Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Creation & Design
Created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird as a parody of popular comic book tropes.Early Years
The Turtles gained popularity through their comic series, leading to animated series, toys, and films.Character Development
The Turtles have evolved from simple comic book characters to cultural icons, representing themes of brotherhood, loyalty, and justice.Cultural Reception
The TMNT franchise has received critical acclaim and commercial success across various media.Character Details
Real Name:
Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael
Aliases:
TMNT, Turtles
Species:
Mutant Turtle
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
The Foot Clan, April O'Neil, Splinter, Casey Jones
Abilities:
Martial Arts, Ninjutsu, Stealth, Agility
Equipment:
Ninja Weapons, Shells, Turtle Van
Weight:
150lbs each
Height:
5' 0"
Eye Color:
green
Hair Color:
none
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Mirage
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
40-page printer's proof of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (1984)
A printer's proof is a sample that is printed to examine the correctness of the issue before printing the entire run
This one-of-a-kind, historical proof was found in a small print shop in Biddeford, Maine a few years after the publication of issue #1, after the Turtles had already exploded in popularity
The men who found it traded it to Downeast Comics which operated between the years of 1986 - 1994, in Brunswick, Maine
The owner paid for the proof with store stock and held onto it before auctioning it on Comic Link in 2020 for $12,472 with 77 bids
40-page printer's proof of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (1984)
A printer's proof is a sample that is printed to examine the correctness of the issue before printing the entire run
This one-of-a-kind, historical proof was found in a small print shop in Biddeford, Maine a few years after the publication of issue #1, after the Turtles had already exploded in popularity
The men who found it traded it to Downeast Comics which operated between the years of 1986 - 1994, in Brunswick, Maine
The owner paid for the proof with store stock and held onto it before auctioning it on Comic Link in 2020 for $12,472 with 77 bids
Gobbledygook #1
Mirage
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Advertisement for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (1984)
1st appearance of Fugitoid
Advertisement for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (1984)
1st appearance of Fugitoid
Gobbledygook #2
Mirage
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Advertisement for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (1984)
Comics Journal #89
Fantagraphics
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Early printed image of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Leonardo only, in an advertisement for the premiere issue of TMNT (1984)
Early printed image of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Leonardo only, in an advertisement for the premiere issue of TMNT (1984)
Amazing Heroes #45
Fantagraphics
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Solicitation for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1
Preview of Spider-Man’s Symbiote suit
Solicitation for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1
Preview of Spider-Man’s Symbiote suit
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1
Mirage
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
1st team appearance and origin of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Donatello, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo
1st appearance of Splinter, the Turtles' mentor
1st appearance and death of the Shredder
First printing: 3,000 copies
1st team appearance and origin of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Donatello, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo
1st appearance of Splinter, the Turtles' mentor
1st appearance and death of the Shredder
First printing: 3,000 copies
Second printing: 6,000 copies
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2
Mirage
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
2nd team appearance of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
1st appearance of Baxter Stockman and his Robot Mousers
1st appearance of April O'Neil
2nd team appearance of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
1st appearance of Baxter Stockman and his Robot Mousers
1st appearance of April O'Neil
Second Printing
Identical cover with "Second Printing" on interior cover
Second Printing
Identical cover with "Second Printing" on interior cover
Third printing
The third printing is nearly identical to the first and second printings except for a splash of blood on the second T in Turtles
Print run: 36,000
Third printing
The third printing is nearly identical to the first and second printings except for a splash of blood on the second T in Turtles
Print run: 36,000
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3
Mirage
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
3rd team appearance of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
1st team appearance of the Utroms, alien race of Krang
There exists a far rarer and valuable version of this issue with a color error [see variant]
3rd team appearance of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
1st team appearance of the Utroms, alien race of Krang
There exists a far rarer and valuable version of this issue with a color error [see variant]
Comics Collector Magazine #6
Comics Collector
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Earliest depiction of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle in color, Leonardo
Earliest depiction of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle in color, Leonardo
Raphael: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1
Mirage
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
First Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles one-shot spin-off
1st appearance and cover of Casey Jones
First Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles one-shot spin-off
1st appearance and cover of Casey Jones
1st cover appearance of the Shredder
4th printing, wraparound cover
1st cover appearance of the Shredder
4th printing, wraparound cover
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4
Mirage
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Early issue of the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series
Wraparound cover
Early issue of the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series
Wraparound cover
Michaelangelo #1
Mirage
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
One-shot, Christmas special featuring Michaelangelo
Fugitoid #1
Mirage
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Premiere issue, story continues in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5
Early appearance of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Premiere issue, story continues in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5
Early appearance of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
New Age #1
Fantagraphics
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
First full color image of all Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on back cover advertisement
First full color image of all Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on back cover advertisement
Comics Interview #27
Comics Interview
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
Interview with Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
Cover art by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
Interview with Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5
Mirage
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Early issue of the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series
Approximate print run: 60,000
Wraparound cover
Early issue of the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series
Approximate print run: 60,000
Wraparound cover
Turtlemania Special #1
Metropolis
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
A collection of short stories, pinups and sketches featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and supporting characters
Limited to 3,000 copies
A collection of short stories, pinups and sketches featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and supporting characters
Limited to 3,000 copies
Ashcan-sized that measures 5.5 in. x 8.5 in.
