Ritualistic

by Hexagon | written: November 2, 1999

Kevin Eastman is the co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Heavy Metal F.A.K.K.2, as well as publisher of and editor in chief for Heavy Metal magazine. Many thanks to Robert Atkins for setting us up with this interview with Mr. Eastman.

What made you sell a license of the Heavy Metal game to Ritual Entertainment?

We sold the rights to Ritual for one plain and simple reason---we interviewed everyone else, and hands down decided that Ritual was the most alive, innovative, and creatively f---ed company I'd ever known....I had to work with them, and when they pitched me the idea that the game would take place 10 plus years after the movie ended..I fell in love, ( not that there's anything wrong with that...) ...heh....with this crazy bunch of guys....!!!!!!

What do you think of the work that Ritual has done so far?

Dispite the fact that PC GAMER has already picked the work / game that they've done as one of the top 10 games of 2000, means nothing to me....that fact that i'm creatively blown away each time they evolve my characters to another level worries me how I'm going to take all the credit for what they did, when so many people already know how good they are!!!

Do you regularly play video games yourself? If so, what are the latest few that you have played?

I play a few games now, Sin, Fallout, and the like....christ, I even have a TMNT pinball game that I play quite a lot..I'm afraid that I'm too busy working on a wide range of projects personally to enjoy video games as much as I'd like!

How do you feel about having the Heavy Metal world portrayed in a 3D world instead of a 2D magazine?

I think it's cool to have Heavy Metal in all worlds...I think that what Heavy Metal is---is a lot of things, a lot of concepts, a lot of ideas, and a whole lot of cool game ideas, and you guys know that as much as I do...you play the games, you buy the soundtracks, you play the games....you are the KINGS and QUEENS of my universe...direct me....heh...God bless G.O.D.....god bless Ritual....and I can't f---ing wait to own the game...

Will the FAKK2 film be released in Europe?

Yes the film will be released in Europe, as the first film had such great success there, and we think this one will as well....most all of Heavy Metal's content are selected from European artists, and we tried to make this movie something that our main and first fans would love! We actually believe that the film will / may be released in theaters in Europe before here in the states....be sure to stay tuned to "Heavy Metal Fakk2.com" for all the latest on the what where and when the film will be released worldwide!!!

How far along is the film?

KE: As of today's date the film is TOTALLY 100% COMPLETE...we are scheduled to deliever the film to Columbia / Tri Star Home Video on the 27th of August, so it's all over until the fat lady and all her friends sing...a lot..... heh..heh.....as far as what I think, that to me doesn't matter.....it's what you think....