Eastman to Republish Bodycount

[Roseangelo]

From HeavyMetal.com (http://www.metaltv.com/page.cfm?id=516&refpage=516):

http://www.metaltv.com/images/channels/whatsonmybrain/0075/full/01.jpg

BODYCOUNT!

“Bodycount”—featuring Raphael and Casey Jones, was the last “official” TMNT book I worked on, and although I love them all, this was one of my favorites. I had been working with other artists like Eric Talbot, and Mark Bode, after TMNT #11 (not counting the four “One Issue Micro Series” books Pete and I did) and this time out I got to play with Simon Bisley.

While visiting me in the States and working on Melting Pot many years ago, I was talking to Simon about this new (to Americans) director named John Woo, and I was like John Woo this and John Woo that, and he said, “Show me what this ****ing John Woo is all about!” Three movies later, he said, “We need to do the longest running gunfight in comics—it has never been done!” So, as we had already been discussing doing a TMNT one shot together, I combined the two, and said, “Let’s take Raph and Casey, and have a seriously good time—John Woo style!”

So we did, we worked out the plot, I wrote it and laid it out, Simon made it look brilliant, and Altered Arts lettered and colored it. The new soft cover collected version will be oversized (magazine format as opposed to the original comic book format it was published in by Image comics), with an exclusive hardcover I’ll tell you about later. The soft cover will be available in late spring, on the site as well as comic shops.

[DrSpengler]

we worked out the plot,

There was a plot?

Well, it's always good to have more TMNT collections out on the market...too bad its of one of the absolute worst pieces of TMNT fiction to ever make it to print.

[Buslady]

hahaha yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i got the orig issues....that cover there cracks me up, he's got every freaking weapon he could stick on him

[Andrew NDB]

I love it, but I don't put too much stock into it as the definitive TMNT. Cool news.

[AquaParade]

I've heard about this, but have'nt had a chance to read it. I think I'm gonna pick it up if I find it though, it looks pretty fun.

[cowabunga14]

Sounds good to me.

[CyberCubed]

The book is just one big bloodbath. I mean its fairly decent, but it would probably turn a lot of people off.

[VaughnMichael]

I'll be getting this.

[Mr._Mutant_Man]

Looks like it might be interesting. I'm interested into picking up any TMNT comics these days, and as far as I'm concerned it can't be worse than Image Comics TMNT. I can never get too far into the trade I have.

[VaughnMichael]

Looks like it might be interesting. I'm interested into picking up any TMNT comics these days, and as far as I'm concerned it can't be worse than Image Comics TMNT. I can never get too far into the trade I have.
If you hate image TMNT you're not going to like this.

[Ecto Jedi]

The book is just one big bloodbath. I mean its fairly decent, but it would probably turn a lot of people off.

I dunno...Sounds pretty cool to me. Are there scans available at the official site?

[Raph's Girl]

it can't be worse than Image Comics TMNT. I can never get too far into the trade I have.

Hate to tell ya this but Bodycount was done by Image... well 3 issues were. The first issue was released by Mirage as Casey Jones and Raphael, then 2 years later the rest of the issues were released thru image as Bodycount.

Bodycount is possably the most bloody and gory TMNT comic I have ever read. I am SOOO gonna get the TPB!! :D

[DrSpengler]

Hate to tell ya this but Bodycount was done by Image... well 3 issues were. The first issue was released by Mirage as Casey Jones and Raphael, then 2 years later the rest of the issues were released thru image as Bodycount.

Yeah, it's also a part of Image continuity, as it explains where Casey got that "star-spangled hockey mask" he wore throughout the Image volume.

I should probably try to reread Bodycount one of these days, but next time around I'll keep my brain switched to "off". I imagine that's the only way one can enjoy the story.

[Vegita-San]

There was a plot?

Well, it's always good to have more TMNT collections out on the market...too bad its of one of the absolute worst pieces of TMNT fiction to ever make it to print.

