Newbie to the TMNT-L

[Geert Mein]

Hi All!

This is the first time a post a message here,
I'm out of lurkingmode after 2 months. (Finally made the big step :)

Let me tell a few things about me.
I'm Geert, 22 from the Netherlands.
I've been a Turtle fan since the first time the cartoon went on air here in 1990.
I started to collect the toys, and I went to the cinema to watch the movies.
From the three movies, the first one is my favorite.
I sometimes bought the dutch translations of the Archie Comics,
but not every issue, because the toys were on #1 for me back then.
I never knew of the original Mirage Comics.
btw, They were called here Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles.
I prefer Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :)

The Turtles were a big part of my life back then.
They helped me through difficult situations.

When I was about 13, I customized many of my toys, and at the age of 15,
I regret that I did that, and unfortunately sold many of them.
When I was 16, I really started collecting toys without messing them up.
That was mainly Marvel stuff, like X-Men and Spider-man. I collected the comics too.
In time, I made a decision about which one I should continue with, because they are such large series to collect. I chose for X-men, and sold almost all of the Spider-man Comics. (They were all Dutch translations) As for Action Figures, I started with the Marvel Universe characters (Mainly X-Men), Star Wars, M.A.S.K. & TransFormers.
And sold Most of the Star Wars and TransFormers for American Comics.
StarCom and Galaxy Rangers and various Movie and Anime
character action figures were added. I record every '80's Action Cartoon Series on VideoTape and everything else that has my interest (as far as my budget allows it).
I'm still happy about having episodes of the Turtles on Tape :)
Funny thing is, with my first VCR back in 1995, the first thing I recorded with it,
was TMNT: The Movie.

When I got my first Computer back in 1999, and started to explore the Internet,
I learned about the Mirage Comics and got my interest back in the Turtles.
I made a list what I would like to order from Mirage Studios, but that never really
got off the floor. I did buy a few TMNT Action Figures.

I'm studying for ICT, PDI for Computers. I got so into computers, that it more or less controls a big part of my life now. I'm trying to make it my job as well :)

I got an interest in DragonBall Z when they aired here, and started to collect every action figure from the series. I got the Dutch Manga Translation of DragonBall too,
they always make me laugh :) I'm trying to get the DVD's as well.
Especially now, because finally the Saiya-Jin Saga and Freeza Saga
are coming on DVD in it's Japanese Language, Uncut version.

When I was surfing the web about 4 months ago, I found out about the new TMNT Comic, Volume 4. I went to my local comic shop to look if he had a few issues. I was lucky enough to pick up all 3 issues, and started to read them. I couldn't believe how cool the Turtles really where in the Mirage Comics. It is in one blow, the #1 comic for me now, hands down :) I'm eager looking forward for each new issue!!
I told a friend of mine who mainly collects TransFormers, about the new TMNT Comic,
because he has some interest in TMNT, he collects a few TMNT figures.
He went to the comic store as well, and bought the issues too. He read all of them, and has to get every issue.
I had to get the older Mirage Comics (I'm just too curious ;), and started looking on eBay. I've come quite far already with buying a few lots along with my friend. He buys the double Issues I get. I'm only missing #19, #39-#49 The complete City at War series and five issues of vol.2 are still on it's way. The last series I'm after are the Image series, because from what I've read, they aren't very true to the Mirage Comics, but more like a parallel Universe. Still worth to get, tho. The original Archie comics are great as well. They have some good stories too from my experience with the Dutch translation. I'm beginning to collect them too.

I just got vol1, #2, Fugitoid and the 4 one-shot's microseries in the mail.
I've just finished reading #2. Wow, it was awesome to read the origin of April O Neil.
Never knew she was a lab assistant of Baxter Stockman and that Baxter originally
is an Afro-American. Funny how they changed that in the cartoon.
I like the details from the books on page 2, "Tao of jeet Kun Do", "History of Games", a "Shakespeare" Book. Leo's reading a "Dune" Book :) Comics from "Stupid Wars" LOL

For anyone who didn't read vol1 #2 yet, beware of the Spoiler.
=========================SPOILER==========================
On page 5, it's like a horror movie how that Mouser eats Rats. Just imagine what they could do to April if the Turtles weren't there. brrr... That Baxter Stockman really IS an Insane Scientist. I wonder what's left of him, cause Raph really gave him a really big SMAK! in the face. After that, The fight with the hundreds of Mousers were very exciting!
When all hope was almost gone, Leo even says: "Turtles -- Die With Honor!!!"
Luckily Don & April made it just in time with shutting down the computer :)))

Looking forward to read Issue #3 today!!!

Later!!!
Geert