Meet the Earth’s most advanced line of defense. This NCBD brings the release of the highly-anticipated one-shot from Mad Cave Studios, Gatchaman – Ken: Deathmatch, written by Tommy Lee Edwards, and illustrated by Mindy Lee!
Ken goes undercover to infiltrate an underground gambling ring where martial artists from around the globe fight to the death. There, the winners are captured and brought to a secret Galactor recruiting base. If they refuse to join, the captives are dropped in the jungle and hunted as prey for Galactor’s training program. Can anyone make it out alive?
Mad Cave Studios’ marketing manager, Maya Lopez, sat down with Gatchaman: Ken author Tommy Lee Edwards to chat about his inspirations behind the thrilling one-shot, his creative process, the making of Gatchaman, and more! Read on for the full interview!
Q: Hello! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions today! Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
TLE: My name is Tommy Lee Edwards. I’ve been working as a professional artist for about 30 years, making comics like Mother Panic, Marvel 1985, Jupiter’s Legacy, and The Question. I’ve also designed movies like The Book of Eli, games like Command & Conquer, written screenplays for tv and movies, directed live-action and animated projects, and illustrated tons of books and posters for stuff like Star Wars and Harry Potter. I work at my home in central NC, currently as Creative Director for a new video game and media company called Planet Atmos.
Q: In Gatchaman, we follow the iconic science ninja team on their heroic adventures to save the Earth from the forces of evil! Can you please tell us about your connection to the series?
TLE: Gatchaman was the second anime I’d ever seen, after SPEED RACER (both created by Tatsuo Yoshida). Growing up on that stuff, along with Ultraman, Kamen Rider, and Godzilla helped form who I eventually grew into as a professional creator. Getting to actually write and draw Gatchaman is a dream come true for me.
Q: Which Gatchaman character do you personally connect with the most?
TLE: Depends on the day, really. Sometimes my job positions me as a leader of a team, designing a movie or game. I’ll have to make the project a priority, and sometimes get kinda bossy with opinions and rules. Other days, I can relate to Ryu, who often feels like he’s being left out, or maybe not as “cool” as the other members of the team. On a bad day, I might feel like Joe, and just say “screw it” to just about everything.
Q: What do you hope for people to take away from reading Gatchaman?
TLE: If the reader is an existing Ninja Science Team fan, I really want them to feel like we’ve done a good job capturing the aesthetics, characters, and themes of the classic anime. If a person is new to Gatchaman, I just really hope they’re entertained and excited to read more! Plus watch the show!
Q: Can you please tell us a bit about your creative process?
TLE: I do a lot of research into the existing material, if there is any. I’ve got tons of random story ideas and drawings of “key” images filling my sketchbooks and stuff. That’s usually how it starts. I typically like to figure out my story’s ending before I write the beginning. That way, I can steer the ship where it needs to go, and figure out what tools to use in the journey. I always write a full script with detailed descriptions and all the dialogue. Even if it’s a book I’m drawing myself, it’s good to get all your ideas out on the table. You can always edit them down later.
Q: What was your favorite part of working on Gatchaman?
TLE: Gatchaman is very rooted in Japanese “tokusatsu” culture, with a focus on the interpersonal drama of five teenage heroes fighting against an evil force and cruel alien leader who see humans as vermin, on a planet not worth saving. So it’s got plenty of action, martial arts, aliens, giant robots, monsters, aerial battles, romance, tragedy, and everything I personally love in a dramatic genre story.
Q: One of the key themes of Gatchaman is environmentalism, which continues to be a relevant topic since its’ original run in the 1970s. Was there any special research that went into writing this new take?
TLE: The original Gatchaman anime was WAY ahead of its time, in the realm of character development, storytelling technique, animation processes, and thematic elements. Beyond knowing all there is on the established lore, I definitely end up doing lots of research on modern science. The more plausible a story is, the more exciting and relatable.
Q: Who/what are your biggest influences as a creator?
