Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection, Volume 1 collects issues no. 1-7 from May 1984 through May 1986 of the original comics plus the Raphael one-issue micro-series, all by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. The first issue introduces the Turtles – Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael – as well as their master, Splinter, and their enemy, the Shredder and his Foot ninjas. Eastman and Laird wrote the story as a one-off, so it features a complete narrative with the Turtles killing the Shredder. Like many of the independent and alternative comics of the 1980s, the story has an edgy tone, with a bleak portrayal of the city, elements of Japanese culture that were appearing throughout comics of the time, and plenty of attitude in characters who more closely resemble antiheroes like Wolverine rather than some of their brighter counterparts at Marvel and DC. Beginning with the second issue, Eastman and Laird introduce April, Baxter Stockman, and the Mousers. Splinter goes missing, though, so the Turtles seek refuge with April. The Raphael one-shot introduces Casey Jones, while later stories in this volume bring back the Foot, introduce the Kraang, Fugitoid, and the Triceratons. For Ninja Turtle fans, this Ultimate Collection hardcover is a great way to get the hard-to-find issues and features commentary and annotations for each issue from Eastman and Laird. ( )

Crazy science fiction actions abounds as four young mutants quickly dispose of some guy called "Shredder" before tackling crazed robots and adventures across space!

Wait. What?

I was eight just as the TMNT hit America, and lucky enough to have a really good comic store in the vicinity. It was just the right time to be into the new wave of merchandise while being able to grab reasonably priced back issues of the original black and white series.

Believe me, no one on the playground believed when I told them that the Turtles killed Shredder off in the very first issue.

I loved those weird, transgressive stories, and they are just as fun in this amazing reprint.

First of all, the book is amazing quality. It's oversized, so the crisp black and white art can be seen for all the crazy detail. There's fun annotations after every issue where the Turtles' creators breakdown the creation and influences in every issue.

And, holy crap, I can't believe I never saw the Jack Kirby.

Going back in, I assumed I was going to be bathing in Frank Miller love. After all, the whole TMNT saga started as a Daredevil quality. From the beginning, Eastman and Laird point out how the frenetic action and page layout are tributes to comic master Jack Kirby, even pointing out which sequences are influenced by which of Kirby's work. From the in media res openings to the detailed alien technology, I can finally see the Kirby.

Aliens? Oh, yeah. The boys spend more time encountering aliens and being warped across the galaxy than they do fighting ninjas, and it was wonderful. The great appeal of the Mirage Studio books is the anything-goes nature of the stories, where you can never foresee what's coming up next.

And yet it works. Despite that fact that issue #1 was writing by two guys who never believed there'd be an issue #2, the eight issues reprinted here create a full, satisfying storyline that wraps itself up in the end.

These early TMNT days are fun comics, a bolt of creativity from two guys who loved what they did and couldn't believe that they were making money off of it. It takes two or three issues for the different personalities of the turtles to come out, probably because Eastman and Laird suddenly realized they could keep making issues and said, "Holy crap, we need to differentiate these guys!" I didn't care. It was fun from the beginning, and great once they hit their stride. I can sit and stare at some of the art for minutes on end, and the joy of creation is transparent in every annotation.

This is what fun comics should be. Now I have to find an uncut reprint of Tales of the TMNT . . .

PS. The wraparound cover of TMNT #7 is one of the greatest comic covers of all time. Come at me. ( )

Like most people my age elementary school was all about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and I was very sure that I wanted to grow up to be April who was super tough and smart, so when I saw this in the library I was very excited to say the least. This volume covers a massive over arching story line that gives the entire origin story of Splinter and the Turtles from start to finish, introduces the guys to April and Casey and several familiar villains. It also includes in depth notes from on of the creators on the collaboration process, story line inspiration and development, art development and almost personal anecdotes.

This is not the Ninja Turtles we grew up with. It is much grittier and darker both in it's black and white art style that showcases a seedier side of NYC and it's more serious and at times more grown up storyline. Bad guys die, characters are more violent, teenage turtles drink beer and use not very nice language and all the characters are a little bit more tempestuous. That being said it's very easy to see the roots of the television show we all grew up with (I'd also like to note that I wish the developers of the cartoon had chosen to keep April a scientist. I think that would have been very inspirational to many little girls.)

