TMNT Reprints - Confused About Where to Start? Read Here

The forums getting wiped has given me, hopefully, the chance to give this a bit more visibility. I'm a longtime fan of the Mirage [I]Ninja Turtles[/I] series, and have been grateful to finally see it become accessible to new fans by way of IDW's reprint lines.

However, they can be a little confusing. It'd be great to get a sticky on this, or otherwise have it merged into a Ninja Turtles discussion thread as the moderators see fit.

For the uninitiated, here's a primer to Mirage's TMNT volumes, and where to read the reprints. If you're brand new to the whole thing, you might want to read through the first section to familiarize yourself with the content. If you're already familiar with it and just want to know which reprint lines to follow, skip to the second section.

Finally, here are two other excellent resources to help you navigate: [URL="http://www.miragelicensing.com/html/comics.html"]the official Mirage website[/URL], and the outstanding [URL="http://tmntentity.blogspot.com/"]TMNT Entity blog[/URL], which has summaries, timelines and reviews for almost every issue (even if I don't always agree with them).

---------- [B][I]Mirage TMNT[/I][/B] ------------------------

This is the original comic book series, which began as a low-run black-and-white indie book by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, and ran with some hiatuses in-house at Mirage Studios until the IP's purchase by Nickelodeon.

1. [B][I]Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles[/I] (1984-1993) Vol. 1 - 62 issues, four "micro-series" issues and various specials[/B]

This is the original black-and-white volume of the TMNT, ending in 1993 for a switch to a full-color "Volume 2" series, also published by Mirage. It contains a main narrative plotted, and occasionally written and drawn by, Eastman and Laird and other Mirage staff, as well as a string of guest issues with varying levels of continuity.

The Eastman-and-Laird-plotted issues are collected in the five[URL="http://www.amazon.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Collection/dp/1613775539/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395972142&sr=1-1&keywords=tmnt+ultimate+collection"] "Ultimate Collection" books[/URL], and in colorized form in the three [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Works/dp/161377625X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395972165&sr=1-1&keywords=tmnt+the+works"]"The Works" books[/URL]. Guest issues are collected in [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Classics/dp/1613772343/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395972197&sr=1-1&keywords=tmnt+classics"]the first seven volumes of the "Classics" line[/URL].

[B]2. [I]Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles[/I] Vol. 1 (1987-1989) - Seven issues[/B]

The first volume of [I]Tales[/I] is a series of one-shot issues Mirage published accompanying the original volume of the main series. It introduces several major characters.

The original [I]Tales of the TMNT[/I] issues are reprinted in colorized form in [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles/dp/1613774168/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395972431&sr=1-1&keywords=tales+of+the+tmnt"]books one and two of the Tales of the TMNT line[/URL].

3. [B]Volume 2 (1993-1995) - 13 issues[/B]

Mirage published thirteen color issues picking up right from the end of volume 1 before passing publishing rights to Image comics for a portion of the '90s (due to flooding and other financial issues).

Volume 2 is collected in [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Classics/dp/1613779615/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395972318&sr=1-1&keywords=teenage+mutant+ninja+turtles+classics+volume+8"]books eight and beyond of the "Classics" line[/URL].

4. [B]Volume 3 (1996-1999) - 23 issues[/B]

Later removed from continuity when Laird began publishing the series again in 2001, Volume 3 was published by Image Comics and covers the continued adventures of the Mirage Turtles. It's very '90s, if anyone's familiar with what that meant for comics at the time, but still absolutely worth a look. You may see fans refer to issues "24 and 25," which were written, drawn and published by fans with the input of several of the original creators, and which aimed to give the series an ending compatible with later Mirage stories.

IDW has not yet collected Volume 3.

5. [I][B]Volume 4[/B] (2001-2009) - 31 issues[/I]

When Laird began publishing the series again in 2001 (Eastman having earlier sold his share), he did so in the form of Volume 4, a black-and-white, tightly serialized story that sees the Turtles aged real-time from their last appearance, and introduces several major changes to the Mirage universe. It went into an indefinite hiatus without receiving endings to its ongoing plots (though the ultimate endings of the Mirage universe characters are covered more or less in the second [I]Tales[/I] volume), but Laird retains the right to print a certain number of issues each year despite Viacom owning the property. He's recently announced intent to release #32, and we may yet see the volume finished depending on his interest.

IDW has not yet collected Volume 4.

6. [I][B]Tales of the TMNT[/B] Vol. 2 (2002-2010) - 70 issues[/I]

This second volume of [I]Tales[/I] is an anthology series with stories set all over the Turtles' timeline, from their childhood to the far-flung future. There are some real gems here. Required reading if you want to move beyond the self-contained story of Volume 1.

