TMNT VOL 3 (Image Comics)

[SS_Turtle]

I know that the TMNT Image comics drastically changed the Turtles universe / story line. My question is are they even worth trying to find / worth reading?

Pros / cons of the series etc?

[ToTheNines]

They're great. The first arc is pretty clunky, and I know the whole thing sounds a bit much, but if you actually read it all yourself you'll find that it fit's in the Mirage Universe quite nicely.

Worth it though? I dunno... they're very rare at this point so you might wanna wait until IDW reprints them.

[CyberCubed]

It seems like we get a thread about Image every few months. Yes they're worth reading and they're a direct continuation after Volume 1 and 2.

They didn't really "drastically change" the Mirage universe, the Turtles suffer through injuries that they eventually overcome and deals with the aftermath of the Foot fallout after City at War, the continuation of Shadow's storyline and her family being gangsters, and some Triceraton transport to Earth.

The series concludes in #24-25 with Lady Shredder and Pimiko (Shredder's daughter) stories coming to an end with the Foot Clan once again having a truce with the Turtles.

[DrSpengler]

Yes, I would highly recommend them.

The opening story arc with Lord Komodo is pretty bad, but it's only the first 5 issues and things immediately pick up. The only other rotten arc in the series is the Deathwatch nonsense, but again, that's only a few issues and there are other threads going on simultaneously that takes the edge off.

While the various changes to the characters felt rather sudden and excessively "90s", don't be fooled into thinking they were strictly superficial. There is more character development and evolution in Vol. 3 than nearly any Mirage volume.

Mikey and Raph are really the stars of the series, for me, and they both grow and change in very different ways that dig into some obscure or wasted parts of their character. In Raph's case, in particular, he works through his anger issues and finds a positive means of venting them rather than Mirage's tried and true method of "learning a lesson about his rage and then reverting immediately back to type like it never happened".

There's a LOT of character growth in the series if you can look beyond the stupid stuff ont he surface, like Don being a cyborg or the slew of Image cameos.


Sadly, the issues can be hard to find/expensive, but they're well worth the trouble if you give it a chance beyond the rocky start.

[The Fifth Turtle]

I for one loved this volume. Admittedly I was a bit hesitant, and literally judged a book by its cover (in this case a comic book). I guess all the changes I could infer from the cover art made me a bit weary. However, I gave it a fair shot and loved the entire vol. With Andrew’s ending it really made the Image comics some of my favorites to read. Go track em down dude!

[CyberCubed]

I imagine it won't be that long for Image to be collected by IDW. Maybe in another 2 years from now, if you're willing to wait?

Most of Volume 1 will be breezed through since the Ultimate collections and Classics are coming out at the same time. And Volume 2 is only 13 issues...so it shouldn't take that long to get to Image.

I just hope #24 and 25 are somehow reprinted officially.

[The Fifth Turtle]

I just hope #24 and 25 are somehow reprinted officially.

How cool would that be???

[CyberCubed]

I would hope Andrew, Kevin Eastman, etc. try another shot at it when the Image collections come.

[Drose18]

They're great. The first arc is pretty clunky, and I know the whole thing sounds a bit much, but if you actually read it all yourself you'll find that it fit's in the Mirage Universe quite nicely.

Worth it though? I dunno... they're very rare at this point so you might wanna wait until IDW reprints them.

My local shop just gave me Vol. 3 No. 1! The art in it is very confusing.

[Dirty Blond]

The series concludes in #24-25

Thanks to a fellow Dromer!

[Matches Malone]

I actually thought Volume 3 was just okay when it first came out, but after a second read through, it has become my 2nd favorite run of turtles, outside of Volume 1. This is likely because the tone fits closest to Volume 1 than any other run, in my opinion. It's got plenty of gritty action, but also throws in some nice humor to balance things out. It's not exactly the same kind of humor as Vol. 1, but like I said, the similarity is in tone. Some of the story lines or major changes I didn't care for too much, but I definitely appreciated what they were going for most of the time. Another one of the major draws for me is Frank Fosco's artwork, which is very much reminiscent of A.C. Farley. It comes off a little too sketchy at first, but he quickly adapts to the black & white style, and it features now some of my favorite artwork. It really is a shame it ended at #23! Or #25, depending on who you ask! I would have loved to see this series go on much longer. IDW has that reputation of bringing the fans what they want, and there's nothing I'd like more than an official continuation of Vol. 3 with the original team! Aside from Eastman & Laird, naturally.

