For the fifth printing of the first issue of TMNT, I pencilled this somewhat symbolic cover, which was inked by Kevin Eastman. It was drawn on tone paper (or Graphix DuoShade, to use the commercial name of the product). The inked art was toned but not colored, and the art --with the characteristic sepia tints created by the chemicals use to bring out the two mechanical pre-printed tones -- was shot as color art for the cover of the reprint book. -- PL
Beautiful... simply beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I know how it is, trying to clean up and store all this stuff-- I am going to offer to store that for you, free of charge! Then it won't be in your way.
I consider it the *noble* thing to do.
What?
;)
Cynthia
-->> another stupid question:
ReplyDelete..can you explain a bit the traditional toning ..in contrast to the digital means of toning ??
Dead horse i know.. but i'm trying to figure if one is superior to the other or if they can coexist.
If that makes any sense.
.. >v<
I actually had this drawing as the background on my computer for some time a couple years ago. Great idea bringing the BFTP stuff back. Love seeing it all!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful piece.
ReplyDeleteWonderful. Among the poses and great pencil work, I really love the lighting as well.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of symbolism, I really love theme of revenge in TMNT. I know that when you created the first issue, you and Kevin meant for it to be a one-shot.
I know that in a number of ways, revenge has come back to bite the turtles, particularly in Volume 2 (when the turtles really wonder what their purpose is, as opposed to Splinter telling them what to do) and with Cha Ocho in the case of Leonardo.
Maybe you've been asked this before, but if you knew TMNT would catch on, do you think you would have done the first issue differently? Would they perhaps not have killed the Shredder?
-Michelle Prestileo
I'm the proud owner of the finished artwork. Always was one of my favorites from the Pete/Kevin collabs.
ReplyDeletep.s. I'll never sell so don't ask.
Always liked this piece, although it's from the only printing of issue #1 I don't own... yet! I'll grab a copy one of these days...
ReplyDeleteE.T. : ..
ReplyDeletep.s. I'll never sell so don't ask. ..
-->> ..can you sell it to me huhuh canya canya .. huh huh huh huh .. can ya canya canya ?!?!!?
☺ ☻
>v<
I LOVE that piece...That should be made into a NYCC poster if all the Mirage guys are going to be there to sign it, of course :)..
ReplyDeleteTalbot you're a lucky man!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my faves also.
I think one of my all time fave images is the back side of the role playing book TMNT and other strangeness, with Leonardo fighting all the blue foot soldiers it's just such a beautifuly dark yet colorful image, it would make such a great t-shirt.
-Vaughn M.
"~ tokka said...
ReplyDelete..can you explain a bit the traditional toning ..in contrast to the digital means of toning ??
Dead horse i know.. but i'm trying to figure if one is superior to the other or if they can coexist."
Dave, if by "traditional toning" you mean the stuff Kevin and I did on the first bunch of TMNT comics, that was all done with Graphix Duo-Shade. I've described this process before, but basically it involves putting clear, liquid developer chemicals down on a sheet of specially prepared paper that has pre-printed patterns which are light blue (sometimes called "photo blue") and not reproducible by standard means until the application of the developer chemicals. The chemical reaction turns those photo blue lines dark enough to be reproduced with standard techniques. You can use any tool capable of handling liquid media to apply the chemicals, but typically brushes of varying sizes are used.
If you already knew all that and are really asking about how/why the choice is made to use one technique over another, then I can only say it is a matter of taste. Actually, it's not JUST that -- the Duo-Shade technique is much better suited to painterly or drawn tonal effects, while the digital toning (like the stuff I've been doing recently in Vol. 4) is better for applying large, even areas of tone, as well as creating a virtually infinite number of pattern variants for special effects. The digital method is also cheaper and cleaner (the developer for the dark tones on the Duo-Shade paper is notoriously stinky). -- PL
"shell presto said...
ReplyDeleteMaybe you've been asked this before, but if you knew TMNT would catch on, do you think you would have done the first issue differently? Would they perhaps not have killed the Shredder?"
Michelle, it is very likely that, had we even THOUGHT about doing more than one issue of TMNT way back in the beginning, we might not have killed the Shredder in the first issue. But back then, we saw this as a one-shot. I don't think it occurred to us that more issues might be worth doing until after the first issue was published, and the response was positive. -- PL
Pete, thanks so much for bringing out these treasures. I love looking at early TMNT art and these last couple of pieces have been great. Thanks!
ReplyDelete-Danny
Hey Pete, that brings up another interesting idea.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason if you decide to end Volume 4(for V5?) would you ever consider doing a complete and total restart and reboot for the comics?
This way you could fit the best elements of each universe under one series of books. With you coming up with the over all story arc, one or two dedicated writers, two or three dedicated pencilers/inkers, etc...and make it a monthly book.
For instance, restart with Issue 1 in pretty much the same way, only have the Turtles bring Shredder to justice instead of killing him....and then branch out from there...refining villains like the Rat King and Leatherhead, introducing new ones like Hun, Bishop, a more permanent part for Karai, maybe even fan favorites like Slash.
There could also be a new marketing tool to attract new leaders.... for instance, posting new villain designs here and readers get to choose the final comic version, etc..
Just an idea, and a possible cool trial for the 25th anniversary to see if it'd fly.
" Neil V said...
ReplyDeleteHey Pete, that brings up another interesting idea.
For some reason if you decide to end Volume 4(for V5?) would you ever consider doing a complete and total restart and reboot for the comics?
This way you could fit the best elements of each universe under one series of books. With you coming up with the over all story arc, one or two dedicated writers, two or three dedicated pencilers/inkers, etc...and make it a monthly book.
For instance, restart with Issue 1 in pretty much the same way, only have the Turtles bring Shredder to justice instead of killing him....and then branch out from there...refining villains like the Rat King and Leatherhead, introducing new ones like Hun, Bishop, a more permanent part for Karai, maybe even fan favorites like Slash.
There could also be a new marketing tool to attract new leaders.... for instance, posting new villain designs here and readers get to choose the final comic version, etc..
Just an idea, and a possible cool trial for the 25th anniversary to see if it'd fly."
Neil, I know the "reboot" approach seems to be popular in comics these days, but at this point in time I have no desire to attempt such a thing. -- PL
Wow!
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing this on BFTP, and was simply blown away!
Awesome job!
Dinoff
The background must have taken forever. I love the light source.
ReplyDelete