Getting started with the comic books

[Maverick]

Supz.

I was a never a hardcore fan of TMNT, but back when I was a kid I loved to watch the old cartoon and play the classic TMNT Hyperstone Geist on my Mega Drive. Many years later, I now stumbled into the cartoon again on TV, and got into it again. Now, out of whim and nostalgia I got the urge to start reading the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle comics. I never read one, and know little about it. I know that they were recently bought by IDW and the series got a reboot, and I have feedback that the new series are actually quite good and I should start with them. However, I'm not sure if I should instead start by reading the very first original issues, by acquiring the Ultimate Collection books instead. I should quote a feedback from a buyer that posted on Amazon, citing that "every single comic page in this book is pixelated or fuzzy. So there isn't really advantage of the big luxurious format. Material is ecxactly same as what Mirage used in their regular-sized paperback in 2009, just recycled and packaged. Especially issues 2,3 and Raphael one-shot are really horrible. Double-page spreads are little messed up too because art flows into spine and reader cant see every piece of artwork and dialogue as it should be seen (this will be corrected in second printing)." However, it's probably the most economic and efficient way to read the classic series. I'm also aware that some episodes are skipped because Laird and Eastman didn't work on them.

So, what would you recommend to a newcomer - start with the classics, or with the fresh reboot?

[thelouisguy]

I have always been a mark for the original Mirage comics, but I have to say, the folks at IDW are doing one hell of a job with this new series.

I would suggest your get up to date and follow the new series. If you liked the Fred Wolf cartoons, you will feel right at home with the latest issues since they are making a lot more references to that Turtles universe than the Mirage universe.

Once you are caught up and if you still want more, then definitely get the 5 Ultimate Collection books IDW is releasing. They collect the essential issues and are the best stories (IMO) since most of the guest issues were all one-shots.

Welcome to the world of TMNT comics and enjoy!

[dkram230]

I LOVE the original Volume 1 Mirage TMNT. But mostly only the Eastman/Laird stuff. They worked on the books together through issue 11 and at least one of them was active on the books through issues 21. Then controlling the TMNT empire got to be too much so they had guest writers take over until returning as a team full time at issue 48 leading up to and through the City at War storyline (which ended the series at 62). Some of the writers/artists between 21 and 48 were enjoyable like Michael Dooney, Eric Talbot, and Jim Lawson who continued to carry the series through the proceeding volumes. But personally I never cared for the rest.

If you are reading Volume 1, I would recommend at least 1-11, 19-21, and 48-62. Then read Jim Lawson's Volume 2 (Mirage Color) 1-13. I enjoyed Volume 3 which was put out by Image, but when Peter Laird came back with Jim Lawson to make Volume 4 and bring it back to Mirage in 2001, he dismissed the storylines from Volume 3 and said it was not part of HIS turtles universe (which encompassed Vol 1, 2, and 4). All of 4 is very enjoyable and I am trying to finish out my collection of 6 missing issues.

I have not read any of the new IDW series but hear it is fantastic and am excited that Eastman is working on it. I am at a loss of where to start though because I am a completist collector and there are like a million different covers for the early issues! :teek:

[frank_one]

I was thinking about buying the Ultimate collection vol.1 but was stopped by that same negative feedback on Amazon. Could someone who bought the book give us some more feedbacks? Is the quality really so low in the first volume? What about the other ones?

[BentonGrey]

Wow, tough question. The original books are inarguably classics. They are really great, and they are very interesting products of their times. Since you're coming out of the Fred Wolf series, like me and a lot of other folks, you will indeed feel right at home in the new series, which is also excellent.

Honestly, the new series is one of the best books being written today, so I certainly encourage you to start picking it up. On the other hand, you should DEFINITELY go back and read the originals eventually. However, I don't think it's really necessary you start with them. They will also feel familiar if you've watched the original movies, but they are something unto themselves.

I myself started with the Archie series when I was a kid, read the originals when I was in college, and started the new series in grad school. Getting a monthly comic series is a lot of fun, so I'd recommend getting caught up before you get further behind, as you can always go back and read the originals.

