Everything We Know About TMNT 2 So Far (SPOILERS)

Are you excited about the new movie?! You should be, and this is why.

We now know that Arrow Star Stephen Amell has been cast for the role of Casey Jones in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2, as reported by Variety.com. This is great news as one my biggest gripes with the 2014 reboot was the lack of one of my highlights of the first TMNT film (1990). I was hoping for something a little like the 2011 fan film Casey Jones from Michael Bay’s first attempt, especially after an old script leaked with him being one of the main characters.

Another big name added to the cast is Laura Linney. HollywoodReporter.com broke the news that she would be joining the cast of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2. I hope she will play Mrs. Jones, Casey Jones’ mother.

HollywoodReporter.com also confirmed that supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio will be joining the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 cast. She will be playing Vernon Fenwick’s (played by Will Arnett) girlfriend / love interest.

We also know that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 will have a new director. Variety.com confirmed that Earth to Echo’s David Green will be directing in an attemp to stretch the movie making dollar, as he made Earth to Echo with only $13M.

Tohoru Masamune will not be returning and the role of the Shredder has been recast with Brian Tee taking over, as reported by Variety.com. Hopefully with this change they will actually elevate him in this movie and not just throw him in like the last one. I also expect to see Kevin Nash reprise his role as Super Shredder.

Speaking of recasting, Tokka and Rahzar have been recast as Bebop and Rocksteady. As confirmed by ComicBook.com, Bebop and Rocksteady will appear in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2. They were originally supposed to be in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991), but for legal reasons it was easier to create two new characters.

Speaking of The Secret of the Ooze, Professor Jordan Perry has been recast as Dr. Baxter Stockman. Tyler Perry is set to play scientist Baxter Stockman in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2, according to Variety.com. Following in the footsteps of the original Mirage comics, the second issue features Dr. Baxter Stockman’s debut. It’s great to see him finally hit the silver screen.

If you enjoyed The Secret of the Ooze, Sophie Campbell (IDW TMNT comic artist) has an ongoing fan comic where she retells the story in her way, with some new character being introduced. Not related to this movie, but worth a read.

In an attempt gain longtime TMNT fans’ interest, Judith Hoag who played April O’Neil in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) is set to make a cameo. DailyMail.co.uk reports she has been spotted on set with Megan Fox.

Michael Bay can’t mess this one up, or can he? The last Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) movie was doomed from the onset with the now famous revelation by producer Michael Bay that the Turtles would be from an alien race. With everything they have announced about the sequel, I am genuinely looking forward to this one. The movie is due out on June 3rd 2016 but I couldn’t help myself and write something about it now.

Louis Zampini has been writing for CrossoverComics.ca since 2012. He enjoys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, local pro wrestling, and being a father. Follow his TMNT comic book reviews here, keep up to date with the Montreal pro wrestling scene here, and follow the experiences he enjoys with his children as they grow and develop their love of reading, from board books to comics here.

from Crossover Comics » Louis http://www.crossovercomics.ca/frontpage/everything-we-know-about-tmnt-2-so-far-spoilers/

A Father’s Guide to Comics: Free Comic Book Day 2015 Edition

Free Comic Book Day is this Saturday. With so many free comics being offered, it might be overwhelming to decide which ones are age appropriate if you have young kids. My children have developed a love for comic books and I thought it would be great to continue to share the experiences my kids and I enjoy while they grow and develop their love of reading; from board books to comics.

Since the last time I shared my daughter’s comic book experiences, my wife and I have had a son. My daughter is now almost 4 years old, and my son is almost 2. Both our children love to read books, and since a young age, I have been introducing them to comic books. Free Comic Book Day is great because it can introduce new books and characters that they might not normally gravitate to.

Being that comic books are typically geared to either 8-10 year olds, teenagers, and adults, it is often difficult to find something that is really age appropriate. A lot of the “age appropriate” books I have read often include topics, images, or even language that I would not want to expose to my under 5 year old. Hopefully with this short list of all-ages books I can help highlight the books that your kids will enjoy too.

FCBD 2015 GRAPHIX SPOTLIGHT CLEOPATRA IN SPACE
Publisher: GRAPHIX

(W/A/CA) Mike Maihack
When a young Cleopatra (yes, that Cleopatra) finds a mysterious tablet that zaps her to the far, really far future, she learns of an ancient prophecy that says she is destined to save the galaxy from the tyrannical rule of the evil Xaius Octavian.
Rating: All-Ages

Suprisingly, this is the book that my daughter loved the most. She loves princesses and Cleopatra resembles a princess to her.

FCBD 2015 GRONK AND FRIENDS
Publisher: ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT

(W/A/CA) Katie Cook
Gronk is a monster…and not a very good one! Follow Gronk’s continuing adventures as she learns about the world around her from her “teacher”, Dale, in this all-new Gronk story from fan favorite Katie Cook!
Rating: All-Ages

Both my son and my daughter enjoyed this one. My daughter said Gronk kind of looks like Shrek, which she is binge watching on Netflix currently.

