Im a bit confused, clear things up?

[AquaParade]

This might be a stupid question but..I am so confused by the turtle comics..I was on the official ninja turtles website and was lookin at mirage comics and was baffled..All the sudden the art will change on certain issues and it seems like the comic will go in all these wacky directions and release issues that have nothing to do with the story line..such as issues #38-#41..whats with that? I was also wondering what the difference between Volumes 1,2,3,and 4 were, they have me really confused..Im just trying to pick up a good ninja turtle comic with a a deep, good rich, continuing story line. What do i do ? ? What issues do I need? thanks so much for the help!

[Taloniss]

Vol. 1 is the original Mirage Series, the one that started it all. Most of it is considered canon by Laird, and alot of the issues have been adapted in the new show.

Vol. 2 was also published by Mirage, in colour. It wasn't as good as Vol. 1 imo, but it was still quite good.

Vol. 3 was published by Image, and took the Turtles into new directions, such as Donny becomes a cyborg, and Raph getting half his face burned off. Laird has said that none of this is in-conintuity now that he's back in control of the TMNT franchise.

Vol. 4 is the current series, once again back being published by Mirage.

If you're looking for some good comics, Vol. 1 issue 1 - 25 or so, and then skipping ahead to issue 48 to 60. Those are just ballpark guesses tho, I'm too lazy to actually look up when easch storyline starts/ends, but you'll get The Shredder vs. The TMNT for the first time, Shredders return, Return to NY, and City at War.

[DrSpengler]

The strange one-shot stories like Vol 1. #32 or Vol 1. #34 were just stand alone stories meant to spotlight an artist or writer. Some were more entertaining than others, but it was meant to be fun.

The difference between volumes is pretty simple:

Volume 1: Classic Mirage TMNT. Introduced all the characters and told their story all the way through City At War.

Volume 2: Short lived, color story arc that took place after volume 1 (obviously). Featured Baxter Stockman, mostly, if I'm not mistaken.

Volume 3: Alternate reality tale told by Image. Not a part of Mirage continuity but has some interesting stories and art anyway.

Volume 4: The real continuation of volume 2. Picks up in real-time, so the TMNT aren't teenagers anymore. It's of..."arguable" quality.


And if you want some good, rich, classic TMNT story-telling then pick up the first 15 issues or so of volume 1 (along with each characters one-shot comic). All you need right there, and some of the best and more famous TMNT stories ever told.

EDIT: Beat me to it by a couple of seconds. :)

[AquaParade]

thanks a lot guys! ...stupid question : when lookin for these comics how will I know which volume they are

[Space Lieutenant Josh]

I guess the logo is always a pretty good indicator... the original volume for the most part had the square-shaped logo that said "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," Volume 2 I think says Volume 2 on the comics, and has an arching logo. Also, it's in color, and there's only 12 issues. If you see an issue numbering higher than 12, it's not Volume 2. Vol. 3 is by Image, so that's pretty obvious, and Vol. 4's title is simply TMNT in big yellow letters.

[Coola Yagami]

On top of that, Tales of TMNT volume 2 is supposed to take place between volume 2 and 4, so it's like the 'official voulme 3'.

[Mandi-chan]

Tales of TMNT vol 2 is the current one right? That explains why Splinter's still alive!

Are there any volumes/graphic novels for the TMNT comics out there?

[twopinacoladas]

Tales of TMNT vol 2 is the current one right? That explains why Splinter's still alive!

Are there any volumes/graphic novels for the TMNT comics out there?

Tales vol 2 is the current one and all the stories so far have taken place before Splinters death.

As for graphic novels try ebay there was one on there last night I belive the tales of the tmnt collecting all 7 issues of tales (the original vol 1), there are no graphic novels of vol 4 or the new tales yet. Peter Laird has mentioned he has plans of releasing graphic novels for them just has not really set a time frame yet as far as I know.

Other graphic novels are Books 1-4 the colored TMNT original issues #1-11 in those. Also there are a number of others the 'Collected Books' Vol 1-7 have almost #1-#29 the first book collects #1-#11 plus the 4 micro series one shots I saw it going for around $70 Canadian on Ebay recently... I got mine cheap like $22 CD on there. Return to NY is in Collected book vol 4 and has those 3 issues, vol 1,2 and 4 would be what I would call my essential TMNT books for graphic novels. The colored ones are also nice especially the first issue which can be found on ebay all the time and go for anywhere between $20-$50 USD on ebay you can find the first 2 often but you should be able to find them all in a auction and get a decent deal if you check often and are patient. I will not I got very good deals on mine where I have got them much cheaper then I have seen them go for.

Oh and the new Tales of the TMNT is not really between vol 2 and 4 to my understanding its just telling stories before the present... and the first issue I believe they were 12 years old in that one which would back up my claim. I could be wrong but it was one of their first explorations or what not.

[Coola Yagami]

Tales vol 2 is the current one and all the stories so far have taken place before Splinters death.

As for graphic novels try ebay there was one on there last night I belive the tales of the tmnt collecting all 7 issues of tales (the original vol 1), there are no graphic novels of vol 4 or the new tales yet. Peter Laird has mentioned he has plans of releasing graphic novels for them just has not really set a time frame yet as far as I know.