I thought the writers did a great job tying everything into this huge origin story that went out of its way to explain everything from where the ooze came from, their battles with Shredder and the foot and to include a trip across the universe. The creators notes added a lot to the story from funny asides about inspiration, pointing out things about the artwork that I may not have noticed otherwise and showing how this comic grew. I thought these notes added a lot to the reading experience and the story itself sometimes; that being said I appreciate how easy they are to skip over if the reader isn't in the mood. The notes are situated between issues, include page numbers and when something from a particular panel or spread is especially high-lighted they include a small diagram. This is much less intrusive then putting notes on each page for those who aren't interested and doesn't force people to keep flipping back and forth. I'm really glad that there are at least 2 more volumes to look forward to and that I already have one of them at home. ( )

Like most people my age elementary school was all about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and I was very sure that I wanted to grow up to be April who was super tough and smart, so when I saw this in the library I was very excited to say the least. This volume covers a massive over arching story line that gives the entire origin story of Splinter and the Turtles from start to finish, introduces the guys to April and Casey and several familiar villains. It also includes in depth notes from on of the creators on the collaboration process, story line inspiration and development, art development and almost personal anecdotes.

This is not the Ninja Turtles we grew up with. It is much grittier and darker both in it's black and white art style that showcases a seedier side of NYC and it's more serious and at times more grown up storyline. Bad guys die, characters are more violent, teenage turtles drink beer and use not very nice language and all the characters are a little bit more tempestuous. That being said it's very easy to see the roots of the television show we all grew up with (I'd also like to note that I wish the developers of the cartoon had chosen to keep April a scientist. I think that would have been very inspirational to many little girls.)

I thought the writers did a great job tying everything into this huge origin story that went out of its way to explain everything from where the ooze came from, their battles with Shredder and the foot and to include a trip across the universe. The creators notes added a lot to the story from funny asides about inspiration, pointing out things about the artwork that I may not have noticed otherwise and showing how this comic grew. I thought these notes added a lot to the reading experience and the story itself sometimes; that being said I appreciate how easy they are to skip over if the reader isn't in the mood. The notes are situated between issues, include page numbers and when something from a particular panel or spread is especially high-lighted they include a small diagram. This is much less intrusive then putting notes on each page for those who aren't interested and doesn't force people to keep flipping back and forth. I'm really glad that there are at least 2 more volumes to look forward to and that I already have one of them at home. ( )

Like most people my age elementary school was all about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and I was very sure that I wanted to grow up to be April who was super tough and smart, so when I saw this in the library I was very excited to say the least. This volume covers a massive over arching story line that gives the entire origin story of Splinter and the Turtles from start to finish, introduces the guys to April and Casey and several familiar villains. It also includes in depth notes from on of the creators on the collaboration process, story line inspiration and development, art development and almost personal anecdotes.

This is not the Ninja Turtles we grew up with. It is much grittier and darker both in it's black and white art style that showcases a seedier side of NYC and it's more serious and at times more grown up storyline. Bad guys die, characters are more violent, teenage turtles drink beer and use not very nice language and all the characters are a little bit more tempestuous. That being said it's very easy to see the roots of the television show we all grew up with (I'd also like to note that I wish the developers of the cartoon had chosen to keep April a scientist. I think that would have been very inspirational to many little girls.)

I thought the writers did a great job tying everything into this huge origin story that went out of its way to explain everything from where the ooze came from, their battles with Shredder and the foot and to include a trip across the universe. The creators notes added a lot to the story from funny asides about inspiration, pointing out things about the artwork that I may not have noticed otherwise and showing how this comic grew. I thought these notes added a lot to the reading experience and the story itself sometimes; that being said I appreciate how easy they are to skip over if the reader isn't in the mood. The notes are situated between issues, include page numbers and when something from a particular panel or spread is especially high-lighted they include a small diagram. This is much less intrusive then putting notes on each page for those who aren't interested and doesn't force people to keep flipping back and forth. I'm really glad that there are at least 2 more volumes to look forward to and that I already have one of them at home. ( )