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Whether you are into TMNT art or are just excited about their 30th Anniversary and the upcoming movie, you will be able to get your cowabunga fix right here on the TMNT blog. Anything and everything related to the totally cool turtles can be found here. You may actually learn quite a bit of interesting turtle trivia here.

Ninja Turtles 2014 Movie Poster Leaked!?

by Justin W January 29, 2014

written by Justin W

Today on Twitter, a strange image was tweeted by a Turtles fan. Check it out:

Is this connected to the new Michael Bay Ninja Turtles film, because if it is, it really rocks! These Turtles look tough as the shells they wear on their backs and what about the toys in the image to the right of the poster display? They SURE DO seem like they could be the new Ninja Turtles toys that we’ve heard so much about don’t they?

Certainly what we see here in this poster display is consistent with everything that we’ve just seen earlier today in the images leaked of the Ninja Turtles visual effects models. This image is consistent also with the samurai gear on the Turtles chests that we’ve heard about. This has got to be from the new Ninja Turtles Paramount movie! But how is it connected? Is it some sort of poster display to support the release of the toys?

Only time will tell Shellheads. We here at TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles.com thinks that this imagery rocks! If Michael Bay wanted us to get excited about the film, this is certainly one way to make that happen. Cowabunga!

January 29, 2014 14 comments

First Look At Rest Of Turtles And Shredder from Michael Bay’s Ninja Turtles

by Justin W January 29, 2014

written by Justin W

Paramount Pictures Corporation (“Paramount”) has kindly requested the removal of any unauthorized content without express written permission of Paramount.

The last several days here at TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles.com have been busy ones for us because of all the new images from the film that have been popping up.

Last week, we brought Turtles fans the first look at Michelangelo from the upcoming Michael Bay Paramount Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie via a Halloween costume image that slipped out, and the response from Turtles fans on the internet was mixed to say the least.

Then this happened:

The Turtles licensee that mistakenly let out the image of the 2014 TMNT Michelangelo Halloween asked us politely on behalf of Viacom (Paramount Studios) to remove the image of Michelangelo that you saw first here on TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles.com. In doing so, Turtles fans were given the proof that we all wanted, which was that the image of Michelangelo was in fact directly connected to the upcoming Paramount Turtles movie which is scheduled for release into theaters in June of 2014.

(click to enlarge images, Images blacked out upon request)

Yesterday, the website ComicBookMovie.com released some amazing photos that claim to have been sourced from “someone close to the production” of the new Turtles movie. These photos appear to have something to do with the new Turtles film in a visual effects capacity, but with these new photos, we now know exactly what The Shredder will look in the new movie, and we here at TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles.com are spinning in our shells with excitement about it.

The Shredder aka Eric Sachs (Oroku Saki), played by actor William Fichtner, is looking quite metal! In fact, we’re having trouble discerning whether or not there is any aspect of his armor that is not covered in sharp, pointy metallic weaponry. With long, ominous claws extending from each forearm and blades protruding from his shoulders, thighs and calves, this version of The Shredder looks pretty dangerous.

The Shredder’s legs look less human than the rest of his body, as he definitely looks to be more machine than man. Will this new Shredder design echo back to some of the 80’s finest science fiction? Or will he actually transform at some point during the film from human into metal? Whatever the case may be, this is a pretty scary looking Shredder! Heck, even his cape is made of metal.

Today in breaking Turtles news…

There is no doubt that these images below directly relate themselves to the new Ninja Turtles movie, just as the Michelangelo costume from last week did. In seeing this images of our heroes in a half shell today, Turtles fans should all have a pretty strong idea of what the new Ninja Turtles will look like when we head out to theaters in June to see the film.

We here at TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles.com are wondering if fans will take to these new versions of the Turtles and to The Shredder like we have here. We Shellheads here at Turtles central are very excited for the new movie, and we understand and appreciate all of the Turtles fans concerns that are buzzing around the interwebs about all of these cool movie updates.

Tell us what you think! Do you like the new looks of the Turtles? Do you like the new Shredder? Tell us about it in the comments below, or spin over and chat about it in our forums!

January 29, 2014 2 comments

Blog Comic Book News

The Mighty Mutanimals – Inception and Cancellation

by Zach Gasior January 28, 2014

written by Zach Gasior

With the unparalleled success of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, including a popular television cartoon and two comic series, Archie Comics wanted to capitalize further. In the Spring of 1991, a mini-series was created starring several of the turtles’ most notable allies. So Dreadmon, Jagwar, Leatherhead, Mondo Gecko, Ray Fillet, Wingnut, and Screwloose became a new mutant hero team called the Mighty Mutanimals.