[FoxZerro]

The original Mirage books are some of the best things out there though in my opinion and I would love to say start there, but I know the tonal differences can be a bit overwhelming to newcomers.

Since it seems like you've never read a TMNT comic before I would recommend the IDW series. It will be an easy transition from the OT to the IDW book and then if you find that you enjoy reading the Turtles then I would say take the plunge and go with the Ultimate Collections.

Its basically the route my sister took she tried reading some of my Volume One Mirage stuff and found it couldn't hold her interest. Then when I suggested she borrow the TPB of the first four IDW issues she loved it and then was able to better get into the original Mirage stuff.

[natecm]

Ultimate Collection Volume 1's pretty awesome. It's got the comics along with notes from Eastman and Laird (MOSTLY Eastman) talking about different issues that were going on at the time/art influences/etc...

It's crazy to see how much plot they packed into each issue. Really enjoyable reads.



I love the new series as well. If you start there, you would be perfectly happy.

[BentonGrey]

Yeah, there's really no WRONG way to do this. They're both great.

[Maverick]

I was already leaned towards the IDW comics, just wanted some advice from the experienced people. Should be easier to follow since it's new, and it's cheaper to buy an IDW issue than an Ultimate Collection one. Ty for the tips, will now order my first TMNT comic book :tgrin:

[dkram230]

I was already leaned towards the IDW comics, just wanted some advice from the experienced people. Should be easier to follow since it's new, and it's cheaper to buy an IDW issue than an Ultimate Collection one. Ty for the tips, will now order my first TMNT comic book :tgrin:

Many comic book stores still have back issues in stock of the IDW series going back to 5 or 6, if not even earlier. #1 is a little more hard to come by and will probably need to be ordered or bought at a premium. But for some of the more recent issues within the past 6-7 months you may be able to save on shipping and pay cover price at a comic shop.

[Matches Malone]

Regarding the quality of the Ultimate Collections, it really is up to personal preference with how much you want to nitpick. I personally think some of the detractors are exaggerating their point a bit. It's true that the scans are a little pixelated, but I honestly only noticed them when I was looking for it. Beyond that, the Ultimate Collection has much nicer paper, and the new annotations you can't find anywhere else. Peter Laird was asked on his site what he thinks of them, and stated that they are one of the nicest presentations of the TMNT comics, and we all know how much of a nitpicker he is! And as for the binding, it's also true that a little gets cut off from time to time ("It's the Fot!" comes to mind), but that's cut off in the original issue I have too. These days, everything is scanned digitally, so you'll even notice some pixelation in the IDW comics and trades If you're looking for it. My advice is to just be happy with whichever you go with, because both are high quality books that it's not worth ruining it for yourself over a few minor details.

Plus, Mirage is better than IDW, in my opinion, but I agree with some here that it may be an easier transition from the OT to IDW.

[Maverick]

Just to make sure (can't find much information, and it's a bit confusing), this is the #1 issue of the IDW series (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Change-is-Constant-1-Kevin-Eastman/9781613771396), right? Don't want to make a mistake.

[dkram230]

Just to make sure (can't find much information, and it's a bit confusing), this is the #1 issue of the IDW series (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Change-is-Constant-1-Kevin-Eastman/9781613771396), right? Don't want to make a mistake.

That is the first trade paperback volume. So it encompasses the first 4 IDW TMNT comics I believe.

[thelouisguy]

That is the first trade paperback volume. So it encompasses the first 4 IDW TMNT comics I believe.
Yes, that is the first trade, collecting issues 1, 2, 3, and 4. There have been 3 trades released so far with a 4th and 5th being released in the next few months.

