"We Will Never Pander, Will Never Compromise": TMNT Writer Reveals the Franchise's Inspiring Mission Statement

Summary The key to the enduring success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles lies in staying true to the original vision of creators Eastman and Laird.

TMNT writer Tom Waltz emphasizes the importance of preserving the core concepts of the series, never compromising on authenticity.

Balancing evolution with tradition, the Turtles have remained entertaining by staying true to their original characters and storylines.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been one of the most enduring books in indie comics since its creation in 1984 by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. This is largely thanks to the style and tone set by its creators, whose vision has been carried over into various forms of media for the heroes.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have retained an impressive degree of relevance and popularity throughout the 40 years since their creation. This is thanks to how the characters have been penned by creators who respect the original series. Chief among them is Tom Waltz, long-term Turtles writer who worked on a slew of IDW projects, including co-writing the instantly-iconic The Last Ronin. Recently, he did an interview with Screen Rant, in which he explained his approach to ensuring the heroes are always true to Laird and Eastman's original vision.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles remain one of the most successful franchises in comics, and have been published under Image, Mirage, Archie and, currently, IDW Publishing. Much of their modern run has been defined by the work of Tom Waltz, who penned the first 100 issues of IDW's ongoing title.

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Tom Waltz Believes In Preserving the Core of TMNT

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The Ninja Turtles have managed to maintain relevance and entertainment value with each new generation since their creation. While many long-running comics have altered their style to capture a new audience, Tom Waltz believes in the importance of honoring the past. As he explained, "If there is any mission statement, it’s that we will never pander, will never compromise…we will only publish TMNT stories that are authentic and true to the core concepts Kevin and Peter Laird established 40 years ago."

The TMNT writer continued explaining his approach and work ethic when it comes to the book: "We are meticulous in our plotting, our scripting, our artwork, our lettering, our editing…no exceptions. We want our fans to love reading our stories as much as we love creating them." The adventures of the Ninja Turtles follow their lives in New York, revolving around their juvenile personalities, rivalry with the Foot Clan and love of pizza. While the characters have evolved with the times, everything that makes them great has remained intact, thanks to creators like Waltz.

Preserving A Franchise's Integrity Is Key To Its Success

There has been much debate among fans of various franchises as to just how much a comic book, film or game should evolve with the times. While some franchises have been dramatically reshaped to fit modern audiences, others have found their best success in standing by their founding ideas. When it comes to the Turtles, an impressive balance has been struck between the two, allowing the brothers to be as entertaining as ever without losing relevance. The Tom Waltz stories are a testament to this, and feel like picking up right where the first series left off.

While the world of the Turtles has adapted, they're still the same characters they've always been -- and all the better for that. The heroes have endured countless trends throughout the decades but, unlike other comics aimed at young people, never pandered to youth by latching onto the next big thing. Instead, creators like Tom Waltz have ensured that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are the same people they've always been -- and readers have rewarded them for that consistency and authenticity.