At this years San Diego Comic Con I had the pleasure of meeting one of the original creators of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Kevin Eastman. Kevin Eastman together with Peter Laird created some of the greatest super heroes of our time. The Turtles began as an adult geared comic book, but it quickly turned into a favorite animated series for children along with a huge toy line and multiple movies.

So, how did it all start? How did the idea of ninja turtles come into being? I had heard the story before and I got the chance to confirm the tale with Kevin, 25 years after it happened. It turns out the stories are true, Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird were feeling a bit punchy after a long day of work way back in 1983, and they decided to draw the silliest thing they could think of. Kevin produced a turtle standing on two legs that was wearing an eye mask with nunchuks strapped to its arms. He dubbed the creation a "ninja turtle"; Peter had the bright idea of adding teenage and mutant to the title. The rest is history.

I loved this franchise as a kid and I still love it today. With updated animated series still airing, the Turtles Smash-Up video game coming out in just a couple of months and a new live action movie on the horizon, I think it's safe to say that the Turtles are here to stay. It was great to meet Kevin and I got him to personalize a couple of the Turtles 25th Anniversary books available at SDCC for my bro and me. Check out the videos for a drawing lesson from the master.