Tuesday, December 16, 2008

The "Command Center"

So I finally have finished my "Dream layout" for my Gaming PC.
I play a lot of WoW, and I play two accounts at once, so it was important to me to be able to be able to see both accounts and have a monitor for a browser as well. Please keep in mind that the follow is set up using a single PC.



So here we have a 3 monitor system. The first two monitors are instantly obvious. The Primary monitor is mounted on the far wall and is a 65 inch LCD Aquos Television. The Secondary monitor is the 21 inch ViewSonic on the table below the primary monitor. While this monitor isnt very good for reading websites or text due to its proximity from the desk, it is perfect for running a second WoW character (as pictured).



The third monitor is actually inside the desk. The desk is designed with a recessed mount for a monitor. This monitor is perfect for browsing websites while playing games on the other displays.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this little presentation, I'm pretty proud of my handiwork :-)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

My NYCC 09 Plans


Hey Gang,
I just confirmed all my NYCC plans! If you remember last years NYCC craziness of mine, you'll notice these plans are much less condensed and far less frantic.

Burbank Bob Hope (BUR) to New York John F Kennedy Intl (JFK)Departure (BUR): February 5, 8:45 AM PST (morning)Arrival (JFK): February 5, 4:58 PM EST (afternoon)

New York John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) to Burbank Bob Hope (BUR)Departure (JFK): February 8, 6:00 PM EST (evening)Arrival (BUR): February 8, 9:36 PM PST (evening)

Also, while I am there, I am going to go see Avenue Q:
Date: Sat, Feb 7, 2009
Option: 2:00PM Weekend Performance

If anyone is going to be attending, and would like to hang out (I will have plenty of time for you this time around), PM me for my cellphone number.Thanks!

Friday, December 5, 2008

California judge orders company to stop making Bratz dolls


The collective pout on the lips of Jade, Cloe, Yasmin and Sasha is about to become even more pronounced.

A judge in California ruled late on Wednesday that the makers of Bratz, the attitude-laden teenage dolls that exposed Barbie as a square, must immediately stop making the hit toy and recall its models from shop shelves in the new year.

The ruling sent shockwaves through toyland as the industry gears up for its busiest time of the year. In June, sales of Bratz in the US reached $3.1bn (£2.1bn) since their launch in 2001. Sales of Barbie, still America's most popular toy, fell by 15% in 2007.

The ruling comes three months after Mattel, the makers of Barbie, won a copyright case in which it argued that the Bratz concept had been developed by one of its designers. A jury agreed that Carter Bryant had come up with the original designs while at Mattel and had taken them to MGA, which launched the Bratz line in 2001. The jury awarded Mattel $10m for copyright infringement and $90m for breach of contract.

Judge Stephen Larson's ruling effectively places the Bratz brand under the control of Mattel.

"Mattel has established its exclusive rights to the Bratz drawings," Larson wrote, "and the court has found that hundreds of the MGA parties' products, including all the currently available core female fashion dolls Mattel was able to locate in the marketplace, infringe those rights."

Perhaps most troubling for fans of the Bratz extended family will be the fate of the Bratz Babyz, the Bratz Kidz, the Bratz Petz, the Bratz Boyz and the Bratz Ponyz. On her blog, Bratz girl Yasmin chose to ignore the legal fuss to focus on her busy life "with school and community stuff", and to tell her readers about her next door neighbour's new horse, Leo.

Yasmin's boss, MGA chief executive Isaac Larian, expressed surprise at the scope of the ruling and promised to appeal. "We believe ... that issuing such a broad injunction is inconsistent with the limited jury verdict and the law," he said. "MGA intends to immediately appeal the injunction."

The judge said the ruling, which could put MGA out of business, thus removing one of Mattel's chief rivals, would not take effect until February, when he rules on post-trial motions lodged by both sides.

Mattel chief executive, Robert Eckert, said in a statement: "We're extremely pleased that the court granted Mattel's motion for an injunction and ordered MGA to stop selling Bratz products that infringe on Mattel's rights."

The ruling, he added, "underscores what Mattel has said all along - that MGA should not be allowed to profit from its wrongdoing".

The ruling saw shares in Mattel rise by 5% on the New York stock exchange.

The two sides continued to argue about the scope of the ruling. MGA said that it applied to just the first four characters in the Bratz range; Mattel countered that all Bratz dolls infringe its copyright.

