TMNT Comics, Variants, and Behind-the-Scenes Movie/Game Trivia (Venus & Lady Shredder Included)

Summary

A collector-focused roundup of TMNT film cut-scene trivia, comic variant spotlights (Jetpack exclusives, metal/foil covers), and game history—plus Venus returns and Lady Shredder revealed as a nanotech AI.

TMNT fans know the fun is never just one lane. In this live-shop style episode, the hosts mix behind-the-scenes movie trivia, collector-grade comic variant talk, and franchise lore from games and characters—then close with major IDW updates involving Venus and Lady Shredder.

If you’re here for evergreen collecting guidance (variants, exclusives, retailer incentives) and “wait, really?” TMNT history (cut scenes, canceled projects, delisted games), this is built like a treasure map.

TMNT film plans, cut scenes, and why some sequels never happened

The episode opens with long-running TMNT movie planning—especially projects that were planned but never moved forward.

Key themes include:
- Discussion of unmade and planned TMNT films, including ideas that would have shaped sequel direction.
- Context on why certain projects stalled, including the mention of Imagi’s bankruptcy after Astro Boy (2009).
- Deleted/altered scene history from released films, including the 1990 movie and The Secret of the Ooze.

The conversation also touches on how sequel plot ideas were discussed and reworked over time, tying the trivia back to what audiences actually got on screen.

TMNT giveaways: metal mask pin prize and community drops

Right after the film talk, the hosts shift into the kind of segment collectors pay attention to: giveaways.

What the episode covers:
- A TMNT-themed giveaway featuring a metal “Teenage Ninja Turtles mask pin.” The prize is described as being shipped after a winner is selected.
- Additional prize activity tied to the community’s Discord, including references to other drops beyond the mask pin.

The hosts also emphasize how to stay connected with their listings/community—especially for anyone trying to get the next chance at an item or learn about upcoming events.

Weird TMNT villains and quick character first-appearance trivia

Instead of covering an “iceberg” in full, the hosts still give a fast rundown of the franchise’s weirdest villain energy.

They call out multiple villains briefly, including:
- Pizza Face, described as a giant blob of pizza, with first appearance tied to an episode named “Antonio.”
- A quick mention of other strange villain/monster material as part of a rapid “how weird can TMNT get?” tour.

They also connect some character talk to first-appearance trivia across cartoons and IDW, keeping the discussion oriented toward what collectors often want: not just names, but where/when characters show up.

Comic collecting guide: variants, exclusives, and what to check first

The middle of the episode becomes a collector-oriented walkthrough—how to spot the variants that matter and where certain TMNT runs diverge.

A few collecting-focused topics the hosts highlight:
- Checking for multiple cover types and special runs (including metal and foil options).
- Cover/variant mentions across the TMNT line, including retailer incentive considerations and exclusive releases.
- The hosts also encourage browsing how items are organized in listings (including references to using specific tabs/filters like “auction tab” vs. “buy it now” when shopping).

Jetpack Comics exclusives and artist-linked variants

A recurring highlight is Jetpack Comics exclusives, including items tied to specific artists and issues in the TMNT “Journeys” era.

The episode specifically mentions:
- Jetpack Comics exclusives for certain numbered “Journeys” issues.
- Exclusive cover variants (including references to foil/wraparound-style options).
- Attention to how exclusives can vary not only by publisher imprint, but also by cover design and limited production details.

Volume 5–6 variant checklist mindset

The hosts discuss variant cover volume milestones (Volume 5 and Volume 6), emphasizing that these eras often have multiple “cover choices” that collectors distinguish.

The takeaway is practical: when you’re building a set, it’s worth confirming which cover version you’re buying/trading before you assume it’s the same as another copy you’ve seen.

Games and franchise updates: delisted releases and Mutants in Manhattan

The episode doesn’t stop at comics. It also covers how some TMNT game history ended up becoming “hard to get.”

Mutants in Manhattan (2016) overview

The hosts describe Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan (2016), created by Platinum Games as a hack-and-slash experience.

They cover:
- Platforms mentioned in the episode: PS3/PS4, Xbox 360/Xbox One, and PC.
- The game’s core pitch (fighting Shredder, Crang, Bebop and Rocksteady, Karai, and others across New York City).
- The multiplayer setup described as four-player co-op with online-only limitations.

Why it went missing: delisting shortly after release

A major franchise “collector pain point” is also explained:
- The hosts say the game was delisted from online storefronts shortly after release (described as lasting only about seven months due to publishing issues with Activision), while a physical version still remained.

The episode also briefly touches on reception themes, including complaints that boil down to short length and criticisms of level design.

Venus controversy + Lady Shredder reveal in IDW

The episode then tackles one of the biggest lore swings discussed in the summary: Venus returning after a long absence, and Lady Shredder’s identity being clarified.

Venus returns in IDW issue 127

The hosts explain that Venus was absent from TMNT media for over two decades, then reappeared in March 2022 in IDW issue 127.

What’s different about the new Venus:
- She’s portrayed as a “Frankenstein turtle,” tied to experiments.
- The episode summary notes her original name is Bonnie.

They also mention an IDW-related print error: a misprint in Tales of Leonardo where the page order repeats from around page nine.

Lady Shredder is revealed as a nanotech AI

The episode’s other big IDW lore moment:
- Lady Shredder is revealed as a nanotech AI.
- The episode summary connects this to Tang Amaya / Mistress as part of that reveal.

They also reference longer-running fan theories and how fan speculation about Lady Shredder’s identity eventually found an official explanation in IDW.

Closing: more TMNT sequel/movie talk and collector inventory energy

As the episode winds down, it folds in additional TMNT movie rumor discussion and more behind-the-shop collecting momentum—tying together film/history trivia with the real-world act of building a collection.

The final vibe matches the title style: hang out, compare what you’ve found, and trade notes across comics, games, and “how did we get here?” franchise history.

Conclusion

This episode functions like a multi-purpose TMNT collector guide: it covers cut-scene and sequel history, giveaway details centered on collectible pins, variant-focused comic collecting (including Jetpack Comics exclusives and volume variant thinking), game history like Mutants in Manhattan and its delisting, and major IDW lore updates about Venus and Lady Shredder’s nanotech AI reveal.

If your interests include TMNT variants, character history, and behind-the-scenes trivia, the hosts’ approach gives you both the “what’s new” and the “how we got here.”