Change is Constant: 1, 2, 3, 4 [BookDepository (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Change-is-Constant-1-Kevin-Eastman/9781613771396)] [Amazon (http://www.amazon.ca/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Volume/dp/1613771398/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_nC/178-8947184-2111125?ie=UTF8&colid=2K42LFVXDBSDT&coliid=IWZEM1I6ARRPA)]
Micro-Series Volume 1: Raphael, Michelagelo, Donatello, Leonardo [BookDepository (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-1-Tom-Waltz/9781613772324)] [Amazon (http://www.amazon.ca/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Series/dp/1613772327/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_nC/178-8947184-2111125?ie=UTF8&colid=2K42LFVXDBSDT&coliid=I35Y6RLCZGFO5W)]
Enemies Old, Enemires New: 5, 6, 7, 8 [BookDepository (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Enemies-Old-Enemies-New-2-Tom-Waltz/9781613772881)] [Amazon (http://www.amazon.ca/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Volume/dp/1613772882/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_nC/178-8947184-2111125?ie=UTF8&colid=2K42LFVXDBSDT&coliid=I1BQPSKPH9EL6F)]
Shadows of the Past: 9, 10, 11, 12 [BookDepository (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Shadows-Past-3-Tom-Waltz/9781613774052)] [Amazon (http://www.amazon.ca/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Volume/dp/1613774052/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_nC/178-8947184-2111125?ie=UTF8&colid=2K42LFVXDBSDT&coliid=I2K9K313NY6J8T)]
Micro-Series Volume 2: Splinter, Casey Jones, April O'Neil, Fugitoid [BookDepository (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Micro-Series-2-Ben-Epstein/9781613774151)] [Amazon (http://www.amazon.ca/Teenage-Mutant-Turtles-Micro-Series-Volume/dp/161377415X/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_nC/178-8947184-2111125?ie=UTF8&colid=2K42LFVXDBSDT&coliid=I38S9SP9JF1IXJ)]

That will be the easiest way to get caught up.

[Heather Breckel]

The way I got all up to date was by starting with the Archie comics, then going through the Mirage series, then going through the IDW stuff. I had put IDW at the end of the line because it's still ongoing and is currently the shortest. I had started with Archie because I had grown up on the original cartoon and the Archie comics, so that was the most comfortable for me. It took a few issues for me to get into Mirage, but once things start getting serious story wise, it's pretty amazing.

There really is no wrong way to do it, it might be helpful to read a few issues of each to see which one you want to start first. (provided both the Mirage and Archie series are pretty different once they get going) I consider all three versions great, so you can't go wrong.

[Maverick]

Yes, that is the first trade, collecting issues 1, 2, 3, and 4. There have been 3 trades released so far with a 4th and 5th being released in the next few months.

Change is Constant: 1, 2, 3, 4 [BookDepository (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Change-is-Constant-1-Kevin-Eastman/9781613771396)] [Amazon (http://www.amazon.ca/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Volume/dp/1613771398/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_nC/178-8947184-2111125?ie=UTF8&colid=2K42LFVXDBSDT&coliid=IWZEM1I6ARRPA)]
Micro-Series Volume 1: Raphael, Michelagelo, Donatello, Leonardo [BookDepository (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-1-Tom-Waltz/9781613772324)] [Amazon (http://www.amazon.ca/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Series/dp/1613772327/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_nC/178-8947184-2111125?ie=UTF8&colid=2K42LFVXDBSDT&coliid=I35Y6RLCZGFO5W)]
Enemies Old, Enemires New: 5, 6, 7, 8 [BookDepository (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Enemies-Old-Enemies-New-2-Tom-Waltz/9781613772881)] [Amazon (http://www.amazon.ca/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Volume/dp/1613772882/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_nC/178-8947184-2111125?ie=UTF8&colid=2K42LFVXDBSDT&coliid=I1BQPSKPH9EL6F)]
Shadows of the Past: 9, 10, 11, 12 [BookDepository (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Shadows-Past-3-Tom-Waltz/9781613774052)] [Amazon (http://www.amazon.ca/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Volume/dp/1613774052/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_nC/178-8947184-2111125?ie=UTF8&colid=2K42LFVXDBSDT&coliid=I2K9K313NY6J8T)]
Micro-Series Volume 2: Splinter, Casey Jones, April O'Neil, Fugitoid [BookDepository (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Micro-Series-2-Ben-Epstein/9781613774151)] [Amazon (http://www.amazon.ca/Teenage-Mutant-Turtles-Micro-Series-Volume/dp/161377415X/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_nC/178-8947184-2111125?ie=UTF8&colid=2K42LFVXDBSDT&coliid=I38S9SP9JF1IXJ)]

That will be the easiest way to get caught up.

