–>> 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A fellow Turtles Fan named ‘Sulfur’ created his own TMNT rap based on the storyline of the IDW, chronicling the origins of the Hamato family’s reincarnation and their encounters with the Shredder… It’s got a fantastic beat, the lyrics are clean – definitely check it out.
Sulfur’s also got a website going of other projects, And you can get this song as a free download, so be sure to see what else he and his posse’s been up to. Just be informed, language is a lil bit saltier there. 🙂
Been along time, ( yeah like 2007,remember the TMNT movie promotion ?? ) but the Turtles return to McDonald’s Happy Meal with what look to be figural and pullback motorcycle toys !!
Some pretty amazing news in the TMNT comic world as a poster over at theCGC Forums recently just showed off a tremendous lot books he was able to pick up. All the heavy hitters are present: Both Gobbledygooks, #1 first print, #3 NYCC edition, Silver Turtlemania, and the biggie, the rarest of the rare, a Gold Turtlemania. As if the sketch wasn’t cool enough, it’s also #1 out of 10! All books seem to be in immaculate condition and by the tone of his post, it sounds like these books might be going up for sale soon…
IDW :: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #50 // Cover RE Hero Initiative A – “HERMAN & Mondo Gecko; Peace & War” by tOkKa (( 2016 ))
IDW :: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #50 // Cover RE Hero Initiative B – “OLD HOB’S Back” by tOkKa (( 2016 ))
