Every picture has a story...

[oldmanwinters]

This isn't so much about this ebay auction for this interesting piece of Don Simpson art:
Here (http://cgi.ebay.com/TMNT-Ninja-Turtles-comic-art-original-Don-Simpson-color_W0QQitemZ400103273027QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_0?hash=item5d28037243)

It's about the story behind the picture, as recounted by Steve Murphy:

They say that every picture tells a story... so here's the story behind this one. Way back in the day, in 1985, artist Donald Simpson (of "Megaton Man" fame) painted this portrait of the fictitious ninja turtle "Mantegna" and mailed it to Peter Laird as a gift. Laird, for reasons I now forget, got pissed off at Simpson and so one day took this off the wall of his office and placed it on the floor as a door mat. I kid you not. When I one day saw Laird wipe his wet shoes on it I intervened and gave him sh** for it... so he picked it up and gave it to me. Since this painting was done in water color you can just see where some of the colors ran a bit in the lower center-right section from that shoe wiping. Still, it's a great piece and I'm still not sure if I want to part with it. At any rate, it measures 11" by 17" and is on standard interior comic book page stock.

Wow. Just, wow.

[DrSpengler]

Yeah, while the art isn't a style I'm crazy about, the story behind it makes the thing worth buying (not that I have $300 bucks to spare).

That's pretty crazy. I can only imagine what he did to upset Peter that much. Refer to something as "filler", perhaps?

Oh Laird...

[ToTheNines]

He gets alot of undue sh*t, I think... but when stories like this surface, it's hard to defend the guy.

[***First of Two Latin Kings***]

Is that the same artist behind The Tick?

[plastroncafe]

My money's on the inscription being the thing that pissed Laird off.

"This is how you draw a mutated turtle, Peter."

[BoggleKng]

yes, that story cracks me up ...

[ToTheNines]

My money's on the inscription being the thing that pissed Laird off.

"This is how you draw a mutated turtle, Peter."

But it's obviously a joke.

[Archon_Turtle]

But it's obviously a joke.

Plus the story mentions the art being on his wall at one point. Meaning that he couldnt have been offended by it initially.

[DrSpengler]

Of course, we have no idea just what Don Simpson did to ellicit that sort of reaction from Laird. For all we know, Simpson could've sugared his gastank.

I mean, Laird throwing one of his infamous overreactionary fits sounds like the likeliest turn of events, but hell, we really don't know.

[CyberCubed]

I hope I'm not the only one who erupted with tremendous amounts of laughter after reading that story. Man, that made my day. I honestly don't think I laughed so hard in a long time.

[Raph's Girl]

Just what every TMNT fan needs! Authentic Peter Laird shoe prints! :lol:

[Luzmagica]

I hope I'm not the only one who erupted with tremendous amounts of laughter after reading that story. Man, that made my day. I honestly don't think I laughed so hard in a long time.

Just what every TMNT fan needs! Authentic Peter Laird shoe prints! :lol:

LOL ....:lol::lol::lol: Which size is that shoe print?...

[discordiatookie]

Heh, my first thought was 'Wonder if that's the character referenced in 'You Had To Be There' that Spengs was looking for. However, now that i'm home and looked into it properly, I see that it was 'Mega POUND' and not 'Megaton' Man. Oh well.

Pretty nuts story. I always get the impression that Murphy isn't Laird's biggest fan, and that perhaps one of the reasons that he became so disillusioned with the Turtles is because of him. However, that pure speculation and I really don't know, its just a feeling that i've had a few times when reading some of Murphy's blogs, editorials, etc...

[***First of Two Latin Kings***]

I always get the impression that Murphy isn't Laird's biggest fan, and that perhaps one of the reasons that he became so disillusioned with the Turtles is because of him.

Ya think??? :tlol:

However, that['s] pure speculation and I really don't know, it's just a feeling that I've had a few times when reading some of Murphy's blogs, editorials, etc...

