LOT #92357 |
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Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird: First-Ever Drawing of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1983)....
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Sold on May 11, 2012 for:
$71,700.00
Bid Source: Internet bidder
Description
Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird: First-Ever Drawing of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1983). The story behind this piece is well-documented, but if you're joining us late, here's the full lowdown from the pen of Kevin Eastman:"Late in November 1983, Peter Laird and I were sharing a studio (our living room) in Dover, New Hampshire. One work night, in an effort to make Peter laugh, I drew a sketch of this character I called a "Ninja Turtle" and threw it onto Peter's desk. He did laugh, and did a version of his own -- to which I needed to take it one step further, and did a pencil sketch of four different Turtles, each holding a different weapon -- and gave it to Peter, who wanted to ink it in -- and when he did, he added "Teenage Mutant" to the "Ninja Turtle" part of the logo, and we both fell off our chairs!"
"The next day, we both looked at the drawing, and decided that we really needed to come up with a story about how these characters came to be -- and began to hammer out the story details. Deciding to make it an homage/parody to some of our heroes and inspirations -- (and dedicating it to them) -- we worked through the winter of 1983-84, and after finding a local New England printer, we borrowed money from my Uncle Quentin, and we printed the first 3,000 copies -- premiering the book at a local Portsmouth comic convention May 5th, 1984.
From that day forward, and for the next thirty years, the TMNTs became a world wide phenomenon (cartoons, toys, and movies) that even to this day we still try to completely understand -- and it all started with this drawing... "
The piece should be familiar to most any Turtles fan, as it's been reprinted many times over the years. It was sent out in the original press release package back in 1984 and found its way into much of the early press coverage. It was also shown in the First Comics graphic novel in 1986, a special edition reprint of the first issue from 1992, and as a pin-up in some of the Mirage black and white issues.
Marker on paper. This piece has an image area of 8.5" x 11", and the art is in Excellent condition. From the Collection of Kevin Eastman.
More information about Kevin Eastman. See also: Eastman, Kevin Artist.
Auction Info
2012 May 10-11 Vintage Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction- Dallas #7059 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
May, 2012
10th-11th
Thursday-Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 29
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 40,776
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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