Recently I had the chance to chat online with Rutger. If you do not recall Rutger probably has one of the largest TMNT autograph collections on the planet. He has been collecting TMNT items for a long time now. He is a great guy to talk to and we spent some time chatting more about his collection. Please do not mind the grammatical errors.

MutantOoze.org says
  So Rutger this is our second interview, the first interview we had we were able to cover a couple of things concerning your TMNT autograph collection. This time I would like to get into a little more detail if possible on how you got started and get into some of the specifics of some of the pieces. So if you can, when did this collection begin and what got you started?
  Rutger says
Good to be back here. Well if I go way back to the roots then I started collecting autographs in 1999. Back then I was and still am a big StarWars fan and for the first time some actors came to Holland. A Sci-Fi convention.I was really excited and met about 3 StarWars actors and bought an autograph. I loved it, and a year later there was another one. With different actors.
MutantOoze.org says
  Which Star Wars actors were you able to meet?
  Rutger says
  I started seeying the same collectors and befriended some. A fanclub formed and we started a forums and showed eachother succes. Be it real life or through the mail. After some years we all focussed on something we were a fan of. One of us started collecting everyone from LOST, another focussed on Disney and I started with TMNT. That was on January 20th, 2006. Almost 4 years ago.  The first StarWars actors I met were Gary Kurtz, Michael Carter and Kenny Baker.  Gary was the producer of Empire Strikes Back, and Michael and Kenny played Bib Fortuna and R2D2
  MutantOoze.org says
  so after 4 years how many TMNT autographs would you say you have?
  Rutger says
  I'm nearing the 160 now, including the signed comics
  MutantOoze.org says
  that is extermly impressive
  Rutger says
  It went quite fast indeed, and of all the people who started focussing on a collection, I turned out to be the most succesfull
  MutantOoze.org says
  With the Turtles moving away from Mirage what autographs are you wanting to get/waiting for from the first 25 years of the turtles.
  Rutger says
  Oh there are still some major addition I would die for to get for my collection. The top five would be Elias Koteas, Kevin Clash, Ernie Reyes Jr.,  Brian Toshi and David Forman
  MutantOoze.org says
  What about Non-TMNT what are you really wanting to get?
  Rutger says
  Judith Hoag was on top of that list but I was lucky to finally get in contact with her, after more then 3 years of trying, in March 2009. Judith Hoag is my Harrison Ford among the TMNT autographs
  Rutger says
  Mm for Non TMNT, I'd really like to get Harrison Ford, Seth Green (Big Buffy fan), Michael J. Fox and Robert Downey Jr.  And there are still plenty I want, but as time goes, I might be able to meet them.
  MutantOoze.org says
  That would definitly be cool.
  Are there any plans to show off your non-tmnt collection?
  Rutger says
  Well I did for several years, but it got to big for my webspace that my provider offered me, and since the TMNT section started growing out of proportions, I wanted to make a seperate website for it, showing of not only the autographs, but also the pictures, stories and interviews.
  MutantOoze.org says
  You do have quite a few interviews on your TMNT site. Aside from the Judith interview (which sounds like was a loooong wait) what other interviews were you excited to get to do?
  Rutger says
  Michelan Sisti, that was my first chance to interview a real suit actor and get first hand information about the hard work . The other was Renae Jacobs, the voice actor for April O'Neil from the '87 cartoon, a person that was very hard to reach for several years, since she's not in the voice acting business anymore
  MutantOoze.org says
  How do you usually prepare for your interviews with these artists
  Rutger says
  Most of the time I start making up questions that I really want to know, then I start digging through IMDb for information and I ask on the forums if there is something people are dying to know about the person I'm going to interview.
  MutantOoze.org says
