Drawing Blood: Eastman’s Kickstarter Comic Coming to Image Comics

Drawing Blood: Eastman’s Kickstarter Comic Coming to Image Comics

Co-creator of the iconic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, Kevin Eastman, renowned writer David Avallone, and talented artists Ben Bishop and Troy Little have joined forces for the much-anticipated Drawing Blood. This 12-issue comic book maxi-series originally launched as a successful Kickstarter and now makes its way to Image Comics.

Drawing Blood promises readers a captivating blend of autobiography, fictional narratives, and industry insights from some of the most influential minds in comics.

Drawing Blood invites readers into the extraordinary life of Shane Bookman, providing a glimpse into the unpredictable journey of a successful comics creator. Bookman, co-creator of The Radically Rearranged Ronin Ragdolls—an indie comic turned billion-dollar global franchise—finds himself grappling with the aftermath of early success and endeavoring to reignite his creative spark.

Eastman succinctly encapsulates the essence of Drawing Blood:

“The completely fictional true stories of Shane ‘Books’ Bookman sums it up the best. Set squarely in our collective world of Comics, part autobiographical, part tall tales and legends, I wanted a fictional character we could really put through the paces. Drawing Blood is all that and a basket of kittens…”

Avallone shares his enthusiasm for the project, expressing:

“When Kevin told me his idea for the project that became Drawing Blood, I immediately understood three things: it was something that hadn’t really been done before in comics, it could be really amazing… and that I wanted to write it with him. He kindly brought me on as co-creator, and we’ve had a blast turning all the crazy stories of a life in comics into this funny, entertaining, and heartbreaking saga of survival and redemption in show business.”

Bishop sheds light on the depth of the series by affirming:

“Drawing Blood truly is a story unlike any other… It’s not only a glimpse behind the scenes at the world of making comics, and what life might be like decades after co-creating one of the world’s biggest franchises—but a look inside the tormented mind of the comic’s creator—as he searches to reconnect with that part of himself who once drew pictures on his bedroom floor with his brother and dreamed of one day making comic books for real.

We all put our hearts and souls into this book and it’s so incredibly special to each of us. I know people are going to be able to feel that when they’re reading. Get ready…”

Troy Little, one of the featured artists, reflects on the personal significance of this project:

“The Mirage Studios Turtles had a massive impact on me wanting to become a comic creator so there’s a lot of full circle happening for me with Drawing Blood and the Ragdolls. Being able to collaborate with this team to create and expand a meta-fiction where I get to draw cats with ninja weapons based on a hit property that never existed, creating a sort of Mandela effect…”

Drawing Blood holds a special place in the creators’ hearts, showcasing their dedication to crafting a meta-fictional narrative that intertwines reality and imagination in unprecedented ways.

Drawing Blood #1 will be available at your favorite local comic book shops on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024.