But even as one competitor seems set to leave the marketplace, Barbie faces other challenges to its dominance of the dollhouse. The new girls on the block, Hannah Montana and Mattel's own High School Musical range, are the second and third highest-selling dolls in the US this year.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Radio Boy Update: Radio Boy Was At One Point, Stolen!

From Scott Hensey:

No, I never molded him. Playmates would sometimes cancel a figure and start a new one. I would invoice them for the percentage of the figure finished to date. That piece could not have been more than half done.
I can see where you might want to pursue this piece - it's a curiosity I suppose, but it's is far from a wonderful display piece.
I don't know how this thing got on the market anyway. I'm assuming one of my sculpture staff took it home when I closed the Los Angeles shop.

The Quest For Radio Boy



So chances are, if you're reading this blog, you've seen this clay sculpt on ebay. It has been up there for AWHILE...and frankly, I had always questioned it's authenticity. SO... I decided to do a little super sluething. First I hit up Steve Murphy at Mirage.

I Said:

Hey murph, You may have seen the wax sculpt in the link below on ebay before. The guy claims that it was an unproduced TMNT figure. The guy wants FAR too much for it obviously, but before I go through the trouble of haggling him down to something reasonable, I wanted to try to confirm that it was intended for the toy line…Do you remember this one ever coming across Mirage for approvals?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220012759708&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=012

Steve replied:

Hi Stephan,
Hmmm, it doesn't ring a bell but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Let me forward it on to Ryan Brown: he has a much better memory for these things than I do. Back at ya...


Being the impatient guy I am, while I waited on Ryan's input, I shot an E-mail to Scott Hensey at Anaglyph Studios, who sculpted a large portion of the original line.

I said:

Hey Scott!

It's Stephan Reese, I have a question for you about one of your pieces.
It is definitely your style, so I'm not questioning that you sculpted it, but I do question that it was for TMNT and not for a different toy line. I asked Steve Murphy at Mirage about it, and he doesn't remember it coming through them for approvals, so I thought you might remember what you sculpted him for.

Thanks!
Stephan

Scott Replied:

Hello Stephan-
Thanks for the contact-
Yes, I remember that piece. It is clay by the way, not wax.
Yes, we sculpted it here at my studio. To tell the truth though - I can't say for sure it was for Turtles, it may have been for Toxie. It was one or the other for sure.
Good luck, let me know how it turns out.
scott


The plot thickened! It was definately either Toxic Crusaders or TMNT. Minutes later, Ryan got back to me.

Ryan said:

Yes. It was never approved though...I have the concept drawing for it somewhere.

So then I sent an e-mail to GML Enterprises, the person who has the Radio Boy Sculpt.

I said:

Dear gmlenterprises,

I was able to get absolute confirmation from Ryan Brown at Mirage Studios that radio boy did come through them for approvals. So, that means I am interested... Now, I would like to talk about price.

The current price you have set for the figure is frankly astronomical. And I have noticed that you've had him on the market for QUITE some time now. I am probably the foremost collector of ninja turtle prototypes and wax sculpts in the world. My collection includes such rarities as: *The HotSpot Wax Sculpt
*A Scratch resin Prototype
*A Pizzaface resin prototype (Unreleased version, hand painted by the sculptor)
*The wax sculpt for an unreleased version of Casey Jones.

I have never paid more than (Price Edited Out) for any of these items, some of which are much more historically relivant to the toy line than radio boy (as he was never approved). As such, I would like to offer you (Price Edited Out) for the radio boy sculpt. Let me know either way.

Thank You,
Stephan

So that is the saga so far. I will tell you more as the story unfolds!

Stories Like This Make My Heart Hurt




Originally Posted by Sage Ninja @ TheTechnodrome


I work in the toy department at Wal-Mart, and since the 2007 movie dubuted all we;ve had is variants on the movie toys. That is till this past summer, know all we have is left overs. This past Sunday I had two seprete kids in the 11/12 range come up to me asking if we had ninja turtle toys from the cartoon series instead of the movie. I assumed they ment the older ones from FF and the earlier seasons so I brought them to the clearance aisles where we had a few straglers that we can't get rid of thats been around forever and on both occassions each kid said no they wanted to know if we had toys from the most recent season Back to the Sewers! I was freakin shocked! I was like "uh no, we don't have any toys for the new season the cartoon series" And both wanted to know when we would carry them. I couldn't bring my self to tell them that wheren't going to be any because both kids seemed like they really wanted them.Gee, how idiotic of playmates to not make toys for Back to the Sewers, I'm surpised as heck that I actually had some one ask me about them instead of Bakugan or something.