With the limited success of the mini-series, Archie Comics printed a new book for the Mighty Mutanimals in April 1992. All of the mutant characters had their starts in either the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures comic or the 1987 cartoon. Mondo Gecko was a friend of Michelangelo’s, while Wingnut and Screwloose first served as villains in the TV show. The Mighty Mutanimals ran for nine more issues until 1993, when low sales caused the book to be cancelled, and the new heroes were relegated back to the comic from which they came. In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures issues 48-54, the team was given a 7-part backup series to finish their own storyline, though.

This new series marked the beginning of the “Megadeath” Arc, and was combined with the “Future Shark” trilogy of the TMNT comic to round out the Mutanimals’ story. Unfortunately, the writers felt the way to do this was to have the evil Gang of Four assassinate the members of the Mutanimals one by one, until no one remained, even though it happened during a time travel story, and everyone could have remained alive at the end. The creators wanted to set a particular tone for their characters, and avoid having these mutants become second string, forgotten to the annals of comic lore. (However, the deaths of Jagwar and Dreadmon were actually planned out well before the cancellation, and they were to be replaced with Slash and Metalhead.)

During their limited stories, the Mutanimals had several allies make appearances, beyond the ninja turtles and their rat master, Splinter. Other friends of the team included Mondo Gecko’s girlfriend, Candy Fine; Raphael’s special vixen lady friend, Ninjara; the evil turtle Slash; GlubLubs; Kid Terra; and Merdude. Of all these characters, Slash was the most notable, as he was supposed to be a Mutanimal. However, he too was killed off shortly after the Mutanimal massacre, leading to an even greater lasting impression of the team in TMNT lore.

The success that this new team was predicted to have led to Mirage Studios even creating a TV pitch in 1992. The new cartoon would see Ninjara added to the team as a female member, and the Mighty Mutanimals would battle Krang as he tried to take over the universe. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles would have occasional guest appearances, but would stick to their own series so that these new mutants could have their day in the sun. While a character/animation bible was created, there was very little interest from Ruby-Spears Productions, and the pitch never became anything more than just that. While no one will ever know for sure, a television show may have been just what the Mighty Mutanimals needed to stay alive (with the TMNT audience already built in), both economically and literally.

The Mighty Mutanimals as a TMNT spinoff had something special. They were the best of the best from the turtles’ rouge and ally galleries, and had several factor that the turtles were missing, like different creations and drastically conflicting personalities. They provided a sense of adventure that was sometimes missing from the 1987 cartoon and the Archie Comics TMNT incarnations. While the Mutanimals may have never achieved the same success as their all-reptile counterpart, they were also arguably never given the chance to succeed. The book wasn’t given a chance to do anything amazing, and the TV show never got off the ground, so how was this new team supposed to succeed in the first place? Ultimately, the Mighty Mutanimals simply become another part of the cast of TMNT characters, where they will always remain. Stay tuned next week for a look at all the members of the team, and what they brought to the Mutanimals during their short lives.

January 28, 2014 1 comment

Blog Movie / TMNT Movies

Halloween Costume Reveals First Look of Michael Bay’s Ninja Turtles Movie

by Justin W January 22, 2014

written by Justin W

UPDATE:
Overnight, as the story went viral online in the TMNT universe via social media, the licensee politely informed us that Viacom (Paramount Studios) requested for them to contact us immediately in an attempt to remove the image that we suggested yesterday could be an indication of what we’re in store for in the upcoming June 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie.
If we ever needed any proof that the image that you saw here first on our Turtles site yesterday was in fact, a representation of the imagery of the Turtles from the upcoming movie, we now have it!

Just when you thought the gossip and chatter had died down about the upcoming Michael Bay produced Ninja Turtles movie…

Holy Cowabunga!

Someone has unveiled a first look glimpse at the designs of the Turtles themselves from the upcoming live action Paramount Studios / Platinum Dunes re-boot of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie franchise. Just a few weeks ago, we were talking about some of the new toys designed for the movie coming out this summer. There weren’t any pictures of the toys, but it was still nice to just be given a sense for the new design of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Thankfully, today we can show you something that will really give you a sense for what to expect.

Produced by Michael Bay, and written by screenwriters Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, and Evan Daugherty, the new Turtles movie is set for release at some point in 2014 starring Megan Fox, Will Arnett, and Whoopi Goldberg.

Paramount Studios has been very quiet about the new Turtles movie to date. Fans of the Turtles haven’t yet seen so much as a teaser trailer for the upcoming film yet. There is no idea what the Turtles in the new film will even look like either. Will the Turtles be faithful in comparison to the characters created by Turtles creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird? Or will Paramount be giving to us Turtles fans something in a similar look as the Turtles from the 1990’s Hollywood live action films?

TMNT fans have expressed great outrage and anger on the internet since the Paramount announcement of the film’s production, producer, director, and stars, and not knowing what the Turtles will look like all of this time in the aftermath of those official announcements, has given many a Turtle fan a bad taste in their mouth.