  Has anyone ever expressed animosity toward you because of your collection?
  Rutger says
  No, that still hasn't happen, people envy me or are extremely jealous. But the reactions are always positive, jaw dropping and overwhelming. Also because I manage to get people who are almost impossible to reach (thats why I still hope I can succeed in tracing Elias Koteas and Kevin Clash   )
  MutantOoze.org says
  haha, well that is good.  over the christmas holiday i believe you got some more autographs, who did you all get and are you waiting on some more?
  Rutger says
  Yeah I managed to find a bunch of new 4Kids VA's which was cool. I got in contact with Oliver Wyman (Fugitoid and many others), Carrie Keranen (Ananda), David Wills (Stainless Steel Steve), Tom Wayland (Jammerhead). Also some Next Mutation people. I sent out some classic cartoon characters, and still waiting for some 4Kids ones.
  MutantOoze.org says
  So when you send out your pictures to get signed do you get these professionally printed or do you just print them on a personal photo printer?
  Rutger says
  I do it proffesionally, better lasting quality. Some of my friends use home printed picture, and raindrops are their worst enemy
  MutantOoze.org says
  Have you ever had an autograph become damaged or destroyed for whatever reason?
  Rutger says
  Now that you mention that, I had 2 cases in which a signed photograph was folded in its envelope by the local mailman before it arrived here. But other then that nothing ever truly got damaged. That goes for TMNT and non-TMTN autographs
  MutantOoze.org says
  No other horror stories?
  Rutger says
  Well only from one of my fellow collectors, who had a home printed picture already signed. He was at a red carpet premier and wanted to have it doublesigned. It was raining and every drop created a pink spot on the photo. Eventually there were dozens of them. He could throw the whole damn thing away
  MutantOoze.org says
  that sucks.  So what's next?
  Rutger says
  Well I'm still waiting for more returns and in the meantime I found another Secret of the Ooze actor and a Next Mutation actor, so Im getting photos done and planning to send those out as well.
  MutantOoze.org says
  Out of your Mirage collection which piece is your favorite, and out of the Mirage artists who do you tend to lean more towards? What about the writers?
  Rutger says
  You mean lean towards in terms of drawing style?
  MutantOoze.org says
  yeah
  Rutger says
  Well I really dig the styles of Dario Brizuela and Andres Ponce. Really fresh and original styles I think.
  Those are my favorite original drawings I own. I only have one writers sketch, and that Quinn Johnson. So that one is easy.  Of course I'm extremely happy having a personalized Keving Eastman sketch!
  MutantOoze.org says
  By chance have you seen Alex "Toon" Deligiannis sketch of Krang in the Android body that has the "Fairly Odd Parents" feel to it? If so do you think that is a good direction for Nick to go with TMNT, even though it was just a quick sketch and nothing official?
  Rutger says
  Really dig the style! for cartoon drawing purposed. But I'd rather not see it animated for TMNT
  MutantOoze.org says
  for the next generation how would you like to see TMNT? CGI, animation, live action?
  Rutger says
  If I had any saying about it, I'd like to see a 2D animated series and a live action movie. But as far as I know the series will be 3D. Which hopefully will work out
  MutantOoze.org says
  aside from the comics and autographs do you have any other collectibles like movie props or anything like that?
  Rutger says
  In either way, I will have the chance to find new actors for an autograph!  Yes I happen to have 2 original Ooze cannisters from the second Live action movie. Very happy with those. I should really post pictures of them on my site
  MutantOoze.org says
  oh definitly
  Rutger says
  Futhermore I have tons of carded action figures ('88 and up) almost all the comics, all the videogames, plushy figures, and small merchandise.  Got lobbycards, DVD's posters, real sai, collectable figures...and the list goes on.
  MutantOoze.org says
  Those all should be up on your site
  Rutger says
  You're right
  MutantOoze.org says
  you mention you have 2 original ooze cannisters, that is awesome, are they filled with ooze?
  Rutger says
