As you can probably tell, we’re ridiculously psyched about our latest collab with Robotech, featuring killer new flavors and collectibles with limited-edition artwork from a certain Tommy Lee Edwards.
If you don’t know TLE, he’s a heavy hitter in comics, illustration and film. His resume includes Marvel, DC, Lucasfilm, Disney and Planet Atmos, among others. And now, we’ve joined forces to bring you some unique accessories and merch from the Robotech universe straight from Tommy’s pen, including keycaps, an oversized deskpad, and a limited-run tour t-shirt.
So, how did a humble (yet still awesome) performance supplement company like ADVANCED score a collaboration with such a sought-after artiste? Well, turns out Tommy is a Robotech superfan, so this match was made in nerd heaven! “Getting to draw and paint that stuff — I mean, you knew I would flip out at the opportunity,” he says.
Rise of a Midwestern Mecha Master
It's the early ‘80s. Young Tommy lies on the floor in his suburban Michigan home like a crocodile, eyes glued to a CRT TV flashing images of Robotech into his eager eyeballs for the first time. He's captivated by the precise yet obviously handcrafted images with their flat designs, bold primary colors and futuristic aesthetics. Safe to say, it left a lasting impression.
“When you’re little, you don't think about what makes anime different,” he recalls. “All you know is you love it.”
Inspired to reproduce what he witnessed (these were the days before screenshots or even TiVo), he grabs his sketchpad and begs his grandparents to drive him to the local hobby store, where he can see a tangible reference. In his spare time, he spends hours drawing, trying to recreate that magic, dreaming of a day when he could be part of something just as epic.
“In seventh grade, I did an illustration of a guy fighting one of those Zentraedi mechas. My teacher really liked it because it was more than just a subject floating on a page — it told a story.” Fast-forward a few years, and today Tommy Lee Edwards has turned his childhood passion into a professional career with some unfathomable credits. Now, he’s bringing that same storytelling ability to our Robotech alliance.
The Art of Collaboration
Richard Ng, ADVANCED's Director of Brand Partnerships and Licensing, sat down with Tommy to explore his approach to creating artwork for our newest lineup, which represents several firsts for both us and TLE. Tommy’s meticulous attention to detail and excitement for the project shine through in every piece, bringing nostalgia and modern flair together that crackles with kinetic energy — a feeling we aimed to capture in our merch lineup and Yuzu Protoculture ENERGY.
The Journey to Japan
Our interview also explores how our team at ADVANCED came up with this collab and the shared passion that fuels these projects. It’s a fascinating journey from concept to creation, and part of TLE's inspiration stemmed from his first visit to the birthplace of anime.
“I wanted to go to Japan since I was little,” he says. “My dad worked for a Japanese stamping plant, and he made trips to Japan, and I was just crazy jealous. But he’d bring home manga and magazines, and I envisioned Japan as a place where I could find all this incredible stuff,” he says.
He describes his trip as a magical experience, going beyond browsing aisles of vintage figurines and rare manga (though that was part of it). “I ended up falling in love with the shrines and history that I didn’t know as much about.” Immersing himself in Japanese culture, the experience continues to influence his art.
Wise Words for Aspiring Creatives
Among other bits of advice, Tommy recommends expanding your influences to improve your chances in this rapidly evolving and increasingly challenging field. “A big part of it is just being open to new things, new techniques or new genres,” he says. “Diversifying your skills, knowledge, and the people you know can help you grow as an artist and as a person.”
Check out the full interview for inspirational and practical insights for emerging artists.
What’s Next for TLE?
In the meantime, Tommy is constantly creating. “There’s always something I’m trying to do that’s my dream project,” he says. “A few miniseries I’m writing, some one-shots, and I get to work with a lot of my friends. It’s like stretching different muscles at different times.”
His dedication to his craft and love for the genre keep driving him into the future. And who knows? There might be more exciting collaborations with ADVANCED on the horizon. Either way, we’re here for it, and hope you will be too!
If you want to see more of Tommy's work, check out his Instagram page here.