Then along comes the 2014 TMNT Halloween costumes. Sent out on the internet by a costume company (by mistake), we now are able to get a first glimpse as to what our Ninja Turtles will look like in the upcoming Jonathan Liebesman (Darkness Falls, Battle of Los Angeles) directed Turtles film. Get ready to be surprised Turtles fans….

The 2014 Turtles are a bit different from the Turtles we all fell in love with in the 1980’s. These 2014 Turtles, have loin clothes and back packs. Yet, these TMNT Halloween costumes with their “stuffable shells” look much more lifelike than other TMNT costumes that have since come and gone from the market.

If we’re to assume that these costumes are a direct reflection of the Turtles that we’ll see in the upcoming 2014 movie, then we could assume that our Turtles are cut, ripped, muscled and ready to kick some Shredder butt! Going off of this Michelangelo Turtles costume design, it’s difficult to know for certain if in fact this imagery will be reflected directly in the new Paramount Turtles movie, but it is a pretty safe bet. We’re unveiling the Michelangelo image today, but don’t worry Turtles fans, we’ll be revealing the other Turtles shortly.

The coolest thing about this new Turtles look is that Paramount really seems to be taking a more authentic Samurai Warrior/ Japanese culture approach toward the Turtles and we think that is a pretty cool thing. It would certainly be consistent in regards to original vision of Turtles creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, wouldn’t it?

There are some Turtles fans that have expressed outrage over a re-design of the look of our Turtles for the upcoming film, and while there are those that would argue that this isn’t a “good idea”, we happen to really like these re-designs here at TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles.com So, what do you think? Will these designs give the Turtles the 2014 edge in the new Paramount Turtles movie? Or are these unacceptable in the Turtles universe? Tell us what you think here.

January 22, 2014 176 comments

Blog Video Game News

Showcase: Custom Backlit TMNT NES by Platinumfungi and Custom NES Guy

by Zach Gasior January 21, 2014

written by Zach Gasior

Growing up in the 80s, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles made a huge impact on me. The cartoons, the movies, the games, the toys, the costumes, the clothing – they were everywhere, and they were awesome. – Ryan Fitzpatrick, a.k.a. Platinumfungi

Artists work in many different mediums. While there are plenty of traditionalists that take pleasure in forms that have been around for hundreds of years, there are those using technology as their canvas, and showing the world that art is always evolving. One such talent is Platinumfungi, a.k.a. Ryan Fitzpatrick. Ryan has spent a long time creating beautiful artwork using the classic Nintendo Entertainment System, and he’s let nostalgia be his inspiration.

When he was growing up, Ryan absolutely loved TMNT II: The Arcade Game. With a friend on hand to help kick Foot Soldier butt, Ryan spent hours playing the game on his own NES, and wanted to recapture those memories through his artwork. So, he set out to create the Backlit TMNT NES system – a one-of-a-kind design that gives classic gaming a turtle-y awesome feel. To help in his project, Ryan turned to the Custom NES Guy, and together they designed and painted the system to bring the old-school turtles to life once again.

In choosing the appropriate design, Ryan focused on the color palette above all else. He decided on something that looked like the turtles, including dual shades of green to resemble a turtle shell; brown around the vents and controller ports to represent the belt; and silver power and reset buttons to showcase the weapons. “I really wanted to make something that had the look and feel of the original TMNT series. … When you’re working with something that’s so close to people’s hearts you have to make certain you’re careful with how you treat it,” Ryan said.

In creating a system like this, special attention had to be paid to the details. One such example is in designing the decals around the audio/video ports. Ryan wanted them to resemble the old TMNT logo, meaning they had to be red and white (with Raphael’s head added for something extra). The system also had four controllers custom painted, one for each turtle, which included each individual’s color and an 8-bit head for a great way to play. The plug for the controller port is even brown to blend nicely with the “belt” along the vent on the main system. There was also need for care in the paint job on everything. Fortunately, Custom NES Guy has been painting show cars for 16 years, and he used professional automotive-grade paint to give everything a clean look.

The most impressive part of the system, however, is where the system draws its name – the backlit element. Ryan spent an excruciating amount of time cutting four designs that mirror the character selection screen in TMNT II, and laid them into the top of the NES system, where they glow brightly when the lights go out. The artist used a dremel tool, files, and sandpaper to craft these cutouts, choosing to do the work by hand instead of with lasers or professional machines. The backlit element is his own creation, and one that he’s applied to several other NES themes as well. It’s a labor of love that Ryan is only too happy to do.

After two months, Ryan finally had his TMNT NES in working order, and he added it to his growing collection of fun classics with a modern twist. Ryan shows exactly what talent and creativity can accomplish when combined with a brand new medium and a little nostalgia for motivation. He has certainly earned the right to be called a true TMNT fan, and hopefully he can continue to support his artistic endeavors to create more awesome pieces. If you would like to see more of Ryan’s creations, and show a little support for his work, then check out his website, here. Give this honorary turtle his due, and help spread the word about just what he is capable.

January 21, 2014 4 comments

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