Discover the term 'toyetic' coined by Bernie Loomis of Kenner Toys and the evolution of marketing to children. Learn about the risky business of licensed toys, the unlikely origins of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the complex partnership dynamics of creative partners. Delve into the history of He-Man and the darker tones of the 1990 live action TMNT film.
The term 'toyatic' was coined by Bernie Loomis to critique unsuitable toy adaptations, highlighting the importance of marketability in franchise success.
The collaboration between Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird in creating the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was rooted in a deep love for comics and pop culture, resulting in a unique blend of influences in their narrative.
Deep dives
The Origin of 'Toyatic' and Marketing to Children
The term 'toyatic' initially coined by Bernie Loomis, head of Kenner Toys, was explained to Steven Spielberg as a critique of unsuitable toy adaptations. The 70s witnessed a shift in children's television standards due to advocacy groups like Action for Children's Television combating marketing excesses, especially of sugary cereals.
The Surprising Journey of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Creators
The serendipitous meeting of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird in 1984 led to the creation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Sharing a profound love for comics and pop culture, the duo collaboratively birthed a unique concept rooted in homage and creativity, blending influences like Daredevil and Ronin into their comic book narrative.
The Evolution of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's Relationship
As the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise grew, Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird navigated the complexities of business and creative relationships. The diverging paths of Eastman's innovative ventures and Laird's more grounded lifestyle led to inherent tensions, ultimately influencing their decision to part ways in their creative endeavors.
In the previous episode, I interviewed documentary filmmaker Isaac Elliot-Fisher about He-Man and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Isaac had so many great anecdotes about the history of those franchises that I couldn’t fit in. In this bonus episode of outtakes, Isaac explains the history of the term toyetic, the haphazard way He-Man came together, and why the 1990 live action TMNT film was so much darker than the cartoon show.