How to find Konami's TMNT artist
 

I've read most of the 90's video game manauls, boxes, flyers, etc. & done much googling, but I still dunno who did all that rad video game art. You know, the Turtles in Time/Hyperstone Heist covers & promotional ads, as well as various other things. Their work, whoever they are, is some of the coolest ever, and is both inspirational to me as an artist, and wonderful to look at. How could we go about finding out who the artist was?

Don't know who it is, but I saw a sealed copy of Hyperstone Heist pop up on my local craigslist today. The guy is asking $30.

Have you ever tried contacting Konami? Years ago, I think sometime after TMNT in Time came out, I wrote them suggesting ideas for the next video game. They actually wrote back, so who knows, maybe you'd get a response of some sort.

Scowering google really has brought me nothing but grief, MEH! I just emailed Konami, though I doubt they'll be of any help.
If that doesn't work out I'll try some Mirage guys, but I'm sure they wouldn't know either.

Are we sure some of that stuff wasn't done by someone on the Mirage staff?

Well, the Tournament Fighters covers were, but definitely not Turtles In Time. That style is easily recognized and super dope.

Did you look at the 2 page ads they had to see if there's any reference to the artist?

Pretty damn sure I have, but just to be sure where can I find said ad?

I'm flipping through my e-comics while I type...I found the Manhattan Project 2 page ad in TMNTA #40 (1492) I'm not sure those Turtles are by the same artist, and no artist is listed in that ad. I'm sure the Turtles in Time ad would be similarly without credit...sorry Powder. Another dead end.

HyperStone Heist:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/6584691...in/photostream

Turtles in Time-SNES (incomplete)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/6584691...in/photostream

Manhattan Project:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/6584691...in/photostream

This topic came up way back on Murphy's 5th Turtle blog. The person who did the art in question was an in-house person for Konami, who also worked on non-TMNT projects. And no one within our circles knows who the hell it was.

Ah, yes, the mysterious "in-house" artist. Seems like there's one in every company. So talented... yet never credited. It's sad, really.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...us-d3di8db.jpg

Being that Konami is a Japanese company, should I assume the in-house artist was also Japanese? Typically that's the case, but I've noticed with the turtles, they had different covers between US & JP... Both equally AWESOME rather than stock (as was the case in Europe sometimes).

I love how they decided they needed a hand drawn version of the "My toe, My toe!" in this add. that is one of the video game soundbites that i will always remember

Ya'know, until you pointed that out, I never noticed what they were going for. I just figured it was Leo jumping up and in the process of tucking in his legs for a spin jump. I guess you learn something new everyday!

Konami never hit me back, the bastiiids.

Yeah, that artist did a ton of Konami stuff. I remember his art on CastleVania 1-4 boxes and manuals, Contra III, Metal Gear, etc.. Probably would be easier to Google "artist castlevania box art" or something.

Finally got around to trying that, but it did me no good unfortunately.