Turtles Defeat Foot in Comic-Con Battle

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At Comic-Con last weekend, Nickelodeon hosted a "Turtles vs. Foot" battle that challenged Convention goers to choose a side in the battle of good against evil. To participate, you had to find and visit a truck parked in a parking lot next to Petco Park in downtown San Diego. At the truck, you chose your side and claimed a trucker hat that displayed your allegiance. To earn the hat you had to visit http://www.turtlesvsfoot.com and accomplish a series a tasks, the key one being sharing the promotion on Twitter and/or Facebook. (If you didn't have a smartphone to do this on, the staff at the truck was very accommodating and accepted generic sharing of the link to Twitter or Facebook, or a "promise" to do so.)

People who were spotted by the prize crew wearing their trucker hat could win a bag of TMNT goodies. Where the prize crew lurked was a bit of a mystery, but I finally spotted them running through the line to get into the TMNT panel on Friday morning, which was when I got my prize bag. I spotted them again circling the Nickelodeon booth on Saturday morning, where there was a constantly long line for the merchandise booth.

The prize bags were really neat tote bags (first seen at Toy Fair this past February) that were for sale at the merchandise booth for $20. Inside the bag the contents varied, but generally included a couple of posters (one a recreation of the first TMNT comic book cover with the new Nickelodeon CGI Turtles, one a Turtle dressed as the Mona Lisa), a T-shirt or two (the TMNT shell shirts or designer shirts available from the merchandise booth), and an autographed toy from the personal collection of Kevin Eastman.

One of the tasks on the Turtles Vs. Foot website allowed you to receive a call from either Splinter or Shredder (depending on the side you had chosen). You can hear these two pre-recorded messages below.

Splinter Incoming Message: (download)


Shredder Incoming Message: (download)


If you called back the number you received these two calls from, you heard another message inviting you to leave a message.

Splinter Outgoing Message: (download)


Shredder Outgoing Message: (download)


In the end, to no surprise, the Turtles won the battle against the Foot! Turtle Power!

Infestation 2 Ashcan Preview

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Last week, IDW released an Ashcan preview of their upcoming INFESTATION 2 crossover event. The Ashcan was distributed to comic shops as a freebie, so ask your local shop if they got any.

In addition to setting up the premise of the infestation at the heart of the crossover, the book also confirms all of the release dates for the different INFESTATION 2 titles.

At this point in time, it is believed that TMNT fans who are only interested in the TMNT content will need to buy the two main INFESTATION 2 title (#1 on sale 1/25/12, #2 on sale 4/11/12) that bookends the event, and the two INFESTATION 2: TMNT books (#1 on sale 3/7/12, #2 on sale 3/21/12). The other crossover books surely add additional depth to the overall story, but without any TMNT content.

Download the Ashcan as a PDF here.
Or view it online here.

Thanks to Master Splinter for the PDF scans!

Coming Out Of Their Shells - French

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Once again humoring my love for the old TMNT Coming Out Of Their Shells Tour, with the help of my pal gobo I recently acquired a CD of the French-language version of the infamous TMNT concert tour. And because I'm a giving person, I'm also sharing it with you. Enjoy!

Download it here.





Track List:

1. Les Tortues Sont Là (Coming Out Of Our Shells)
2. Pizza Power
3. Ricochets (Skipping Stones)
4. Soi Toi-Même (Walk Straight)
5. Ça Baigne (Tubin')
6. Cowabuga
7. Rap De Shredder (I Hate Music)
8. Ballade d'April (April's Ballad)
9. Pas De Trève (No Treaties)
10. Laisse Parler Ton Coeur (Follow Your Heart)
11. Bats-Toi (Count On Us)

TMNT Papercraft

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If you don't follow the Ninja Pizza Tumblr blog (and if you don't, you should), you missed today's post of the above picture of some completed TMNT papercraft toys. I just thought the photo was neato, but the picture sparked some interest in the actual papercrafts, so I've collected a bunch that were on the old 4Kids.tv website for your downloading and building pleasure.

You can download the collected .zip file here.

The Ninja Pizza Tumblr blog is updated once a day, every day, with a different TMNT-related image. Absolutely anything can show up here, so be sure to keep tabs on it to discover something new, old, interesting, or just cool!

Full Scan of IDW's TMNT Ashcan

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Thanks to absolutely everyone who participated in the TMNT ashcan comic giveaway over the weekend. I've just notified the four winners and they'll be receiving their comics soon!

For everyone else, I've put together a PDF scan of the complete ashcan! Now, this is not something I would usually do, but IDW had mentioned on their forum that they would be posting the entire thing eventually, and seeing as they haven't yet, I thought I would.

So check out this preview, and then pick up the first issue of the new series later this month at your local comic store. Things are shaping up to be a wild and fun ride!

Download the ashcan here.

TMNT 2007 Score by Klaus Badelt

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One of the most asked questions I get over on YouTube, which I've always left unanswered, is where one can download the score from TMNT (2007) by Klaus Badelt. You may have noticed that I've uploaded some of the tracks there.