Agreed. Much as I love hanging around Kevin at the cons... I have to say this is the TOUGHEST turtles book to get through, if only because it looks kind of fugly and way to much violent stuff in it. At least from what I Remember..I only read it twice....

[Andrew NDB]

Yeah, it's also a part of Image continuity, as it explains where Casey got that "star-spangled hockey mask" he wore throughout the Image volume.

True, but it doesn't just get summarily swept under the rug along with it. Image Vol. 3 borrowing the Casey mask from Bodycount is just the same as Image Vol. 3 borrowing Shadow, Zog's backstory, and pretty much 100% of the Mirage continuity up until the point that Image Vol. 3 began.

[soccerstud652]

Tag, lets get a store link up as soon as it gets online...especially for the hardcover.

[Mr._Mutant_Man]

If you hate image TMNT you're not going to like this.

Does it have the turtles getting mutilated? Because that's why i disliked Image TMNT. It was like it was forcing the TMNT to be like...well, all the other Image characters.

[Raph's Girl]

Does it have the turtles getting mutilated? Because that's why i disliked Image TMNT. It was like it was forcing the TMNT to be like...well, all the other Image characters.

No. Only Raph and Casey are in it. They're on the run with this lady. The Yakuza are after them (well really her but Raph and Casey get involved for whatever reasons).. Raph uses all sorts of guns and loves it. A really bloody and gory book.

[Andrew NDB]

Does it have the turtles getting mutilated? Because that's why i disliked Image TMNT. It was like it was forcing the TMNT to be like...well, all the other Image characters.

Which other Image characters got mutilated?

[Scandia]

Was "Dragons Brew" based on "Bodycount"?

[Spawn Guy]

Which other Image characters got mutilated?

I think he may be talking about how EXTREME NINTIES!!!!! a lot of image characters were. The idea of a team made up of mutilated freaks sounds like somthing they'd have been doing at the time. Deathwatch was a pure ninities villain.

[Kendamu]

Sure, it's not "t3h difinitivitivitive Tee Emm Enn Tee" or whatever... but I really love this miniseries!

I'm very very glad it's being republished!

[Raph's Girl]

Was "Dragons Brew" based on "Bodycount"?

Uh...where in Dragon's Brew is there a woman running away from the Yakuza?? I appeared to have missed that part.... ô,0

[Splinter's Iroonna]

Eastman still has POWER????


I mean... Wow-- I doubt I'll get it myself, I've never been into bloodbaths (though a friend of mine and I did manage to survive "From Dusk 'Til Dawn")-- but I'm surprised that he could still be allowed to "republish" it or whatever. I guess I should read up more on exactly whom controls what.

[Roseangelo]

Kevin still holds the rights to republish anything he created. Bodycount was just him and Simon Bisley, no Peter Laird nor anyone else at Mirage.

[Scandia]

Yeah but it is a solo Turtle adventuring with Casey. And the Turtle in the adventure is quite angry.

[VaughnMichael]

Yeah but it is a solo Turtle adventuring with Casey. And the Turtle in the adventure is quite angry.
He has a name you know...

[Andres P.]

Awesome! Bodycount is a fav mine. Bisley rocks!

A!

[odupianist]

"Peter's redoing his stuff, so I'm gonna redo mine." That's what I got from this lol.

I think there should be a Bodycount movie haha, yeah I'll stop fooling myself, I know.

[DrSpengler]

"Peter's redoing his stuff, so I'm gonna redo mine." That's what I got from this lol.


I think that should probably read:

"Peter's reimagining our stuff, so I'm gonna republish mine."

Laird's retoning, reinking, rewriting and in some events even replacing the stuff he and Eastman worked on. Eastman is just straight up republishing his own material with no alterations, so far as we know.

[Andrew NDB]

I think he may be talking about how EXTREME NINTIES!!!!! a lot of image characters were. The idea of a team made up of mutilated freaks sounds like somthing they'd have been doing at the time. Deathwatch was a pure ninities villain.

