The TMNT & Other Strangeness Blog has an interview with Ninja Turtles writer Steve Murphy (who as of late has become depressingly doom-and-gloom about the world due to his belief that the environment is already screwed).

Anyway, here’s the relevant passage for those hoping for the second series of NECA TMNT figures.

Speaking of comic figures, do you have any clue what happened with NECA?

I can only hazard to guess that NECA lost interest in the TMNT, regardless of the happy talk they make to fan journalists and fan news sites.

You say NECA seems to have lost interest, does that mean that the recent news of series 2 finally coming out will not be coming true after all or is it all just a wait and see sort of deal again?

My opinion is that it’s just like that line from Devo’s “Jocko Homo” song: “I say it’s all / Just wind in sails.” In other words, nonsense, public relations, nothing substantial.

NECA wants us to open a certain distribution channel for them but we’re prevented from doing so.

Without that new avenue of sales, I doubt very much that NECA will release anything further.

My guess? NECA wants to sell these in Toys ‘R Us, but they can’t due to Playmates’ deal with Mirage.