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[ScOULaris]

I just got this bad boy in the mail and felt compelled to recommend it here on GAF. I had heard about this Visual History book for a few months leading up to its summer 2014 release, and as a TMNT fan it piqued my interest based on its concept alone. I enjoy tracing the evolution and reinvention of the Turtles in their many manifestations across almost all media over the decades, and this book promised to do exactly that in a nice hardcover format. Well, let me tell you that the final product far surpassed all of my expectations. This thing is so chock full of insider information and rich visual content that it is what I'd consider to be the best single resource of TMNT history out there. It's a tome that every fan of the TMNT in any of their incarnations should add to their library. One of the coolest features of this book is its use of fascimiles of old Turtles fliers and other relevant promotional items in the form of inserts pasted onto the pages of the magazine. If that wasn't enough, the back of the book features a pouch containing a faithful recreation of the first issue of the TMNT Mirage comic and a poster with an expanded version of the art from the cover of the book.

It's a little pricey in stores ($50), but you can nab it from online retailers like Amazon for only $33. I'm in no way affiliated with this book. I just wanted to spread the word about a great piece of fanservice and historical preservation.

Discover the complete story of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the first time–from their humble beginnings in black-and-white comics created in a home studio in Dover, New Hampshire, to their multimillion-dollar breakout success, and their position as four of the best-loved characters of all time.

Featuring interviews with every key figure in the Turtles’ evolution, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Visual History presents the tale straight from the mouths of those who were there, including co-creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, animation legend Fred Wolf, creature effects maestro Brian Henson, and even the man behind the “Ninja Rap,” Vanilla Ice.

In visually stunning detail, this book explores each iteration of the Turtles from the past to the present, including the hit animation show from Nickelodeon and the Michael Bay–produced live-action movie from Paramount starring Megan Fox. Bringing together the rarest art and artifacts from three decades of TMNT comics, TV shows, and films, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Visual History leaves no shell unturned!

 

[Various Artists]

I'll check it out thanks! Love ninja turtles.

 

[TriniTrin]

waiting for this to go on sale like the Sky artbook did that one time!

LOL

Really interested in this book, the turtles have been a huge part of my growing up and I love them green dudes! I need to watch that documentary they have about them too.

 

[ScOULaris]

There's also a chapter dedicated to the upcoming movie in there, which is a decent read even if you think the movie will be the equivalent of the Holocaust to TMNT.

 

[Skilotonn]

Looks like a must-have for me as a huge Turtles fan - thanks for posting this.

 

[MisterHero]

I followed Peter Laird's blog for a long time for stuff like this. Might have to check it out in a book store.

What does it say about The Next Mutation?

 

[MoonsaultSlayer]

Been reading chapters of it to my son (4 1/2 years old) for a bedtime story on my nights. Great book.

 

[Platy]

Does it have much overlapping info with the Turtle Power documentary ?

How much of the post 3rd movie era does it cover ?

 

[Wingfan19]

Got it last month, it's pretty sweet.

 

[MisterHero]

Been reading chapters of it to my son (4 1/2 years old) for a bedtime story on my nights. Great book.

Strangely enough this is one of the first books I read. The 1st movie hit when I was in kindergarten.

 

[Kwixotik]

I'm not even that into TMNT and that book looks pretty great

 

[MoonsaultSlayer]

Does it have much overlapping info with the Turtle Power documentary ?

How much of the post 3rd movie era does it cover ?

Well it talks about the Image comics era where things got really brutal, the Next Mutation show, 4kids series, the TMNT cg film, IDW comics, Nick show and new movie. Needless to say, it's pretty thorough.

I just wish it had more stuff for the new film as I think it looks excellent.

 

[Rapscallion]

Strangely enough this is one of the first books I read. The 1st movie hit when I was in kindergarten.

I had this book when I was a kid. Man, I loved that thing.


I'll pick up the visual history next time I see it in store. Hopefully we'll see some sales on it soon.

