NINJAPRIL (complete) (Patreon)

Just in time for you to all be tired of seeing it, here’s the Ninjapril comic! I’m actually really proud of this one. It’s no secret that the infamous Catwoman from Channel 6 episode of the 1987 TMNT cartoon wormed its way into my brain in my formative years. So it makes sense that if I was to do a TF comic featuring April O’Neil, then I would have to set it in her apartment from that episode.

I did my best to recreate the color palette and the painting style of those 80s cartoon backgrounds. I get that the artists made April’s apartment cat-themed to go with the episode, but it wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t include her off-brand Chat Noir posters and Tiger print throw pillows. I posted versions with just the backgrounds, but since I drew the characters first, you’ll see that in this comic a couch simply ceases to exist if someone is in front of it. I’m still proud enough of my purposely incomplete BGs to showcase them. I also have the backgrounds and characters without panels and word balloons, which kinda gives it an animation cel feel. I hope you enjoy the various steps in making this!

Quick side note, I discovered a function in Procreate while making this. Any iPad users here? Did you know you can merge layers simply by pinching them together with your fingers in the layer window? It’s crazy! I’ve been tapping my way through menus this whole time! Anyway, that’s it for me this week. Next time I post, I will be 46. I’m still clinging to my mid-forties. I won’t be in my late forties for another year! I’m still cool, probably!

Thanks DocOtto for throwing enough ideas at me that one of them stuck! ;)