TMNT cover with my caption

TMNT Property Sold

What a year for comic books! It seems like the big thing this year is either lawsuits, or buyouts!

It appears that the TMNT property has been sold to Nickelodeon for a price of $60 million.

I say congrats to creators Eastman and to Laird. The TMNT are a modern day success story for comic book creators. It wasn’t like those tragic cases we have heard about. You know, the stories where an iconic character is made and the creators die all but penniless.

I’m sure the TMNT creators who owned the rights made a good fortune along the way. And good for them. But I think this was a case of their getting older and want to move on with their lives. Better to sell the property and get a big payday. As well as know the characters won’t fade away because a new company owns them.

I actually thought I’d go for more the $60 million the property, considering how iconic the characters are.

I think also the adult attitude Turtles, like they originally were in the comics are all but gone. But that’s okay because those comics still exist. And I’ve been over them and not followed the characters in years.

As for action figures I suggest getting the NECA TMNT characters on eBay. Those are probably the best turtles you will ever buy. Check out this video.

TMNT YouTube Review

I was thinking about comic books and while the G.I. Joe Universe really expanded as a comic book property. In truth, I really see the G.I. Joe Universe and characters as not comic book characters per say, but rather as the original idea of it being an action figure line and property.

The fact that it expanded into comic books is a side note.

With that said, I was thinking which G.I. Joe and Cobra characters on their own, could have existed as legitimate comic book characters that could hold their own book and survive in comic book related worlds such as the Marvel Universe, or the DC Universe. Basically, cutting off the whole idea of the G.I. Joe Universe, and taking the character as a solo hero and villain in their own right.

I put up Destro, Cobra Commander, Zartan and the Baroness as good villains that could populate any comic book only world.

Storm Shadow is also great and a good anti-hero of sorts.

But Snake Eyes, I find to be a unique character that could hold not only his own book, but an original enough creation that has not been seen in comics decades prior.

All throughout the ’30’s Golden Age, into the ’80’s I have not found a comic book character quite like Snake Eyes. And that is saying something.

With Snake Eyes in essence, you have a mute hero, with not only ninja skills but military skills as well. A hero with a tragic past, flaws and mystery. As well as a loyal ally who would never betray you. Plus, despite his seemingly extraordinary skills, he does not have any superpowers.

But like an anti-hero of sorts, he does kill his opponents if he has to, and does not give it a second thought. It’s part of the job being in the military and a soldier.

His all black costume, in the tradition of all great heroes, just looks visually cool. And even his name is cool, Snake Eyes.

I also don’t think it’s a surprise that Snake Eyes is usually at the top of the list, or near the top when it comes to a who is your favorite G.I. Joe character polls.

Like Star Wars Boba Fett, the character of Snake Eyes has that enigmatic coolness factor about him.

When all is said though, even though he started out as nothing more then part of an action figure line. Snake Eyes is the type of hero who could easily translate into a comic book only universe. And when you take up all the factors that make up the character, I find him to be an original enough creation that has not existed in comic books before. And that is tough to find. Especially when you think about over 50 years of comic book history.

I wonder how many other modern day comic creations can say that?

The Dark Dominion title published by Defiant Comics in the 90s (and now in the bargin bin) only lasted 11 issues.

1 to 10 were comic published.

But issue 0 was a card set that formed a comic if you got all the cards.

It follows the adventures of Michael Alexander and his battles in the Quantum Field with monsters. These monsters feed upon people’s fears and negative emotions.

The setting is New York and the fact that there is a lot of negative activity in this city. It’s true is it not?

They had a rotation of artists though, but issues 1-3 and 5 with the Joe James art was fantastic! A shame this guy doesn’t do more art work. He is really talented.

Also the painted coloring really stands out and delivers a nice feel to the book.

We also get to see J.G. Jones art, way before he became Marvel famous.

Very good stuff from him.

Just when the series starts to roll though it ends with issue 10.

The good news though it’s not many issues to collect. So it you see it, give it a try.

Especially issues 1 to 3. It’s a continued storyline.

Published by Defiant Comics (and now in comic fodder bins)

Charlemagne standing for Charles the Great.

If you see the first issue in a bin, PICK THIS UP! It is one of the best origins and first issues I’ve read in a long time. It is that good!

I thought a book like this from the name, or look would not hold my interest. I could not be more wrong.

Meet Charles Smith, just a kid from middle America on a quest to find his brother in Vietnam back in the ’70’s.

What emerges by issues end is a Noble Hero.

What strikes me even more then the solid writing. By one D.G. Chichester, whose Marvel work didn’t surprise me, but here he shined.

Was the art by Adam Pollina, his art was fantastic back then. I did not know he could be this good.

Which is a shame cause I was used to seeing his art, that he drew later in X-force and I did not like it. His X-force style was all 90’s muscles, and weird proportions.

So ironic that his earlier work was so much better. None of the crazy proportions. Just telling a straight story. Maybe it was the Jim Shooter factor of getting his creative crew to just tell the story, and not rely on being overly fancy that worked in good favor here.

Charlemagne lasted only 5 issues. 1 to 5 with a 0 issue in Hero Illustrated magazine number 9.

If you see an issue, give it a try. Especially the first issue.