BREAKING: Kevin Eastman 100% Bought Out of the TMNT

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Just released on ninjaturtles.com, you can click the image on the left to read the full press release. The contents of the release are transcribed at the bottom. The bottom line is this: The TMNT are now 100% owned by Peter Laird.

You may be asking the question, "Didn't Peter already buy out Kevin's share of the TMNT?" Well, that is certainly what Peter has lead everyone to believe ever since the mentioned June 1, 2000 date. It wasn't until just last year that we learned that Kevin still had a financial stake in the franchise due to materials written by Kevin and interviews given.

So what changes now? Nothing, really. The TMNT have been creatively Peter's since June 1, 2000.

What will never change: Kevin Eastman's work on the TMNT is forever and always Kevin Eastman's. The art, the writing, and everything else he did is his work. Peter Laird may have the legal right to do with that what he wants, but changing it will never be the morally right thing to do. And IMO, it is beyond insulting to even attempt to sell these sad and pathetic efforts to the fans.

Northampton, MA (March 12, 2008) - Dear Fans, Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman wish to let you all know that on March 1, 2008, Peter and The Mirage Group completed the buyout of Kevin's entire right, title, interest and income participation in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles property and the four Mirage corporations involved in the ownership, management and protection of the TMNT. This latest event finalizes a transaction that began on June 1, 2000, when Peter and The Mirage Group purchased all of Kevin's ownership interest in the TMNT property and the corporations, except for a small continuing income participation.

Commenting on this latest transaction, Peter said, "I want to take this opportunity to once again thank Kevin for working side by side with me in creating the TMNT and moving them from the pages of Mirage's humble comic to the heights of success they achieved in animation, movies, toys, video games and other TMNT products and entertainment. Couldn't have done it without you, dude! It was an amazing and wonderful experience."

Kevin echoed these sentiments by commenting, "When I think back to the old days, two Jack Kirby fanboy artists, the living room studio in Dover, New Hampshire, my first sketch, our first page, the first issue stacked in the living room.. sure we'd never sell a copy.. ahhh, those were the days! Peter and I lived the dream, lost some along the way, but together built a foundation, heck, an empire that lasts and still resonates with kids around the world today. I look back at this gift, this partnership, with only the fondest of memories.. knowing Pete and Mirage will take excellent care of the boys, while I seek other artistic callings."

And this announcement is probably a good place and time for us to jointly thank all you fans for being so great in opening your hearts to our characters and making the Turtles and us a part of your lives. Neither of us could have done it without you. THANKS!

[Kevin Eastman] [Peter Laird]

Boxed NECA TMNT + NYCC Exclusive!

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The 5th Turtle today revealed the look of the upcoming boxed set of all four NECA TMNT figures. Not only that, but it was also revealed that there will be a New York Comic-Con exclusive boxed set that will include all of the figure bases and accessories (the regular set only comes with the weapons).

And bonus for those lucky enough to attend NYCC: Both Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird will be at the show (and you'd be a fool not to get 'em both to sign your box)!

Official: Blue Bunny Still Sells Ninja Turtles Ice Cream!

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After speculating over the weekend that Blue Bunny did, indeed, still sell the Ninja Turtles ice cream that they've been selling since the early 90s (late 80s?), I sent an email to them in search of some confirmation. I received a response today that confirmed it is still sold, but unfortunately you are stuck locating an ice cream man if you want to enjoy it.

Thank you for contacting our Consumer Affairs line in which you inquired about the availability of the BLUE BUNNY Ninja Turtle Face Bars. We truly appreciate hearing from our valued customers.

Unfortunately, the Ninja Turtle Face Bars are Impulse (Ice Cream Trucks, Convenience Stores and in Vending Machines) Items only. They are only sold in single-serve sizes.

They are not available for retail sale through grocery stores. We do not have a list of businesses that sell single-serve items. And, unfortunately, due to the inherent dangers of shipping items on dry ice, we do not have a service to sell directly to the consumer.

We appreciate your interest in our products and taking the time to contact us.

If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

June

Consumer Relations Specialist

Wells Dairy, Inc.

Tales of the TMNT Collected Book #5 Bookplate

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Here's a look at the exclusive bookplate with new art by Jim Lawson that you'll get if you order the Tales of the TMNT Collected Book #5 from PanelToPanel.net. The bookplate will come signed by Jim, Murphy, Dan Berger, and Peter Laird.

John at Panel to Panel also reveals that starting with this book, the bookplates will no longer come tipped in/attached to the book. This is so that you can enjoy the art outside of the book as well. Sounds like a plan to me!

Tales of the TMNT Collected Book #5 should have arrived at comic shops this past Wednesday. Panel to Panel will begin shipping them next week.

Tales of the TMNT #43 Now Available

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Tales of the TMNT #43, featuring Casey Jones's proposal to April O'Neil, shipped to comic shops this week and is now available.

If your comic shop doesn't carry it, whap 'em on the head and force 'em to! If that fails, you can order directly from Mirage.

Motivational Ice Cream

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MoronQueen found this image in a community of random images. Unfortunately, I don't know where it originates from, but it's pretty awesome.

Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation on DVD - A Recap

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There remains to be a bit of confusion about The Next Mutation's availability, so here's the complete run down.

The complete series is now available on DVD in the UK. As such, while the box says Ninja Turtles, the theme song and titles on the episodes say Hero Turtles. It also seems to be the case that some episodes have been edited, but this is pretty much your only option unless some miracle sees these released in the US some day.

Here are the two box sets you need to get all 26 episodes:

          

The set on the left, Volume 1, is a repackaging of three discs that were previously released. Those three discs are East Meets West (episodes 1-5), Staff of Bu-Ki (episodes 6-8), and All in the Family (episodes 9-11). This is important information, because based on the Amazon.co.uk listing, this set is now out of print. If you can't find the set, perhaps you can find the individual discs.

The set on the right, Volume 2, just got released this month after being delayed from its original 2007 scheduled release. This set is a true box set that features episodes 12-26. You can currently find this set on Amazon.co.uk, but I would recommend purchasing sooner rather than later, as all of these have been going out of print very fast.

If all else fails, there's always eBay, but you'll need to look at eBay.co.uk. At the moment, seller drstevew has both DVD sets available (Volume 1, Volume 2).

Of course, to watch any of these you'll need to be able to play Region 2, PAL-encoded DVDs. To do this you can buy an expensive region-free DVD player or there are ... other ways. A little time spent with the Google should help you find information that will allow you to view these discs without spending any additional money.

Good luck!