Is Kevin's involvement in the IDW series a sense of comfort for most fans?

[CyberCubed]

I've been thinking about this for awhile. With Peter Laird selling the franchise and Nick having to approve story plots of Tom Waltz, is it a sense of comfort knowing that Kevin is involved with making sure the series stays on the right track?

With him here, it feels like some of the old Mirage magic is still with this series and the fact that he's contributing story elements with Waltz and drawing covers contributes to this.

Basically what I am asking is, do you think the IDW series would be as well received without him?

[AquaParade]

It definitely gives me a small sense of comfort. I know it doesn't guarantee anything in particular, but it's comforting in it's own way.

I think it also gives it a "cool factor" in the comics world. Most shop owners I talk to will say something in relation to Kevin Eastman "writing" or "Cool that IDW is going back to the roots". You could argue that both of these statements are true, but they still aren't really that accurate.

[ToTheNines]

It was a massive relief when news broke, but I can't say I know how different this series would have been without him, I imagine I have grown to love it regardless though. Tom and Bobby have a good grasp on things.

[Slap-Happy]

I was already pretty excited for the book when they announced they had the rights, so Kevin's involvement just made it that much more exciting.

[Cowabunga Carl]

I'm with most people here. I'm excited he is on it and the shop owner I talk to thinks its an awesome selling point. Not knowing how much he really puts in though makes it hard to say it is as good because he is there or what. Regardless I think it's cool however he is involved.

[pihb]

I like Eastman's involvment with the new series. It definately has a fresh flavor to it. New are style, colored bandanas, new origin to the story, new takes on character development.

I know Peter has been talking down on the new series alot. Since Peter and Kevin created the turtles, I am pretty sure that Peter would never claim that someone else's work would be better than his own. Given this, it's easy for Laird to nitpick his discontent on the new series. I am pretty sure that no matter how the series went, Peter would never be happy.

I am glad though that we have one of the original minds behind the new series. I look forward to every issue. I hope things start picking up soon though!!!!

[Hermano Dyvas]

I'm not sure if Eastman would veto a lot like Laird did but it's definately awesome that he's on board. Looking forward to his solo-issue rumours say will be coming.

[gobo]

Is Kevin's involvement in the IDW series a sense of comfort for most fans?
Absolutely. Even though it always seemed Kevin was quicker to sell-out, I'd still rather one of the cocreators overseeing the creative process. Makes things a little less worrisome.

[Oculus Orbus]

I have no idea how much influence he is actually having in the development of the series, but I think that, more than anything, having him on the picture sends a message to the hardcore fans. It, at least, shows a lot of respect for the franchise and its roots.

[Plasticplayhouse]

Most def its comforting to me. It shows that idw wants to do this franchise propper. I don't know how much different things would be without Kevin around, I would like to think that he has some substantial involvement/influence such as layouts, influence on character design, and other stuff. I'm happy for him that he is involved again in the turtles, only this time the more enjoyable side (art) rather than the all business end.

[Powder]

At first it was, but my current answer is no. I may be wrong, and somebody at IDW may say otherwise, but this is what I believe. I think Kevin is so damn happy to be back in the swing of things that he has few cares about the direction of the story. My opinion is that his excitement paired with the fact that from a legal perspective he has no "right" to say what's right for the turtles leaves him with a "yeah that's cool, whatever man!" attitude. A lot of the stuff that's happened I don't really see his influence in much & I also don't think he would let certain things happen or be done the way they were done had he been the owner of it all with total creative license and control... I think he's moreso just sitting in the room giving Tom the OK on his ideas feeling like it's a privilege alone to back, and that he shouldn't push things. Like I said I could totally be wrong, but that's how it comes off to me.

I am however happy to know he'll be contributing art in the forseeable future, 'cause I love his work.

[Venom]

^I tend to agree.

At first I was all gung-ho, then when I realized what his contribution really was and that he was essentially there to give IDW "indy street cred" with us hardcore fans I relegated it to being cool that they at least got him involved in some capacity.

[Powder]

Yeah definitely, that's a good way of putting it.

[Leo656]

It's like how Bob Kane "contributed" to the Keaton "Batman" movie... he really kinda didn't do anything important, but SAYING he did made the comic fans much more likely to give it a look.

Or, more recently, how I feel about Dan Jurgens coming back to write Superman. He may have been the best writer to ever work on the character, but all of his ideas are going to be superceded by whatever DC editorial wants for their "Newer, modern-er, hipper" Superman, so I'm not really very excited about it.

In Jurgens or Eastman's case, it's not the story THEY would have told if it was up to them, so it may as well be someone else entirely. Kinda hard to get excited in that case.

[Matches Malone]

In some sense, it does. I mean, at the least, Eastman's not going to have his name attached to something he thinks will ultimately harm his reputation, right? I do suspect that IDW is playing up his story contributions a bit because, as we all know, it helps give the book cred. After all, there's nothing specific we can attribute to him writing-wise, can we? It's all very vague "story ideas."

However, it's certainly not a case where he's solely lending his name. We even have photographic evidence of him collaborating with Tom! We've seen tons of new turtle art from him for the first time in years. We also know he's been contributing layouts, at least for the first few issues. He's also writing and drawing a short for Hero Comics and it's been hinted that he's working on something for an annual. So, while he may not have as much influence as we may like, it's definitely a blessing, if nothing else, to have Kevin more involved with the turtles in over a decade! He's certainly in the thick of it, and that's got to be a good thing.

Unless he gives Venus the green light again.

[Jephael]

I'm glad Kevin's back! The poor guy spent almost an entire decade watching his former colleagues at Mirage bring the TMNT back into the spotlight and I'm betting it got to him that he couldn't be involved.

[Xav]

I do suspect that IDW is playing up his story contributions a bit because, as we all know, it helps give the book cred. After all, there's nothing specific we can attribute to him writing-wise, can we? It's all very vague "story ideas." Well he did create Alopex, and he came up with the idea of the ninjas doing parkour.

[CyberCubed]

Its really interesting seeing the difference between Kevin and Peter when it comes to the Turtles.

With Kevin around, there are no objections to characters or elements from the original cartoon returning. With PL in charge, none of this stuff was allowed in Tales/Volume 4 or the 4kids series.

It really does make you realize that Kevin is much more open to seeing other writers have creative freedom with the property.