New To TMNT Comics

[LetsKickShell]

Hey guys I'm new to the comics, I've mostly just watched the cartoon and movies. Can anyone recommend me a comic to start on? I've always like the grittier type of TMNT than the type made for kids. Any help will be appreciated.

[Andrew NDB]

Depends on what kind of money you're looking to shell out. If you want to just have the stories and aren't worried about collecting the original issues, you'd probably want :

TMNT Collected Book 1 (#1-11 of Vol. 1, plus the Leo, Don, Mike, and Raph specials)
TMNT Collected Book 2 (#12-14 of Vol. 1)

TMNT Collected Book 4 (#19-21 of Vol. 1, awesome)

TMNT Collected Book 6 (#24-26 of Vol. 1, highly recommended)

Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (#1-7, hard to find... actually easier/cheaper just to buy the individual issues of this, strangely)

Of course you'll want the essential City at War, which strangely hasn't been collected. Ever. Grab TMNT Vol.1 #48-62.

And then the various TPBs for the current Vol. 2 of Tales of the TMNT.

Most of the good online-buying-comics places have been pretty well cleaned out by people like you and I, so eBay remains really your best bet of completing your collection. If you ever have any question about what you're buying or thinking about buying, send me a PM.

Here's what you can order DIRECTLY from Mirage themselves :

For the comics themselves :
http://www.ninjaturtles.com/order/catbandw.htm

For the collected books :
http://www.ninjaturtles.com/order/catgn.htm

(only some available)

[TristanHuwJones]

Go and get Tales #36 -- on the shelves now!

[cowabunga14]

If you want to start out with a good story arc, I recommend Return to New York. I have a feeling you'd like that one.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by TristanHuwJones

Go and get Tales #36 -- on the shelves now!

Seconded.

And even if you don't see it on shelves, tell the guy across the counter to special it for you. They will.

[OA]

If you want just one comic to start with, its gotta be the first issue, Volume 1, Issue #1...don't bother trying to get a 1st print at this point becuase its a tad on the expensive side, but trying to get a 4th or 5th print will only run a few dollars (+ shipping)...i have a feeling though that after reading that one you'll want more and the collected books as mentioned early are a great way to get the most bang for your buck...

[jenna]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

Depends on what kind of money you're looking to shell out. If you want to just have the stories and aren't worried about collecting the original issues, you'd probably want :

TMNT Collected Book 1 (#1-11 of Vol. 1, plus the Leo, Don, Mike, and Raph specials)
TMNT Collected Book 2 (#12-14 of Vol. 1)

TMNT Collected Book 4 (#19-21 of Vol. 1, awesome)

TMNT Collected Book 6 (#24-26 of Vol. 1, highly recommended)

Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (#1-7, hard to find... actually easier/cheaper just to buy the individual issues of this, strangely)

Of course you'll want the essential City at War, which strangely hasn't been collected. Ever. Grab TMNT Vol.1 #48-62.

And then the various TPBs for the current Vol. 2 of Tales of the TMNT.

Most of the good online-buying-comics places have been pretty well cleaned out by people like you and I, so eBay remains really your best bet of completing your collection. If you ever have any question about what you're buying or thinking about buying, send me a PM.

Here's what you can order DIRECTLY from Mirage themselves :

For the comics themselves :
http://www.ninjaturtles.com/order/catbandw.htm

For the collected books :
http://www.ninjaturtles.com/order/catgn.htm

(only some available)

LetsKickShell, I was recently in the same situation and have followed advice along these lines and can tell you that these are a brilliant way to start. I found collected books 3 & 5 slightly odd in places, but the ones Andrew has listed are so awesome and must haves (especially collected book 1 & 4 - a must have!)

Originally Posted by TristanHuwJones

Go and get Tales #36 -- on the shelves now!

LetsKickShell, this one is amazing and you must read it - it's got the good old city ninja kick-ass grit with no aliens or monsters. So far it's my favourite issue and from what you say, I like the same kind of material that you do.

[Leonardo Leads]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

Depends on what kind of money you're looking to shell out. If you want to just have the stories and aren't worried about collecting the original issues, you'd probably want :

TMNT Collected Book 1 (#1-11 of Vol. 1, plus the Leo, Don, Mike, and Raph specials)
TMNT Collected Book 2 (#12-14 of Vol. 1)

TMNT Collected Book 4 (#19-21 of Vol. 1, awesome)

TMNT Collected Book 6 (#24-26 of Vol. 1, highly recommended)

Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (#1-7, hard to find... actually easier/cheaper just to buy the individual issues of this, strangely)

Of course you'll want the essential City at War, which strangely hasn't been collected. Ever. Grab TMNT Vol.1 #48-62.

And then the various TPBs for the current Vol. 2 of Tales of the TMNT.

Most of the good online-buying-comics places have been pretty well cleaned out by people like you and I, so eBay remains really your best bet of completing your collection. If you ever have any question about what you're buying or thinking about buying, send me a PM.

