AF is right about TMNT. It was devised by Laird and Eastman, then sold off for a massive sack of money. Archie made comics, and I guess the rights were auctioned off to Image awhile ago with the advent of the new TV series.
I agree, it does suck that other companies aren't more well known, but it's understandable, these other companies have 40+ years of history behind them, they're titans. Though it's good to see that they've found their equilibrium in the market, and don't try to overstep their bounds, so they can stay in business and not go bankrupt.
What really sucks is when they get bought up, and nothing happens to them. Like Malibu. Marvel bought them up, and hasn't touched them since. They have so many great characters with awesome potential, and they're just sitting in some file cabinet somewhere. Though the rumor mills have been spinning out whisps of a Prime move for some time.