That's a very big help, ty! By the way, are the Micro-Series some sort of side story akin to the main series?

[thelouisguy]

That's a very big help, ty! By the way, are the Micro-Series some sort of side story akin to the main series?

They are entirely skippable, but DO NOT skip them! They are great, especially the last two (April O'Neil and Fugitoid). They can be read on their own, or you can just read the Ongoing-Series on it's own, but the fill out the IDW Turtles Universe with side/backstories.

If you want to read the comics IN ORDER, you can follow what is listed in this thread (http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showthread.php?t=36475). Otherwise, the Micro-Series issues can be read afterwards if you want to buy the Ongoing-Series trades first.

[Maverick]

They are entirely skippable, but DO NOT skip them! They are great, especially the last two (April O'Neil and Fugitoid). They can be read on their own, or you can just read the Ongoing-Series on it's own, but the fill out the IDW Turtles Universe with side/backstories.

If you want to read the comics IN ORDER, you can follow what is listed in this thread (http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showthread.php?t=36475). Otherwise, the Micro-Series issues can be read afterwards if you want to buy the Ongoing-Series trades first.

Thanks! I won't skip them, and I've already ordered my first comic, which should arrive next week. Can't wait :rolling:

[wedestroymyths]

I was thinking about buying the Ultimate collection vol.1 but was stopped by that same negative feedback on Amazon. Could someone who bought the book give us some more feedbacks? Is the quality really so low in the first volume? What about the other ones?

This is definitely a matter of preference. I'm more of a casual reader, and I have to say I never really noticed a blurriness or pixelation. Well, I guess there's a sense of pixelation in some of the shading, but it just looks like something that was printed then made a bit bigger so the dots in the shading are a bit more evident.

As for the two page spreads--there is one moment, in issue 1, I think?--It's in the first book--where you miss the middle of the action because of the book binding. When I got to it I said, "eh, that's annoying," then soldiered on.

Clearly, I'm not a nitpicker, so these things just don't bother me. I read these for the stories and to enjoy the artwork, and if a few things aren't at 100%, it's not going to ruin my day. For someone like me, then, I'd say the Ultimate Collections are perfect.

If you tend to be picky, I'd maybe go a different route.

[chrisdude]

This is cool! This was me a couple months ago. I had never read Turtles comics until I saw the Ultimate Collection vol 1 on the shelf. Then I the IDW trades started coming out. Now I follow IDW and wait for Ultimate Collection volumes.

[Vegeta]

Don't let that review scare you away from the ultimate collections. I own all 3 out and they are gorgeous. Plus those issues are pretty annoying to find so the books make it a much easier task for you. I love them buy them!

[Venom]

Simply put: the Ultimate Collection are among the least inexpensive ways to experience the early Mirage issues. The color classics would be even less expensive but floppies take up more space than a bound book.

[Maverick]

That reminds me, the Ultimate Collection comes in black & white or in color?

[Xav]

Black & White.

[dkram230]

Black & White.

Which IMO is the best way to read these! :D

[CyberCubed]

Also remember to buy the Volume 1 classics as they collect different issues from the Ultimate collection.

[Scud]

I was in the same boat you were about 6 months back. I decided to pick up the first Volume of the Ultimate Collection and the first Trade from the IDW series.
I think they are both amazing. And have kept collecting the next editions.
At first I thought I would be confused by by jumping back and forth, but since the originals are in B&W it actually makes it easier.

Don't forget that alot of the material can also be purchased digitally now. May help the wallet. I've started getting the Color Classics and Archie stuff in digital form, to complete the collections.