Turtlemania is running wild, brother! IDW Publishing's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures Continued is officially continuing as an ongoing series with writer Erik Burnham and artist Tim Lattie returning to the party. Based on the classic 1987 animated version of the Heroes in a Half Shell, this comic book dishes out the nostalgic feel-good factor with an extra topping of pepperoni and anchovies.
CBR shared a virtual pizza with Burnham to learn more about the continuation of the series and how the success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge arrived at the right time. The writer also revealed which other characters could be appearing in the book, as well as the one who is off the table. In addition, Burnham discussed the chances of seeing more modern aspects of the lore being integrated into this series.
CBR: Congrats on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures becoming an ongoing series. Why did you decide to focus on Rat King for the first arc? Was this because of the character's influence in Armageddon Game?
Erik Burnham: Hey, thank you! When I first pitched the Saturday Morning miniseries, there were about a dozen ideas I threw out. A Rat King idea where he took control of the Turtles was in that mix. After TMNT editor Charles Beacham asked that I include some two-part stories in the ongoing, this was a natural choice for expansion. Launching with the Rat King story just as Armageddon Game was at its peak in the main title was purely lucky timing.
In a previous interview with CBR, you mentioned how you had drawn up something of a timeline of standalone stories and the powers that be selected which ones they wanted to focus on and in which order. What led to the discussion to continue this title as an ongoing series? Would you say the success of the Shredder's Revenge video game also played a part in reinvigorating nostalgia?
The thing about the cartoon was that it played loose with its continuity. There were several retcons and reboots over the 10-year run -- one that came up in behind-the-scenes talks was the founder of the Foot Clan; both Shibano-Sama and Hamato Koji were named as the original founder in the show. But this stuff doesn't stand out as much to kids over the course of years on a TV show. It's a little more obvious in print -- and to older readers. What it all boils down to is -- a fun story isn't going to be nixed just because the show already did something similar or contradictory. We have the freedom to bend continuity and norms around a little bit. I've tried to center it vaguely between Seasons 7 and 8, but it may not always line up perfectly. Sometimes what Nickelodeon or IDW or I want will require some changes. In any case, the ongoing is meant to happen in a more-or-less linear fashion, and that's how we got there.
And do I think Shredder's Revenge helped? I have to assume so. It got people thinking actively about this specific iteration and looking for more of the same. I'll take that with appreciation.
The Mickey Mouse ears on the Turtles when they dressed up as Rat King's acolytes are sheer perfection. Who came up with the idea, and what was the reception when the artist submitted the first image of it?
I'm not sure if it was Tim Lattie who cooked the design up or if it was Jack Lawrence, who rendered the suits in issue #1, but it was the best and most fun way of having people understand that these are rodent costumes at a glance. I laughed out loud when I saw it. Whichever of these gents came up with those ears deserves all the credit in the world.
Who is the one character you want to give more of a spotlight to in this ongoing run?
I've been looking to find a good spot for Ace Duck and Mona Lisa. Mr. Ogg will pop in, though I had to make a few changes to him to be approved for use. Folks who read Previews already know we have Slash, the Punk Frogs, and Leatherhead on the way. I think the only white whale would be a samurai rabbit. My Usagi [Yojimbo] action figure is staring at me in disappointment, but you can't win them all!
As for the titular characters, my inclination would be to give them each a spotlight adventure -- but so much of the alchemy of this version lies in their interaction that it's tough to not have them all on-panel together as much as possible.
What has surprised you the most since you started working on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures?
In the pitch, I asked about the possibility of doing something very specific that I don't want to spoil. It got a yes from go. I was surprised and delighted. And no, I'm not telling anyone what it is until it hits the stands. I don't want to jinx it!
There's a lot that's happened in the world of TMNT since the 1987 animated show -- including the highly popular The Last Ronin series. What are the chances of seeing more modern aspects of the lore appearing in Saturday Morning Adventures Continued?
High. Very high. Some things that became canon-standard after this show will be integrated -- like the Turtles' nicknames or Splinter referring to the boys as his sons. Also, did you know that characters created in the decades after this run of the show ended are on the table for use? I did. (That might just be a hint.)
There's a sight gag in Issue #3 of the series that I hope gives everyone else as big a laugh as it gave me.
The TMNT animated series provided a lot of gags and meme-able moments, including Casey Jones going in his hockey mask to a job interview. What is your favorite laugh-out-loud moment from the show?
I would've said Casey in the office with his mask and golf bag! over the shirt and tie, but since you mentioned it, I'll go with the fourth wall breaks that always gave me a chuckle. That's a big reason I asked if they could be included in the comic. Stuff like Raph asking Shredder if he's leaving the show -- the idea that the Turtles got so big in pop culture that even they knew about it just tickles me.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures Continued #2 is ready to shellshock readers on Wednesday, June 28.