Steve Murphy: The Man! The Myth? The Interview!

What are your favorite subjects to write about?

Doom and gloom. Seriously though, my interests change so often that this is a tough one to answer. Danger. Mystery. Uncertainty. Seeking answers to questions that aren't easy to answer, these things seem to permeate some of my work.

Do you have any unpublished stories from the past or that you are currently working on that you would like to see publicized?

I have several things on the back burner that I'm not yet ready to publicize but thanks.

If you didn't become a writer for TMNT or work for Mirage, do you think you would have gone for another profession?

Well, had I attempted to become and then failed as a freelance writer, I may either have started a painting business (house and office painting is something I've always fallen back on during lean times) or returned to school for my interest of the moment. I wouldn't mind being a therapist, either.

Have you ever submitted any of your stories to any other comic book companies or book companies and if so what was that experience like?

Aside from pitching Image on my Umbra series, no, I never have. Wait, that’s not true. When I immediately left college back in the Stone Age I sent a few Spider-Man and Captain America plots to Marvel. I received a nice rejection letter from Jim Shooter and the bleak satisfaction of seeing them steal one of my Cap plots and turn it into a 3-issue story arc.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into the comic industry as a writer?

Know your market and work, work, work.

What was your inspiration for The Puma Blues and is there ever a chance of a collected book or a follow-up (even if just a one-shot)?

In hindsight, alienation seemed to be the inspiration for Puma. Alienation and longing. I don't think we'll see a continuation of Puma but one never knows.

What has it been like working with all those different artists over the years, and do you have a favorite?

It was an honor to have worked with so many great artists, including legends such as Gene Colan, Gray Morrow and the overlooked Jon D’Agostino. Not to mention editors like Victor Gorelick. I don't have any favorite artists but naturally have a soft spot for my more “regular” collaborators over the years, people like Michael Zulli, Ryan Brown and Chris Allan.

On the subject of favorites, what Turtle do you like best?

This changes over time. Currently, I don't like any of them but most recently (during the past two years) Don was my favorite, and before that Leo. Back in the TMNT Adventures days it was a toss up between Raph and Leo but usually Raph.

Do you think Mirage would ever explore the possibility of licensing the Ninja Turtles to another comic book publisher?

Well, I never know what is going through Peter Laird’s head, and Pete’s famous for making complete about-faces when one least expects it, but given that, and given where things are at the moment, I would say the answer, at least in the short term (during the next year or two), is “No.”

It's a bit sad for me to admit this but I never caught on that you are Dean Clarrian of TMNT Adventures fame. So why the nom de plume of Dean Clarrian for your time on TMNT Adventures?

When Ryan Brown, my roommate at the time, urged me to write an issue of TMNTA, I had no idea whether or not I'd enjoy the process, or what people might think of my work. Plus, I felt a need to separate out my more adult writing (at the time, on The Puma Blues) from what was obviously meant for an audience of children. Hence the pen name, an anagram of the name of the woman I was dating at the time. As time went on, Dean sort of took on a life (and career) of his own.

Do you have any favorite stories and characters from TMNT Adventures?

I love most of the characters but remain particularly fond of the issues that introduced the characters that would go on to populate the Mutanimals. Also Ninjara. The “Hitler’s brain” and “future TMNT” story arcs have remained favorites.

Are there any stories or characters that you wish you had the chance to work into the Adventures series?

No. I'm very satisfied with that body of work.

What is your most lasting memory from your work on TMNT Adventures?

I can't say I have a specific memory. Overall, though, I enjoyed the monthly deadline, the need to be thrust into the creative process all over again every thirty days. I like to work and a regular deadline is a great forced structure to get one thinking and working on a regular basis.

What would you say you enjoy more writing the lighthearted works more associated with the Adventures title or the more gruesome elements associated with Mirage?

Adventures by far. I never much liked the Mirage universe, which is why I only wrote two issues back in the day. Mind you, I have no problem with darkness and being gruesome as, I think, is evidenced by some of the Tales vol. 2 work, but I think the “Archie universe” is a much richer and broader canvas upon which to paint.

I have to say I enjoyed your work on Tales of TMNT very much. Do you have any plans to write any more stories for that title?

Thank you. But no, I don't.

Do you have a favorite story from your time on the Tales title?