  One is clear, or empty. The other one is 'filled' that means the inside is painted bright green
  MutantOoze.org says
  how did you come across those?
  Rutger says
  some movie prop auction. They also had the newspaper from the second movie but that got to expensive in the end.
  MutantOoze.org says
  that is a really cool collectible, now to switch gears a little bit i want to go back to your tmnt autograph site.. looking through more of the pages you have a "letters" section and one of the letters is from James Arnold Taylor (Leo from TMNT), it also has a sketch of Obi-Wan from the Clone Wars series, this is a great piece, any story behind it?  Or from any of your letters for that matter?
  Rutger says
  Well the Obi-Wan Kenobi sketch is a print that he often sends out to fans, but the letter that is written around it is personal. Even more surprising was the fact that he send me his original cue sheet from the final day of voice recording. That was an awesome gift!
  MutantOoze.org says
  Looking through the letters there is some really impressive stuff and one thing on your site that is right in front of the visitors face that I don't think I have even asked  you about is the voice clip you have in your intro... You actual got a personalized recording, how did that come about?
  Rutger says
  Well Townsend was one of the last original '80 voiced I was able to get in contact with through email. I tried to get autographs a few times through his agent, but I eventually heard nothing. Only recently I was able to get in contact with Townsend Coleman first hand. After receiving the auto's I simply asked if it would be possible to get a sound file with his Mikey voice, he said it was ok, and ask what I wanted him to say. I gave him the lines, and he sent me a .wav file a week later!
  MutantOoze.org says
  wow that is awesome
  are you going to attempt to get any other voice clips?
  Rutger says
  Yeah and it was recorded in his studio. Never expected such a proffessional file
  I did tried for Pat Fraley, but haven't heard anything about that.
  MutantOoze.org says
  Are there any other stories that you want to share about your collection? What were some of your favorite meet ups?
  Rutger says
  My favorite meet up was with Adam Behr. We already had contact for a while through email and he told me he was coming to Holland to meet up with some agents. So we met up in Amsterdam. That was great. The whole story is on my site of course
  MutantOoze.org says
  Well Rutger I think that finishes up my questions, unless you have any stories to add, I apperciate you taking the time to answer some more questions about your collection. Once you get your new non-tmnt site setup maybe we can talk more.
  Rutger says
  Thats great, thanks for having me. I do have one nice story on an autograph. I was trying to get in contact with Tim Kelleher who was the voice for Rutger in Turtles III. I got in contact with a girl who ran his website and she told me he's not acting anymore but became a priest.  So I could scratch the agency. I stayed in contact with the girl who tried to get in touch with his former agent.
  MutantOoze.org says
  Interesting.
  Rutger says
  Well after months I received some feedback and the girl told me to send the photo I wanted signed. She eventually sent them to agent, who got them to Tim.
  MutantOoze.org says
  Wow
  Rutger says
  I again didn't hear anything for months. Untill one day the girl who I had contact with emailed me, that she had the photo in her hand, signed and that I was very lucky, 'cause he usually doesn't want to sign anymore since his new job.2 weeks after that I had the autograph in my hand, with a letter from Tim, that he is a far better turtle then an adminstrator.I heard from the girl, that the envelope with my photo even got lost and refound in those months. So I was really happy and really lucky with this almost impossible addition to my collection
  MutantOoze.org says
  That's amazing. That is a great story
  Rutger says
  Thought I'd share that
  MutantOoze.org says
  Again i apperciate you taking the time for this interview. I wish you the best and good luck on getting more autographs and adding to that ever growing collection.
  Rutger says
thank you, and for any updates you can always visit my site! Cowabunga!!

