Michele Ivey is a Detroit Michigan native with an encyclopedic knowledge for the Eastman and Laird magnum opus, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! I dare you to find anyone else out there with as much vigor as she has. Go on! You'll come up barren as the Gobi Desert! Even I didn't know what I was getting myself into with this interview. I knew about her from an obviously scripted bit of reality show on VH1. But listening to her talk about the Turtles, got me curious. So I tracked her down and asked her if it was okay to do an interview with her. It was like going one on one with V'ger! She's probably forgotten more about the mutant amphibians than I could ever learn! Really though. I was kidding myself by thinking I had a handle on the Turtleverse. Oh boy, was I ever wrong. I had so much fun talking to her and learning more and more about something that was a big part of my teenage years. Just goes to show you. It never hurts to ask. And I am very happy that I decided to ask her to do an interview. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did.
Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
My name is Michele Ivey, I'm known for my passion for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I was born into a family of entertainment as both of my parents are artists, my sister was lucky to get the true gift of art. While part of my childhood had bad school days, I had an amazing life. My father was the art director of a local TV show so we would go to conventions with him as a guest. My mom always had our backs, supporting us with our dreams and giving us those nudges we needed with school work. Thanks to them we traveled, met cool people and learned things first hand. And we had the coolest Halloween costumes in all of Ferndale. I learned to follow my heart, be myself and treat others how I wish to be treated.
Can you tell me about the first time you saw the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and what did that to you? How old were you when you discovered them?
The first time I saw Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, was not when they first caught my attention, we were at a Si-Fi Convention, someone went up and stalled my dad so we were late to the costume contests. The winners that night were people in Ninja Turtle costumes. It did not stand out to me, nor even hit me till my sister told me years later and I remembered.
October 1989, my brother and I were friends with all the young kids on the block. There was one who lived only two doors down from my house, he was more my brother's friend than mine. We went over to play toys, he brought a coffee tin out full of the normal action figures. He-Man, Ghostbusters, and one strange green toy. The green toy had a mask on, as well as a belt that had four hoops on the back of it. There were different weapons put into each of the hoops on the belt. This toy caught my attention, as I never saw it before. I remember I asked what it was, but I did not remember the name of it. Just that day, it was the toy I played with. Never reading a comic, seeing the show and the movies were not even out yet. It was just the design of this one toy, that stood out to me.
It was the following week when I saw the show. I was sitting down to watch Chip & Dales Rescue Rangers when my brother changed the channel to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I complained, but he pointed out that was a rerun and we never watched this cartoon before. The episode was "A Thing About Rats". I found myself loving the show right away, racing home to see as much of the Turtles as I could. It started at 3:30pm weekdays on Channel 20 for the Detroit area. I was 11 years old, I thought it was like any other cartoon that entered my life, little did I know how much it would change my life.
When did you start collecting?
I've always been sort of a collector. I wanted every toy of every series I got into. I still own my collections of Care Bears, He-Man, ThunderCats, and Ghostbusters. The first pieces of my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles collection came to me on Christmas day 1990. My mom and dad got my brother and I all of the toys that were out at that time, besides for two they could not find. Which was Baxter Stockman and the Rat King. I also got the Turtle Van and the Turtle Lair that year, as well as two of the Archie Comics. This was the beginning of my TMNT collection, which was so much like that of any other kid at the time. Just toys and comics, trading cards and sticker albums came soon after. I did not see it as collecting or being a collector at the time. I just saw it as having something I enjoyed.
I started to get some rare items before I realized I was a collector, as my mom got me my first animation cel from the series. It was sold at Toys R Us. Next, a friend of mine sent me an original Mirage Comic Art page. And soon after more rare items started to fall into my hands. The internet became a part of my life, I made friends with people at the studios and I got a big passion for the "behind the scenes" of TMNT. To where I enjoyed collecting items that helped make the Turtles what they are.
Do you have a favorite incarnation of the boys?