[SS_Turtle]

Thanks for all your replies, I just got a lead on the full set and will know tomorrow if the comic book store has them.
Now I can't wait to read them based on most of the comments.

[Master Splinter]

Thanks for all your replies, I just got a lead on the full set and will know tomorrow if the comic book store has them.
Now I can't wait to read them based on most of the comments.

Yes you will be very much in for a treat. It is a wild ride and a very full filling read when you include #24/25. #24 is available online for free download. Not sure when #25 will hit the net but I can imagine it will be far sooner than an IDW reprint.

-ms

[azrael]

When I started on TMNT, I just wanted the Mirage runs. Then I tried some volume 3 and feel in love with it. I am so glad and thankful I have them all.

If you dont like the image run and looking to get rid of the whole set LMK. I will buy them from you.

[SS_Turtle]

Well my lead had already sold there full set, they were asking $125 not sure if that's the going rate or not....
If anyone know anyone selling a full set of VOL 3 let me know.

[azrael]

Well my lead had already sold there full set, they were asking $125 not sure if that's the going rate or not....
If anyone know anyone selling a full set of VOL 3 let me know.

I know I spent way less than that but that was through A LOT of searching.

[SS_Turtle]

I saw some sold for $85 on older posts at misc forums.
I've got a few comic cons coming up so I'm going to see what I can track down.

[Powder]

Single issues?! For $85?! Somebody got screwed HARD.

[Jester]

Indeed. I think when I picked up issue 1 it was about $3. I can't remember. I just know that now the only TMNT #1 issue I need, aside from the 2 volumes of Tales is volume 1, and I will get one some day.

[SS_Turtle]

Single issues?! For $85?! Somebody got screwed HARD.

No $85 for the full set.

[Logan]

I love vol. 3. The art, storyline, characters, everything. It was an interesting direction to take the comics and was better than anything Peter Laird did with vol. 4.

[azrael]

So you prefer action over story?

[Logan]

So you prefer action over story?

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

The two aren't mutually exclusive to each other.

[DK2]

Overall this was a good series. I too didn't buy it back then but I did buy them just around before it was stopped. I intended to subscribe to it at my local comic store when it started but just couldn't afford to add it. And I hated Image Comics at the time as Youngblood just left a sour taste in my mouth and I really never wanted to touch another Image title again. If there was any exception to that ruling on my part, TMNT Vol. 3 from Image would've certainly been the exception! Back issue hunting was OK somewhat locally and then getting the gaps from Mirage made it easy, Mirage don't even have them at all anymore. Look how that eventually sold out from them. That tells you us fans really have grown to like and accept the Vol. 3 Image TMNT comic. It was a fun read and really better than Vol. 2 series by a mile, since up to that point there was no Vol. 4. Its a shame Vol. 4 neglects it or should I say walks over or past it?

[azrael]

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

The two aren't mutually exclusive to each other.

Vol 3 is more action than story

vol 4 is more story than action

[cartoonistaaron]

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[SS_Turtle]

Allow me to be the (apparently) lone voice of dissent: I thought the Image volume was terrible. I thought the art looked rushed and sloppy and I didn't care for the writing. I picked up several issues and I gave up probably halfway into it.

But to be honest - I loved the original Eastman and Laird run of TMNT, I loved all the guest artists issues, and I liked some of the City At War stuff. I loved the original run of Tales. But that's it. Everything from the end of Volume 1 on I could take or leave. So that's where my critique is coming from.

Aaron if by chance you still have your Image TMNT comics I'd be willing to buy them, just let me know!