IDW Publishing’s new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ongoing series has been firing on all cylinders and is a must read for any Turtles fan. Tom Waltz and Kevin Eastman are doing a great job of drawing from every Turtles universe to develop a rich, new timeline. One of the tools that IDW has used rather nicely is the Micro-Series (guest one-shots). Instead of telling a unique story that has nothing to do with the ongoing, they have used their guest one-shots to build on, and expand, the current Turtles universe. I recently had the opportunity to ask Andy Kuhn (Twitter @andykuhn), the artist on the Michelangelo Micro-Series issue as well as issues 13-16 of the ongoing, some questions about his experience.
@AndyKuhn: I always thought the turtles were a cool, fun concept. I even bought some issues which were drawn by artists I liked. However, I was not a serious fan until I started drawing the books. That's when I went back and started reading the earlier series, and really digging them. Now I'm totally engrossed.
@xovercomics: To give our readers an idea of what kind of TMNT fan you are, please list your following favorites. I will give you mine.
Favorite Turtle: Donatello
Favorite non-Turtle character: Casey Jones
Favorite comic book series: Mirage (Return to New York, City at War, Gang Wars in particular) but IDW is catching up quickly
Favorite animated series: 4Kids 2K3 TV series (first 2 seasons in particular)
Favorite movie: First live action movie (Turtles Forever was pretty amazing for different reasons)
@AndyKuhn:
Favorite Turtle: Michelangelo
Favorite non-Turtle character: Karai
Favorite comic book series: Eastman & Bizley's BODY COUNT
Favorite animated series: Nickelodeon's new series
Favorite movie: TMNT
@xovercomics: After 12 issues, Dan Duncan has had to step away as the artist for the TMNT ongoing. Off the heels of your successful Michelangelo Micro-Series issue, you were asked to draw issues 13 and 14 to give Dan a "vacation". What was it like when they asked you to stay on for issues 15 and 16?
@AndyKuhn: I was already having a ton of fun drawing my first issue (#13). When they asked me if I wanted to stick around and draw more TMNT I was super stoked!
@xovercomics: I saw your cover for Ben Bates' issue 17; simply amazing! Any indication if you will be doing any more work for the Turtles? More covers?
@AndyKuhn: Thanks for the kind words about my work. It looks like I will be drawing more Turtles down the road. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to say more about that till IDW makes an announcement.
@xovercomics: Where does your inspiration come from when you draw a comic?
@AndyKuhn: I get inspiration from everywhere. If I'm watching a movie, or listening to music, or just out in the world walking around. I'm always thinking, what's cool about what I'm seeing right now, and how can I apply that to making a cooler comic book next time around.
@xovercomics: You've had a long career; how does drawing the Turtles differ from drawing something like Firebreather, a creator owned comic?
@AndyKuhn: I love drawing the Turtles, and I'd definitely jump at the chance to draw them again. I always try to do the best job that I possibly can, no matter what comic I'm drawing. However, when I'm drawing Firebreather it's just a little more of a labor of love because I co-created it, and he's my baby. To a parent, your kids are always a little smarter, and more handsome than other people’s kids.
@xovercomics: How much freedom are you given when you are asked to draw a licensed property?
@AndyKuhn: Different licensors exert different levels of control. With the Turtles, Nickelodeon had a few little tweaks and changes they needed, but overall they've been a very cool, and supportive team to work for. They really are in the business of making sure that the Turtles are around for many years to come.
@xovercomics: Before we end the interview, I do not think we could talk TMNT without getting your opinion on the following.
Michael Bay’s original comment: "When you see this movie, kids will believe one day that these turtles do exist. These turtles are from an alien race, and they're going to be tough, edgy, funny, and completely lovable."
I was not worried at first because the ooze is of Utrom origin; maybe he misspoke. I was completely fine with his comment; then this happened.
Possible movie synopsis: “After their planet’s destruction, four turtle-like alien warriors and their master come to Earth, where they join forces with reporter April O’Neil to prevent the extradimensional conqueror Krang from enslaving the human race.”
And recently at Comic-Con, Kevin Eastman reassured us a little bit with this comments.
Kevin Eastman’s comments at Comic-Con: “From what I've seen, it's easily the best 'Turtle' movie yet. We're talking 'Raid: Redemption'-style fight scenes; we're talking about epic 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' sort of effects. A lot of people are worried we pushed the release date from December to May, but the 30th anniversary of the 'Turtles' is in May, so it worked out perfectly. Every person that's grown up inspired by that material wants to put their stamp on it a little bit. It just keeps getting better and better, and to have that opportunity is pretty awesome. I know that Michael [Bay] and his group really like that and that Paramount was supportive of that, so I think that it's great. I grew up reading 'Captain America' and 'The Avengers' and all that stuff, and over the course of the comic book history, since 'Avengers' has been around, how many times has it been reinvented, reformatted, restructured, replatformed?”
Where do you stand on the new Ninja Turtles movie? Have you read the “leaked” script?
@AndyKuhn: I have not read the leaked script, or much else at all about Michael Bay's new TMNT movie. The only things I've seen about the film are a few stray rumors on Twitter. I'm not really interested in passing judgment until I see the finished product. When the movie comes out, I'll gladly pay my money and take my chances. I really do hope it's great, though. A really good big budget film would bring a whole new audience to the franchise. I still have my fingers crossed.
@xovercomics: I want to thank you again for taking the time to answer these questions. Anything you want to plug?
@AndyKuhn: I just drew a Mars Attacks/Zombies vs. Robots one-shot which will be out in stores the last week of January. If you like my work please pick it up. It's a fun little horror, sci-fi romp, and I had a great time drawing it. Thanks for asking me questions.
Be sure to pick up issue 16, out Wednesday, featuring art and a cover by Andy Kuhn. Please go back and read my review of IDW’s Micro-Series Vol 1 TPB collecting the first 4 Micro-Series issues, Raphael, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Leonardo. The TPB was released in June 2012. Stay tuned for my review of IDW’s Sins of the Fathers TPB collecting issues 13, 14, 15, and 16 all drawn by Andy Kuhn. The TPB will be released in February 2013.