 

[MoonsaultSlayer]

Behind the scenes spoiler regarding The Next Mutation (just read that chapter):

Spoiler

The "girl turtle" was the "last straw that broke the camel's back" and caused the Eastman/Laird breakup. Damn. Imagining that playing out in today's "why does Peter Parker have to be a guy?!" world.... someone would have been hanged.

 

[Gouty]

Have the Turtles had any really gritty, comic treatments? This book sounds great, but I'm also wondering if theres any go to comic collections for someone looking to dig a little deeper.

 

[MoonsaultSlayer]

Have the Turtles had any really gritty, comic treatments? This book sounds great, but I'm also wondering if theres any go to comic collections for someone looking to dig a little deeper.

The Turtles started as a gritty comic inspired by Frank Miller so yeah. And it got even grittier with Image comics. A Raphael and Casey Jones spin-off was titled "Body Count" to give you an idea lol.

I can't help you in finding collections as my knowledge ends with what I've learned reading this book.

 

[Platy]

Behind the scenes spoiler regarding The Next Mutation (just read that chapter):

Spoiler

The "girl turtle" was the "last straw that broke the camel's back" and caused the Eastman/Laird breakup. Damn. Imagining that playing out in today's "why does Peter Parker have to be a guy?!" world.... someone would have been hanged.

COMPLETLY diferent.

I would acept 2 of the turtles to be a girl AND add a girl turtle instead of another venus.

 

[Delicious Waffles]

I saw someone purchased this in the monthly pick-up post (could've been you, haha) and I've been wanting it. It's a little pricey though.

 

[MoonsaultSlayer]

COMPLETLY diferent.

I would acept 2 of the turtles to be a girl AND add a girl turtle instead of another venus.

The commentary during this chapter wasn't her characterization, but Laird flat out didn't want a girl Turtle period. Imagine an Ubisoft higher up said that as their reasoning for not incorporating a female assassin. "Boss, we need a female assassin." "No! Absolutely not!"

That just doesn't cut it these days.

 

[MisterHero]

The commentary during this chapter wasn't her characterization, but Laird flat out didn't want a girl Turtle period. Imagine an Ubisoft higher up said that as their reasoning for not incorporating a female assassin. "Boss, we need a female assassin." "No! Absolutely not!"

That just doesn't cut it these days.

It should since it's partly his creation and not up to a democratic vote. Unfortunately, since the franchise was a collaboration, and Eastman clearly thought differently, the partnership fizzled and the franchise faded for a while.

TMNT itself is a wonderful argument for independent creatiors. 1) They can do whatever they want, and 2) they made a crapton of money.

Mona Lisa should've been a recurring character >_>

 

[TriniTrin]

what if they did a redux TMNT where its all females instead of males.

Splinter the masta motha!

 

[ScOULaris]

Have the Turtles had any really gritty, comic treatments? This book sounds great, but I'm also wondering if theres any go to comic collections for someone looking to dig a little deeper.

Oh, yeah. The original TMNT comics were gritty and far darker than anything that followed the animated series.

You can buy collected hardcover versions of the original Mirage comics on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1613770073/?tag=neogaf0e-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/161377088X/?tag=neogaf0e-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/161377138X/?tag=neogaf0e-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1613774966/?tag=neogaf0e-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1613775539/?tag=neogaf0e-20

 

[MoonsaultSlayer]

It should since it's partly his creation and not up to a democratic vote. Unfortunately, since the franchise was a collaboration, and Eastman clearly thought differently, the partnership fizzled and the franchise faded for a while.

TMNT itself is a wonderful argument for independent creatiors. 1) They can do whatever they want, and 2) they made a crapton of money.

Mona Lisa should've been a recurring character >_>

Oh definitely. I hope it doesn't seem like I'm arguing that creative properties need to adhere to focus groups and make choices based on political correctness. I'm on the side that AC: Unity doesn't need a female assassin and I feel that those boycotting/complaining are completely off-base. It isn't a create your own assassin game; everyone is the same male lead character that seamlessly connects to co-op. There's no choosing a created character from scratch before joining anothers game because everyone is joining each others'.

But because this sensitive camp exists is why I said it wouldn't fly today. Meaning, we'd have countless threads on NeoGAF discussing some vloggers opinion on Laird's stance.