HollywoodReporter is reporting that Nickelodeon has spent US$60 million to purchase the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise from Mirage Studios and 4Kids Entertainment. This will bring an end to the current TMNT animated series produced by 4Kids. Nickelodeon reportedly has plans for a CG animated television series and a feature film both shooting for a 2012 debut. They wish to reboot and reintroduce the series to new and old audiences. All merchandising rights were also part of the deal and it has already been stated they plan to continue working closely with Playmates Toys, who have long held the TMNT toy license. It was not clear whether or not Mirage would continue to publish TMNT comics, though I would find it hard to believe that wouldn’t be part of the contract negotations to at least let the TMNT creators continue to add content to their creations.

One wonders if the breakdown in talks with Fathom Entertainment to release the Turtles Forever movie nationwide in theaters was a result of these negotiations. We reported on the Turtles Forever movie here and recently talked about its theatrical release cancelation in the most recent podcast found here.

We also have an active discussion on the movie on our forums here. Feel free to add your thoughts on the movie in the thread or your thoughts on the TMNT franchise deal in the comments below!

UPDATE! – Peter Laird updated his blog with some thoughts on the deal and his decision.

This video features Daredevil, Tigra, Astonishing Beast, and Nova. Stay tuned for Part 2 in two weeks!

Just a friendly reminder to He-man/Masters of the Universe (MOTU) collectors, MOTU Classics Teela goes on sale today on MattyCollector.com at 12:00 EST (noon)!

She comes loaded with accessories including Zoar the Falcon, a sword, shield, the snake headdress (extra head) and staff.

I must have missed this a couple weeks ago, but TNI had news of a Mattel update regarding the Chemo Collect ‘N Connect figure:

A lot of fans have asked about the two types of Chemos showing up at retails. Simply put, we made a running change half way thought production to add a bubble piece inside of his chest to create a cool liquid effect. (we actually tried real liquid but that was not working out!)

I pity the collector who tries to get all variants of a figure in scenarios like these.

Marvel.com has seen fit to release an image of the DVD cover for the upcoming animated feature Planet Hulk. The art is painted by Alex Ross and the story will be based on the very popular Incredible Hulk storyline of the same name. The feature is set to be released in February 2010. Hope you are looking forward to it as much as I am!

Since the alphabet is the building block of our language, the Powet Alphabet is the building block of what makes us geeks.

This column poses the question, “What makes us geeks?” To that, I say obscurity. As geeks we thrive in the obscure. Be it obscure objects, information or experiences involving our niche interests, we Obsess Over Obscurity.
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