TLE: Teachers I had growing up, and in college at Art Center College of Design. I’m inspired and influenced by animation from people like Hideaki Anno, movies by Seijun Suzuki and Tony Scott, as well as illustrators like Bob Peak and Austin Briggs. Specific comic book influences include Howard Chaykin and Alex Toth.
Q: What are your favorite stories/artists/genres?
TLE: Depends on my mood, but I typically gravitate towards narratives that challenge the viewer / reader. As an audience member, I hate it when everything’s force-fed to me. I like to be a little lost, and enjoy the process of discovery.
Q: Any upcoming projects we should know about?
TLE: Beyond writing Gatchaman, I’m also painting most of the comic’s covers. I’m also working on some of my own comics. Plus making some animated shorts. And art directing a video game.
Q: Where can we find you next?
TLE: I try to have updates for all that kinda stuff on my website.
TommyLeeEdwards.com
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share with readers?
TLE: Gatchaman is probably one of the only existing properties that I feel 100% confident in writing. My house, studio, and garage are filled with artwork, statues, and collectibles from Speed Racer, Gatchaman, Ultraman, Kamen Rider, and Godzilla. Making these comics is like playing with my favorite toys.
Writer & Cover Artist, Tommy Lee Edwards
Beyond countless illustrations for books, merchandise, magazines, and posters, Tommy Lee Edwards has illustrated comics like MOTHER PANIC (co-created with Gerard Way), TURF (co-created with Jonathan Ross), GRENDEL KENTUCKY, JUPITER’S LEGACY, and MARVEL 1985. As a writer, TLE has tackled comics featuring BATMAN, HELLBOY, and VANDROID. He’s collaborated with the Hughes Brothers as the concept artist on THE BOOK OF ELI, and has also contributed to the production and promotion of of movies like AKIRA, HARRY POTTER, SUPERMAN RETURNS, STAR WARS, and BATMAN BEGINS. Microsoft’s award-winning THE RANDOM ADVENTURES OF BRANDON GENERATOR utilized interactive storytelling techniques, with TLE directing the ground-breaking animated web-series from a script by Edgar Wright. TLE recently wrote and directed an animated pilot for FOX, and currently serves as the Creative Director at Planet Atmos.
GATCHAMAN – KEN: DEATHMATCH (ONE-SHOT)
Writer: Tommy Lee Edwards – Artist: Mindy Lee
Colorist: Giada Marchiso – Letterer: John Workman
Release Date: June 26th, 2024
Synopsis: Ken goes undercover to infiltrate an underground gambling ring where martial artists from around the globe fight to the death. There, the winners are captured and brought to a secret Galactor recruiting base. If they refuse to join, the captives are dropped in the jungle and hunted as prey for Galactor’s training program. Can anyone make it out alive? The first in a series of self-contained one-shots that each focus on a separate member of Science Ninja Team Gatchaman!
Gatchaman – Ken: Deathmatch is now available for pre-order on the official Mad Cave Studio website, and will be available at your favorite bookstore, local comic shop, and digital comic reader on June 26th, 2024!
Share:
The first of the new GATCHAMAN is now available, alongside the exciting one-shot Gatchaman—Ken: Deathmatch, by Tommy Lee Edwards and illustrated by Mindy Lee! The
Welcome to this edition of Shop Talk, where we delve into the heart of comic culture by spotlighting the vibrant personalities and innovative approaches of
Mad Cave Studios, Maverick, and Papercutz are excited to announce our participation in the ALA Annual Conference, showcasing our latest publications and engaging with fans
Welcome to the void, nothing in the galaxy can resist it. Mad Cave Studios is thrilled to announce DARK EMPTY VOID, the new 5-issue science
A high-flying retrofuturistic world, baffling technology, and a social order controlled by the Intelligence. The truth cannot be ignored, but must be reckoned with… You
EXPERIENCE ONE OF COMICS’ MOST-BELOVED “LOST” STORIES – 1970s SUPERHERO CLASSIC ‘THE LEGENDARY LYNX’ IS FINALLY BACK IN PRINT! Available for the first time in
