MIRAGE PUBLISHING :: Note to Tokka from Dorothy Sloan, Former Publishing Assistant at Mirage (( April 12, 1993 ))

 

MIRAGE PUBLISHING ::  Note to Tokka from Dorothy Sloan, Former Publishing Assistant at Mirage / ..letterhead logo (( April 12, 1993 ))

–>> As i set this letter up, keep in mind that i used to go by my birth-name “David”. With the exception of family and certain close individuals i usually prefer not to go by this name anymore as i have been working on legally changing my name to “Tokka”. But in 1993 i was still under my parents care, so it was different time and case.

MIRAGE PUBLISHING ::  Note to Tokka from Dorothy Sloan, Former Publishing Assistant at Mirage (( April 12, 1993 )) ** View LARGE On Black **

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Actually this letter from Dorothy Sloan, the former Publishing Assistant at Mirage Publishing during this time was correspondence sent on my behalf from a letter mailed back East by my Mother. I don’t recall the contents of that original letter nor do i recall my Ma mentioning that she had sent it initially. It may have been a surprise planned on her part. There were times my family played an active role in trying to help me obtain my goals. Maybe this was part of that. Tho’ based on this note, my ma also indicated that we would be going on a trip to Northampton, Massachusetts and the Coast inquiring about vising Mirage Studios itself. That trip would never manifest, well not right away. My Ma may have also stated about my wishes to pursue a work in industry.

Terrorpin -tokka

 

In the 1990s, early on in my career at Cartoon School – many of my own medical issues would collide with my education in the field presenting a constant need for inspiration and direction, advice and counsel as the road ahead for me would be very “Rocky” to say the least. Cliche or not, or whether Dorthy picked up on this need for a little guidance from my Mom’s words — the suggestions in the note are as relevant today as they were over two decades ago. Perhaps an aspiring young comics professional, a student just out of school, or the struggling comics pro or artist in industry may find a little bit of solace from this letter. If anyone ANYWHERE can gain some positive influence and encouragement from it..by ALL MEANS, please do !! Tokka is right there with you. While my career is slightly taking flight, it’s no where it could be.

Rat_King_and_Jim_Lawson_by_tOkKa

Thus, maybe that is the nature of any type of career in the arts field, design, comics, animation ect. But then again in 1993 i had no idea that my past experiences in industry good or bad would manifest the remarkable ways they would have. I have been actively trying to recover Dorothy’s letter for several years now and am happy to finally be able to share it with everyone digitally. On a final note, the ill-fated trip of 1993 to the East Coast to visit Mirage Studios WOULD happen near 20 years later for Tokka in 2012 and we would go to the sites of Mirage Studios and a few other places and landmarks in Northampton. The places that would make up pivotal grounds for the creation of the TMNT, their friends, enemies and stories. Especially in those important early years of the Teens’ comic book development.

~ t

 

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On to the related Notes ::

 

TOYARK ::

 

Prime1MIKEpeek2

ZeroThree-Movie-Leo-peek

Over at Figure Hobby Club, a member there got a tour of the ThreeZero studio. They were allowed to snap a bunch of photos, and they showcase a few new 1/6 scale figures.

 

Nickelodeon::

Bebop and Rocksteady Join Shredder on his Quest to Defeat the Turtles During

a Brand-New Episode of Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Premiering March 8 at 11:00a.m. (ET/PT)

Franchise-favorite villains, Bebop (J.B. Smoove) and Rocksteady (Fred Tatasciore) hit the small screen when brand-new episodes of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles return Sunday, March 8, at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.  In the action-packed episode, “The Pig and the Rhino,” Donnie finishes a new batch of retro-mutagen, in hopes of saving Karai, while the Turtles find themselves hunted by Shredder’s new vengeful henchmen, Bebop and Rocksteady. Beginning March 8, Turtle fans can watch the special hour-long premiere “Battle for New York” pre-released on Nick.com and the Nick App through March 15. The episode will premiere on Nickelodeon Sunday, March 15, at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT).

 

Also beginning March 8, Turtle enthusiasts can participate in “TMNT Mutation Madness,” an interactive bracket-style tournament that will give fans everywhere a chance to cast their votes in four rounds of mutant match-ups counting down to the Ultimate Mutant Champion.  While Nicktoons airs mutant-driven Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles episodes, the tournament starts online with sixteen mega-mutants including: Fishface, Spider Bytez, Tiger Claw, Slash, Bebop and Rocksteady, among others competing for the title of Ultimate Mutant Champion.  As part of Nicktoons’ “Mutation Madness” each round, will reveal the brackets narrowing from 16 to 8 to 4 to 2, with the Ultimate Mutant Champion debuting March 23.  Along with casting a vote every round, fans can enter special sweepstakes for prizes and unlock exclusive content to learn more about each mutant through bios, gifs, images and videos.

