Kevin Brooks Eastman (born May 30, 1962 in Springvale, Maine) is an American comic book artist. He is best known as the co-creator (in association with Peter Laird) of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Eastman is the current owner, editor and publisher of the magazine Heavy Metal.
Eastman is the founder of the Words and Pictures Museum, a museum dedicated exclusively to comic book art in his hometown of Northampton, Massachusetts in 1992. Eastman also founded the publishing company Tundra Comics. Tundra was notable for publishing works by a large number of critically acclaimed creators with high production values. Most observers conclude, however, that Tundra expanded too quickly. It closed its doors after three years with a loss to Eastman of over $14,000,000. The subsequent cash flow problem, combined with the ebbing of the TMNT fad, led to the closure as well of the Museum in 1999; it maintains an online presence.
Eastman is married to B-movie actress and model Julie Strain. Strain starred in the animated film Heavy Metal 2000, the direct to video sequel to the 1981 feature film Heavy Metal.
Eastman once attempted a 24-hour comic but failed, and decided he would still work on the comic even after the 24 hours. His method of deciding what to do after the 24 hours are up is called the Eastman Variation.
Kevin Eastman is also an actor and a film producer. He has appeared in many films in association with his wife.
He is a featured interviewee in the movie Independents'.
On June 1, 2000 Peter and the Mirage Group purchased all of Kevin's ownership in the TMNT property and the corporations, execept of a small continuing income participation which was bought out on March 1, 2008.
Kevin currently lives in the Hollywood Hills with his wife Julie and infant son.