I will say I love all versions of the Turtles, but there are versions I feel closer too than others. Like the bottom of my list is the Michael Bay Movies, while I enjoyed "Out of the Shadows" in 2016, the Turtles were still strange looking, way too big and just not the Turtles that helped me when I was young. So not really something I am a fan of. Versions of the Turtles that I hold very close to me are the original movies, the 2003 series by 4Kids and the IDW Comics that started in 2011. While the toys and cartoons of 1989 brought me into the TMNT fandom, these other versions hold other meaning to me. The movie helped inspire me to read and stand up for myself against bullies. The 2003 series was a cartoon that gave each of the characters growth and good depth, but not overdrawn storylines. And the IDW Comics gives us a new edge of the Turtles that doesn't destroy the feel of the brothers. Each of them was creative with their ways of handling them and respectful to each of the Turtles.
Do you favor the darker stories from Eastman and Laird or do you like the more modern, light-hearted ones?
I lean towards both. It depends on how I feel. It also depends on the character, like for many years the Mirage Shredder, who was only alive in one issue of the comics, was my favorite version of the Shredder. I love the deep growth of a character, that comes with the darker versions of the Turtles. But I love the joy of life that comes from the light-hearted ones. Which is why the 2003 series is a great mix for me, it has more of a Mirage feel. While giving us some of the comedy styles of the lighter versions of the Turtles.
I do have to disagree with you by saying the more modern Turtles are light-hearted. The second version of the Turtles first brought on the light-hearted Turtles, which has been seen time and time again in different versions from the Tours to the Nickelodeon cartoon. Though we still have dark stories for TMNT in the IDW Comics that started in 2011, running to this day. The fight between Splinter and Shredder in issue 50, is a great example of how dark that series can be. And watch the dept that they go with Michelangelo's reactions to the outcome of that fight. Truly worth the read.
What did you think of the original cartoons when the some of the turtles were limited to using their weapons anymore?
I love the original cartoon series. It's fun, the theme song is the best, and you could enjoy it if you knew the show or not. Most episodes were stand alone, making it easy for new people to just jump in on. And if not for the original cartoon series, the Turtles would not have reached as many fans as they did. David Wise was in charge of writing the Turtles for children, and I think he did a great job at it. He helped make some of the staples that we all know the Turtles for to this day from pizza to Cowabunga.
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| Never could stand this kid. |
For me, the fandom was never about the fight scenes. Though I did find it weird when Mikey stopped using his nunchucks. Leonardo, Raphael, and Donatello all got to keep their weapons. Though Leonardo was limited on what he could use his swords on, they were allowed. Mikey's chucks were gotten rid of because of an overseas censorship that was making it hard for TMNT. To help cut back on as much editing as they had to do, they removed the chucks from the series. While this seems harsh, we still had action, story and the characters I enjoyed. For me the series jumped the shark long after Mikey stopped using his chucks when they did the 1995 and 1996 season, introducing Carter and Dregg. I felt like the show became the Carter show, the Turtles got in trouble and Carter came to save them. I lost more interest during those seasons than anything to do with the weapons.
An interesting fact, so many picks on the series for getting rid of Michaelangelo's nunchucks in the original cartoon series, but a loved TMNT film "Secret of the Ooze" did not allow most of the Turtles to fight with their weapons. Only Donatello could use his weapon during the entire movie. You see the other's weapons from time to time, but they used more toys. Because people thought the first movie was too violent even though there was never any blood in the first movie.
Who is your favorite turtle and why? Who do you think is the better fighter and why?
Michaelangelo is my favorite Turtle because he reminds me of myself the most in personality. I can relate to him and his actions he takes in most of the TMNT series out there. I really like him a lot in the 1990 Movie and 4Kids series. Other areas that get Mikey very close to how I like him is Mirage, Image, IDW, Archie and the original cartoon series. He's funny, talented, has a lot of energy, and is not out to hurt anyone. But can fight if he's needed too. He hates responsibility and never wants a leadership role. He finds it easier to be the clown, as it's less stressful. He cares deeply about others, his family means the world to him. He wants them to smile, even when things are tough. He knows each of them, better than they'd ever realized... but that's just so he can be there for them when they need him.