I'm just a little confused by everyone's "Image TMNT was soooo Image," when it was pretty effing far from that. Either in art, content, or otherwise -- which is kind of strange, really. I tend to think Eastman/Laird/Mirage were kind of hoping they would Image-up TMNT in Vol. 3 (Jim Lee/Liefield-esque art, full color, chromium collectors covers), but the team Larsen put together for it seemed to have no interest in that.

And I don't remember reading any other Image comics where the main characters get mutilated, so I'm just wondering which ones they were referring to.

[VaughnMichael]

I'm just a little confused by everyone's "Image TMNT was soooo Image," when it was pretty effing far from that. Either in art, content, or otherwise -- which is kind of strange, really. I tend to think Eastman/Laird/Mirage were kind of hoping they would Image-up TMNT in Vol. 3 (Jim Lee/Liefield-esque art, full color, chromium collectors covers), but the team Larsen put together for it seemed to have no interest in that.

And I don't remember reading any other Image comics where the main characters get mutilated, so I'm just wondering which ones they were referring to.
It happend to Spawn and he Savage Dragon which is Larson comic which I'm sure you're aware of.

[Andrew NDB]

Mm, OK, I'll grant you that. Savage Dragon lost a hand (but he regrew it... he has that ability), but I don't remember Spawn getting dismembered... disfigured, sure... but his character has always been disfigured -- the guy is like a super-powered Phantom of the Opera, with a bit of Batman thrown in to boot.

[VaughnMichael]

Mm, OK, I'll grant you that. Savage Dragon lost a hand (but he regrew it... he has that ability), but I don't remember Spawn getting dismembered... disfigured, sure... but his character has always been disfigured -- the guy is like a super-powered Phantom of the Opera, with a bit of Batman thrown in to boot.
Actully both of savage dragons arms where blown clean off I have every issue I like my green guys hehe.
Dragon also gets killed and has to come back.
Yes Spawn has been that way from the start and keeps getting blasted and changed throughout the entire series.
I'd say both of those examples are more extreme than anything that happend to the turtles.
There was also that horrid Mars attacks Image comics where tuns of characters die.

[Lord Nightwalker]

I'm going to get it. Gotta have it for my collection, and Bis is awesome. I loved his work on Lobo. And even though alot of his stuff seems to be a bit "chunky" nowadays, I still like his work.
I'm hoping against hope here, but I realy hope this is a foot in the door for them rejoining for a future project.

[Andrew NDB]

Just FYI, this isn't the first time it's been collected in TPB -- Image did collect it in a TPB a long time ago. Super rare, though, and you'd be hard-pressed to find it (same as the Image TPB that collects TMNT Vol. 3 1-5).

[Spitfire]

I don't see everyones issue with the Image turtles. All you Laird nuts don't need to worry because it's non-cannon*Though thanks to Laird over half the turtles comics published aren't* Sure the turtles get dismantled but it's a great change. I like the ideas it's new and fresh. I'd take more Image over Volume 4 anyday.

[Mr._Mutant_Man]

Which other Image characters got mutilated?

Well Spawn's origin involves him being burnt to a crisp.

I don't like the Image comics/90's style of everything being extreme and kind of mean spirited. The Mirage comics (that I've read anyway, from issue one up to The River and then Tales vol. 1 and a few of the new Tales) are of course pretty violent, but at the same time you have some more light-hearted material thrown in every so often which helps keep it from getting too dark. That's probably why I can't get too far into the Spawn comics either, it's just way too dark and mean spirited for my tastes. Punisher is about my limit when it comes to the darker, ultra-violent spectrum of comic stories.

[Andrew NDB]

I don't like the Image comics/90's style of everything being extreme and kind of mean spirited.

Some. What about stuff like Danger Girl, Vanguard, and all the Big Bang stuff?

[Mr._Mutant_Man]

Some. What about stuff like Danger Girl, Vanguard, and all the Big Bang stuff?

I'd have to check out Danger Girl. It looks like it may be interesting, but I've never gotten around to reading it.

As far as recent Image stuff, I like Invincible. Definitely far from the stereotypical 90's Image comic.