*sigh* I fucking hate playmates...so...much. Thank You so much for single handedly ruining the Ninja Turtles for a new generation.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Sheesh!

I thought I was being ambitious when I threw in $100 for this lot...Someone wanted it a LOT more than me!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190269140099&ssPageName=STRK:MEDW:IT&ih=009

Friday, November 28, 2008

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

27 Years ago today, this little bastard burst onto the scene!



Happy Birthday to meeeeeee!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE TURTLE VAN!


All The Best To You And Yours. Have A Great Holiday!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

TMNT Invade WoW

So I don't know how many of you play World of Warcraft, but the new expansion came out a couple weeks ago...and this image was taken in the sewers of the city of Dalaran:

I don't even know what to say about this.


Thursday, November 20, 2008

These Came Today

Four Archie trades. Signed by the Mirage Crew:









Tuesday, November 18, 2008

What's With the Widget?


Normally I like to keep my blogs blessidly widget free...Until now.

You will now notice an ESRB ratings finder widget at the bottom of this blog. Working in the video game industry, I am very passionate about parental attention to the ESRB rating of games. Some people think that the answer to the problem of children playing adult games lies in the censorship of content or banning of the game all together. Not only is this ideal unconstitutional, but its downright ridiculous. Adult material is suitable for adults, enjoyed by adults, and made for adults. Therefore, adults should have the right to enjoy this material without the intervention of the government.


The answer to the problem is better parental involvement and parental education. This starts with making the material that is already out there as accessible as possible. So my small way of contributing to the solution is adding the ESRB search widget to my blog. You can type in the name of any game that the ESRB has ever rated, and it will tell you about it. If just one person uses the application from my blog then I have done my part. I encourage any of you who are also passionate about the video game education of parents to add the widget to your blog as well.


Stephan

Where The Hell Has Stephan Been?

As you may or may not have noticed, I have been pretty MIA recently.As explanation, I offer this picture:



Yeah, I am one of those people. I play World of Warcraft pretty religiously. The new WoW expansion (Wrath of the Lich King) released on thursday, and I have been devoting a large chunk of my time to the playing of it. So if I were you, I wouldn't expect a terrible amount of posting on the turtle van unless something in the turtle world explodes. Once I get my sufficiant fix, I am sure I will be back to my almost one a day posting habbits. Until then...courage.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

The Carnage Doesn't Stop There!

Here's some video!

Max says, "This is what I think of your thanksgiving!"

Some of you may already know, I kind of have an addiction to claw machines. So last night I went to Carrows after a LAN party and a friends place, and while I waited for my food, I fished a thanksgiving bear out of the claw machine (On the first 50 cents baby!)

Anyway, pretty much all my claw machine animals get sacrificed to my dogs. This is Max with the bear about 30 seconds after I'd given it to him. He had already ripped its face off lol. As you can see, hes already done a number on the couch!

Friday, November 7, 2008

My Friend Jeff Drew This


The Art of my co-worker Jeff Thomas!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

This is...different


I'm told this is at the University of Mariland...weird!

Michael Crichton - Dead at 66 :-(




Jurassic Park is my favorite book :-(



Michael Crichton, the million-selling author of such historic and prehistoric science thrillers as "Jurassic Park," "Timeline" and "The Andromeda Strain," has died of cancer, his family said.He died Tuesday in Los Angeles at age 66 after a long battle with the illness.Chrichton was a brand-name author, known for his stories of disaster and systematic breakdown, such as the rampant microbe of "The Andromeda Strain" or dinosaurs running amok in "Jurassic Park," one of his many books that became major Hollywood movies."Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand," his family said in a statement.The 6-foot-9-inch author was also a screenwriter and filmmaker, earning producing and writing credits for the film versions of many of his titles. He also created the TV hospital series "ER" in 1994.In recent years, he was the rare writer to get on well with President Bush, perhaps because of his skepticism about global warming, which Crichton addressed in the 2004 novel, "State of Favor." Crichton's views were strongly condemned by environmentalists, who alleged that the author was hurting efforts to pass legislation to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide.A new novel by Crichton had been tentatively scheduled to come next month, but publisher HarperCollins said the book was postponed indefinitely because of his illness."While the world knew him as a great storyteller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us — and entertained us all while doing so — his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes," his family said.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Japanese Man Petitions To Allow Marriages between humans and cartoon characters.