Silver edition
Signed and numbered by Eastman and Laird on back cover
Includes unpublished artwork created at the time of the initial 1984 issue plus a centerfold with the Turtles, Cerebus the Aardvark and Flaming Carrot by Bob Burdon
Limited to 300 copies
Ashcan-sized that measures 5.5 in. x 8.5 in.
Silver edition
Signed and numbered by Eastman and Laird on back cover
Includes unpublished artwork created at the time of the initial 1984 issue plus a centerfold with the Turtles, Cerebus the Aardvark and Flaming Carrot by Bob Burdon
Limited to 300 copies
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7
Mirage
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Origin of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, they discover that the ooze which caused their transformation was created by the Utroms, Krang's alien race
Origin of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, they discover that the ooze which caused their transformation was created by the Utroms, Krang's alien race
Colt #2
KZ Comics
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Leonardo pin-up
The pin-up, by Peter Laird was only included in the first printing of this issue which was
Limited to 3,000 copies
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Leonardo pin-up
The pin-up, by Peter Laird was only included in the first printing of this issue which was
Limited to 3,000 copies
Donatello: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle #1
Mirage
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
One shot, early Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles spin off
Donatello meets an artist based off of Jack Kirby, who can bring his drawings to life
One shot, early Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles spin off
Donatello meets an artist based off of Jack Kirby, who can bring his drawings to life
Grimjack #26
First
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Early full color story featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Guest appearance by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles who visit Munden's bar
Turtles story written and illustrated by Eastman and Laird
Early full color story featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Guest appearance by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles who visit Munden's bar
Turtles story written and illustrated by Eastman and Laird
Leonardo: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle #1
Mirage
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
2nd appearance of the Shredder, briefly, later revealed to be a mystic worm with the ability to create a clone of a human
One shot, early Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles spin off
Story continued in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #10
2nd appearance of the Shredder, briefly, later revealed to be a mystic worm with the ability to create a clone of a human
One shot, early Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles spin off
Story continued in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #10
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Teach Karate #1
Solson
•
1987
•
Vol. 1
The title says it all
One-shot
Equine the Uncivilized #3
GraphXPress
•
1987
•
Vol. 1
2nd cameo appearance of Red Shetland
Cameo appearance of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, one panel with two turtles
Cameo appearance of a Smurf, chained and emaciated in a dungeon
2nd cameo appearance of Red Shetland
Cameo appearance of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, one panel with two turtles
Cameo appearance of a Smurf, chained and emaciated in a dungeon
Anything Goes #5
Fantagraphics
•
1987
•
Vol. 1
Five-page Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles story titled 'The Road Trip'
Four-page, reprinted Robert Crumb story
Various other stories by well-known creators
This six-issue series was published to raise money in defense of a lawsuit levied against The Comic Journal and writer Harlan Ellison by writer Michael Fleisher, the long-time writer of Jonah Hex
Ellison was sued by Fleisher for $2 million dollars on account of libelous statements that made accusations of mental instability
Five-page Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles story titled 'The Road Trip'
Four-page, reprinted Robert Crumb story
Various other stories by well-known creators
This six-issue series was published to raise money in defense of a lawsuit levied against The Comic Journal and writer Harlan Ellison by writer Michael Fleisher, the long-time writer of Jonah Hex
Ellison was sued by Fleisher for $2 million dollars on account of libelous statements that made accusations of mental instability
Second printing, wraparound cover art by Kevin Eastman
First work on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by long-time artist Eric Talbot in a story titled 'Ghouls Night Out' which was published as an original back-up story for the second printing
'Ghouls Night Out' is a reference to a Misfits song
Etched on tombstones are the names of the members of the band [Glenn] Danzig, Jerry Only, Doyle [Wolfgang von Frankenstein] and Robo
Interior 'special announcement' first reveals the licensing agreement secured by Mirage Studios for an animated series and action figure line
A black and white preview of the action figures is the first indication of characters BeBop and Rocksteady and first mention of Krang
Second printing, wraparound cover art by Kevin Eastman
First work on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by long-time artist Eric Talbot in a story titled 'Ghouls Night Out' which was published as an original back-up story for the second printing
'Ghouls Night Out' is a reference to a Misfits song
Etched on tombstones are the names of the members of the band [Glenn] Danzig, Jerry Only, Doyle [Wolfgang von Frankenstein] and Robo
Interior 'special announcement' first reveals the licensing agreement secured by Mirage Studios for an animated series and action figure line
A black and white preview of the action figures is the first indication of characters BeBop and Rocksteady and first mention of Krang
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Street Collector’s Edition #1
ANJ
•
1988
•
Vol. 1
8-page black and white comic book included in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Fan Club Membership Kit
Obtained by mail after sending in an order form that was included with TMNT Playmates action figures plus a $15.00 fee
