Comic Book Creator and LEGEND!
(Recorded live at Tucson Comic Con Sunday, August 31, 2025)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Crow, Heavy Metal Magazine
Born in Portland, Maine in 1962 Kevin Eastman began drawing at a very young age, copying children’s books, and reading comics. Inspired by master storyteller Jack Kirby, and later by self-publishing creators Richard Corben, creating his own characters and comics became an obsession. Born in Portland, Maine in 1962 Kevin Eastman began drawing at a very young age, copying children’s books, and reading comics. Inspired by master storyteller Jack Kirby, and later by self-publishing creators Richard Corben, creating his own characters and comics became an obsession.
In the late 70’s and early 80’s, self-published “Mini Comics” became a main artistic outlet, and while soliciting illustration work from local fanzines in Northampton Massachusetts, he met like-minded creator Peter Laird and the partnership studio, Mirage Studios was formed. Less than a year later in the middle of a late-night drawing session, Eastman doodled a new character he dubbed a “Ninja Turtle” to make Laird laugh—several sillier sketches and a final drawing of four characters later “Eastman and Laird’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” had officially entered the universe!
Self-published in May of 1984 the first issue sold out of its 3000 copies overnight and quickly became a fan favorite. Catching the eye of Merchandising Agents and Hollywood Producers, Eastman and Laird maintained full control of their creations while guiding them through Toy Licensing, TV Series adaptation, as well as Feature Films, and by early 1990 the TMNT’s were number one in all three categories.
In between TMNT projects, Eastman launched a creator friendly publishing company, “Tundra Publishing” where projects like “The Crow” “From Hell” “Madman” and “Understanding Comics” first flourished, as well as purchased and published the world renowned “Heavy Metal Magazine” for more than twenty-five years.
In 2020 based on an original 1987 concept by Kevin and Peter, Kevin adapted and launched The Last Ronin with longtime TMNT Writer/Co-Writer Tom Waltz. The epic tale quickly became the TMNT publishing event of the decade, both a critical success, and a New York Times Best Seller. The series continued with The Last Ronin: Lost Years in 2023 and 2024The Last Ronin II: Re-Evolution.
When not having way too much fun writing and drawing on new TMNT projects, he launched a new maxiseries with Image Comics entitled, Drawing Blood as well as companion limited series the Radically Rearranged Ronin Ragdolls, with co-creator David Avallone, and artists Ben Bishop and Troy Little.
Thanks to “THE BEST FANS ON THE ENTIRE PLANET!” according to Eastman, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles continue to find their way into the hearts and imaginations of kids, large and small more than four decades later. Cowabunga!
In 2025 Kevin, his wife Courtney and Team Eastman will be visiting comic conventions and signings around the world, ensuring they are always accessible and able to connect with fans as we all continue to Shellebrate the awesome legacy of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
For complete details keep up with Kevin Eastman at:
www.KevinEastmanStudios.com Facebook: Kevin B. Eastman Twitter: kevineastman86 Instagram: kevineastmantmnt
Popular Hashtags for Kevin: #TMNT #LastRonin #TMNT40 #Shellebrate40 #TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles #TeamEastman #KevinEastman #Cowabunga
Please checkout more Tucson Comic Con shenanigans at
Official Tucson Comic Con Fan Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/400494039482865
https://www.facebook.com/TucsonComicCon
Check out our previous Tucson Comic con coverage for this year and previous ones at #Tucsoncomiccon | Creative Play and Podcast Network
https://creativeplayandpodcastnetwork.podbean.com/category/tucsoncomiccon
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