Murphy is a very liberal, anti-establishment kind of guy, and probably didn't like the fact that Mirage Studios was controlled by a bunch of fat capitalists who just wanted to make a buck and didn't really care about fans or environmental issues. I'm wondering if he's selling off all of his rare stuff (well, TMNT stuff in general, rare or not) for the money or because he just doesn't want any ties or memories. Kind of sad. He must have a REALLY bad taste in his mouth if he just wants to forget about that part of his life completely. :tconfuse:

[Cipher]

Murphy is a very liberal, anti-establishment kind of guy, and probably didn't like the fact that Mirage Studios was controlled by a bunch of fat capitalists who just wanted to make a buck and didn't really care about fans or environmental issues.That's a shame too, because more than anyone else at Mirage, he really seemed to love the creative aspect. Even in terms of corporate dealings. He always had something to say about new cartoon or toy developments, for example.

To be honest, I wouldn't have minded seeing Murphy in charge. And I say that with all respect for Laird, because it's obvious he really cared about the property as well. I think it's just that people like Murphy (and I'd place Lawson immediately after him) never had the opportunity to view it as "My private joke made millions of dollars, and I'll totally go with whatever comes of that." They seemed a bit more ... emotionally invested in the direction/quality of the franchise?

[discordiatookie]

I'm wondering if he's selling off all of his rare stuff (well, TMNT stuff in general, rare or not) for the money or because he just doesn't want any ties or memories. Kind of sad. He must have a REALLY bad taste in his mouth if he just wants to forget about that part of his life completely. :tconfuse:

That's went through my mind also.

So, uhm, who's gonna be bold enough to ask Laird over on his blog what the bust up with Don Simpson was about? :P

[Venom]

I just did. :P

[Venom]

He answered me!


" Rob G. said...
Awesome! It's always fun to see your versions of classic Big Two characters

Peter, If I may: I recently read an interesting account on eBay regarding a piece Don Simpson had given you and, for one reason or another, it ended up being given to the seller. Since there is always two sides to a story I wondered if I could ask what disagreement took place between Simpson and yourself that led to the removal of the artwork from your office?"

If you are referring to the "Mantegna" piece that I supposedly wiped my feet on, I really don't remember much about it. I vaguely remember seeing it, but other than that, I'm drawing a blank. If in fact I DID use it as a doormat as claimed, I don't recall doing so. I suppose it is possible, but if I did do that, I must have done it VERY carefully with VERY clean feet -- looking at the photo or scan of it on eBay, I can't see any evidence of the thing ever being stepped on. -- PL

[oldmanwinters]

If you are referring to the "Mantegna" piece that I supposedly wiped my feet on, I really don't remember much about it. I vaguely remember seeing it, but other than that, I'm drawing a blank. If in fact I DID use it as a doormat as claimed, I don't recall doing so. I suppose it is possible, but if I did do that, I must have done it VERY carefully with VERY clean feet -- looking at the photo or scan of it on eBay, I can't see any evidence of the thing ever being stepped on. -- PL

Ah... the plot thickens!

[CyberCubed]

That's basically the kind of response I expected. The kind of, "I don't remember if this truly happened, but I must have done it "nicely" if it did happen."

lol.

Either way, I still find the whole story hilarious. I wish some of the guys would post more inside gossip of all the things that happened at Mirage over the years. :lol:

[VaughnMichael]

That's basically the kind of response I expected. The kind of, "I don't remember if this truly happened, but I must have done it "nicely" if it did happen."

lol.

Either way, I still find the whole story hilarious. I wish some of the guys would post more inside gossip of all the things that happened at Mirage over the years. :lol:
I bet we will hear allot after that time period ends where murphy cant talk tmnt lol

[Venom]

Yeah...wonder why he had to sign that contract? Perhaps from what other stuff he would reveal? :twink:

[DrSpengler]

Yeah, the "deny everything" response was what I was pretty much expecting, albeit I had anticipated many more expletives.

[Powder]

Yeah, the "deny everything" response was what I was pretty much expecting, albeit I had anticipated many more expletives.

What else can you ask for?


:trolleye:

[CyberCubed]

The auction ended with nobody bidding.

I wish someone here bought it so they could tell us if the foot prints were legit. ;)

[ToTheNines]

Honestly, I'm not suprised... that was a ridiculously high starting bid.

[Samhain]

Honestly, I'm not suprised... that was a ridiculously high starting bid.

Thats a pretty common thing with Steve's auctions. Itll be back, for a lower price.