With Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, is Seth Rogen now the king of the comic book imprints?

A big part of being a ‘90s child, aside from The Simpsons, has to be the awe-inspiring hype that came with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when its first animated episode made its way to our television sets in July 1990. From there on in, “Turtlemania” swept the Western world, including one of the most successful independent films at that time, based more on the Eastman and Laird comic books than the almost “Archie” cartoon series itself.

It’s those comic books that have become the source material for the latest effort to reboot the TMNT franchise, but one that has a likely saviour in its midst, given the success of other, “darker” comic book adaptations he’s previously been involved in - one Seth Rogen, alongside his longtime writing partner, Evan Goldberg.

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” is being executive produced by Rogen and released through his Point Grey production company, in association with Nickelodeon (the current rights holders to the TMNT property) and distributed by Paramount Pictures; so expect it to hit Paramount+ before the end of the year.  

It’s not just the only ‘90s franchise that Rogen is set to executive producer either; with IMDB citing his name with other projects including a reboot of Disney’s “Darkwing Duck” TV series and his renewed involvement once again with “Invincible” and the upcoming spin-off from Amazon Prime Video’s popular superhero satire, “The Boys.”

Is it a case that Seth Rogen, like so many of us, had a penchant for these properties growing up in his native Canada? Or has he just got a good eye for comic books and ‘90s franchise adaptation that he can somehow forecast a trend? 

More importantly, why isn’t he rebooting “Biker Mice From Mars” instead of Ryan Reynolds proposing the idea?

What has been the critical reception for Seth Rogen’s adaptations?

We turn to Metacritic on this occasion, rather than Rotten Tomatoes, to take a look at the overall review averages for each show Seth Rogen has been involved with that draws its influence from comic books - rather than look at other Point Grey works such as “Pam and Tommy” or “Sausage Party” for example.

Preacher - AMC

The first of two Garth Ennis adaptations that Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg have been involved in, with AMC series based on the popular comic book series of the same name. The show follows Jesse Custer, a small-town preacher who gains supernatural powers and embarks on a journey to find God, joined by his ex-girlfriend Tulip and a vampire named Cassidy.

"Preacher" received mixed reviews from critics and audiences during its run on AMC. While it developed a dedicated fan base and was praised for its unique style, dark humour, and intriguing characters, some viewers found the show's narrative to be overly convoluted and struggled to connect with its supernatural themes. 

Despite its polarizing reception, "Preacher" managed to run for four seasons, concluding in 2019. It led to the pair looking at another Garth Ennis property to adapt, this time for Amazon Prime Video.

• Metacritic rating: 76/100

The Boys - Amazon Prime Video

"The Boys" is a dark, satirical take on the superhero genre, exploring what happens when super-powered individuals abuse their abilities and the corrupt corporate machine behind them. The show has received critical acclaim for its fresh and edgy approach to the superhero genre, as well as its compelling storytelling and complex characters.

As an executive producer, Rogen is involved in shaping the overall direction of the series, providing creative input, and overseeing various aspects of production. He played a significant role in adapting the comic book to the small screen, helping to bring the irreverent and subversive tone of the source material to the TV show - and it has worked, becoming a rating giant since its debut in 2019 with its dark, envelope-pushing moments.

Such has been the success of “The Boys” and its universe that several spin-offs have been released or are about to be released; “The Boys: Diabolical” has already made a splash on Amazon Prime Video, with “Gen V” and the next season of “The Boys” ready to be released - potentially after the SAG-AFTRA/WGA strikes have been completed.

• Metacritic rating: 74

Invincible - Amazon Prime Video

Similar to his role in "The Boys," Rogen played a key part in bringing the popular comic book to the small screen. "Invincible" is based on the comic book series of the same name created by Robert Kirkman, who is also known for creating "The Walking Dead."

As an executive producer, Rogen contributed to the creative development and overall direction of the series. He was involved in decision-making processes related to casting, script development, and the show's visual style. Rogen's expertise in producing comic book adaptations and his passion for the source material helped ensure that "Invincible" stayed true to the spirit of the original comic.

"Invincible" premiered on Amazon Prime Video on March 26, 2021, and received critical acclaim for its engaging storytelling, complex characters, and well-executed animation. Rogen's involvement as an executive producer contributed to the show's success and further solidified his reputation as a producer of compelling and popular comic book adaptations.

• Metacritic score: 73

When is “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” out?

US audiences will be able to see “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” when it gets released in cinemas on August 2 2023. UK fans of the awesome foursome won’t have to wait that long, however, with the film out in cinemas from today.