This is my own personal TMNT collection. It is ever expanding. I am currently waiting on a few nice pieces of art from some fellow TMNT fans.



This first picture is of the Cowabunga Carl van and the TMNT mini movie package set. There is also the McDonalds TMNT figures and a couple other guys hanging around there.



This picture has Superman, Spawn, Daredevil, Wolverine, the Linux peguin, some magnets, and the original 80s-90s toys.



Some more of the McDonalds toys as well as the 25th re-release of the Turtle van.



Some loose TMNT figures with the Black and White NECA TMNT release with a bunch of dogs and Shredder hanging out.



The TMNT Battle Shell. You can also see Spiderman swinging and the bride from Kill Bill in the back.



I figured I would show off some of my other NON-TMNT items as well. These are Jason Mraz, Christina Aguleria, and Jessica Alba autographs hanging around my makeshift sound booth.



True Blood and Blow posters.



Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs posters.



This is probably my most creepiest item. My wife hates that I have it. I just think it is so creepy I have to hang it up. This old guy in a boat with the little girl... Creepy, creepy...



My 25th Anniversary re-release collection around a Ralph Steadman poster.



More 25th Toys and my Peter Laird autograph, and you can also see the signed comic I won from GoGreenMachine.org and the two Mike Dooney prints I bought off his blog. I actually only bought 1 and asked him to sign my wife and my name but he emailed back saying he would send two so there wouldn't be any fighting. What a great guy!



Another shot of the Dooney signed prints, and an Eric Talbot signed print as well.



My computer along with my Jenna Jameson autograph.



A better shot of my Jenna autographs... They are very nice...

Well that is it for now. I will try to get better pictures up of the different items in the future.

Today my beautiful wife surprised me with the 25th Anniversary Turtle Van from Toys R Us... Then I showed her a Craigslist post for the Cowabunga Carl Van for a really good price and she was so sweet and let me get it... I even got a Donatello figure with the van!

If you are a TMNT fan and you don't live under a rock, you have probably heard of Rutger. He is probably the biggest, no wait, is the biggest TMNT fan over across the pond.

Recently, I felt the urge to ask Rutger a few questions about his collection. He happily replied to my email and was delighted I took an interest. I suggest everyone who is a TMNT fan check out his website.

1) On your website you mention Raphael as your favorite turtle. Is there a particular reason for this choice?

When I was 9 and the Turtles were hot here in the Netherland you had to have your favorite Turtles, otherwise you were out. My favorite has always been Raphael, and for a few personal obvious reasons. First I love red (back then I had no idea, that all 4 Turtles were supposed to have red bandana's) then he's name started with an R, like my name and I just love his weapons. they are the most beautifull.I have them stored in file cases. Books with transparant sleeves. Each aquirred autograph photo sits in a sleeve, on the back of the sleeve I  have a white sticker with information on when I got who it is and where I got it. Some autograph I have framed, but made a pre-print of the original, cause I dont want my original photo bleached by sunlight.My other interests are videogames, drawing, playing guitar and I'm a movie freak. Latest movies I saw where: Benjamin Button, Inglourious Basterds and The Hangover, I occasionally read a book (Sci-Fi) and ofcourse my TMNT books and comics ;)My most precious one is from Judith Hoag, April in the first Live-action movie. It took me almost 4 years to find her and get in contact and she has always been nr. 1 on my wanted list for TMNT autographs. So in that case, thats the one I would save!There are many I sent, but never returned. I always try new ways  like with Judith Hoag. At the moment there are some classic cartoon names I'm hoping to receive, like Mona Lisa and Leatherhead. But I'm also have my eyes and ears pinned on any new names that'll be revealed for the new TMNT 2011 movie.

Well there you have it. Not many questions but very thoughtful answers from Rutger. Thanks Rutger for taking the time to answer my questions. It is always great to hear and talk to a fellow turtle fan! Again, be sure to check out his website, he has lots of great stuff over there!

I just recently picked up two TMNT magnets from Spencer's at the mall. One says "Chicks Dig Guys That Eat Out!" and the other says "Go Green!". Plus I also got 4 buttons one of each turtle.

You can also see that I updated the 16gb USB TMNT custom. I ended up painting the entire figure black and also painting an extra CD black and mounting the figure to the CD and adding a 25th anniversary button in the center. It looks pretty sharp.

Recently GoGreenMachine.org held a "I Didn't Go to Comic Con-Test" where the contestant had to write up about a one page story about why they couldn't go to comic con this year. The catch was the story had to be made up, fiction can be fun.

I decided to throw my name into the contest and write up a story. Little did I know a few weeks later I would be named one of three winners of a spectacular prize package.

Here is what I got...