FCBD 2015 MARCH GRAND PRIX
Publisher: CAPSTONE PRESS

(W/A/CA) Kean Soo
A Free Comic Book Day 2015 sneak peek of the new, turbo-charged graphic novel by Kean Soo, author of the award-winning series JELLABY! March Hare wants to be the fastest and furriest racecar driver around. But first, this rabbit racer must prove his skills at the speedway, on the streets, and in the desert. With pedal-to-the-metal illustrations and full-throttle action, MARCH GRAND PRIX is sure to be a winner! Featuring a full tank of bonus materials: creator Q & A, pinup art, and much more.
Rating: All-Ages

My son immediately grabbed this book as it has cars and animals on the cover. He loves watching trucks and cars as we drive on the highway and I think this book reminds him of that.

FCBD 2015 BOOM STUDIOS 10TH ANNIVERSARY FCBD SPECIAL
Publisher: BOOM! STUDIOS

(W) Grace Ellis & Various (A) Vicki Scott & Various
2015 is BOOM! Studios’ Tenth Anniversary year, and to help us celebrate we’ve gathered short stories from several current and new all-ages titles for Free Comic Book Day, offering an oversized, full-color issue that showcases 10 all-ages-friendly titles from our Archaia, BOOM! Box, and KaBOOM! imprints. The BOOM! Studios Ten Year Celebration 2015 Free Comic Book Day Special features a cover illustrated by Mouse Guard creator David Petersen and will contain the following stories:

Jim Henson’s Labyrinth
“Wisdom and Idioms”
Written and Illustrated by Cory Godbey
An all-new short based on Jim Henson’s Labyrinth. The Wiseman and his bird try to find some humor in the magical world of Labyrinth.

Iscariot
Written and Illustrated by S.M. Vidaurri
Young Carson discusses magic and time with a wizard in this special preview of the upcoming Archaia original graphic novel written and illustrated by Iron: Or, the War After creator S.M. Vidaurri.

Mouse Guard
“Service to Seyan”
Written and Illustrated by David Petersen
An excerpt from Mouse Guard: Baldwin the Brave and Other Tales. Gwendolyn learns about her mother Alma and the great warrior hall of Seyan.

Adventure Time with Fionna & Cake: Card Wards
Created by Pendleton Ward
Written by Jen Wang
Illustrated by Britt Wilson
A brand-new Fionna & Cake short from writer Jen Wang (In Real Life) and Britt Wilson (Adventure Time with Fionna & Cake)! Fionna and Cake are on the search for an opponent for Cake to play against in Card Wars.

Regular Show
“Coffee Shop Special!”
Created by JG Quintel
Written by Kevin Church
Illustrated by Coleman Engle
Based on the hit Cartoon Network animated series, Eileen and Margaret make Muscle Man his special drink.

Peanuts
“Dogstoevsky”
Created by Charles M. Schulz
Story by Charles M. Schulz
Pencils by Vicki Scott
Snoopy looks to finally become the World’s Greatest Author, but Lucy’s help may not be the helpful push he needs.

Garfield
“Fast Feline”
Created by Jim Davis
Written by Mark Evanier
Illustrated by Andy Hirsch
Nothing can keep Garfield from a good meal, even if it means having to beat the fastest cat to get it.

Lumberjanes
Created by Shannon Watters, Noelle Stevenson & Grace Ellis
Written by Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis
Illustrated by Brooke Allen
When the Lumberjanes aren’t taking care of pesky critters or crazy demigods, they’re making fun crafts like friendship bracelets. Friendship to the max!

Munchkin
“Table of Contents”
Written and Illustrated by John Kovalic
Fight the monsters, steal the treasure, and backstab your buddy! A wandering monster table appears in this short from the illustrator of the hit card game Munchkin, John Kovalic.

Help Us! Great Warrior
Written and illustrated by Madeleine Flores
Based on the hit webcomic and new miniseries from Madeleine Flores. Great Warrior gets attacked on the road!

Rating: All-Ages

Another surprise what that the BOOM! STUDIOS book was not a hit with them this year. In the past, this has always been a homerun, but this year most of the stories did not keep their attention (even more surprisingly since they are all so short).

Free Comic Book Day is a single day – the first Saturday in May each year – when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores. *Check with your local comic book shop for their participation and rules.

from Crossover Comics » Louis http://bit.ly/1GEWbm0

TMNT Prelude To Vengeance: FCBD 2015 Edition

Back from over a year’s hiatus, this is the latest in a series of comparison pieces following IDW’s new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles timeline and how it differs from the original Mirage timeline. These reviews will reference IDW’s TPBs as well as original Mirage issues that are being re-released by IDW in TPB format. These reviews will also contain spoilers to the plot lines so ***SPOILER ALERT*** to everyone who wanted to read these issues first.

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past four years, you’ve probably heard that after Nickelodeon acquired the TMNT franchise, IDW Publishing launched a new comic book ongoing series (unofficially labeled Volume 5). This came along with several 4 issue miniseries (à la Tales of the TMNT except more focused and tying into the ongoing run). The creative team behind this incarnation of the TMNT (Editor Bobby Curnow, Head Writer Tom Waltz, and Co-Creator Kevin Eastman) have managed to accomplish what most ongoing series attempt but rarely succeed at; they’ve planned out the stories months, and even years in advance. This allows them to connect some incredible dots and lay the groundwork for some amazing storytelling, unheard of in any TMNT comic book series of the last 30 years. And if, for the past four years, you have not been able to keep up-to-date with this series, or have never read an issue, then this Saturday‘s Free Comic Book Day issue is for you.

