Stephen Murphy

Stephen Murphy (also Steve Murphy or simply Murphy) is an American comic book writer best known for his work on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series.

Biography

Stephen Murphy initially gained recognition for his work on the 1980s comic book series The Puma Blues along with illustrator Michael Zulli, from 1986 to 1989. It was originally published by Aardvark One International, but later became published by Mirage Studios.

Murphy was an initial signatory for the Creator's Bill of Rights, drafted in 1988.

In 1989, Murphy was brought in by friend Ryan Brown to help revamp the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures title for Archie Comics, beginning with issue 5, "Something Fishy Goes Down", which featured new original character Jack Finney (also known as Man Ray or Ray Fillet), co-created by Murphy and Brown. Murphy became the primary writer for the series through its run until its cancellation in 1996, during which time its independent continuity diverged greatly from the 1987 TV series upon which it was originally based, eventually more resembling Mirage TMNT comics. He created other original characters for the Archie TMNT series, including Jagwar, Nova Posse, Snake-Eyes and Sarnath. Murphy was credited as Dean Clarrain for all work on TMNT Adventures.

Also in 1989, Murphy became involved in Mirage TMNT and associated publications during the run of volume 1, for which he wrote and/or scripted "A Splinter in the Eye of God?", "Failed Instant", "O-Deed", "Sons of the Silent Age" and "Souls Winter". For all of these but "Sons of the Silent Age", he collaborated with fellow The Puma Blues veteran Michael Zulli. "Sons of the Silent Age" was the only one of these stories that Peter Laird would later incorporate as part of the official Mirage TMNT continuity.

In the 2000s, Murphy became a staff writer for the 2003 TV series and many children's books tied to that series.

Murphy returned to Mirage TMNT comics work in 2004 as chief editor of Tales of the TMNT volume 2 for the first 37 issues, after which Dan Berger became the new chief editor. Murphy was a frequent contributor of stories and scripts throughout this series' run, leaving his biggest fingerprint on TMNT comics since his work on TMNT Adventures. Whenever Murphy wrote or scripted a Tales story illustrated by fellow Adventures veteran Chris Allan, he would once again credit himself by his Archie era alias, Dean Clarrain.

In addition to TMNT stories, Tales of the TMNT also published a series of stories starring Murphy's character Professor Obligado, an Utrom adventurer. Though these stories were part of the Mirage TMNT continuity, Obligado's stories formed a separate, independent narrative only loosely connected to that of the turtles.

In 2006, Stephen Murphy again received recognition outside of TMNT for his work on the comics series Umbra, which became a 2007 Harvey Awards nominee for Best Continuing or Limited Series.

In 2014, Murphy returned again to his Dean Clarrain alias when he reunited with artist Chris Allan to write a new TMNT Adventures short comic "Paper or Plastic?" as part of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 30th Anniversary Special by IDW Publishing.

Themes

Stephen Murphy is well known for incorporating certain recurring themes in his writing both in and out of TMNT, especially social justice and environmental stewardship, particularly in regard to global warming. These themes are usually framed through cautionary moral narratives woven into the story.

Credits

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