BossLogic has become one of the most recognizable names in pop culture art, known for blending iconic franchises with his signature cinematic style and deep love of gaming. As Paramount Games launches its new creative partnership with BossLogic, the collaboration also shines a spotlight on his creative collective, Sect32B, and artist Tona, whose work and artistic vision help bring these ambitious projects to life. Together, the team is channeling the gritty, emotional world of TMNT: The Last Ronin into a bold new campaign including a very special merch drop, that pays homage to the franchise’s darker tone while delivering BossLogic’s unmistakable visual edge.
Before “BossLogic” became a recognizable name online, what kind of kid were you creatively? Kind of a rebel actually, I was not one to do things by rules and it kind of was a bad way of growing up but it did lead to me drawing over books and walls leading me to just want to draw all of the time. In hindsight, it helped me when you think about it in current times. That, collecting, comics, and gaming molded me to what I am today and the creativity I have is all thanks to those days.
You grew up in Australia — how did that shape your artistic voice compared to the Hollywood-centric pop culture world you later entered? Growing up in Australia was an uphill climb to reach the Hollywood scope, wanting to work for the Marvels, for the DC's for those major studios and to be honest without the power of social connections that was the bridge that is what I crossed, I built on that foundation to grow from an Australian artist to just an artist that develops for the world. Being Australian trying to rise in this field, made me work harder to be seen. What role did video games play in your childhood? They were everything, we were not a rich household and my father would do the most so we could have a console and play like the other kids did. Games were the religion we woke up and slept thinking about them, Street Fighter is a core memory till this day and I’m still playing! Without gaming I don't think I would have had the imagination I have today. Do you remember the first piece of art that made you think, “I could actually do this professionally”? Professionally it was back in 2010 but the real life changer was in 2014 when I started doing work inspired by the Arrowverse. That's when my career took off.
Was there a moment where fan art stopped feeling like a hobby and started feeling like a career? I will always be a fan artist that does real work. I will never take the fan aspect away from me, it led me to that career path in 2014. So yeah 2014 is when BossLogic was a name people started seeing.
How much of your process is instinct versus meticulous planning? I only plan on big projects, brainstorm a long run of ideas, most of the time I free flow it, I just chop away and build in real time that way it's ever changing to best fit the final result. The blueprint is always usually in my head, it's helped over the years being quick to the assignments. And memes.
What artists, comic books, films, or games influenced your visual style early on? Artist wise, Mike Orduna and Pete Harrison, Hejz, Justin Muller all helped mold what I am as an artist in this day and age in terms of dedication and style. Imaginationwise, anime especially Dragon Ball Z, comics especially X-Men and games like Street Fighter, Devil May Cry, Metal Gear made me fall in love with character creations!
Did you ever struggle with balancing originality versus paying homage to characters people already know and love? That was always the battle of the artist's life of mine. I love doing original works and I still do them even though they don't get the eye and appreciation, I do them to say things visually where the homages I do to get fans excited and to pay respects to the ones that did it before me.
What Nickelodeon (or Nicktoon shows) did you watch growing up? Dude. I watched most of them. Rugrats, Rocko's Modern Life, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, Ren and Stimpy and Cartoon Network's Dexter’s Laboratory, Power Puff Girls, Johnny Bravo, Classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers just to name a few.
What is your history of TMNT? We’re you a fan of the original animated series or was there another iteration that got you into the franchise? I love everything TMNT, grew up with the classic, they even made pizza more special as kids (haha). Now with the RONIN, chef's kiss.
Are there any other Paramount IPs that you want to give your personal lens on? I'm playing with the elements on the next one, yes that is Avatar and the fact it's for the fighter, they are up my alley. I'm part of the fighting game community so it's always a good day working on something that means something a little more.
You are also working with Paramount on the upcoming Street Fighter film - how did that opportunity come about, and what did you bring creatively to that project? This is a highlight in my career, to work on the movie of the game I love, my literal number one game in my love for games. I am doing a few things visually for the movie but I'm also doing something that you will see very soon. Also had the honour to tour the set and meet some of the cast thanks to Paramount!
What's a game you'd like to see make a comeback? Great question and it's something I have been thinking about while on this project. I want a new fighter based on TMNT like we had back in the days of the Tournament Fighter, but this time around it is a little different, we have so many of the same fighters, this one would take the brought of a familiar game we all know and love that never made a comeback and I feel its play style, it's mechanic and it's customisation will bring new life to the genre. Especially with the Fortnite-like collaborations we could do!
Quick Hits
Top 5 Video Games:
Street Fighter
Devil May Cry
Metal Gear Solid
Resident Evil
Ninja Gaiden
The Last Hardest Boss Fight You Played I haven't played games like Dark Souls and Elden Ring, so the bosses of the games are not too tough. But Ninja Gaiden does have that heat.
The Last Time a Video Game Made You Emotional Last game…. HmHmm. I'd say it was Metal Gear solid 4. That one hurt.
What’s Your Gaming Hot Take? That streaming games is the worst and best thing to happen to gaming. Best because it gave us a view of other gamers playing ways we don't play, and it builds a community. The worst because some people only play just to stream, and choose to play what they don't care for just to have viewership. Kills the love.
Favorite Video Game Character? I love M. Bison, Raiden (Metal Gear) Dante (Devil May Cry).
Favorite Game World? The Super Mario Universe. It just makes me happy. We need more happiness.