A Japanese man has enlisted hundreds of people in a campaign to allow marriages between humans and cartoon characters, saying he feels more at ease in the "two-dimensional world".Comic books are immensely popular in Japan, with some fictional characters becoming celebrities or even sex symbols.Marriage is meanwhile on the decline as many young Japanese find it difficult to find life partners.Taichi Takashita launched an online petition aiming for one million signatures to present to the government to establish a law on marriages with cartoon characters.Within a week he has gathered more than 1000 signatures through."I am no longer interested in three dimensions. I would even like to become a resident of the two-dimensional world," he wrote."However, that seems impossible with present-day technology. Therefore, at the very least, would it be possible to legally authorise marriage with a two-dimensional character?"Befitting his desire to be two-dimensional, he listed no contact details, making it impossible to reach him for comment to explain if his campaign is serious or tongue-in-cheek.But some people signing the petition are true believers."For a long time I have only been able to fall in love with two-dimensional people and currently I have someone I really love," one person wrote."Even if she is fictional, it is still loving someone. I would like to have legal approval for this system at any cost," the person wrote.Japan only permits marriage between human men and women and gives no legal recognition to same-sex relationships.Japan's fans of comic books, or "manga," sometimes go to extremes.Earlier this month, a woman addicted to manga put out an online message seeking to kill her parents for asking her to throw away comic books that filled up three rooms.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Goodbye Little Penguin: Berke Breathed Retires Opus

Opus has been retired:



After a career spanning 3 decades in the funny pages spread across a trio of different series, Opus the existentialist penguin will shortly be no more. Creator Berkeley Breathed recently announced that the final strip of his Sunday-only comic Opus would run on November 2, 2008, and that it would mark the end of both the comic and its title character.Goodbye Little Penguin: Berke Breathed Retires Opus, Oct 2008



You should read the whole article.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Happy Birthday To The Technodrome!


I know I am a couple days late, but Halloween was the 9th birthday of The Technodrome!

I make references to it all the time in my blog, and if you've never been there, you should check it out! Come rub elbows with the Ninja Turtle elite! lol

Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TECHNODROME!

This Showed Up Over The Weekend...


So I'm pretty excited about this. This is the non-glow in the dark variant on the Japanese exclusive devil-shredder. Surprisingly, this non-glow in the dark variant is much more rare than the glow in the dark one! This was the last Japanese figure I needed to complete the set.

Here are both Devil-Shredders side by side. The box art is actually a little different as well. The silver signature on the glow in the dark variant is that of Kevin Eastman.

Friday, October 31, 2008

FIRE!

My Halloween 2008 Costume. Wheeler the Planeteer:


Awwww Happy Halloween!

I love other peoples children!

My dear friend and co-worker Keith (pictured below) has this little girl (named Noa) who recently underwent dramatic open heart surgery TWICE. I had gotten her this really snuggly teddy bear after her ordeal. Well today was the first time I had seen her since. She leapted into my office with a giant "BOO!"

...dressed like this...


I almost cried :*)

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Like My Customs? GO VOTE FOR ME!


Hey gang!

My custom Wolverine Turtle is in the most recent custom contest at The Technodrome

If you like my customs, you should vote for me. Even if you don't vote for me, you should vote for someone :-) But seriously...vote for me. :-)


Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Mirage To Hire 3rd Grade Class To Produce Promotional Content

Normally I don't post about things that I really have no interest in...but what the hell:

A Press Release From Mirage:

SHELL-EBRATION PLANS BUILD AS MIRAGE STUDIOS and 4KIDS ENTERTAINMENT ADD PARTNERS FOR TMNT 25TH ANNIVERSARY

CRT/tanaka Interactive and Kicking Cow Productions Inc. Join Team to Execute TMNT25 Website and Cross-Country Mobile Tour.

NEW YORK – October 29, 2008 - With approximately two months remaining until the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles kick off their 25th year in 2009, brand owner, Mirage Studios, Inc., and licensing agent 4Kids Entertainment have added two new partners to its TMNT Shell-ebration family. CRT/tanaka Interactive and Kicking Cow Promotions Inc. have come on board to enhance the multi-dimensional plans for 2009, building and executing the TMNT mobile tour and the fan-based www.tmnt25.com web site respectively.