[VaughnMichael]

I think the walking dead is one of the best series to come along in a long time.
It's funny both titles that I get are in black & white.
Well I do get another WormWood Gentleman Corpse but that doesnt come out to often.

[Rooish]

Can't wait until this comes out. I'm glad it wasn't Eastman who bought out Laird's share of Mirage, though, because I doubt we'd ever see the other Turtles besides Raph (especially Mike) again.

[odupianist]

You never know Rooish. Eastman might have staffed some people to balance out his Raph obsession. We might have had better art too lol

[Kendamu]

Can't wait until this comes out. I'm glad it wasn't Eastman who bought out Laird's share of Mirage, though, because I doubt we'd ever see the other Turtles besides Raph (especially Mike) again.
Better than Gameraph in my opinion.

Besides, this wasn't supposed to be some definitive version of the Turtles that Eastman would write all the time. It was more of a homage to John Woo movies that happened to have Raph and Casey starring in it.

[Rooish]

That is true, especially about the art. I guess ... I wish that Pete and Kev could have both stayed on, maybe writing their own separate-but-equal TMNT stories. After all, the true TMNT canon/continuity is so spotty and weird that it wouldn't matter too much if there were two completely separate visions of the Turtles from their creators. I mean, Kevin always imagined that April O'Neil was a black woman!

Plus if Kev had stayed around, he might have been more involved with his fans. And Mirage might have stayed an idealistic place where the staff were treated better. Who knows.

[R-iZZy]

I remembered loving Bodycount simply for the fact that it was just guns blazing; totally nothing but hardcore violence, death and guts. It was basically TMNT on meth, crack and speed! I dunno, if it came to Eastman taking over TMNT alone and volume four was more like Bodycount, I'd have been 100% behind that more than what we have now.

[Kendamu]

I remembered loving Bodycount simply for the fact that it was just guns blazing; totally nothing but hardcore violence, death and guts. It was basically TMNT on meth, crack and speed! I dunno, if it came to Eastman taking over TMNT alone and volume four was more like Bodycount, I'd have been 100% behind that more than what we have now.
I would like it, but I don't think it would've ever turn out that way. Bodycount was just it's own little thing it seems.

I think Kevin's TMNT would be more like the opposite of Vol. 4 (sci-fi). All Ninja action.

[AquaParade]

I would like it, but I don't think it would've ever turn out that way. Bodycount was just it's own little thing it seems.

I think Kevin's TMNT would be more like the opposite of Vol. 4 (sci-fi). All Ninja action.

If I had to choose one of them to have taken over, I think I would have chosen eastman at this point. Might make a good thread topic...if it didnt turn into flamewars.

[Kendamu]

I prefer Ninja action over Star Trek myself.

Eastman or Laird, I'm a Tales fan either way. The Tales stories are often one-shots so that means I can pretty well start anywhere in most cases.

[Buslady]

I dont mind a little scifi but I REALLY miss the good old fighting days. There's just way too much scifi in the comics right now. Too bad Kev can't do his own TMNT title...it'd be interesting to see what he'd do

[DK2]

Kind of cool that Eastman is reprinting this mini series/graphic novel. Not surprised either. Knowing Laird has no flavour for action and violence he wouldn't reprint this anyway. It was Kevins thing. Cool he still can do some TMNT stuff. I don't know if I'll get this. I managed to get the original trade at a second hand bookstore years ago for half cover price. After seeing this news, I might make myself reread this again. I actually liked the Image Vol. 3 series. It was good from its own and had stories and action and pace that was acceptable, after Vol. 2.

[thebrownranger]

I can't wait. How much is it going to cost? I'm also looking for the original copies as well. Any body have a trace of where to find them?8)

[soccerstud652]

Any idea of a date or pricing?

[OA]

I spoke to Kevin about this at the NYCC and he said they should be coming out anytime now...