Other graphic novels are Books 1-4 the colored TMNT original issues #1-11 in those. Also there are a number of others the 'Collected Books' Vol 1-7 have almost #1-#29 the first book collects #1-#11 plus the 4 micro series one shots I saw it going for around $70 Canadian on Ebay recently... I got mine cheap like $22 CD on there. Return to NY is in Collected book vol 4 and has those 3 issues, vol 1,2 and 4 would be what I would call my essential TMNT books for graphic novels. The colored ones are also nice especially the first issue which can be found on ebay all the time and go for anywhere between $20-$50 USD on ebay you can find the first 2 often but you should be able to find them all in a auction and get a decent deal if you check often and are patient. I will not I got very good deals on mine where I have got them much cheaper then I have seen them go for.

Oh and the new Tales of the TMNT is not really between vol 2 and 4 to my understanding its just telling stories before the present... and the first issue I believe they were 12 years old in that one which would back up my claim. I could be wrong but it was one of their first explorations or what not.


Yeah, but like, one of the volume 4 issues had Leo face this Foot guy that was his rival. Tales of TMNT volume 2 shows how this rivalry thing started. I also heard one of the TAOTMNT volume 2 issues shows the first appearance of some guy that made a cameo at Splinter's funeral in volume 4.

[OA]

I guess the logo is always a pretty good indicator... the original volume for the most part had the square-shaped logo that said "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," Volume 2 I think says Volume 2 on the comics, and has an arching logo. Also, it's in color, and there's only 12 issues. If you see an issue numbering higher than 12, it's not Volume 2. Vol. 3 is by Image, so that's pretty obvious, and Vol. 4's title is simply TMNT in big yellow letters.

Not to be a stickler, but Volume 2 (the color volume) went up to 13 issues, not 12.. :)

[Space Lieutenant Josh]

Not to be a stickler, but Volume 2 (the color volume) went up to 13 issues, not 12.. :)

Ah, yeah, that's right. Been a while.

[twopinacoladas]

Yeah, but like, one of the volume 4 issues had Leo face this Foot guy that was his rival. Tales of TMNT volume 2 shows how this rivalry thing started. I also heard one of the TAOTMNT volume 2 issues shows the first appearance of some guy that made a cameo at Splinter's funeral in volume 4.

True but they are just stories not a on going story like what I would call the core of vol 1, or vol 4.... They explain some of the things that Laird has put into vol 4 knowing they are doing something with it in tales stuff of that nature. They are what the title suggests Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mainly stand alone stories some small arcs that explain things that are happining in vol 4. They can be from any time period possibly even the future I guess.... but we probably wont see anything like that its not just the time period of after vol 1 and before vol 3 as what I was trying to get across in my last post.

[raphael_is_cool]

I can't believe Laird okay-ed Worms of Madness. No way would that fit as continuity and the story just plain sucked.

[BartAllen]

I can't believe Laird okay-ed Worms of Madness. No way would that fit as continuity and the story just plain sucked.How did it suck?

[raphael_is_cool]

It follows straight on from RTNY right? Read all the involved issues in a row. The tone is completely different:

"Our destiny is complete"

"Honor is restored"

"We have... one final task..."


...."And after that shall we go watch The Simpsons?"


And The Shredder is cheapened to a flash in the pan mutant creature.

This creature decides to not kill the Turtles, oh no, that would be way too convenient...it's not been his, and now that foot mystic's, personal vendetta for ages or anything...

Oh, no...the creature wants to drain energy from Splinter of course...absorb him so he can...take over the world? I'm not too sure.

[Jaf]

Dear raphael_is_cool : it was quite clear, in that story, that the only one who considered the creature to be the Shredder was the mystic who created it. Maybe you missed the part about «gaining self-awareness». Another thing : this particular story is narrated by said mystic, so we can assume that what we are witnessing are the turtles as HE sees them. And, yeah, some turtles cool off by doing post-battles purification, some other by just sitting in front of TV.

And big bad vampire-slaying, robot-riding issue «Men of Shadow» happens right after dark and moody pessimistic and reflexive issue «Sons of the Silent Age», which are both cannon.

[raphael_is_cool]

I can't remember the exact details. I don't want to sound rude, but your whole POV story idea is silly really. And it did cheapen the cloning idea and contain a huge stupid plothole.

Men of Shadow isn't immediately before Sons of the Silent Age either. Of course days and issues will vary, but in supposed story-arcs it looks stupid.

[Jaf]

I can't remember the exact details. I don't want to sound rude, but your whole POV story idea is silly really.

Oy! Should tell Murphy, not Jaf : 'twas his idea!

And it did cheapen the cloning idea and contain a huge stupid plothole.

Well, big cheap shark-pseudo-clone that mystic created WAS a failure (guy don't know how to use it, etc. Hole???

Men of Shadow isn't immediately before Sons of the Silent Age either. Of course days and issues will vary, but in supposed story-arcs it looks stupid.

You're right! And so is Jaf! Cuz Jaf said Men of Shadow happened right AFTER Sons of the Silent Age, and, well, it does! The issue came out the next month. 'Twas Dooney's Dreams of Stone before Sons... (another big change of mood...)

No hard feelings; we all love each other's virtual self in this big Turtledom, so no need to throw sillies and stupids at poor wittle Jaf :cry:

[raphael_is_cool]

I wasn't having a go at you :)

But Worms of Madness literaly happens directly after RTNY; this is not the case with Men of Shadow and Sons of the Silent Age