 

For more TMNT action, viewers can logon to Nick.com for full episodes, quizzes and games, including “Shadow Heroes” and the recently release, “Mikey’s Day Off.” In the new game, crime has taken the night off, but that doesn’t stop Mikey from relieving his boredom by sneaking around the turtle lair to throw paper balls at his bros.

 

 

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ADVENTURES :: Unpublished “MAN RAY” logo by Ryan Brown (( 1990 ))

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ADVENTURES :: Unpublished "MAN RAY" logo by Ryan Brown  (( 1990 ))  ))

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“I don’t think that was ever included in any style guide but was a piece Ryan .. did for use either on a TMNT Adventures or Mutanimals letters page (and never printed) or that he did for fun or for me. Foggy memory… but it’s one of those three scenarios. Pretty sure anyway! What year? I’d say somewhere in the 1990-92 range. ”

Steve Murphy

 

 

“I remember it, but not what it was for. It’s very early because I used the head from the very first drawing of Man Ray.

Maybe it was going to be used in the Archie book.”

Ryan Brown

NOTEWORTHY :: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ‘MINIATURES’; NOTE PAD & ADDRESS BOOK (( 1990 ))

NOTEWORTHY :: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 'MINIATURES'; NOTE PAD i (( 1990 ))

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–>> approx. 4″ x 4″ ..

..items were received as-is sans writing utensils. The pencils were added later.

~ t

NOTEWORTHY :: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 'MINIATURES'; NOTE PAD ii (( 1990 ))

NOTEWORTHY :: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 'MINIATURES'; NOTE PAD iii (( 1990 ))

NOTEWORTHY :: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 'MINIATURES'; NOTE PAD iv (( 1990 ))

NOTEWORTHY :: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 'MINIATURES'; NOTE PAD v (( 1990 ))

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NOTEWORTHY :: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 'MINIATURES'; ADDRESS BOOK i (( 1990 ))

NOTEWORTHY :: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 'MINIATURES'; ADDRESS BOOK ii (( 1990 ))

NOTEWORTHY :: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 'MINIATURES'; ADDRESS BOOK iii (( 1990 ))

NOTEWORTHY :: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 'MINIATURES'; ADDRESS BOOK iv (( 1990 ))

“Team Mirage” :: ‘TEAM MIRAGE RACING’; Clear Vinyl Sticker (( 1992 ))

"Team Mirage" :: 'TEAM MIRAGE RACING'; Clear Vinyl Sticker (( 1992 ))

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approx. 2 x 7″

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** TEAM MIRAGE Photos, artwork & Memorabilia courtesy of Peter Laird, unless otherwise noted.

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” “.. .. Team Mirage, the motorcycle racing team which I sponsored for several years in the mid-1990’s. .. .. an off-road style of racing called “hare scrambles”. .. ”

PL

Peter Laird's Blast from the Past #299: "Team Mirage" @ Southwick  (( 1992 )) [[ courtesy of Peter Laird ]]

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"Team Mirage" ::  Tommy Norton's Hare Scambles Bike, modified Kawasaki KX125 (( 199x ))  [[ courtesy of Peter Laird ]]

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Peter Laird's 'Blast from The Past'  # 18 :: "Team Mirage" - 'Hare Scrambles Turtle' by Jim Lawson (( 1992 ))  [[ courtesy of Peter Laird ]]

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Peter Laird's 'Blast from The Past'  # 18 :: "Team Mirage" - 'Roadracing Turtle' by Jim Lawson (( 1992 ))  [[ courtesy of Peter Laird ]]

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KAPPA ACTIVITY BOOKS :: Coloring Books .. art by Ryan Brown (( 199x ))

KAPPA ACTIVITY BOOKS :: 'Gigantic Dinosaur Fun'  i .. art by Brown (( 199x ))

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Pencils & inks by Ryan Brown

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–>> Having constantly expanded on his rich creative history with Mirage and TMNT,  Ryan’s artistic talents have continued to entertain millions of children for a very long time now !!

~ t

KAPPA ACTIVITY BOOKS :: 'Gigantic Dinosaur Fun'  ii .. art by Brown (( 199x ))

KAPPA ACTIVITY BOOKS :: COLOSSAL Coloring Book { Hippo } front .. art by Brown (( 199x ))

KAPPA ACTIVITY BOOKS :: COLOSSAL Coloring Book { Hippo } back .. art by Brown (( 199x ))

KAPPA ACTIVITY BOOKS :: COLOSSAL Coloring Book { ELEPHANT } front .. art by Brown (( 199x ))

KAPPA ACTIVITY BOOKS :: COLOSSAL Coloring Book { ELEPHANT } back .. art by Brown (( 199x ))