STEVE MURPHY ON THE TMNT PREQUEL COMICS

**MattBrady** · 02-28-2007, 03:21 PM

by Chris Arrant

New York Comic Con was a busy affair, and Newsarama.com saw many things in the aisles that caught our eye. One being this:

The above image was a special NYCC print by artist Santiago Bou and Mirage Studios, the people behind the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, to promote the upcoming movie release on March 23 and the array of comics Mirage has planned to release to coincide with the movie. There will be 5 "prequel" comics, each focusing on a specific character, and an 64 page official adaptation of the movie. The prequel comics will be:

1 - Raphael (by Steve Murphy and Fernando Pinto)
2 - Michelangelo (by Jake Black and Mr Exes)
3 - Donatello (by Steve Murphy and Jim Lawson)
4 - April (by Jake Black and Andres Ponce)
5 - Leonardo (by Steve Murphy and Dario Brizuela)

And the adaptation will be done by Steve Murphy and artists Diego Jourdan, Cristian Gonzalez and Juan Saavedra. The prequel comics will come out in the two week's prior to the movie's opening, with the adaptation comic book coming out the week after the opening. The prequel comics are partially based on the pre-production/back story notes of the film's director Kevin Munroe. Last year Newsarama.com interviewed Kevin Munroe about the movie, and now we catch up on the comics side of the equation and talk with Mirage Studios' own Steven Murphy.

Newsarama: The official adaptation – is it taken straight from the movie, or from the script?

Steve Murphy: Straight from the final shooting script. However, some edits were made to the film since then that are not reflected in this adaptation. Fans may want to check out the official "junior" novelization from Simon & Schuster, as that was based on the final pre-shooting draft of the script and as a result is quite different than the comic book adaptation and actual movie.

NRAMA: When do the comic adaptations come out?

SM: There are five prequels and if all goes well the first two (Raphael and Michelangelo) will be out March 7, the second two (Donatello and April) on March 14, and the fifth one (Leonardo) on March 21. The adaptation itself will be out on the 28th, the week following the movie's March 23 opening. That's how Warner Brothers wanted it.

NRAMA: How do these prequels lead into the movie?

SM: Each prequel provides the back story to each of the featured title characters. For example, the movie opens with Leo having been away for a year on a "spiritual training mission" that is meant to bring his ninja abilities to the next level. The Leonardo prequel serves to tell us exactly where he went and what lessons he learned. Stuff like that.

NRAMA: With many movies, television shows and comics out, it gets a bit complicated. Could you tell us what's canon and what's uhm – "not"?

SM: "A bit complicated" is an understatement! Well, the way I see it there are several TMNT universes that are "canon," and several that are not. These distinctions are mostly based on past discussions with Peter Laird, who has very specific ideas about what is official history and chronology and what is not. Heck, this is so complicated that I'm not sure I even have the time to get into it now but, basically, it's like this. The first two dozen (roughly) issues of the first volume of the TMNT comic published by Mirage are official continuity, as are several other Vol. 1 issues. All of Vol. 2 is official, as is the current (though on hiatus) Vol. 4, as are all issues of Tales of the TMNT, both volumes. Um, the first movie is also canon, as is the new one. All of that, for the most part, comprises the official canon, especially for Pete. The new cartoon is another universe but it too is considered canon, at least unto itself. The first cartoon show and the Next Mutation series and the Japanese series and the middle two movies and the Archie and Image comics and the daily newspaper strip and the video game worlds are non-canon. Fans may and will point out discrepancies, I'm sure.

saiyanspider · 02-28-2007, 03:32 PM

FIRST POST!!!!

I can't wait for this movie

Ye Olde Iowa · 02-28-2007, 03:34 PM

Did they ever put together any collections of those old Mirage TMNT books? I remember reading a few and being shocked at how much darker they were than the happy-go-lucky pizza-long and downright goofy Ninja Turtles that I grew up with.

I'm pretty stoked about the movie and I think the comic prequels are a good idea, though I'm way out of the loop when it comes to the Turtles.

michaelman9 · 02-28-2007, 03:36 PM

I think that these comics should be a great way to set the tone for the movies. I rarely catch the new cartoon on tv, won't buy the 3-5 packs from it, so I haven't really had much TMNT lately. I'll probably pick these up to set the tone for the next one. Any chance of interior art?

Speedball93 · 02-28-2007, 03:36 PM

My son is super pumped for this. I am not ashamed to admit that I am as well. The trailers I have seen have been awsome.

JakeBlack · 02-28-2007, 03:38 PM

You can get Trades of the old Mirage books (and I think some newer ones, too) at www.ninjaturtles.com, the official mirage site.

I wrote the Mikey and April prequel comics (and a kids book called Leonardo Returns) for the TMNT movie. It's a lot of fun, and I hope you guys pick up the prequels...

You can also see preview art for the April issue on my blog at www.jakeblack.com and the artist's blog at andresponce.blogspot.com.

GohanWinner · 02-28-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ye Olde Iowa

Did they ever put together any collections of those old Mirage TMNT books? I remember reading a few and being shocked at how much darker they were than the happy-go-lucky pizza-long and downright goofy Ninja Turtles that I grew up with.

I'm pretty stoked about the movie and I think the comic prequels are a good idea, though I'm way out of the loop when it comes to the Turtles.

There are a couple you can buy through www.ninjaturtles.com but the first 11 issues are pretty much COMPLETELY unavailable. As are everything after issue 30-something I think. I'm hoping that if the movie is a success, Volume 1 gets reprinted into trades.

