The Turtles BEFORE they were teenagers

[Zulithe]

The origin of the TMNT and Splinter has some variance depending on the source, but we know that they are usually depicted as being mid-to-late teens, most often cited around age 15. (With TMNT 2007 being the exception here, as it takes place later)

At the time that Splinter finds the turtles they are "babies" (source: first 1990 film, unsure about other versions), so depending on how you want to calculate it, there seems be quite a bit of time between when they mutate and when they reach about 15yo and start encountering the other characters in the TMNT universe.

What happens during this time? I guess splinter just trains and teaches them day and night for all those years? No other stories are taking place? That's a lot of time where pretty much nothing is happening.

During this time Splinter must be coming to terms with his mutation, and the fact that he suddenly has 4 intelligent humanoid turtles instead of pets to deal with. They have to figure out a place for the 5 of them to live, so effectively they have to find and build their sewer lair in a safe spot.

Maybe it's not just as simple as hiding and training the turtles all those years. Splinter could encounter all sorts of foes and problems he has to fend off. Sort of like Lone Wolf and Cub only... with 4 turtles instead of a baby boy.

Thoughts?

Also: would you ever like to see this era of the (not so) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles's history explored?

(no, this is not a fan project I'm working on or anything. Just 4am dreaming)

Note: Yes the IDW series has a unique account of the origin, with the post-mutated splinter and turtles being more like a reunited family than an all-new family that has to start from the beginning. That would be different, but also very interesting.

[Candy Kappa]

There are some "prequel" stories in the Mirage comics, 4Kids series and Archie comics.

Both Archie and 4Kids have a story how they got their bandanna/signature color, in the Archie series the toddler turtles had red masks, but. Since Splinter had trouble looking them apart he gave then individual masks.

4Kids had probably the most flashbacks about their youth.

[CyberCubed]

And the OT did two toddler Turtle stories even if they were turned back into little kids despite never being kids originally. :)

[Mr.Turtle]

i dont mind to c their history exploded. the more info. abt the turtles the better.

[pannoni1]

Check out this thread for my suggestions of a prequel to the 1987 series. However, in most incarnations, it is assumed that the Turtles/Yoshi/Splinter are just living a normal life in the sewers without much interruptions, so it is generally assumed that no battle has occurred between Splinter/Yoshi's exile from Japan in those 15 years. However, in Mirage/4kids/the movies, it is unknown when the Turtles fight their first battle against street punks, since the tone seems to establish that its part of their job to be crime fighters. There were likely some key fighting styles established in those years as the Turtles got raised, and certain conditions forced them to separate into a leader, tough guy, creator, and relaxed dude based on what Yoshi/Splinter presented them to do (though Mikey likely just found trash in the sewers and enjoyed whatever came to him).

http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showthread.php?t=36301

[Logan]

i dont mind to c their history exploded.

What are you, an arsonist or something?