My personal favorite is the Golem story from issue 10. Others include the “four Leonardo's” story line from issues 13 and 14, as well as the “hot rod from hell” issue, I think it was 17.

As a few may know you've a great concern for the environment. Have you considered doing something along the same lines for a future Tales of the TMNT issue?

I'm burnt out on Turtles and besides, writing to an audience of 2,500 adults is not going to have any discernible impact on the world or environment. If adults aren't getting it by now, they never will.

Have you considered the idea of doing something like a semi-revival of the Mutanimals and their “save the earth” campaign, considering the political atmosphere around global climate?

Mirage Studios owns the Mutanimals. Ryan Brown and I have asked Mirage for permission to revive the Mutanimals on several occasions but the interest from Mirage has not been amenable. This is one of the reasons Ryan is doing his “Mutanimal rejects” book. Also, back in the day, Mutanimals, and the TMNT, via comic books, reached children, not just adults as in today’s sad comic book market. Also, the environmentalism and “respect for the Earth” themes that ran through those old comic books were genuine, and not done to tie into any marketable “green” movement business model. Plus, well, in my opinion, it’s too late to effectively change anything on a global scale. Mind you, I still do what I can, drive a car that gets 37 mph, recycle, try not to consume too much but I feel like an ineffective little “green” needle in a haystack of over-consumers.

What was it like working with 4Kids and writing for the animated series?

Writing for the cartoon was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, especially in working with producer Lloyd Goldfine and with story editors such as Joe Kelly. In addition, it was challenging and has, I like to think, helped me develop as a writer.

Was the writing process any different than writing for a comic?

Certainly. There are many more constraints (timing, specific act structures, more clearly delineated character treatments) and more people telling you what to change (producer, story editor, Peter Laird).

There are a lot of rumors about these days and the fans feel that your blog really helped extinguish such problems. So why exactly did you decided to shut your blog down and do you ever plan to open it again?

I have no plans to restart my blog. I'm happy that it reached so many fans in what seems to be an overall positive way but it was time consuming and took me away from my real work. It was also getting me into hot water more often than not. Corporations, regardless of their size, do not like in-house truthful blogs. They much prefer corporate blogs that they can spin and control and infect you all with viral news leaks. Individuals can be truthful but employees cannot. Individuals cannot be controlled, employees can. If I can't blog the way I would like to blog, then what’s the point in blogging? There’s truth and then there’s faux happiness. I have no desire to be false.

Many fans including myself have been told that the modern animated series is coming to a close with this last season, is there and light that you can shed on this subject?

It is the current truth of the matter. Whether or not this will change is not up to me.

Do you think that this 25th anniversary will be the end of the TMNT?

I assume you mean as an actively licensed brand? No, I don't. However, only Peter Laird can answer that question in the grand scheme sense. Remember, too, that brands are larger than their creators, and always have much greater longevity.

Is the 25th anniversary the end of Mirage Studios as a publishing company?

Quite possibly. But that’s also a question for Pete.

Are negotiations for another movie being considered at all?

Yes and in fact negotiations are currently under way, and have been for the past several months. Doesn't meant there will necessarily be a movie, but it’s on the table and being discussed and negotiated in an active way.

What sort of characters and game play can we expect in the new TMNT game coming out and do you know what systems it will be coming out on?

This is something being kept tightly under wraps at the moment. Sorry.

Is there any sort of information as to what Playmates will be re-releasing from the old toy line?

Also under wraps.

A lot of fans are concerned with the release of an image of a pants-less Shredder and the inclusion of it on the 25th anniversary card back. Do you by any chance know if the figure will come with his legs cast in flesh tone plastic or black the way they where meant to be?

Don't worry, he'll be wearing pants.

There also is a bit of concern with the inclusion of the Krang from 1994 that came with the small version of the Android Body on the back of the box. What people want to know is: what version of Krang is being released, or is he simply a pack-in figure that comes along with another figure like Shredder?

I believe he’s a pack-in. No pants, though.

Is there any sort of release date for the Mirage-based figures from Playmates?

I don't think so. At least not as of this interview.

Are there still plans to release the Ch'rell figure that was shown on your blog a short while back?

You mean from Playmates? I doubt it.

Speaking of comic figures, do you have any clue what happened with NECA?

I can only hazard to guess that NECA lost interest in the TMNT, regardless of the happy talk they make to fan journalists and fan news sites.

