Let’s check out everything Turtles! From the concept that started it all, to the new female tortoise, Jennika.
2 successful reboot movies and the announcement of a third movie planned. The Turtles are experiencing new life especially with demand for their 1984 Magazine style comics.
The history of the TMNTs is an odd one. They were created as a parody but quickly took on a life of their own. Since the first editions from 1984 were printed in limited quantity- these over-sized comics have become some of the most valuable of their time. Even early later printings are in demand.
New cartoons are still being created to this day- guaranteeing the current generation will follow the last 3 decades on children to grow up turtle fans!
With the 3000 printed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 Magazine-Size first print continuing to climb in value- 2nd and 3rd printings are following with record sales.
In June 2019 IDW produced a 35th Anniversary Boxed Set that included an original size full reprint of the #1 1984 2nd Printing.
Here is a look at some key character first appearances
1st Series
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 1984 – First of all 4 Turtles – Splinter and Shredder. Original of Turtles and Splinter.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 1984 – April ONeil – Scientist Baxter Stockman and his robot Mousers.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 1985 – Ultroms (alien android)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 1985 – Fugitoid – Triceratons.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #8 1986 – Time Traveler.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13 1988 – Castaway from Space.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #15 1988 – Dr. Dome
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #16 1988 – Time Travler.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #22 1989 – Turtle Robots.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #23 1989 – Superheroes Gnatrat and Supperman – and a mutated rat named The Fannywhacker
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #24 1989 – Mutated Humanoid Leech Bloodsucker.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #27 1989 – Complete Carnage
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #28 1990 – Merpeople .
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #44 1992 – Female martial-artist.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #45 1992 – Leatherhead (Humanoid Alligator)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #46 1992 – Renet (time-traveler)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #47 1992 – Chote (mutated dinosaur warrior)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #56 1993 – Karai (female Japanese assassin)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #58 1993 – Rat King
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #59 1993 – The Elite.
2nd Series
3rd Series
4th Series
5th Series
Now let’s take a look at some ghostly books including variants
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 1987 (1st series) 2nd Print Error with wrong cover art.
- Teenage Mutant ninja Turtles #29 2008 (2004 Mirage Series) – Limited Edition of 1000 copies.
- Teenage Mutant ninja Turtles #30 2009 (2004 Mirage Series) – Limited Edition of 1000 copies. The ever illusive Hammerhead Shark issue!
- Teenage Mutant ninja Turtles #31 2014 (2004 Mirage Series) – Limited Edition of 1000 copies – A final issue that took 5 years from the previous issue to be released!