IDW’s TMNT FCBD 2015 issue, entitled Prelude to Vengeance, does a masterful job of summing up all of the relevant plot points of the last four years without spoiling it. Meaning, you can pick up this issue, add the title to your pull list, be up-to-date with the series, and be able to go back to get caught up and still manage to be surprised. Everything you need to know is mentioned in this issue and after having read it, you’ll be able to jump into this final story arc leading up to a monumental issue #50.

The last story arc, Attack on the Technodrome, ended with one of the biggest twists in the past 4 years, and arguably, the entire 30+ year TMNT run. Donatello being beaten to within an inch of his life by Bebop and Rocksteady was a significant event. Less than a month after being released, issue #44 is already at its 3rd printing. Second only to the book’s launch, the events of last month have caused a resurgence in interest in the TMNT comic, which is great because if you ask me, every TMNT fan should be reading this. You owe it to yourself to at least pick up this free issue and see what you’re missing. And with that, I’ll leave you with this image of Cyborg Donatello from the Image Comics (Volume 3) series that inspired the events going forward.

from Crossover Comics » Louis http://bit.ly/1zeeCAs

TMNT Roundtable Interview: City Fall Aftermath

After close to 8 months, the biggest arc in IDW TMNT history has come to an end. There were ups and downs but the overall consensus is that City Fall was a smash hit. Before jumping into the next story arc, Northampton, where the Turtles will be resting and regrouping, let's take a moment to digest what we have just experienced and break down this monumental event.

TMNT Villains Micro-Series Vol 1, by Joshua Williamson et al

This is the latest in a series of comparison pieces following IDW’s new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles timeline and how it differs from the original Mirage timeline. These reviews will reference IDW’s TPBs as well as original issues that are being re-released by IDW in TPB format. IDW’s Villains Micro-Series Volume 1 was released in November 2013 and collects the Krang, Baxter Stockman, Old Hob, and Alopex issues of this new series. IDW also released TMNT Classics Vol 7 in November 2013 which contains issues 45, 46, 47 from the original series. These reviews will also contain spoilers to the plot lines so ***SPOILER ALERT*** to everyone who wanted to read these issues first.

A Father's Guide to Comics: Halloween ComicFest 2013 Edition

Halloween ComicFest starts today and if you have the chance to drop by the store to pick up a few goodies, here are some of our thoughts on the mini-comics being offered this year. My daughter has developed a love for comic books and I thought it would be great to continue to share the experiences my daughter and I enjoy while she grows and develops her love of reading; from board books to comics.

TMNT City Fall Part 1 by Waltz, Eastman & Santolouco

This is the latest in a series of comparison pieces following IDW’s new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles timeline and how it differs from the original Mirage timeline. These reviews will reference IDW’s TPBs as well as original issues that are being re-released by IDW in TPB format. IDW’s City Fall Part 1 was released in October 2013 and collects issues 21 to 24 of this new series. IDW also released TMNT Classics Vol 6 in September 2013 which contains issues 41, 42, 43 from the original series. These reviews will also contain spoilers to the plot lines so ***SPOILER ALERT*** to everyone who wanted to read these issues first.

Owly Vol 1 The Way Home & The Bittersweet Summer, by Andy Runton

Three months ago, my son was born. In order to help ease the transition from a three person family to a four person family, we prepared little gifts that we would give my 2 year old daughter for when he first arrived so that she did not feel left out. The gift that I got her was Owly Vol 1 by Andy Runton, it was going to be a book that we could share and read together whenever she felt like she was not getting enough attention. It turned out to be one of her favorite books and she reads it constantly. I thought it would be great to continue to share the experiences my daughter and I enjoy while she grows and develops her love of reading; from board books to comics.

Hoax Hunters #10, by Moreci, Seeley & Jones

Jack Lawson, Ken Cadaver, and Regan Tate are three reality television show hosts who go out into the world disproving various myths, hoaxes, and legends. We assume that things like Bigfoot, UFOs, and other unexplainable anomalies are all fake, but that is only because Jack, Ken, and Regan work diligently to keep them covered up.

TMNT Secret History of the Foot Clan Mini-Series Vol 1, by Mateus Santolouco & Erik Burnham

This is the latest in a series of comparison pieces following IDW’s new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles timeline and how it differs from the original Mirage timeline. These reviews will reference IDW’s TPBs as well as original issues that are being re-released by IDW in TPB format. IDW’s Secret History of the Foot Clan was released in June 2013 and collects the 4 issue mini-series. IDW also released TMNT Classics Vol 5 in June 2013 which contains issues 34, 38, 39, 40 from the original series. These reviews will also contain spoilers to the plot lines so ***SPOILER ALERT*** to everyone who wanted to read these issues first.