You say NECA seems to have lost interest, does that mean that the recent news of series 2 finally coming out will not be coming true after all or is it all just a wait and see sort of deal again?

My opinion is that it's just like that line from Devo's "Jocko Homo" song: "I say it's all / Just wind in sails." In other words, nonsense, public relations, nothing substantial.
NECA wants us to open a certain distribution channel for them but we're prevented from doing so.
Without that new avenue of sales, I doubt very much that NECA will release anything further.

Do you know if 4Kids plans to release any more season set DVD's?

I don't know. Their plans are often announced last minute.

Are you excited for the upcoming comic conventions this year?

I enjoy the New York show, primarily because it’s in New York and I love the city. I'm not a big fan of sitting at shows so I don't plan on attending any others during 2009 except, possibly, San Diego and Toronto, but even those are in doubt. I hate leaving my family, even for a weekend.

With your close friend Ryan Brown working on a book about rejected mutant characters, will we by any chance see any of your writing attached to the title?

No. I'd like to work with Ryan again at some point but I just don't have the time right now, all of which is focused on my own projects.

If you were in charge, what direction would you take the TMNT property?

Now THAT is a loaded question, one I'd normally answer but given this country’s (and the global) economic situation, I'll plead the fifth. One thing I would do though is to make income levels and corporate perks and benefits at Mirage more level for everyone. When one stops to think about it, the Mirage artists (and Katie) have been working here for nearly 25 years, half of our lives. One could easily say that we've given our careers to the Turtles. THAT, to me, is an intensely sobering realization.

In your mind, what makes the Ninja Turtles such an embraceable property?

Its combination of action, adventure, and humor, especially if you got turned on to it as a child, when such things are new and exciting, and cathartic and full of hope.

What keeps your passion for the Turtles alive after all these years?

I no longer have any passion for the TMNT, which is why, aside from finishing off The Forever War, I'm no longer writing them. My passion for the characters fell victim to my learning about the realities of the company’s business model.

How would you suggest fans get involved in helping the future of TMNT?

Why should fans care about helping the future of the TMNT? What can fans possibly do except spend their hard earned dollars on more stuff they don't necessarily need? Fans, like everyone else, should do themselves a favor and save their money for the very uncertain future. This is something I constantly have to remind myself with regards to my own fannish urges.

If you had to be stuck on an island with another Mirage employee, who would it be? And why?

Good lord. I wouldn't want to be stuck on an island with any Mirage employee (nor should you) but if I had to choose one it would be Katie, our bookkeeper and receptionist.

What are you currently reading and what type of works do you enjoy reading as a writer?

I'm currently reading “The Black Swan” by Nassim Taleb, “When Markets Collide” by Mohamed El-Erian, “Collapse” by Jared Diamond, and the novel “Cut Numbers” by Nick Tosches. Lately I've been fascinated by economics, or at least am trying to better understand how economics works. I tend to juggle several books at once. I also try to read the works of the Dalai Lama on a regular basis. As a writer I mostly enjoy and find inspiration from reading nonfiction.

What sort of music do you like to listen to as you write, or do you prefer silence?

When I work I generally prefer silence but I'll occasionally play jazz or classical, maybe opera if it’s in a language I don't understand. I need to focus on my words, not the words of others. I also like to work in near-total darkness. When I drive, when not listening to NPR, I tend to play CDs of albums that I grew up with, by people like Bowie, the Beatles, the Stooges, Neil Young, Dylan. I must be officially “old” now because very little new music does anything for me.

Lastly I'd like to go back to the Archie comics and the grand return of a story that's been years in the making. How did the completion of the Forever War idea come about and is there any insight you can give regarding the story or characters we may see make a long overdue comeback?

It came about, I think, from the interest of fans as expressed on fan boards and TMNT blog's. When I presented the possibility of doing the book Pete was positive and continues to be supportive. I can't give you much insight regarding the story because I'd rather not get anyone’s hope up… or down.

Also will the Forever War be a collected book or will it be released as monthly single issues?

The Forever War will be released as three monthly issues beginning in September or so.

I'd like to thank you for your time and wish you all the best in your future endeavors be they with Mirage or with your outside work.

Thank you. Same to you!

A very special thanks goes out to all of you fans who helped make this interview with your support and questions to Murph!