DRAWING BLOOD: SPILLED INK #1
Writer: Kevin Eastman & David Avallone
Artist: Ben Bishop, Kevin Eastman and Troy Little
Publisher: Kevin Eastman Studios
9/10
This it guys, Kevin Eastman has returned to self publishing. Thirty-Five years ago, along with Peter Laird, Kevin launched TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES and his career took off. After turning the Turtles into a billion dollar franchise, Kevin has become a legend in the comic book industry. Over the last few years he has been working on the TMNT ongoing at IDW, which is about to reach the 100 issue milestone. Today sees him launch his new book DRAWING BLOOD through his only publishing company, along with co-writer David Avallone and artists Ben Bishop and Troy Little. This is a book that all Turtle fans won't want to miss.
This is a semi-autobiographical tale about a down on his luck artist, Shane 'Books" Bookman, and how his once successful career has taken a sad turn. He was a once successful cartoonist and co-creator of "The Radically Rearranged Ronin Ragdolls", which turned into a indie hit and global phenomenon worth billions. Having sold it and spent all the money, he struggles to find joy and create again. His life takes another, hit when he learns that his former partner has passed away. This story from Eastman and Avallone is by far one of the best comics I've read in awhile. The paint such a bleak world for Bookman and show what happened when you live life in the fast lane and have success early in your career. The similarities to Eastman are there (the creation of RRRR) and you have to what else was taken from real events.
The art of Ben Bishop, along with Eastman and Troy Little, is a perfect for this story. Bishop really gives the feeling of this sad life of Bookman through his expressiveness in each character. The flashbacks that Eastman drew were one of the best parts of the book, I can't get enough of his art. The scenes Little drew of Bookman being attacked by his own creation, fit seamlessly with Bishop's style.
This book has it all, great story and fantastic art. This is by far one of the best surprises I've had in a long time when picking up a new book. This isn't just a book for Turtle fans, this is a book for anybody that loves great storytelling and look into the lives of creators and their struggles. I can't say enough about the awesomeness of this book. If you can find a copy at your LCS, grab it, it's worth every penny.