I don't feel any of the Turtles truly are better than the others. Each shine in different areas, like their weapons. I know people like pitting them against each other all too often, but that's not a story arch I enjoy. I do like how they would show their styles in the 4Kids series. Leonardo is all about skills and doing it right, but even he has lessons to learn. Raphael is really strong but can get distracted easy. Leo and Raph were to fight, it would depend on who would use the other's weakness... upon skill, Leo would win, upon strength Raph would win. With Donatello he's more of a passive fighter, he's got his staff. The bo staff is my favorite weapon in real life. But he also has his brains to think things through, he'd rather not be on the battlefield but in his lab. While Leo can beat him in a fight, Leo can't beat Don at what he does best which is curing them when they're poisoned, fixing their gear when it breaks and his vast knowledge of math and science overall. These might not seem like a way of fighting, but those skills have saved the Turtles enough times during battle to see that it is a way of fighting. With Michaelangelo he's got talent and speed, it makes him a great fighter. But he doesn't want it seen, he wants to be himself. So he plays more while training, but you need more skill to use those chucks. And if you just watch the times when Mike shines in battle, you realize how good he really is. Mike does know how to use his brother's weaknesses to win in battle, which is also a great skill of his. Shown when he fights Raphael in the Battle Nexus Tournament during the 4Kids TMNT series.
One thing you may notice through this interview. I go back and forth on spelling Michaelangelo's name. Back in the day, it was originally spelled with an extra a. In 2001, Peter Laird corrected this with the Mirage Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 4. He wanted it spelled as the artist spells his name. I respect that is how he wants it, but I personally prefer the original spelling with the a. So when I talk about Michaelangelo in general, I use the old spelling. But if I'm talking about anything after 2001 like the 4Kids series I spell his name without the a, as Michelangelo. It's not a mistake, that's just me.
How many do you have in your collection? Can you remember the first one you ever got? Do you still have the figure?
I laugh every time someone asks me this question, as counting my collection almost seems like it can't be done. I'm sure if someone had months of spare time to do it... maybe it can be done. But, I don't have that time. I last counted my action figures in 1999, I had over 500 toys out of package and 300 in package. That number has gone up a lot with the 2003 series, the 2007 movie, the 2012 series, and 2014 & 2016 movies. When I'm doing okay I try to get double of the toys, I don't always. But I collect a lot, I also collect toys from around the world. I never get rid of any of my toys, so yes I still have all of my originals. I also bought my brother's originals off of him years ago. I mentioned earlier my first part of my collection was that Christmas... I can't recall which one I opened first, but they all mean a lot to me.
This collection contains hundreds of toys in package and out. Books of original comic artwork. Suitcases full of animation cels. A stack of used scripts. A ton of backpacks and bags. Bedding and bathroom supplies. Enough shirts to go months without worrying about laundry while having a different TMNT shirt to wear each day. As well as Posters, movie props, dolls, DVDs, VHS tapes, comic books, mirrors, key chains, stickers, art supplies, fabric, socks, statues and so much more. There's a reason I want to open up a TMNT Museum someday, as a lot of my collection should be out there for the fandom to enjoy. Not locked away from view.
Whats your holy grail piece (the most sought-after piece) of turtle memorabilia that you own?
I got too many pieces like this. A lot of people, and I do mean a lot love my movie props. I own two heads from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, and I've gotten offers of up to $5,000 cash for just one head. Though none of my collection is for sale. Though people have tried to buy original art from me, my #1 first printing of the first issue of Mirage, and so many of my toys. I even have posted on most of my sites that none of the collection is for sale, but people keep asking.
There are some high up pieces emotionally for me. Like the homemade costume, my dad made me, I can't wear it ever again and it's aged... falling apart. But I made some of my best memories while wearing that costume for Children Birthday parties, Movie Theaters, and even Detroit Edison's Christmas Parties. Best was wearing it for free visits to the Hospitals. I was Mikey the Party Turtle. And loved every moment of it. This costume remains something dear to me.
Another piece that is high up on the list of emotional and most likely worth some $$$ is an original artwork page given to me by Kevin Eastman. Signed and framed, I remember the day he gave it to me so clear. Surprised me. It has all four Turtles, April, Casey, and Splinter as the Second Time Around shop is burning down.
While a different one that I love in my collection is the script I have from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, given to me by Ernie Reyes Jr in 2009. This was his used script with his personal notes from working on the film. When I was a kid Ernie was one of my top three favorite actors who worked on the TMNT Movies. It means a lot to me to have this script in the collection.
The one thing about the collection that people do not seem to fully understand is how every piece means something to me. I pick them up, and memories come flooding in. Some have different meanings than others like one might be the moment I got it. Another piece might be the memory of sharing it with a friend. I don't look up the value on any of these items, nor do I really care. So I don't know what could be worth the most here, I just know the entire collection has their own stories. The one thing they all have in common is how much they help me as an antidepressant.
How did Donatello's "death" affect you when you saw it? I mean of course he'd return, but still, it was pretty harsh and gruesome to the least.
You talking Image Comics or IDW? Because both have their stories.
I laughed when I saw it with IDW... everyone was screaming "Donatello died", this happened the same week I was a guest at a convention and did not read the comic. So when people started saying Donatello was dead, I had to look into it. I finally saw the pages and realized...they didn't say Donatello was dead. He just looked dead. I read it over and was sure in my head Donny wasn't dead. I do believe that I talk about it in one of the videos that were released of that panel. And sure enough, Donatello's hooked up to life support and all. He didn't die. I think that the public reaction shocked Tom Waltz and everyone else at IDW. Issue 50 was their big thing coming up, and this was a build up towards that big issue. And they did a great job.
I am not one of those fans who get teary-eyed when the Turtles are hurt. I think it adds to the story, I am not a fan of heroes that always come out the winner... and never get hurt. Because it's not realistic at all. Anyone who goes into battle will come with some sort of injuries. The Image Comics was a big blow for a lot of fans because they beat the Turtles up. In that comic, they did make it look like Donatello died. But my friends and I looked at the skeleton that was supposed to be Donatello and noticed some major things wrong with it. The bones did not all match Donatello. I could not wait to see where they were going with that. Don never did die in that one either though, before he could the cyborg merged with him.
So both versions of Donatello being "dead" as fans put it. He never died.
Do you think during the turtles moving around thru different publishers over the years, they've lost some of their personality or gained something more?
It's funny though before the Turtles had different publishers they had guest artists and writers. Eastman and Laird encouraged others to express their own views of the Turtles. Now, while that sounds fun. As a reader of the comics as they were coming out, it didn't hold me. The reason being is I am a fan of an ongoing story. So the Archie Comics that started coming out at that time, had the ongoing story I wanted to read. Archie kept me reading TMNT comics, more than the Mirage one-shots. It took years before I went back and read them again, finding respect for those comics. Now I got favorites from those guests, but that was the original publisher, Volume 1.
Each series since has brought stuff to the table. Some things I like, some I don't. Though TMNT fans had to face this before the new publishers, so did it take anything away? No. In fact, the IDW Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Comics is the best story arch going for the Turtles since the Viacom buy out. Tom, Kevin, and Bobby are doing a great job at keeping this comic not just going. But interesting and exciting for the fans. I do believe that Eastman and Laird knew this from the beginning. Give others a crack at, catch new eyes, have something out there for everyone, even if everything out there does not please everyone. So yes, they gain something with the different publishers.
Do you have a favorite writer of the TMNT? Favorite artist?
My Favorite writer for TMNT has to be Tom Waltz. I realized this after reading the first five issues. I know Kevin Eastman is a co-writer, but I do feel the IDW Comics is really a lot to do with the direction that Tom brought them. I've had the honor to meet and talk with Tom, and I love the passion he has for the work. And the way they have the characters. This does not mean I don't respect the others, just that right now Tom's work really does shine through as great TMNT stories.
Do you have a favorite obscure hero/villain of the turtleverse?
Obscure Hero, that one I have to think about. I know I got a favorite obscure villain. He goes by the name Dr. Quease and is from the Next Mutation. The reason I like him is more from the scripts than the TV show. I had the honor of meeting the actor and seeing him perform before reading the scripts, so when I read the scripts I could picture him and how he could've done these scenes. There are some great scenes with him that was cut from the show. Dr. Quease is a scientist, that Donatello is a fan of.
Obscure Hero is a lot harder, I've learned towards the Turtles and some of the Mighty Mutanimal characters. If anything I think it would be Kirby, from the Mirage Comics and 4Kids series. Kirby is an artist that draws things that come to life. It is a Donatello story. One I speak about often. In the 4Kids series, he was voiced by Mike Pollock, who studied the voice of Jack Kirby to perform the role in the show. I speak about this story a lot to people, as it's been done in a few different mediums. The original story was the Donatello Micro-Series by Peter Laird. It was made into a Children's book, with the original toon style Turtle art through it. And later animated, to be one of the best adaptions I've ever seen of a Comic to the screen.
Favorite incarnation of the TMNT?
I don't think I can pick a favorite... once again it goes on how I'm feeling... the tops would be the Movies, 4Kids Series, and IDW comics. Though I can't pick between those as they each hold something awesome to them. Though I enjoy these three because of the characters and stories.
How many of the TMNT voice actors have you met and who was your favorite to talk to?
How many... here I'll share as good as I can, there are some I don't think I'll call off the top of my head as they were side characters...
Original Cartoon series Voice Actors I've met
- Townsend Coleman (Michaelangelo), Barry Gordon (Donatello), Rob Paulsen (Raphael), Cam Clarke (Leonardo), Peter Renaday (Splinter), Renae Jacobs (April), Pat Fraley (Krang), and Greg Berg (Donatello sub)
1990 Movies
- Robbie Rist (Michaelangelo all three films), Brian Tochi (Leonardo all three films), Corey Feldman (Donatello 1 & 3), Josh Pais (Raphael 1), Adam Carl (Donatello 2), and Michael McConnohie (Tatsu)
Next Mutation
- Kirby Morrow (Michaelangelo), Matt Hill (Raphael), and Michael Dobson (Leonardo)
4Kids Series
- Wayne Grayson (Michelangelo), Sam Riegel (Donatello), Greg Abby (Raphael), Michael Sinterniklaas (Leonardo), Darren Dunstan (Splinter), Marc Thompson (Casey), Sean Schemmel (Gunjin), Veronica Taylor (April), Scott Williams (Baxter), Dan Green (Mortu), Eric Stuart (Hamato Yoshi), Oliver Wyman (Fugitoid), Ted Lew (Ulitmate Ninja), Carrie Keranen (Angel), Mike Pollock (Kirby), Megan Hollingshead (Sydney), Tom Wayland (Jammerhead), Rachael Lillis (Lonae), Lisa Ortiz (Britney Alexander) and more.
TMNT 2007 Movie
- Mikey Kelley (Michelangelo), Mitchell Whitfield (Donatello), Nolan North (Raphael), and James Arnold Taylor (Leonardo)
Nickelodeon TMNT 2012
- Greg Cipes (Michelangelo), Sean Astin (Raphael), Mae Whitman (April), Hoon Lee (Splinter), Jason Biggs (Leonardo 1), Seth Green (Leonardo 3), Kevin Michael Richardson (Shredder), Eric Bauza (Tiger Claw), Christian Lanz (Fishface), Fred Tatasciore (Rocksteady), Phil LaMarr (Baxter), Peter Lurie (Leatherhead), Jim Meskimen (General Griffen), Michael Dorn (Mozar), Tom Kenny (Doc Rockwell), Gwendoline Yeo (Shinigami), Jeffery Combs (Rat King), Ciro Nieli (Pizza Delivery Boy), Danny Trejo (Newtralizer), John DiMaggio (Pizza Face), Minae Noji (Alopex), Steve Blum (Speed Demon), Robert Englund (Dire Beaver), Andrea Romano (Friendly Computer), Yuri Lowenthal (Ninja #1 & #2 in one episode), and of course Kevin Eastman (Ice Cream Kitty)
While true there's some of these I know better than others... I can not choose a favorite I like to talk too as that would be asking me to choose a favorite friend. I hang out with people like Robbie Rist, Townsend Coleman, Renae Jacobs, Michael Sinterniklaas, Scott Williams and more outside of events. For well over 10 years now, the people who've worked on TMNT have been more than just people I admire for their work, but friends. Some of these people I've met once or twice, some I met before they worked on TMNT, and others just have become very dear friends. I can't choose a favorite. And these are just the voice actors I've listed.. you didn't ask about the artist, stunt doubles, lead costume actors, writers, editors, and the list goes on. I'm even friends with people who worked on the live tour that went around in the early 90's. All of them are just as important in bringing the Turtles alive.
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| Mikey's got back up withScott! |
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| Backstage with Raph and Mikey! |
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| With the man himself, Peter Laird |
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| David Warner!!!!!!! |
Do you have a favorite season of the original season and why?
My favorite season of the original cartoon, which I think you meant there is the first season. David Wise did a great job at writing each of the characters, to help the voice actors make their personalities shine. The Artwork was very well done in those five episodes. It was an ongoing story, something I really do like. Most of my favorite characters are introduced right there from Michaelangelo of course to Bebop, Rocksteady, and Baxter. I am a big fan of the first season.
Though if I had to pick favorite episodes from that series overall that stand out I'd say "Cowabunga Shredhead", "Turtles on Trial" and "Leatherhead Meets the Rat King". Those are episodes I often talk about when telling people what I liked in the original show. They're fun, I liked seeing Shredder acting like Michaelangelo it made me laugh a lot and Leatherhead's first time in the sewers, I never got tired of that. "Turtles on Trail" stood out, because it dealt with how the Turtles felt about the way humans view them.
Has your collecting slowed down over the years or you still a very avid fan?
One thing I must point out here, collecting does not make a fan avid or not. It just means you have the money to do so or the friends that are awesome to help you out at the time. It doesn't make you bigger or better than any other fan around you. Same can be said for what you've done, who you know, or where you've been. Fandom comes from the heart, something all fans can share and understand. Making us all equal. I know TMNT could never be knocked down from my favorite entertainment.
That being said my collecting doesn't ever end, it does slow down from time to time. Like right now, it's hard for me to collect with no income. I was bullied out of my income last year, I can not work a normal job because of a work injury in 2004 causing a condition known as CRPS. A lifelong condition, of always being in pain. So right now, I can not go out shopping for Turtles. I still look at them in the stores and enjoy hearing about what's out. And I still get TMNT stuff all the time as gifts from friends and family.
In my lifetime TMNT was the only entertainment that inspired where I went with my life, from becoming a better reader, standing up for myself to stop bullying, and being able to make friends around the world. Friends both in the fandom and behind the scenes. Every time I started to fall into a new fandom, and drift from TMNT a major event would pull me back into it. I realized by the year 2000, I was so deep in that I might as well just go with it. And I have, not just because I want to keep seeing TMNT, but with the thought. "If the Turtles helped me, they should remain around to help kids like me in future generations". It's why I remain public about my fandom, why I share my dreams and adventures with any who want to hear and travel to events to show the collection. This is one of those staple entertainments that deserves to stay around for the good they've brought the world.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is around number five of importance in my life. They're behind my Family, followed by Friends, Bills, and Health. All other entertainment falls much lower on my list.
You can see and learn more about Michele by visiting the following sites below! Go and check em out!
www.cowabungacorner.com
Michele did pass along this statement. "My stuff is not being updated much right now because I am in the midst of getting a house restored for my family to move into. Spending a lot of time without the internet. Though I do have plans to wake all of this back up as soon as I get the chance."