To pay tribute both to the original fans, who are now young adults, and the 25-year history of TMNT, the CRT/tanaka Interactive team will work hand-in-hand with Mirage, 4Kids Entertainment and Peppercom Strategic Communications to build out the existing TMNT25 teaser site and develop a full blown micro-site. The site will include a number of interactive functions from a photo gallery to downloadable wallpapers and a personality test that determines which Turtle character users most identify with. The site will also spotlight 25th anniversary-oriented products and related links to help fans track down these awesome items.
“Our decision to bring CRT/tanaka’ on board for the Shell-ebration was motivated by their expertise and clear knowledge of and enthusiasm for the Turtles,” said Gary Richardson, CEO, Mirage Studios. “CRT/tanaka made a powerful impression with their comic-book inspired proposal and Turtles-inspired video (see below). They brought a great vision, a strong team and a love for all things Turtles to the table.”


Additionally, Kicking Cow Promotions Inc., a full-service event and promotional marketing company will work with Peppercom to manage all elements of the Turtles’ Party Wagon nationwide mobile tour. Kicking Cow’s role will include re-creating the real-life Party Wagon, implementing innovative marketing strategies at each tour stop and managing ongoing fan communications.

“Taking the Turtles on the road in 2009 is a key element of our campaign and something our fans have been clamoring for,” added Richardson. “To execute the mobile tour in true Turtles fashion, we knew we needed a partner that would bring energy, creativity, and a spirit that embodied TMNT, and we found that partner in a Cow. From a buzz building, fan engagement perspective, Kicking Cow has a proven track record of successful tour execution. We look forward to their next big ‘road show,” this one starring the Turtles.”

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles made their world premiere in May 1984 in a comic book created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman published and distributed by their company, Mirage Studios. A hugely successful TV series quickly followed, along with three successful theatrical films. In 2003, the Turtles were re-introduced to a new generation through a fresh animated television series, a CGI-animated theatrical movie and new merchandising program. The 25th year of TMNT will provide fans with radical, new multi-experiential opportunities to experience and celebrate this iconic brand.

The promotional video is definately worth watching, as it appears to be created by a 3rd grade class...No seriously...Look
http://www.ninjaturtles.com/html/crt.html

Seriously guys...at some point you have to run out of bad business decisions...and then they'll only be good ones left...right?...RIGHT?!?

Also, have you looked at CRT's Client list?

AeroGrow International
All-Clad Metalcrafters
Amadeus North America
American Physical Therapy Association
AMERIGROUP Corporation
Atkins Nutritionals
Better Business Bureau
Bon Secours Health Systems
Capital One
CB Fleet
Charles Schwab & Co.
Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride
Council for Responsible Nutrition
De’Longhi
Discovery Channel Stores
Girl Scouts of the USA
HoMedics
ITT Night Vision
Longwood University
MAGIC International
Owens & Minor, Inc.
Performance Food Group
Philip Morris USA
Schering-Plough
Sprint
SunTrust Mortgage
Target Stores
VHA Inc.
Wachovia Securities
Wines from Rioja

As you can see, plenty of clients that deal with animated properties...oh wait...

But Hey! They DID do some work for Philip Morris! They market to kids right?

Monday, October 27, 2008

So I Found This Dog...

So a few weeks ago I brought to you the story of this blind cat that I found and turned into the humane society. That cat, by the way, was returned to it's owner! So yay for that!

Anyway, so today I am at my coffee shop, and there is this shiba inu running the hell all over the place. Collar but no tags. Nobody within shouting distance claims the dog, so me and my friend bernie take him down to the vet to see if hes got a chip, as pure breeds tend to do.

So yes, he had a chip...but come to find out the retards that own the dog NEVER REGISTERED THE GODDAMN THING. So anyway, he is at the Humane Society in Pasadena. If he is your dog, his pet ID number is A241256. I am on his last resort list, so if he is going to be destroyed, he comes home with me. I hope he likes dalmatians :-P

Here are some pictures:










Monday, October 20, 2008

Warrior Rahzar With Fur



Last week I emailed Dan Berger in regards to the fabled Warrior Rahzar with fur prototype. I thought you guys would be interested to see the conversation:

Hi Dan,

It's Stephan Reese. I'm not sure weve talked about the topic before, but I am an avid collector of vintage tmnt prototypes and wax sculpts. Recently I was able to add the unreleased versions of both pizzaface and casey jones to my collection (heres some pics: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v247/JNCOPosterboy/The%20Collection/Vintage%20Protos/)

Anyway, the reason I'm emailing you is that I would desperately like to add the Warrior Rahzar with Fur Prototype to my collection. Providing you still have it, I'd like to offer you (Price Edited Out) for it. Let me know what you think!