I really want these prequel comics, and I simply cannot wait for this movie.

El Argentino · 02-28-2007, 03:51 PM

www.andresponce.blogspot.com

Turtle stuff!

skaly · 02-28-2007, 03:57 PM

I would totally buy a brand new omnibus/essential edition of classic TMNT.

JakeBlack · 02-28-2007, 03:59 PM

Here is the direct link to my blog for the April art...(You can also see the exclusive Emerald City Comic Con Turtles print there...)

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...b-9e60558f905f

michaelman9 · 02-28-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeBlack

You can get Trades of the old Mirage books (and I think some newer ones, too) at www.ninjaturtles.com, the official mirage site.

I wrote the Mikey and April prequel comics (and a kids book called Leonardo Returns) for the TMNT movie. It's a lot of fun, and I hope you guys pick up the prequels...

You can also see preview art for the April issue on my blog at www.jakeblack.com and the artist's blog at andresponce.blogspot.com.

Thanks man. These seem like fun, so i'll definately check them out!

smitch · 02-28-2007, 04:01 PM

It's amazing, I think the TMNT have more "universes", or interpretations than practically any other character/franchise. Batman's probably the only other (that I can think of at the moment). Still, no Batman that I know of cracks toilet jokes (as I remember from this film's trailer). Ah well...I will probably see the movie on DVD.

coolmvm · 02-28-2007, 04:10 PM

I'm a big animate turtle fan, so I haven't really been into the comics books. However I will look into this event to see what happen to them.

JakeBlack · 02-28-2007, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelman9

Thanks man. These seem like fun, so i'll definately check them out!

I have just (with Mirage's permission) posted three more pages this time from the Michaelangelo prequel. You can find them here:

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...a-fccc87035c7a

PoisonElf · 02-28-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

1 - Raphael (by Steve Murphy and Fernando Pinto)

Sold here and here.

munsung02 · 02-28-2007, 04:29 PM

Haha, those are great pages. I love it. It completely strikes me as something Mikey would do. Very Sweet.

AdamYJ · 02-28-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitch

It's amazing, I think the TMNT have more "universes", or interpretations than practically any other character/franchise. Batman's probably the only other (that I can think of at the moment). Still, no Batman that I know of cracks toilet jokes (as I remember from this film's trailer). Ah well...I will probably see the movie on DVD.

At this point, we can just all create our own personal canon. I just use most of the stuff from the new cartoon and dump as many peripheral characters from the old cartoon/Archie series as I want in. (Mondo Gecko rocks!)

Anyway, you have to love seeing April in that banner decked out in yellow ninja gear and wielding a katana. My sister used to hate playing Ninja Turtles with me as a kid because she always ended up playing as April. Now, April can be badass!

jimdemonakos · 02-28-2007, 04:34 PM

Mirage will be making their only other convention appearance of the year at the Emerald City ComiCon this coming March 31st & April 1st. Jake Black and Jim Lawson will be there, plus they'll have an exclusive print that is limited to only 100 at the show:

!!!1 · 02-28-2007, 04:35 PM

ZOMFG NINJA TURTLEZ!

JakeBlack · 02-28-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimdemonakos

Mirage will be making their only other convention appearance of the year at the Emerald City ComiCon this coming March 31st & April 1st. Jake Black and Jim Lawson will be there, plus they'll have an exclusive print that is limited to only 100 at the show:

Only 100? I didn't know that! I hope I'll be able to get one! ;-)

smitch · 02-28-2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamYJ

At this point, we can just all create our own personal canon. I just use most of the stuff from the new cartoon and dump as many peripheral characters from the old cartoon/Archie series as I want in. (Mondo Gecko rocks!)

Anyway, you have to love seeing April in that banner decked out in yellow ninja gear and wielding a katana. My sister used to hate playing Ninja Turtles with me as a kid because she always ended up playing as April. Now, April can be badass!

True, we pretty much HAVE to create our own canon. I see what you mean about April, but my first thought seeing her in the yellow outfit with the sword was "Gimme a break"!
Guess I'm just more a child of the Eastman AND Laird Turtles. I think the two together made better Turtles than either one did (or does) apart. Eastman brought the darker, more edgy tone, and Laird softened that up just enough.

Derek Ruiz · 02-28-2007, 04:56 PM

Jake Black Rules!!!!!!

Hawkangel · 02-28-2007, 05:04 PM

I'm a fan of the old cartoon and a bigger fan of the Eastman and Laird comics. (Let's face it, most of us wouldn't have gotten into the Turtles if not for the 80's cartoon).
I can't get into the new cartoon at all even though I own the first 2 boxsets (R4 here in Australia) of the first season.
I understand that they are trying to have a cartoon that is more in line with the E & L comics, but have tried watching it and after a couple of false starts, I still can't get into it..
Anyway, I'm looking forward to this movie, hopefully there will be more TMNT movies and fore those that said choose your own canon, just don't choose that shoddy 'Ninja Turtles : Next Mutation' live action TV show.

EMeadow · 02-28-2007, 05:04 PM

Surprised that Laird doesn't consider the 2nd movie canon. I thought the original script at least refrenced that one as well.

The 3rd movie I understand (even though I liked it) but maybe they just want to get away from the 2nd movie with its "no ninjas with weapons thanks to parents" attitude.

LOL and yes I know everyone else will say "Vanilla Ice is the reason."

Uchiha_Prodigy · 02-28-2007, 05:06 PM

I cant believe how mature the Turtles comics are. I grew up on the 80's toon and the comics were a total shock to me.