In this week’s TMNT Tuesday, we’re going big. Like Battle Cat-riding-into-battle big.
With Turtles of Grayskull #4 wrapping up the wildest team-up in the multiverse, we got to chat with artist Freddie E. Williams II and editor Brett Israel to look back on the chaos, creativity, and clock-covered characters that made this miniseries so memorable.
Freddie shares what it was like finally drawing the crossover that almost happened in 2020, how he prepped for the series with character studies and mini-comics, and why drawing Renet once is enough for a lifetime. Brett opens up about the biggest challenges behind the scenes—and his pick for the most triumphant moment of the run.
Plus, Freddie makes the case for a Daredevil/TMNT crossover (YES PLEASE) and reveals the one page in issue #4 that made him genuinely emotional.
And, of course, scroll down for an exclusive preview of Turtles of Grayskull #4 before it hits shops on April 23rd. Cowabunga, and by the power of Grayskull, we’ll see you next week!
The main cover.
Courtesy Dark Horse
AIPT: Freddie, your style has become iconic for these crossovers. How did you approach the visual blending of Eternia and the TMNT universe differently this time around?
Freddie E. Williams II: For this crossover with He-Man and the Ninja Turtles, I was SUPER prepared! Not only did I have the near miss, of the crossover that almost was (the cancelled crossover of these shame characters, from 2020), additionally I drew the Turtles of Grayskull Mini comics for the Mattel toy line, AND I had enough lead time, to draw pencil studies for the majority of the main characters in this crossover-to get comfortable differentiating my take on the characters vs how I drew them in the Mattel mini comics.
AIPT: Were there any character redesigns or mutations in this series that you found especially fun—or difficult—to pull off?
Freddie E. Williams II: Most difficult: RENET!!! ALL OF THOSE CLOCKS!!! Kevin Eastman said it best: Renet is fun to draw ONCE, and after that, you think, “What have I gotten myself into?”!!!
Most fun: MIKEY!!! I love the idea of drawing Mikey with hair, even before I started shaving my own head!
Tim and I had a long conversation, about if Mikey’s hair would be a wig, that he likes to wear, or if it was magical hair that grew from his own scalp!
AIPT: Brett, what was your biggest challenge in guiding this crossover from concept to completion?
Brett Israel: Honestly, the process on this was very smooth! I would say that Tim and Freddie are experts in the lore of MOTU and TMNT, so, if anything, it was just making sure everything would be able to get into 4 issues. As the issues have shown, they really packed a bunch of material in these issues to get fans excited.
Variant cover by Michael Fiffe.
Courtesy Dark Horse
AIPT: The action scenes in this series are massive and chaotic. What’s your strategy for keeping clarity in all that visual madness?
Freddie E. Williams II: I try to think about all of these crossovers, that I am so fortunate to draw, as BLOCKBUSTERS, I want them to feel large and special and anticipated!
These are VERY time consuming to draw: complex compositions with many complexly designed characters, doing a lot of actions!
My biggest advantage in accomplishing the look of Turtles of Grayskull, is that my Editor, Brett Israel at Darkhorse Comics gave me extra time in the schedule to finish the pages without skimping or simplifying, so I’m grateful to Darkhorse and Mattel for the extra time afforded to us!
AIPT: How do you balance nostalgia with fresh visuals when working on two such beloved franchises?
Freddie E. Williams II: Thus far, I am super lucky that the way I personally think these characters should look (what I think makes them look cool) is what the readers also think look cool! So we thankfully have similar taste!
Every time I start a new crossover, I am thinking about what’s the “best” way to draw these awesome character- the coolest shapes, or how to exaggerate some elements of their costume, or play down other proportions–it’s difficult to articulate, but it’s illustrates why having a couple of weeks, to work on the pencil studies for the primary characters are so important= to have the time to explore the “best” way for me to draw them.
Then I refer back to those pencil studies every time I draw that character throughout the series, to hopefully keep them feeling consistent and “on model”
Variant cover by Fero Peniche.
Courtesy Dark Horse
AIPT: Back to Brett, how do you approach edits and feedback on a series that’s so over-the-top and gleefully chaotic by design?
Brett Israel: Like I said before, edits on this one were always fairly simple since Freddie and Tim managed so much on their end. With Freddie’s explosive, energetic layouts, it tee’d up AndWorld Design to really drive the narrative flow of the text, so working with them to dictate eye movement across the page for the text was something we were on the lookout for. And, of course, just making sure we hit everything on model for continuity!
AIPT: Looking back on the full series, what’s one moment where you felt the creative team totally nailed the vibe you were aiming for?
Brett Israel: The showdown with the Triceratons to start issue 2. A full action sequence allowed Freddie and Andrew to really flex, and it was a great showcase of the core team!
AIPT: What’s one panel or page in issue #4 that you’re particularly proud of, and why?
Freddie E. Williams II: Page 21, panel 1! Probably the least action-orientated page in the whole issue! Splinter is my favorite character in the TMNT universe. I was raised without a father, and Splinter is everything any of us would want in a dad!!! I loved drawing him and his boys hugging, and even though that panel is far from perfect, I think Splinter looks genuinely happy and proud, which makes me feel good!
AIPT: Looking back on the full series, what’s one moment where you felt the creative team totally nailed the vibe you were aiming for?
Brett Israel: Obviously, Battle Cat. Always Battle Cat.
AIPT: Freddie, fun question: If you could draw a crossover between any two other toy/cartoon franchises from the ‘80s or ‘90s, what would your dream pick be?
Freddie E. Williams II: There are so many I’d like to draw. Pirates of Darkwater to me was one of the coolest cartoons. Thundarr the Barbarian, Gargoyles, Silverhawks-so many
But if I could just choose, and make it happen, it’d be a Daredevil and Ninja Turtle Crossover. I think fans would go wild, and there are PLENTY of canonical connections between the two properties; it’d be a real dream come true for me!!!
That’s a wrap on the interview portion. Read an exclusive preview of Turtles of Grayskull #4 below.
We’ll be back next week with another edition!
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