The unfortunate truth about the tracks is that they were leaked to the Internet a couple years ago when Badelt released a limited promo CD of the score. So, copies of it aren't exactly legal.

However, because I do get so many requests, I've decided to share all of the tracks (some of which I wasn't able to put on YouTube). My stipulations for doing this are that the MP3s are only 128kps, and if at anytime Warner Brothers or Mr. Badelt request that the tracks be removed, they will be.

Track list:

1. Love Being a Turtle
2. Story of TMNT
3. Winter's End
4. I-Beam Fight
5. Stars Align
6. Nightwatcher
7. Leo Returns
8. Final Monster
9. Stone Generals
10. Raph Quits
11. Fighting the Stones

Download the album here.

I've also included a bonus track taken from the TMNT soundtrack that was released. There were two score tracks included on that album, and when Warner Brothers had the album streaming on the movie website, one of those tracks was longer (by a couple minutes!) than what was on the CD. So, if you want, you can take that MP3 and replace the one from the album.

Ideally this score would see a proper CD release. To show your support for such a release, click the "Like" button at the top! And if you happen to have one of the tangible promo CDs, I would be very interested in buying it from you. ^_^

TMNT Flashback: Movie Storybooks With Read-along Cassette

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Back in the '90s, Random House released a series of TMNT books and read-along cassette tapes. Three of these sets included a cassette that narrated and performed an included comic book (reprints from the Archie series). The set pictured at left here included two brand new mini storybooks based on the first movie.

The interesting thing about these books is that while they are most obviously based on the movie, all of the artwork reflects the cartoon Turtles of the time. But the thing I love most here is the included cassette.

I remember listening to the cassette using my awesomely hip Sony Walkman while riding in the back seat of my parents' car on a family vacation... and realizing that the same guy who was narrating the story was also doing all of the voices of the different character. Oh, how I LOLed.

Now, it's not unusual for one person to read an audiobook and also do all of the voices, but I do think it is a bit more unusual for a children's tape. But really, in this case it just sounds ridiculous and silly. However, I shall leave it to you to judge for yourself.

For a limited time, I'm making both audio stories available for download here.

I'll also note that each side of the cassette features one of the two stories, read twice. Once without page turn signals and once with page turn signals. I never understood that much, either. Why not put both stories on each side of the cassette and only put the page turn signals on one side? The way it's set up you're stuck either listening to the same story twice in a row or playing the fast-forward game to find the version you want to listen to (ah, the joy of cassette players).

EXCLUSIVE: "Turtles Forever" Complete Audio!

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Last Friday, July 24, 2009, Mirage Studios hosted a TMNT 25th Anniversary "Galabunga" party as part of San Diego Comic-Con, where, after pizza, cake, and prizes, fans were treated to the premiere screening of "Turtles Forever," a special animated adventure that saw the Turtles of the 4Kids series crossing into the multiverse of the original TMNT cartoon.

Shortly before the show started I realized that I had my audio recorder still with me, after utilizing it earlier in the day at the Con. I decided to take a chance and flip it on to see if the audio from the show would come out. I finally got around to checking the audio tonight, and what do you know, it actually turned out really good!

Here are all the disclaimers I present with the offering of this audio:

1. This audio is my own personal recording.
2. At no point during the night were we told, either in spoken word or print, that recording was not allowed.
3. As of right now there is no distribution deal for the release of "Turtles Forever" on DVD. This is surely forthcoming, but it can't hurt to raise enthusiasm for the project for potential distributors to see (and hear, in the case of the crowd reaction).
4. If at any point it is requested by Mirage Studios and/or 4Kids Entertainment for the file to be removed from this site, it shall be.
   

Further notes about the audio:

• This was recorded among a very lively crowd, so there is a lot of crowd noise that sometimes blocks out the audio from the movie.
• The volume in the room was very loud and my recording device is very basic (and as it was, I hit record as a crap-shoot to see if the audio came out at all), so there is a bit of distortion during the louder parts.

With all that said, you can download the audio here. Downloads are limited, so please comment if it needs to be re-uploaded.

Kazoo With the TMNT

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In the near-25 year history of the TMNT, there have been a lot of high points and a good fair share of low points. A lot of awesome merchandise and some... not so much. "Kazoo with [the] TMNT" would fit into that last category. Or, perhaps even more accurately, into the, "We're willing to approve anything you'll give us money for," category.

Before I go any further I should put forth the disclaimer that I absolutely love the entire musical history of the TMNT. Seriously. Even the stuff that's cheesy as hell is, at worst, a guilty pleasure for me. Even though my sincerity behind any positive words for "Kazoo with [the] TMNT" would be weak, I couldn't deny that it fills me full of giddy laughter.

Here's the premise of "Kazoo with [the] TMNT":
You get a book with very basic sheet music for eight songs from the soundtrack of the first live action movie. You also get four kazoos (bonus points if you can guess the colors of the kazoos). You are meant to kazoo the sheet music. Ok, sure. Why not? Kids like kazoos and Ninja Turtles, it can't be that bad. Right?

Wrong. This perfectly innocent package becomes the stuff of legend with the inclusion of a simple cassette tape. A cassette tape that features all of the songs in the book played by an electronic orchestra and... someone playing the kazoo!! This may be the only example in history of a dedicated kazoo recording. And there's a reason for that.