A copy of of the Special Deluxe Edition Reprint of the first issue of Eastman and Laird�fs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles signed by:

Kevin Eastman
Peter Laird
Steve Lavigne
Eric Talbot
Dan Berger
Jim Lawson
Mike Dooney
Tristan Jones
Andres Ponce
Dario Brizuela

and

a print of the Famous Talbot piece �gShadow-Splinter-Casey-April�h Signed by Eric Talbot!


Click the picture to enlarge.

Click here to check out post over at GoGreenMachine.org

Thanks again! This is one awesome prize!

Finally, here is the story that got me into the contest to begin with.

Well, where can I begin? There were a number of reasons why I could not make it to Comic Con this year but one particular event lingers in my mind and forever haunts me.

It all started while I was on my way home from work. It was a nice, pleasant drive down through the corn fields of Missouri. I was cruising at about 60 miles per hour when I came upon what looked liked a turned over 18 wheeler. My gut was turning and my heart was racing. I knew something was wrong and I just felt the urge to rush over and make sure everyone was alright. Of course the mess was bigger than I expected. Upon reaching the door of the cab I found myself shuffling through some odd glowing ooze. It didn�ft burn my skin or anything like that but rather gave it a nice soft baby's bottom feeling. Plus it smelt a little like tropical rain shampoo. Ask my wife how I know that... Anyways, after making my way through this stuff that was spilling out of the truck I reached up to the cab and pulled open the door. I seen that the driver was physically okay but he had a couple bumps on his head and was somewhat delirious. I asked him his name and he replied Oscar. I then said Oscar, we got to get you out of here, can you move? He replied that he thought he could and I helped get him out of the cab. With Oscar using my shoulder as support I helped limp him over to safety. Both of us now covered with this weird ooze waiting for the ambulance to show up. We stood there shoulder to shoulder probably for about 3 minutes before the paramedics arrived. When Oscar started to head over to the ambulance I felt a tight tug on my arm. Without realizing it I just thought Oscar was wanting me to follow him, but what I didn�ft realize at that moment was that that strange ooze bonded our skin together. At that time the fire fighters also arrived and started hosing down the scene, washing away any evidence of the mysterious ooze with their fire hoses. The paramedics were shocked and dumbfounded by what had happened to our skin. They made no attempt to separate us. So instead of going home to register for the 2009 Comic Con I instead went to the hospital with Oscar to find out what had happened to us.

So after weeks of testing and unfortunately unsuccessful probing... I am sitting here on the couch with Oscar by my side. In the weeks past I have learned a lot about this 6'4, 376lbs man. For starters he really is not a fan of the Turtles. I know, what a shame it is. He said he would rather watch NASCAR and the T.V. version Talladega Nights on TBS, over, and over, and over again. I begged him to go to Comic Con with me but he refused calling it unfortunate for me. My wife has since left me because of how this bum acts while eating. He insists on blending all of his food together in the food processor before eating it. He says it helps keep him regular. His bathroom habits I'd rather not mention and is no treat to experience. He seriously reads an entire issue of Guns and Ammo while sitting there on the porcelain thrown. And my literature? Well besides being asked what's it bout? every 2 minutes, if Oscar doesn't like what I am reading he makes me read The Radicalism of the American Revolution by Gordon Wood. Why? I have no idea. He falls asleep during the first couple of sentences.

Aside from the fact that I no longer have a wife, this poor excuse of DNA has caused me to miss the TMNT cartoons every Saturday morning since the accident, the 25th Anniversary TMNT Tour stop here in St. Louis, and the 2009 Comic Con. So here I am, telling you my story of why I missed out this year. I am sure TMNT will be there again, but not in an event as spectacular as a 25th Anniversary. I know why the Turtles help out defenseless citizens, and I thought I could do the same and show some good to the world, but now, well now I am just a mutated fanboy, attached to someone who looks like Bebop and smells like Rocksteady and has no appreciation for the Turtles.

This is my first autograph from Peter Laird. I was stoked last night when I received it. I sent Mr. Laird a personal letter thanking him for creating the TMNT and how much they meant to me. I included a print of his first Ninja Turtle drawing and he graciously signed the print and mailed it back...

THANKS PETER LAIRD!!!