[I]Tales of the TMNT[/I] Vol. 2 is reprinted in colorized form in [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles/dp/1613777620/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395972503&sr=1-3&keywords=tales+of+the+tmnt"]books three and beyond of IDW's [I]Tales of the TMNT[/I] line[/URL].

---------- [B]How is this reprinted? Where do I start?[/B] ------------------------

Yeah, good question. IDW's releasing everything again across several great reprint lines, but it can be a little confusing. Hopefully this helps.

[URL="http://www.amazon.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Collection/dp/1613775539/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395970715&sr=8-1&keywords=tmnt+ultimate+collection"][B]TMNT "Ultimate Collections" Volumes 1-5[/B][/URL]
IDW's "Ultimate Collection" hardcovers collect all the material from Vol. 1 plotted by Eastman and Laird. This includes the micro-series. Together, they form one narrative that makes up the main plot of Volume 1. It can be read on its own. They can set you back a bit of money, so if you're dabbling, I actually recommend starting on Volumes 4 and 5. They do build on previous material, but they're absolute standouts and can be read as their own as a better indication of the series' later tone (the one that will carry through Volume 2, Volume 4, and the second [I]Tales[/I] series).

[B][COLOR="Red"]If you're looking to get into Mirage, start here.[/COLOR][/B]

[URL="http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Teenage-Mutant-Turtles-Volume/dp/1613774168/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395970872&sr=8-1&keywords=tales+of+the+tmnt"][B]IDW's Tales of the TMNT[/B][/URL]

This single line of reprints collects colorized versions of both the original [I]Tales[/I] series and the post-2002 volume. The original series runs through books one and two, with three and beyond collecting the second volume. Both are worth reading, and if you're looking for the next-most-important issues, story-wise, these are them.

[URL="http://www.amazon.com/Teenage-Mutant-Turtles-Classics-Volume/dp/1613772343/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1395970993&sr=8-4&keywords=tmnt+classics"][B]IDW's TMNT "Classics" Line[/B][/URL]

This somewhat confusingly named line collects both the non-Eastman and Laird issues of Volume 1 (books one-seven) and, [B]from Volume 8 onward[/B], Volume 2 of the original Mirage series. The first seven volumes are a mix of quality and story importance, so you may want to ask for individual reviews. From volume eight onward, this is where the main story picks up after you've finished the "Ultimate Collections."

[URL="http://www.amazon.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Volume/dp/161377625X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395971110&sr=8-1&keywords=tmnt+the+works"][B]TMNT "The Works"[/B][/URL]

This hardcover line collects colorized versions of the same issues as the corresponding "Ultimate Collections." The coloring job is, for the most part, pretty nice, and it could be a toss-up between these and the Ultimate Collections depending on your preference. The main difference between the two is that these volumes don't contain creator commentary from Eastman and Laird, and IDW has indicated they may end on issue #21 (book three).

---------- [B][I]TMNT Adventures[/I][/B] ------------------------

[I]TMNT Adventures[/I] is the comic many fans of the cartoon may have been familiar with as kids in the '90s. Published by Archie comics, this series is loosely based on the 1987 cartoon, though it quickly goes in its own radically different direction and is more tightly serialized. Written and drawn by several Mirage staffers, the series still has a fairly large following among fans.

IDW is rereleasing the [I]Adventures[/I] series in its own line of reprints, and while it has nowhere near the convoluted publishing history Mirage does, it's still worth noting here:

[B][URL="http://www.amazon.com/Teenage-Mutant-Turtles-Spectacular-Half-Shell/dp/B007XYGOHY"]The TMNT 100-Page Spectacular[/URL][/B]

Reprints the original three-issue mini-series published by Archie, which is a direct adaptation of the first season of the cartoon. Technically, the [I]Adventures[/I] series begins here, though it probably isn't required reading for anyone with a passing familiarity with the cartoon. Also, be warned: This release isn't an actual paperback. It's staple-bound like a regular comic, though with fairly sturdy paper (you can put it on a shelf just fine).

[URL="http://www.amazon.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Adventures/dp/1613772890/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395971591&sr=1-1&keywords=tmnt+adventures"][B]TMNT Adventures Vol. 1- [/B][/URL]

This line collects the main seventy-some issues of the [I]TMNT Adventures[/I] series, plus essential tie-ins, at a rate of four-five issues per volume. The first book contains more cartoon adaptations, while books two and beyond contain storylines completely original to the Archie series.