It's just hard to take the kazoo seriously as a solo instrument. The novelty of it wears off in about 10 seconds, but here it supports eight songs that are 3-5 minutes long. It also, by design, produces a lot of spit, and the producers of this product really didn't make any effort to try to hide that. But then again, did the producers of this product really think they were releasing something stellar? Nah, it was all for the quick buck.

To experience "Kazoo with [the] TMNT" for yourself, you can download the contents of the cassette tape, for a limited time, here.

TMNT: The Original 1990 Press Kit

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In case it's not already obvious, a Press Kit gets constructed and released - to the press - as part of the marketing effort for a film. These days they're all done digitally, compiled onto DVDs. Back in 1990 it was a simple folder loaded with some 8x10 black and white photos and some photocopied production notes.

Instead of focusing on a deleted scene today, I thought I would give typing a break and scan the contents of the press kit for the original movie. After I did that, I ended up typing 20 pages of production notes, so I really didn't save myself from anything.

Below you'll find all of the photos included with the kit as well as an excerpt from the production notes. If you download the complete .zip file, you'll have more production notes to read. One of the reasons I went through with typing 20 pages of these things was that all of the information is really, really unique and interesting, and I'm not sure that there's anywhere else that you can read something similar to this. There are quotes from all of the major players who had a hand in making the movie, including the late and great Jim Henson.

It's really all quite fantastic and I think it will also give you extra appreciation for all of the hard work that people put into this movie to make it the classic it ended up being.

A classic that should receive proper DVD treatment! *ahem*

You can download the complete .zip file here.

TMNT Deleted Scene: Training on the Farm

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Here is the second deleted scene from the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film that I am highlighting in support of the TMNT Special Edition project. Warner Brothers isn't yet convinced that this is a good idea - But they ARE watching us! - so be sure to let them know personally that you want this Special Edition DVD!

This scene is also pretty well documented, and bits and pieces of it can be seen in the actual movie. I've scanned a few stickers, trading cards, and pics taken from a book and magazine from this part, but the lengthy bit from the script might be more interesting to you.

This scene comes immediately after April yells at Casey, "I wouldn't ask for your help if you were the last... "thing" on the face of the planet!" and Casey follows with, "Coming along 'nicely' ..."

TMNT Deleted Scene: Alternate Ending

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This is the first entry in a series to highlight all of the deleted scenes from the original 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. While all of the deleted scenes from the movie are fairly well documented throughout books and comics, we still have yet to see any of these scenes in their entirety. This is a key reason why releasing a Special Edition DVD of this movie is a necessity!

While the movie ended with our heroes triumphant on the rooftop of a building, there was one final scene in the script. This scene had April and Danny in the office of a comic book publisher, trying to pitch the idea of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Here are some photos from that scene, as well as the actual script that was used for filming!

Coming Out of Their Shells - Hebrew

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Here is certainly one of the more obscure things I've picked up over the years. Yes, this is another foreign language edition of the Coming Out of Their Shells Tour - This time in Hebrew.

Once again, I'm offering MP3s of the album for download for a limited time only.

Due to my complete illiteracy in Hebrew, I had to call in some help on the translating of the track names, and even then my volunteer got stumped on a few of of the vowels (but a big thanks to oldmanwinters for at least giving me something to work with!). So the blank underscores are missing vowels. If anyone can offer more complete translations, please let me know and I'll send you a photo of the track names. However, all of the songs are completely recognizable, so providing the English titles is no problem.

Here is your download link.

Track listing:

1. Ysano M_hs_rion (Coming Out of Our Shells)
2. Kot pisa (Pizza Power)
3. Mata (Tubin')
4. Shira Sh_l (April's Ballad)
5. Qowabunga (Cowabunga)
6. Yalak Yashar (Walk Straight)
7. Ad Mvvt (No Treaties)
8. Yyalak Im Helev (Follow Your Heart)
9. Son_ Mosipa (I Hate Music)
10. Y_s Al Mi L_smok (Count On Us)

Saliendo De Sus Caparazones

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In addition to being a collector of obscure TMNT items, I'm also a bit of a tech geek. This means I ask for things like USB turntables for Christmas. And, having received such an item, I have now used my basic audio editing skillz to record the LP of the Spanish translation of the Coming Out of Their Shells Tour to MP3.

As such, I am offering these files for download for a limited time. You can download the album here. Grab 'em while they're there!

Track Listing:

1. Rap Del Tortugon (original song)
   
2. Baila Tortuga (original song)
   
3. Cuenta Con Nosotros (Dance Mix) (original mix)
   
4. Saliendo De Nuestros Caparazones (Coming Out Of Our Shells)
   
5. El Poder De La Pizza (Pizza Power)
   
6. Buscando Piedras (Skipping Stones)
   
7. A Luchar (Walk Straight)
   
8. Cowabunga
9. No Hay Tratos (No Treaties)
   
10. Sigue A Tu Corazon (Follow Your Heart)
    
11. Cuenta Con Nosotros (Count On Us)