Here's what you can order DIRECTLY from Mirage themselves :

For the comics themselves :
http://www.ninjaturtles.com/order/catbandw.htm

For the collected books :
http://www.ninjaturtles.com/order/catgn.htm

(only some available)

Seems that Mirage doesn't sell TMNT Collected Book 1 any longer

do you know of anywhere else where I could find it?

Help would be greatly appreciated

[Roseangelo]

Originally Posted by Leonardo Leads

Seems that Mirage doesn't sell TMNT Collected Book 1 any longer

do you know of anywhere else where I could find it?

Help would be greatly appreciated

It's out of print, unfortunately. If you're lucky you can find it on eBay, but it's kinda pricey. You're probably best off rounding up the issues individually. Since the early books had quite a few different printings, it's not too difficult or expensive (although probably a pain in the butt).

[Leonardo Leads]

Originally Posted by Roseangelo

It's out of print, unfortunately. If you're lucky you can find it on eBay, but it's kinda pricey. You're probably best off rounding up the issues individually. Since the early books had quite a few different printings, it's not too difficult or expensive (although probably a pain in the butt).

I really hate my Comic Store, they don't receive any Mirage comics

Thank you for your help Roseangelo, I guess I'll buy the newest print of issue #1, and have to find the rest individually from there on out up until issue 11

[Andrew NDB]

Most comics stores don't carry Tales of the TMNT or current stuff. What you can do is go in and set up a special order -- and it won't cost you a dollar, at most stores -- to get on a monthly basis whatever you want.

[Leonardo Leads]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

Most comics stores don't carry Tales of the TMNT or current stuff. What you can do is go in and set up a special order -- and it won't cost you a dollar, at most stores -- to get on a monthly basis whatever you want.

Next time I head to my comic store I'll have them order Tales of the TMNT monthly

...but I have a question, does Mirage offer a subscription?

[Roseangelo]

Originally Posted by Leonardo Leads

...but I have a question, does Mirage offer a subscription?

No subscriptions, but you can order issues directly from them as they're published.

[Leonardo Leads]

I decided to head down to a Comic Store in San Francisco (which is about 30 mins from where I live)

and I only found one TMNT comic inside there, it's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 4 issue #23, I decided to buy it anyways

but soon I'll be making an order directly from Mirage

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by Leonardo Leads

but soon I'll be making an order directly from Mirage

That's fine, too in a pinch, but I'd strongly recommend and urge you to establish a pull-list/box at your local comic store instead -- only this increases demand in the market for TMNT comics, something sorely needed.

[Leonardo Leads]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

That's fine, too in a pinch, but I'd strongly recommend and urge you to establish a pull-list/box at your local comic store instead -- only this increases demand in the market for TMNT comics, something sorely needed.

I will do this for monthly Tales of the TMNT comics

but for the older Collected Books and such I'll order from Mirage

[TristanHuwJones]

It's probably worth getting the same comic shop you're ordering Tales of the TMNT from to put each Collected book into your bag as it comes out, but getting the older books from Mirage is a good way to go!

[Leonardo Leads]

For now I ordered TMNT Collected Volume 2 and 4(Return To New York), and also ordered the issue 1 Reprint Deluxe Edition

and next time I head down to the Comic Store I'm going to set up my Monthly Tales issues

by the way, how is Raphael Bad Moon Rising?

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by Leonardo Leads

For now I ordered TMNT Collected Volume 2 and 4(Return To New York), and also ordered the issue 1 Reprint Deluxe Edition

Nice, nice, and excellent call on Collected Book 4 -- you won't be disappointed (unless you like your TMNT toothless). Collected Book 2 is a bit of a take-it-or-leave it, but since you've got Vol, 1 #1 on the way (the deluxe reprint) you'll at least have a big part of Collected Book 1. No matter what, definitely #1-11 (maybe excluding #9, though it ties into Tales V2 recently) are absolutely essential issues, as well as the Leo, Raph, Don, and Mike specials (in that order of relevancy to the overall story).

by the way, how is Raphael Bad Moon Rising?

Only one issue in, so it's hard to stick the thermometer in it yet...

[Leonardo Leads]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

Nice, nice, and excellent call on Collected Book 4 -- you won't be disappointed (unless you like your TMNT toothless). Collected Book 2 is a bit of a take-it-or-leave it, but since you've got Vol, 1 #1 on the way (the deluxe reprint) you'll at least have a big part of Collected Book 1. No matter what, definitely #1-11 (maybe excluding #9, though it ties into Tales V2 recently) are absolutely essential issues, as well as the Leo, Raph, Don, and Mike specials (in that order of relevancy to the overall story).

Good to see that the Mirage Studio TMNT Official Site, has a few issues posted on there. I'll be able to read Issues 2-6, the Raph, Don, and Mike Specials soon.

I also noticed you didn't put Collected Book 3 and 5 on your List Of Reccomendations, so I avoided them, are they that bad?