t do too well at the box office, I think it’s fair to say that Out of the Shadows was a pretty significant film in the cannon of the franchise. It may not have been popular with every shellhead out there, but there were a lot of people who walked away from the theater a bit more satisfied than usual this spring. Say what you will about the design of the turtles themselves or the characterization of April O’Neil and Casey Jones, but I consider this a pretty darn good effort overall. As I said in my review, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows came across like an extended episode of the original animated series; that may not be what most of the fans wanted, but it’s still pretty cool that they went for a retro appeal.

— Justin Wren

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012)

I’m thankful for Nick’s TMNT run. I know I’ve complained in the past for the seemingly random hiatuses, but besides that, the show is awesome. Lately they’ve been telling some really gripping stories, walking close to the line of dark and gritty, while still keeping the humor and light. It makes for a really interesting telling of the Turtles. Like the IDW comics, they pull from all corners of the TMNT universe, but bring it together in their own way. The show is really fun, and getting to see the Cast and Crew at New York Comic Con every year has been a huge added bonus! Plus it’s just great to have the Turtles on TV!

— Dan Spitaliere

The TMNT’s Adaptability

After 30+ years, the Turtles are firmly in that unique group of intellectual properties that can fit any type of story be it grim and gritty, silly and goofy, or somewhere in the middle. Because of this, there is a version of the TMNT that can appeal to anybody. Want a parody of serious comics, then “guest era” Mirage comics are for you. Want something extreme and dark? Check out the Image series. How about something silly? Watch the 1987 cartoon. Fan of the Transformers movies and the Ninja Turtles? Then the latest big screen productions might be worth a watch. And if you want something that takes the best of everything that came before, the comics from IDW and the animated series from Nickelodeon have you covered.

— Dan Gehen

What part of the TMNT franchise are you thankful for?