Thanks!

Stephan

His Response:

We've never had one - the pic on the site is taken from a Playmates Toys catalog. Some people believe that it was never released, but I thought I saw one at a Dollar-type close-out store at one point - unfortunately I didn't buy it if I did. My memory is pretty lousy, though, so I could be mistaken and it may have never been released.

Thanks for writing!

Cheers!

Dan Berger

Mirage Studios' Official Web Dude


Not the response I was hoping for obviously. But interesting that these may have had an extremely limited release. I however, remain skeptical. Even so, if anyone CAN produce one of these figures, please let me know!

Friday, October 17, 2008

4Kids Rep "Doesn't Know What People Are Freaking Out About"




Continuing my coverage of the cancellation rumor! Again, I would like to point out that this coverage is neither confirming, nor denying the truth of the rumor...Only presenting the facts to all of you so YOU can decide for yourself!


I had asked a 4Kids rep who posts on the drome if we could get some kind of a statement:


"Could you possibly get your team to release an official announcement wither confirming or denying the cancellation rumor? It is causing considerable friction around these parts. Brother against Brother! Dog and Cats, Living Together! MASS HYSTERIA!In all seriousness though. Any announcement, either confirming or denying, would be more comforting then silence."


This was his response:


I don't understand why everyone is freaking out. It is too soon to know. Half of the current season hasn't even aired yet. We are still working on the current season.There is no word either way on the series being canned. It took MONTHS last time to get the go ahead on Back to the Sewer AFTER Fast Forward wrapped.Peter doesn't know, no one knows. As I've stated we are still working on the current season... and that special something. I would wager we don't hear either way until March or April of next year.


As always. Take it for what it's worth. Good News? Outright Lies? You Decide and Comment!

Protech "Star Trek" Cases

If you are like me, you have been looking for decent protective cases for your carded turtle figs for quite some time. Well, thanks to Technodrome User "Spazzy", look no further! He has provided us with photos that show the Protech "Star Trek" cases are a perfect fit for the original carded figs. A simple google search can find you an online retailer for these cases. Thanks Spazzy!





For Those of You Concerned About The Forever War


Good morning friends!

I know a number of you are concerned about the Forever War releases in light of the recent "Doom and Gloom" atmosphere surrounding the 25th anniversary. Well fear not! I got your back!

I had the opportunity this morning to breifly speak with Steve Murphy about The Forever War releases. And the response was simple, yet encouraging:

The Forever War is still on track. The first issue is scheduled for release September 2009. 5 monthly issues in all.

So there you go my little Archie friends! Hope this brings a little sunshine to your stormy turtle world. :-)

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Peter Speaks About The Cancellation Rumor


Someone Had to Ask, Might as well be me:

Hey Pete,
I'm sure a large number of us would be interested in your take on the current rumor about the upcoming cancelation of the cartoon...as the rumor is pretty much melting the internet right now :-P

Could I talk you into putting up a post on the subject?"


No, but I'll comment about it here. I suppose there is a possibility that the rumor is true, but I have not heard anything from 4Kids confirming it. If it is true, it's unfortunate, but not the end of the world. -- PL

Take it for what it's worth.

Blah!


Originally Posted by Press Release found at ninjaturtles.com
COSTA MESA, CA –It's a shell-ebration! Everyone's favorite lean, green, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES celebrate the 25th anniversary of their comic book debut in 2009 by incorporating totally radical new retro segments to the merchandising mix and innovative new themed products both supported with in-pack promotions including video games, pilot episodes of animation and other interactive content and entertainment. Action figures based on the new TV show airing on Fox and the CW, and a new segment of the popular Mini-Mutant line including figures and vehicles will be the lines' foundation. On the retro front, Playmates is re-introducing the original awesome 1987 action figure line, twelve figures in all, including the four Turtles, Splinter, Shredder and more. These figures will feature a "tubular" nostalgic 25th anniversary package design with a random assortment of classic TV episodes from the inaugural season. Playmates Toys is the long time master toy licensee for the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES brand; 4Kids Entertainment handles exclusive worldwide merchandising rights; while The Mirage Group continues to nurture and manage the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES property.

