Press Release
One of the most meteoric success stories in comics history began in 1983 when two aspiring artists conceived a goofy parody of "X-MEN" style superhero mutants, "NINJAS," and "CLASSIC ANIMAL" character
comics. Husbanding their talents Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird came up with the idea of four turtles living in the New York City sewers who become mutated into super-powerful humanoid beings.
Found and raised by Splinter, a pet rat of an assassinated ninja master, they are taught the ways of the world, honor, and the secrets of martial arts, while struggling to remain your average TEENAGE MUTANT.
Facetiously named after the Renaissance masters Raphael, Donatello, Leonardo, and the incorrectly spelt Michaelangelo, the foursome are called on to defend New York, when the evil "SHREDDER" and powerful
"FOOT CLAN" threaten to destroy the city.
A self published comic book made possible through an income tax return, and a loan from a faithful Uncle, the first BLACK AND WHITE issue premiered in May of 1984, as a limited run of only 3000 copies.
Within two years circulation had reached 130,000 and THE SPOOF had become a true AMERICAN DREAM, but that was only the beginning.
By 1990, the turtles were not only the NUMBER ONE kids animated TV series, and the BEST SELLING action figures in the world, they also BROKE BOX OFFICE RECORDS when they hit the silver screen. Originally
brought to life by the remarkable JIM HENSONS Creature Shop, the fab four would continue their adventures in two more live action films, nearly three hundred animated episodes, a live action series and live
touring stage show.
Now, the original artwork that started it all is for sale!
Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES and sole owner of all the original artwork from the first issue, has decided the time is right to find a new home for this rare piece of history.
"With phenomenal resurgence and the big screen success of legendary comic characters like, "SPIDERMAN," "X-MEN," and "BLADE" already, with "DAREDEVIL," "HULK," and "HELLBOY" in the pipeline, now would be
the time to make this body of work available to the serious art collector." says Eastman, "Besides, the Turtles have also begun their own trek back, as 4Kids Entertainment , and Fox have just announced their commitment to 26 new half hour animated shows for 2003 where they'll reinvent the heroes - I'm going to offer the original real deal."
Priced at 0NE MILLION DOLLARS the collection will include; all the original detailed pencil page layouts, all forty of the original Eastman and Laird pen and inked pages, the original black and white wrap around cover, and a selection of Eastman's hand colored pages for the full color graphic novel.
Information about the sale is available online at http://www.metaltv.com/page.cfm?id=431
Private personal showings may be scheduled. The artworks are currently housed in Western Massachusetts. Direct all inquiries to:
The sale of the original art from the book that revolutionized the American Comic Geek Dream, is truly a unique opportunity for the right millionaire collector, or institution to acquire this superlative example of contemporary American art.