Included in the TMNT branded kit was the comic book (shown in image), a sticker, a numbered membership card, an orange and white bandana, a 12-month membership to the Chaos Chronicle newsletter and a letter from the president of the marketing company that produced the kit
8-page black and white comic book included in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Fan Club Membership Kit
Obtained by mail after sending in an order form that was included with TMNT Playmates action figures plus a $15.00 fee
Included in the TMNT branded kit was the comic book (shown in image), a sticker, a numbered membership card, an orange and white bandana, a 12-month membership to the Chaos Chronicle newsletter and a letter from the president of the marketing company that produced the kit
Independent Comic Book Sampler #2
Geoff Miller
•
1988
•
Vol. 1
Early cover art by Eastman and Laird featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Limited print run of 4,000 copies
Early cover art by Eastman and Laird featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Limited print run of 4,000 copies
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #1
Archie
•
1988
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Krang
1st cameo appearance of Bebop and Rocksteady as animals, prior to being mutated
Comic book adaptation of the animated series
Debut of the Turtles' different colored masks in comic books
1st appearance of Krang
1st cameo appearance of Bebop and Rocksteady as animals, prior to being mutated
Comic book adaptation of the animated series
Debut of the Turtles' different colored masks in comic books
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6
Mirage
•
1988
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Leatherhead, a mutated alligator and enemy of the Turtles
1st appearance of Leatherhead, a mutated alligator and enemy of the Turtles
Usagi Yojimbo #10
Fantagraphics
•
1988
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Jei-san, a wolf and recurring villain of Usagi Yojimbo
Early appearance of Leonardo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
1st appearance of Jei-san, a wolf and recurring villain of Usagi Yojimbo
Early appearance of Leonardo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #1
Archie
•
1989
•
Vol. 2
Premiere issue of the first ongoing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series published by Archie
Premiere issue of the first ongoing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series published by Archie
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #8
Archie
•
1990
•
Vol. 2
1st appearance of Wingnut, a mutated alien bat
1st appearance of Screwloose, a mutated alien mosquito
1st appearance of Wingnut, a mutated alien bat
1st appearance of Screwloose, a mutated alien mosquito
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Michaelangelo Christmas Special #1
Mirage
•
1990
•
Vol. 1
One-shot of two Christmas-inspired stories with additional themed content including a double page pin-up
Retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol featuring Raphael being visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future - in the future, Raphael is a one-eyed savage living alone in a swamp
One-shot of two Christmas-inspired stories with additional themed content including a double page pin-up
Retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol featuring Raphael being visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future - in the future, Raphael is a one-eyed savage living alone in a swamp
Cowabunga Comics
Mirage
•
1991
•
Vol. 1
16-page pinup promotional comic benefiting a charity event for children
16-page pinup promotional comic benefiting a charity event for children
1st appearance of Rahzar, a mutated wolf
1st appearance of Tokka, a mutated alligator snapping turtle
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze movie adaptation
1st appearance of Rahzar, a mutated wolf
1st appearance of Tokka, a mutated alligator snapping turtle
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze movie adaptation
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #23
Archie
•
1991
•
Vol. 2
1st appearance of Slash, an alien snapping turtle
Flaming Carrot Comics #27
Aardvark-Vanaheim
•
1991
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Todd McFarlane featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Cover art by Todd McFarlane featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #53
Mirage
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
1st full appearance of Karai, Shredder's granddaughter
City At War: Part 4 of a 13-issue story arc
1st full appearance of Karai, Shredder's granddaughter
City At War: Part 4 of a 13-issue story arc
Usagi Yojimbo #1
Mirage
•
1993
•
Vol. 1
Mirage begins publishing Usagi Yojimbo (Vol.2), previously published by Fantagraphics (Vol. 1)
Guest appearances by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Mirage begins publishing Usagi Yojimbo (Vol.2), previously published by Fantagraphics (Vol. 1)
Guest appearances by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #58
Mirage
•
1993
•
Vol. 1
Death of Gabe Jones, the wife of Casey who dies during childbirth in this issue
First mention of Casey's daughter, Shadow (not biological) who he and April will later adopt
City At War: Part 9 of a 13-issue story arc
Death of Gabe Jones, the wife of Casey who dies during childbirth in this issue
First mention of Casey's daughter, Shadow (not biological) who he and April will later adopt
City At War: Part 9 of a 13-issue story arc
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #62
Mirage
•
1993
•
Vol. 1
Final issue of the first series
City At War: Part 13 of a 13-issue story arc
Final issue of the first series
City At War: Part 13 of a 13-issue story arc
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #58
Archie
•
1994
•
Vol. 2
Origin of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles colored headbands
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #62
Archie
•
1994
•
Vol. 2
Debut of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cyber Samurai suits
Complete copy includes a gatefold poster
Debut of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cyber Samurai suits
Complete copy includes a gatefold poster
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #69
Archie
•
1995
•
Vol. 2
Late print run, low circulation
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