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Publisher: Mirage
Writer / Artist: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Ah, this is one of my favorite reads of this year. TMNT Volume 1 is the first time in a decade or two that the first 11 issues have been collected. The single issues Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael and Fugitoid are also included.
After reading these issues it really amazes me how closely the original TMNT movie follows the comics. It truly is one of the most accurate comic book movies ever. I never understood the differences from the cartoon to the movie as a child, but now it makes a lot more sense. Such as April living above an antique shop that was left to her. Or the foot destroying said apartment and antique shop and causing the turtles to flee to Casey’s Grandma’s farm.
Also surprising was how much science fiction is contained in the series. At least half of the book our heroes in a half shell spend in space, on other planets and traveling through time (even running across other independently published Cerebus).
After realizing how big of an influence Frank Miller had on Eastman and Laird, you start seeing some similarities in their work. Especially the dark and gritty tone of the series.
TMNT holds up extremely well. It is extremely entertaining, and brings back a lot of great memories too. We can only hope Mirage continues to publish these collections as most of the issues are tough to come by. You can order this collection on Mirage’s website.
Responses to “REVIEW: TMNT Collected Book Volume One”
on September 2nd, 2009 at 3:48 pm said:
I got this collection YEARS ago before this reprint, and I love it. It’s a great piece of comics history…the book that began the “Independent Craze” of the early 80’s. Some may argue that its sudden popularity, coupled with an initial low print run, may have helped bolster the crazy collector mentality that contributed to the eventual crash of the early 90’s as well.
on September 12th, 2009 at 10:46 am said:
I grew up with the cartoon version of the Turtles, but I always enjoyed the movie more. As an adult, I have spent a lot of time searching for the original comics, knowing that is where the movie came from. Finally, I was able to pick up this volume, and I can’t put it down!
on September 22nd, 2009 at 2:07 pm said:
[...] – BigShinyRobot.com recently reviewed the Volume 1 collection of TMNT – check it out here. [...]
on January 6th, 2010 at 2:08 pm said:
This is no longer available from their website. If you want it, be prepared to pay a huge price on ebay. I waited too long, so it looks like I won’t be getting a copy.
on January 22nd, 2010 at 10:35 am said:
You can still get copies from Mirage: http://www.miragelicensing.com/paypal/colvol12009.html
I too have seem them on ebay for huge prices but I didn’t look closely, maybe they were autographed or something.
on January 27th, 2010 at 1:55 pm said:
Apparently those cunts at Mirage lied, they do not in fact have any copies left. I just received a refund. Fucking douchebags. We’ll probably have to wait another 20 years for the cum-eating sodomites to republish.
on January 27th, 2010 at 8:04 pm said:
What a bunch of fucking cunts. I actually only checked this page again today and saw both your replies at once. What are those clowns doing? What a bunch of idiots.
on February 18th, 2010 at 5:38 am said:
Seriously.
There’s obviously a demand for these books – LET US BUY THEM! I’ve been dying for 1-11, return to new york, and city at war.
on March 4th, 2010 at 1:50 pm said:
I concur. I really want this volume but its nowhere to be found. Ever hear of a 2nd printing Mirage you idiots.
on March 5th, 2010 at 10:33 am said:
Mirage sold the rights of TMNT to Nickelodeon, so they can no longer produce collections of the original comics. That’s part of the reason why the price of that volume has gone through the roof.
on March 12th, 2010 at 7:32 pm said:
I tried to order TMNT collected volume 1 from hill city comics. I actually called insread of using their website and the first bit of the conversation went like this:
me: “Hi I would like order TMNT collected volume 1″
Hillcitycomics: “yea, me too buddy”
anyways he proceeded to explain to me that apparrantly Mirage sold the right of TMNT recently to a film production company. Basically this new company has no interest in reprinting the comics apparrantly. He also told me that they cant reprint them in a TPB even if they wanted as the terms of the sale said they could only reprint single issues or something along those lines.
Don’t take all of this as fact, I cant remember exactly what the guy said as it was a long ass conversation. The important thing to know is that there are apparrant legal problems with TMNT licensing that is preventing it from being reprinted.
anyways I managed to grab a copy of the old 1990 printing for 26 bucks, it’s a bit banged up but not too bad.
I am now looking for the “Tales Of The TMNT Collected volume 1″ and it seems to be even rarer than just “TMNT collected volume 1″
Mirage are a bunch of morons, I agree with you guys completely.
on March 12th, 2010 at 8:54 pm said:
I don’t think you guys get it. Eastman and Laird had an awesome run with the Ninja Turtles, but it was no longer profitable for them. Sure NECA had some toys coming out, and they published a few collections. But the book Tales of the TMNT and TMNT were LOSING money every year. It was only published out of love for the series and for the fans.
You should be happy for them that they sold the rights and made $60,000,000 on a franchise that’s 25 years old. By selling it there is a BETTER chance that these will be collected in the future than there was before. Its pretty ridiculous to call someone a moron for making that much money on a series that was losing steam. Hell, Walmart and quite a few other stores decided to stop carrying the TMNT figures just before the sell. That alone cut any profitability the company had.
Pull your heads out, guys.
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