Peter Laird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peter Laird |
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Laird at the 2008 New York Comic Con
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| Born | Peter Alan Laird January 27, 1954 North Adams, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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Notable works
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles |
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Notable collaborations
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Kevin Eastman, Jim Lawson |
| Awards | Inkpot Award (1989) |
Peter Alan Laird (born January 27, 1954) is an American comic book writer and artist. He is famous for creating the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with his friend and fellow artist, Kevin Eastman.
Contents
Early Life
Peter Laird was born in North Adams, Massachusetts. Before he became famous, he worked as an artist for a local newspaper in Dover, New Hampshire. He earned only ten dollars for each drawing. He also created illustrations for fan magazines, called fanzines.
The Creation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
In 1984, Laird and Kevin Eastman had a fun idea that would change their lives. They created a comic book about four mutant turtles who knew martial arts. They called it Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Publishing the First Comic
Laird and Eastman decided to publish the comic themselves. This is called self-publishing. They borrowed money from Eastman's uncle to print the first 3,000 copies. They created their own small company called Mirage Studios. They chose the name "Mirage" because they didn't have a real office. They worked from their kitchen tables and couches.
The first issue was a surprise hit. To spread the word, they sent a press kit with story details and art to 180 TV and radio stations. Soon, newspapers and other media were talking about the Turtles. Everyone wanted a copy of their comic. Their second issue had orders for 15,000 copies. This success allowed them to become full-time comic creators.
Unexpected Superstars
Neither Laird nor Eastman expected the Turtles to become so popular. Laird once said that creating the Turtles started as a "goof" and they never imagined it would take over their lives.
The sudden fame was overwhelming. The business grew so fast that Laird found he wasn't enjoying drawing anymore, which was a shock to him. The pressure of managing a global phenomenon was huge.
Eventually, Eastman sold his share of the TMNT franchise to Laird in 2000. In 2009, Laird sold the rights to the Turtles to Viacom, the company that owns Nickelodeon. However, he kept the right to publish a certain number of black-and-white TMNT comics each year.
The Turtles on TV and in Movies
Laird was involved in the animated TV shows based on the Turtles. He didn't have much to do with the original 1987 series. However, he took a much more active role in the 2003 animated series.
He worked as a consultant, reviewing everything from story ideas to character designs. He wanted to make sure the show stayed true to his original vision. He even helped relaunch the comic book series to go along with the new show.
Mirage Studios
As the Turtles became more popular, Laird and Eastman needed help. They hired a team of artists to work at Mirage Studios. This team included artists like Steve Lavigne, Ryan Brown, Jim Lawson, and Michael Dooney.
Together, they created more comics, including Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which told extra stories about the characters. The studio, located in a renovated factory, also designed toys and worked on other TMNT projects.
Helping Other Creators
Laird wanted to give back to the comic book world that had given him so much. He started the Xeric Foundation, a nonprofit organization that gives money to artists who want to self-publish their own comics.
He remembered how a loan from Eastman's uncle helped them start the Turtles. He realized that a small amount of money could make a big difference for a new creator. The Xeric Foundation gives grants, which are gifts of money that don't have to be paid back. This helps other artists share their stories with the world, just like he and Eastman did.
Other Comic Book Work
For a long time, Laird was so busy with the Turtles that he didn't draw any other comics. Later, he found time for other projects, like the graphic novel series Planet Racers, which he worked on with Jim Lawson.
In 2020, Laird teamed up with Kevin Eastman again for a new comic project called The Last Ronin. This exciting series brought the original creators back together to tell a new, darker story about the future of the Turtles.