[soccerstud652]

http://www.metaltv.com/showitem.cfm?Itemnum=5004

**NEW! Bodycount - Eastman & Bisley
Item# 5004
Price: $16.95

http://www.metaltv.com/images/full/bodycountsoft.jpg

In Kevin Eastman's last major work on the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" he teamed up with Simon Bisley to spin a "John Woo" inspired story featuring Raphael and Casey Jones.
In this one hundred page action packed adventure, often called the longest running gunfight in comics, Casey and Raphael find them selves caught-up in the middle of an international family murder revenge assassination plot, complete with gansters, thugs, secret agents, double agents, armies of Kevlar covered swat teams, resistance warriors, and more spent shell casings that the D-Day invasion.

Pre order this book now - Available end of April 2008

My question: Is there any new material in this set? I know the original collected Bodycount had "8 pages of "behind the scenes" images and commentary from Kevin featuring his layouts alongside Simon's finished pages." But Eastman mentions nothing of bonus features or a signed copy or anything of the sort.

[soccerstud652]

I pre-ordered this, any idea when it ships?

[AquaParade]

:x I wish they would have these books in Barnes and Nobles and Borders. I'd pick em all up so fast. Problem is I don't really have a convenient way of ordering things online. I should really make that a priority of mine.

[thebrownranger]

Totally slipped my mind. Here's the pic that Kevin let me take w/ the advanced Bodycount reprint at NYCC:
I must say, these are some high quality interior pages.
http://imgcash1.imageshack.us/img72/2051/nycc046ao9.jpg

[Raph's Girl]

I pre-ordered this, any idea when it ships?

Well as you can see from above it says it ships end of April....but the website now says it's delayed till the end of May as it's still at the printer.

Ok..so the price is $16.95....how much is S/H???

Im almost tempted to pre-order this....

[soccerstud652]

Well as you can see from above it says it ships end of April....but the website now says it's delayed till the end of May as it's still at the printer.

Ok..so the price is $16.95....how much is S/H???

Im almost tempted to pre-order this....


I think I may cancel my order and wait for the hardcover...

[odupianist]

I was at the comic book store earlier two days ago, and found all four bodycount issues, then I go and read this lol. Oh well, I doubt I'll get this

[Evenstar227]

I...I...got rid of my copies of Bodycount when I was younger...because I didn't appreciate them... http://smilies.vidahost.com/otn/sad/mecry.gif

[soccerstud652]

I received my hardcover edition in the mail with a full body sketch of Raphael and a nice autograph. I did not request the sketch. I thanked Kevin via email and he was nice enough to respond to my personal email. I am very impressed with his attitude and the way he treats fans.

Once again, thanks Kevin for being such a stand up guy and true to your fans.

Pics:

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j184/soccerstud652/charlie002.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j184/soccerstud652/charlie001-1.jpg

[Roseangelo]

Very nice! I'll be snagging one of those at Comic-Con in a couple weeks. :)

[turkishproverb]

How much is the HC? I couldn't find it at the HM website but I thought it would save me the money of getting a book library bound.

[dripgutz24]

Where did you get the Hardcover bodycount at?

[turkishproverb]

You know its funny, I asked the same question and never got an answer.

[dripgutz24]

Yeah I seen that, I wanted to try to refresh the question.

[turkishproverb]

I guessed that, but I just couldn't resist the urge to use the quote.

[soccerstud652]

I believe you can only get the hardcover at the Sand Diego CC.

[turkishproverb]

well then how DID YOU GET YOURS ALREADY???

[soccerstud652]

well then how DID YOU GET YOURS ALREADY???

I pre-ordered the first day it was available and that is what they sent me. That is why I was being so thankful in my reply before.

[Roseangelo]

Anyone who wants a hardcover edition who wasn't able to get to Comic-Con should keep watch on the Heavy Metal website. Kevin said all the leftovers will be sold there. As of Sunday morning they had sold about 300 of the 500 copies.

[Spitfire]

I ordered mine weeks ago and I've yet to get anything yet. They charged me already.

[dripgutz24]

I just recieved my bodycount tpb and biz an buzz that I ordered 3 1/2 weeks ago so it takes quite some time.