by Jermaine Exum with Lincoln Griffin
LeSean Thomas hit the comic scene last year with Dreamwave's mystical kung-fu epic Arkanium, bringing his flair for action and a background in animation to the fledgeling company's new title. Now with Arkanium behind him, LeSean is tackling a possible career making run on Dreamwave's newest book, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Based on the new hit animated series, the latest comic to bear the TMNT logo is being written by industry veteran Peter David and looks to put a fantastic new spin on the Turtles legend.
A self taught artist out of the South Bronx of NYC, LeSean has worked for Showtime, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Disney.
Jermaine Exum: What was your first meaningful exposure to comic books?
LeSean Thomas: I don't remember, honestly. I don't know which book it was that kept my attention enough to continue looking at them. But it was around 95 That I decided to seriously considered trying to draw comics for money.
JE: Who was the first artist whose name you learned and began to keep track of?
LT: I think it was probably Jim Lee. Punisher War Journal I think. Great stuff.
JE: Who are your greatest influences?
LT: My influences are Akira Kurosawa, Luc Besson, and Glen Keane to name a few. A host of Japanese animation directors and animation supervisors... Too many to name. Mostly, because I am a great lover of moving pictures and the people who've done great things with the medium. I love it (movies) more so than comics.
JE: Which current creators and or characters would be your dream team to work with?
LT: I'd love to work on an animated project with an idea I had with character designs by Katsuya Terrada produced by the folks at Gainax or Production I.G. with conceptual work by Keron Grant... That'd be ill.
JE: What animated films were you inspired by in the past and how did you break into the animation business?
LT: I think it was probably AKIRA. It changed the game for me. I was so used To what was established by Disney, Akira came along and just blew away.
I was exposed to Disney character designing as an assistant designer for children's accessories. From that point on, I loosened up my shapes and then decided to try my hand at animation. Fortunately I was surrounded by Producers from Viacom who kinda put me on to stuff.
JE: Were you always a turtles fan? Did you read the comics, watch the cartoon, or both?
LT: I'm more of a cartoon fan mostly. The only thing I dug about the original comics were the fights.
JE: Will you display any new style techniques that will contrast TMNT from Arkanium?
LT: Um, there's no real plan to separate myself from Arkanium, the series actually calls for the change. The characters, the shapes and forms are a lot more open in contrast to Arkanium. Less is more is the Motto for TMNT. Unlike Arkanium's busy visuals and pacing.
JE: Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring young creators?
LT: Stay focused and surround yourself with people who support you and also do what you do. Listen and practice, draw every day. You're only as good as your last sketch.
For more about LeSean, check out his Official Website!