Finally, a couple of suggestions to start things off:

If you're dabbling and just want to check out some highlights without committing to the entire run of the "Classics" or "Tales" lines, here are some standout volumes. Because much of the Mirage series used an anthology format, recommendations are really focused around individual issues and which volumes contain them.

Obviously the "Ultimate Collections" (particularly Volumes 4 and 5) are worth reading, but also:


[IMG]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61Ay6wt65KL.jpg[/IMG]
[B]Tales of the TMNT Vol. 1[/B]

Why's it worth reading? In addition to introducing several key characters, I can recommend this one for [I]Tales[/I] #4 alone, "I, Monster." It's a somber, funny, horror-tinged tale that introduces the character of the Rat King, and is overall a standout tale for early Mirage.

[IMG]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61yX0WjnNLL.jpg[/IMG]
[B]TMNT Classics Vol. 3[/B]

You can't go wrong with this one. It contains two of the best stories of Mirage's guest artist era in "Dreams of Stone" and "Sons of the Silent Age," the latter of which I think most fans agree is one of the best Turtles stories ever printed.

[B]TMNT Classics Vol. 4[/B]

Why do you want this? Two words: "The Ring." A prelude story from a Mirage anthology book and [I]TMNT[/I] #37 make up one of the better, more surreal entries from the guest artist era.

[B]TMNT Classics Vol. 7[/B]

It doesn't have the emotional standouts the volumes above do, and the entire first [I]Tales[/I] series is required reading for these sequel stories, but it's easy to recommend for "Leatherhead, Too" alone. "Masks" is really fun as well.

[B]Tales of the TMNT Vol. 4[/B]

It's not out yet (currently available for pre-order) but this contains two of my very favorite issues in the form of "Blind Faith" and "Scars." Don't ask! Just buy it.

[IMG]http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/9781631400223_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG[/IMG]
[B]Tales of the TMNT Vol. 5[/B]

What's good here? Everything's serviceable, but the standout is #9, "The Path," in which Michelangelo is faced with the loss of his pet. Most of the best [I]Tales[/I] stories are downers. Sorry.

-----------------------------------------------

Other recommended material:

One of the best arcs from Volume 1 hasn't been collected by IDW yet, though you may somehow still be able to find [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Collected/dp/097870293X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396032692&sr=8-1&keywords=tmnt+soul%27s+winter"]a copy of the collection Mirage did a few years back[/URL] that won't set you back an arm and a leg: "Soul's Winter." It's an out-of-continuity tale by Michael Zulli that's a standout for the entire series. If IDW ever puts out another version, snap it up right away.

Finally, for those curious about the "ending" of the Mirage universe, there are a handful of issues, mostly scattered throughout the second [I]Tales[/I] series, that focus on the Turtles' future. For easy reference, here's all the material:

Donatello story "Old Times" in Mirage's [I]Plastron Cafe[/I] #1 (not collected), Raphael story "Choices" in Mirage's [I]Puma Blues[/I] #20 (not collected), original pages from Mirage's 2007 [I]Tales[/I] collection (out of print), [I]Tales[/I] Vol. 2 #13-14, #40, #41, #45 (sorta), #55, #69.

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That's it. Happy reading! I'd love to see some other suggestions posted below, along with any questions.

This is truly helpful, thanks!

No mention of the Dreamwave series?

You forgot to list recommendations on how sum1 is supposed to pay for all this.

[QUOTE=gearsofcrabs;11166]No mention of the Dreamwave series?[/QUOTE]
I only covered the Mirage and Archie comics here because they're the only ones with reprints from IDW.

The Dreamwave series is also much less convoluted, running a full seven issues. They're all available on Comixology or in the form of two out-of-print trades Dreamwave released before it went under.

[QUOTE=Spider-Man]You forgot to list recommendations on how sum1 is supposed to pay for all this.[/QUOTE]
With money, I suppose. I'm right there with you on wishing IDW would release some cheaper trade-paperbacks of stand-alone Mirage arcs, or themed collections though. It'd be a great way to get new fans.

If you're on the fence about trying the Mirage series, I'd actually recommend starting on the "Ultimate Collections" Vol. 4 and 5. The writing there is leaps better than earlier issues, and it's where it transforms into a sort of somber, emotional indie comic, rather than the tongue-in-cheek action many earlier issues contain. They do build a bit from past events, and the main storyline makes a nice thematic circle when read as a whole, but those issues were my first exposure and still something I consider standout comic-book reading.

[QUOTE=Vincinte [NFN]]This is truly helpful, thanks![/QUOTE]
Glad you think so. Thanks!