So let me get this straight...the only thing that they could think of doing for the 25th anniversary of the toy line that put Playmates on the map...is a re-release of 12 figures that were made by people that probably haven't worked for Playmates in years? Bravo guys...bravo.

The best part is that these figures will probably sell for more in the store than what you can buy the originals for on ebay...Ugh...Why can't their be people who work for Playmates that have a 10th of the passion for their OWN PROPERTY that I do? Way to honor the only reason you aren't still trying to sell shitty talking dolls named Jill that nobody wants to buy.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The begining of the end


The following is 100% lifted from the blog of Vaughn Michael:



Going forward with my coverage of the wonderful TMNT 25th Anniversary
Shellibration, here is the next bit of news from my insider at 4kids as promised
last week.Next Season 4Kids brings you the best season yet as it will return us
to everyone's favorite period of TMNT the 1998- 1999 season of turtles, oh wait
there was no 98- 99 season of the old show. *sarcasm*


"The TMNT cartoon is NOT being renewed for Fall 2009. This looks like
the end of the cartoon, folks (aside from that "special" airing in Spring
2009)."



So there you have it TMNT fans, you better enjoy the show now while it's still around.This fans ultra excited for the funeral er I mean anniversary of my fave green heroes.


So yeah, though this is still rumor status, I give Vaughn the benefit of the doubt in stuff like this. I'd start saying my goodbyes to the series now kids.


But not to worry, I'm sure we will see the turtle franchise reboot a few years down the road.

Neat!

Ok I guess this is non-turtle related post day or something. But I thought this was really really cool.

Robot Band!

There Goes My Childhood :-(




The ending was abrupt: Workers for the company, which shifted its baking and distribution operations to plants in Ohio and Canada in 2006, told workers Friday that operations would cease and cookies would no longer be made as of Monday.

The company cited rising prices for raw materials and fuel, and on Monday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

The company that made Mother's cookies at the end was the Archway & Mother's Cake and Cookie Co. of Battle Creek, Mich. It was owned by Catterton Partners, a private-equity firm in Greenwich, Conn., which in 2005 purchased it from an Italian firm, Parmalat Finanziaria, which was plagued by scandals at home.

In 2006, Mother's Cake & Cookie Co. was uprooted from its plant on 81st Avenue in Oakland and relocated. About 230 employees lost their jobs.

According to industry lore, the company was founded in 1914 by a newspaper vendor, N.M. Wheatley, as a one-person shop. It expanded and moved to the 81st Avenue location in 1949.
Mother's later had a series of corporate owners: a Belgian company, Artal B.V., bought it in 1991; it was owned by Specialty Foods Corp. of Illinois in the late 1990s; in 2000, Specialty sold Mother's and Archway Cookies to Parmalat, which in turn sold the combined business to Catterton for an undisclosed sum.

Catterton said in a statement it "took a number of actions to remedy" the company's financial crisis, "but these actions were not sufficient to overcome the losses and return Mother's Cake & Cookie Co. and Archway Cookies LLC to profitability."

One of those efforts was to seek financing. "But, as you know, the credit environment is very difficult now," said Meaghan Repko, a spokeswoman for the owners, in New York.

The owners did not comply with the federal law that requires a 60-day notification of any layoffs and said that was due to "unforeseeable business circumstances." A business uses that language to seek exemption from the act's 60-day notice requirement.

"Having reviewed the options available, the company believes that this (bankruptcy filing) was the only course of action," said Jeff Granger of Focus Management Group in Tampa, Fla., who is expected to be appointed chief restructuring officer of the company.

Sixty people are out of work at the Battle Creek office, and Battle Creek City Attorney Eileen Wicklund said Wednesday that she had advised workers to explore a lawsuit against the company.

"Any loss of employment is a blow for any community," she said.

The company had many drivers, including 60 in Northern California, represented by the Teamsters Union. One of them, Frank Makely, 59, of Fresno, an employee for the past nine years, called the short-notice dismissal "unimaginable."

"The owners came in to get rid of us, to chew us up and spit us out," he said, alleging their intent was to gain a profit by selling assets and neglecting service of trucks and other expenses.

"This is part of the economic crunch, with the CEOs taking the money out and not putting more money into the company," said Makely. "I'm too old to get a driving job. Who would hire me?"

The company response was to refer a reporter to its statement.

E-mail George Raine at graine@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page C - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle