Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness
Created by Palladium Books
The best-selling role-playing game is back, in beautiful full color with new art by TMNT creators Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, and more!
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Shipping 2025 * Tribute Art Pieces * Production Status * Team Update * Next Steps
2 months ago
– Wed, Sep 11, 2024 at 08:21:26 AM
Hey Mutants,
We’re making steady progress on all fronts on the TMNT & Other Strangeness Redux project and have some fun reveals for you in this update!
Update Summary
- Shipping Estimate: First Quarter 2025 - Even more amazing Tribute Art pieces - Production Status Details - Team Update - Next Steps
Shipping Estimate: First Quarter 2025
Our current estimate is that the TMNT & Other Strangeness Redux project will begin shipping some time near the end of the first quarter of 2025.
Before we launched the campaign, we estimated that the project could ship as soon as September 2024. That was before 8300 backers, a lot of radical stretch goals, and a record-setting TMNT crowdfunding campaign.
One of the consequences of the explosive campaign has been nearly doubling the number of tribute art pieces and remembrances — a response from TMNT creators beyond our wildest expectations! This has meant a good deal more coordination, official approvals, and time. It’s been a lot of work, and we at Palladium are confident that it has been worth the effort!
Even more amazing Tribute Art pieces
These books are loaded with amazing tribute content!
So many industry luminaries have reached out with heart-felt remembrances of their first time playing Erick Wujcik and Kevin Siembieda’s game, or finding the comics through the RPG, or the thrill of being able to embody Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman’s creations at a table with their friends. It’s beautiful how many were kids or aspiring creatives who went on to build careers in the arts, comics, games, film, and publishing.
Here’s a small sampling of some additional tribute art pieces that will be included in the books:
Line art and colors by Apollo Okamura
Line art by Dan Berger, colors by Steve Lavigne
Line art and colors by Fero Pe
Line art by Freddie E Williams II, colors by Jeremy Colwell
Painting by John Zeleznik
Line art by Michael Gustovich, colors by Michael Majestic
Line art by Michael Mumah, colors by Luis Antonio Delgado
Art and colors by Thad Stalmack
Production Status Details
The books are coming along nicely and at a good pace for 6 books (500+ pages) of material with tons of art. The core rules updates and clarifications, modernized equipment section, new mutant animals (thank you for voting!), written remembrances, and behind the scenes material are done and approved by our partners at Paramount.
The current focus is on wrapping up the editing and approval of the second book, Transdimensional Adventures. All of the art for the standard redux edition and the Black White & Red redux edition for both books, as well as all tribute art (with the exception of a last-minute celebrity submission) are done and approved.
We also just received Kevin Eastman’s new art for the Karai character Stretch Goal. Her writeup and stats are currently in the approvals process, but the art already got an enthusiastic “thumbs up” so feast your eyes:
Line art by Kevin Eastman, colors by Michael Majestic
We had some extra space in the page layouts, so we are also adding a previously unannounced bonus mutant animalcharacter — Ferreterick the Bounty Hunter, a potential “frenemy” or erstwhile ally in your campaigns. Here is a preview of his line art (colors are currently in approval):
Team Update
Palladium Books
If you’re subscribed to the Palladium Newsletter, which you can read or join here, you’ll know that Kevin Siembieda’s life partner of over twenty years, Kathy Simmons, died unexpectedly at the end of March from a heart attack. She was a valued member of the team and her loss is unquantifiable. Thank you for all the well wishes for Kevin and for giving him the grace to navigate this difficult time.
Since the campaign we’ve added Caleb Nelson to our operations staff and Christopher Landauer to handle Kickstarter management. They’ve helped keep the warehouse and backer customer service needs met allowing Sean Owen Roberson to focus on getting this campaign to the printers, with Kevin’s help as he returns to full duties at work.
New Production, Fulfillment, and Shipping Partnerships
Even though we’ve been in business for 40 years, we’re always on the lookout to bring new and better experiences and products to our friends and fans. This epic campaign has been an opportunity for us to forge exciting new partnerships. This onboarding process has taken some time, but we’re confident that you’ll be pleased with the results.
We had a very productive time at Gen Con in August to meet and finalize plans with these new partners, show off the Redux edition layout previews to fans who stopped by the booth, and debut an awesome life-sized custom Turtle statue created by some amazing artist friends.
Preview of the “Terror by Transmat!” comic from the Transdimensional Adventures sourcebook.
Next Steps
After we hand off the final files to our printing partners, they will verify the books digitally and then begin constructing production sample proofs for approval. There will be a back-and-forth with the books and accessories in various stages of completion with all the decision makers. When all is approved, they will begin manufacturing the rewards in earnest.
At that stage we will open the BackerKit once more for you to pay for shipping and then we can fulfill this campaign!
We’re so honored that you’ve come on this journey with us and we’re thrilled that the bulk of Palladium’s production work is done and we can transition to monitoring the manufacture and shipping of these keepsake books to you all.
BackerKit Surveys Required
We Still Need Surveys!
There are still 480 backers who have not completed a BackerKit survey. This is required to deliver your goods! We have sent multiple emails via BackerKit and MailChimp and messaged through Kickstarter. About 40 of you are using AppleID emails "[email protected]" with Kickstarter, and these are notorious for not delivering crowdfunding messages to your inbox. If you used an private relay Apple ID email on Kickstarter or have still not filled out your BackerKit survey, please reach out to us at [email protected] to update your email address.
As a general reminder, upgrades you made to your pledge in BackerKit do not reflect on your Kickstarter account. Nor does changing your address on Kickstarter automatically update it with BackerKit. Since we are using BackerKit for fulfillment, you must verify your pledge and address there. You will have the opportunity to update your address at any time there and verify it once more when we reopen the Backerkit pledgemanager before shipping starts (current estimate March 2025) when you will pay for shipping.
Palladium Books® is a Registered Trademark of Palladium Books Inc.
BackerKit pledge manager closed. Cards charged July 3rd.
5 months ago
– Mon, Jul 01, 2024 at 10:14:12 AM
Greetings Turtles fans --
The BackerKit pledge manager has been locked. If you made any upgrades or add-ons following the campaign, those will be charged on the evening of July 3rd.
Every backer needs to complete a BackerKit survey to receive your rewards and over 92% of you have already done this. If you have not, please reach out to [email protected] or via Kickstarter message and we'll be able to help you complete that process.
If for any reason you need an extension to complete payment on your add-ons or upgrades, reach out to [email protected] or via Kickstarter message and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
The BackerKit pledge manager will re-open much closer to fulfillment in order for you to select and pay for shipping. You can also make address updates at any time via the same BackerKit survey link you used for your pledge management. Updates you make to your Kickstarter profile will not automatically update your BackerKit info--which is where it needs to be current, so please update your address there as well!
You can use the following link to access your pledge and update your address:
We hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday for those who celebrate!
REMINDER! 3 days until we Lock Orders. 6 days until we Charge Cards for TMNT&OS add-ons.
5 months ago
– Thu, Jun 27, 2024 at 11:49:49 AM
Hey Turtles Fans --
Pledge Manager closes June 30th
We are closing the Pledge Manager in 3 days on June 30th.
We will be processing payment for post-campaign add-ons on July 3rd. Your main pledges have already been charged and credited, so any balance will only be for upgrades and add-ons you've purchased since the campaign funded.
This is your LAST CHANCE to get the miniatures sets or campaign exclusive cover variants.
Thank you for making this exciting project a reality!
TMNT&OS June Production Update: Last Chance for Collector's Items
5 months ago
– Tue, Jun 18, 2024 at 03:10:12 PM
Book Update
Many aspects of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness Kickstarter are now in the final design and layout stages or in final approvals.
All artwork and colors for the books are done and look beautiful. Even some of the old art has been digitally remastered to look like new!
The 30+ pages of full color tribute artwork is amazing.
The 30+ written remembrances are touching or funny, or both.
The history and behind the scenes material are written.
Erick Wujcik is fondly remembered.
Eastman and Laird are honored. We love them both.
Four of the new mutant animals announced for this project have been illustrated by Kevin Siembieda with colors by Sophie Campbell: Lemur, Penguin, Great White Shark, and Alligator Snapping Turtle. See examples below.
Backers, please make sure you respond to your emailed survey to help us determine what three bonus mutant animals will have their writeup added to the books!
Kevin Eastman’s new, original painting for the variant RPG cover is completed. As you would expect from this maestro, it is bold, dynamic, and stylish. As are the new Eastman and Laird Mutagen Green Foil variant covers.
The Mutagen Green Dice prototype has been unanimously approved and adored by all who see them.
The two sets of miniatures and their packaging is likewise approved. Everyone who has seen the 3D printed prototypes is blown away.
The Black, White and Red edition is as mind-blowing as the color edition books.
Sean Owen Roberson is nearing completion of the remastering and layout, plus many tweaks, updates, and additions that will please all such as a handy movement table, color coded headlines, a rear index, rules clarifications, and more.
Art Previews Kevin Siembieda is honored to contribute multiple art pieces to the Redux edition in collaboration with talented artists like Mike Majestic and Sophie Campbell.
Art by Kevin Siembieda, with colors by Mike Majestic
Art by Kevin Siembieda, with colors by Sophie Campbell
Art by Kevin Siembieda, with colors by Sophie Campbell
Third Party Reviews
Notable outsiders’ reactions to TMNT & Other Strangeness
Michele Ivey of Cowabunga Corner fame is a TMNT expert. She and her sister Miki Ivey, a top sculptor who has worked with Disney Imagineers, both visited the Palladium offices – or as Sean likes to call them, the Palladium studios. Sean and Kevin spent an hour showing them just the color art, colored comic strip pages (30+ pages of comics between the two hardcovers), and RPG book layout. They loved it, with Michele stating, and Miki agreeing, that these are going to be some of the most impressive TMNT books ever published by anyone. They also loved the miniatures and Mutagen Green dice, and were surprised by the unique and powerful gray scale and red art for the Black, White, and Red edition hardcovers.
“Nobody’s expecting this,” said Michele. “Turtle fans are going to go crazy over all of this. I think Kevin Eastman’s variant cover is one of his best paintings.”
Artist Mark Dudley and two of his associates, Jeff and Nick, visited Palladium to discuss the future of their own passion project for Palladium. It was a positive visit and they, like everyone else, went wild over the color work on the old art, the new tribute art, and the vast amount of impressive art and fun products for the TMNT & Other Strangeness Kickstarter. They too loved the Mutagen Green Dice and the dynamic poses and detail of the miniatures.
Everything about the TMNT & Other Strangeness Kickstarter has been a passion project. We are big fans like you and we want to wow you with everything we are offering.
Still Time to Upgrade Your Pledge
Speaking of which, Backers can still add to your pledges. You do not want to miss out on anything. But DO SO SOON, because the Pledge Manager will be closing on June 30th! Cards will be charged for add-ons and updates made in BackerKit on July 3rd.
If you’re the sharing type, do let your friends know that they can get in on the fun and still save substantially over final retail price by pre-ordering TMNT & Other Strangeness products such as the two main hardcovers, the Black, White and Red edition hardcovers, Game Master Screen, and Mutagen Green Dice (boy, everyone goes nuts over them).
Production Samples
Here's preview of the packaging for the Villains Miniature Set. Remember, this is a Kickstarter exclusive and will NOT be available at retail, so the only way to get them is add on to your pledge via BackerKit before the end of the month!
And here’s the box art for the Heroes Miniatures:
REMINDER!
The BackerKit pledge manager for this campaign closes on June 30th, so please make your upgrades and add on selections before then. Cards will be charged July 3rd, so plan your balances.
The Kevin Eastman / Sophie Campbell Variant covers are Kickstarter Exclusives that will not be available in retail.
The Mutagen Foil Green covers are Kickstarter Exclusives that will not be available in retail.
The Heroes and Villains Miniatures are Kickstarter Exclusives that will not be available in retail.
THE ONLY WAY TO GET THESE COLLECTOR’S ITEMS IS ADD THEM TO YOUR ORDER IN BACKERKIT BEFORE JUNE 30th.
Eastman Variant Cover Revealed! PM Close Date! Vote for Mutant Animals!
5 months ago
– Mon, Jun 17, 2024 at 12:48:32 PM
Eastman Variant Cover Revealed!
Art and Colors by Kevin Eastman
You don’t rush a master artist, and it has been worth the wait… the Kevin Eastman Variant Cover is truly epic!
Because this cover is a campaign exclusive and many of you wanted to see the final render before deciding, we are leaving the pledge manager for the campaign open for a few more weeks so you can upgrade or change your pledges, or add-on this instant collector’s cover now that you can revel in its completed splendor.
The BackerKit pledge manager closes June 30th.
For anyone who added to their pledge, cards will be charged on July 3rd, so you can plan your balances.
Vote for 3 Additional Mutant Animals!
Three NEW Mutant Animals will be added to TMNT & Other Strangeness. After more than 500 nominations, we’re pleased to offer these 9 finalists for inclusion based on your votes.
A survey has been sent out via Kickstarter where you can VOTE FOR 3 of the choices. The survey question says “choose as many as you like” but we can’t change that text and only your first 3 votes will count.
Kickstarter surveys also require you to enter information for your name and address. However, we will NOT use your response to this question for pledge delivery. Instead, make sure your information is correct in the BackerKit pledge manager to recieve your pledge.
BackerKit is also where your correct final pledge will show, as add ons and upgrades made in BackerKit aren’t reflected on your Kickstarter account. So the pledge details you see on the recent Vote for 3 Kickstarter survey will not reflect your upgrades made after the campaign. That’s fine, you’ll still get all your upgrades and add ons.
Thanks for your patience as we maximize both BackerKit and Kickstarter to bring you the fullest Turtle experience!
We’re also thankful for all the great nominations and for your prompt vote on the new additions!
If you’d like regular weekly updates on all things Palladium books, subscribe to our Newsletter. This week we have a Fantastic Fantasy Sale running with 20% off all Hardcovers and 30% off our entire Fantasy line in softcover, information about Gen Con 2024, and a meetup with our friends at Chaosium!
