Confused About Where to Start? IDW Reprint Guide

[Cipher]

Can I get a sticky, please?

It seems like at least once every few weeks, and I anticipate this rising as we move toward the film premiere, we have a new member asking where, among the various series and different reprint collections, to start.

This is 1) great, because thanks to IDW new readers can actually find the old Mirage and Archie material, but 2) an entirely legitimate question with all the different lines going on.

Hopefully this thread can help. I'll break down what series is contained in what reprint lines, what's going on, and a bit of what to read:

---------- Mirage TMNT ------------------------

This is the original comic book series, which began as a low-run black-and-white indie book by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, and ran with some hiatuses in-house at Mirage Studios until the IP's purchase by Nickelodeon.

Since the Mirage series ran over several different volumes and titles, a little crash course may be useful before getting into the reprints. This is a great link for reviewing their run, but I'll break it down below as well. If you're already familiar with the series, just skip down to "How is this reprinted?":

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984-1993) Vol. 1 - 62 issues, four "micro-series" issues and various specials

This is the original black-and-white volume of the TMNT, ending in 1993 for a switch to a full-color "Volume 2" series, also published by Mirage. It contains a main narrative plotted, and occasionally written and drawn by, Eastman and Laird and other Mirage staff, as well as a string of guest issues with varying levels of continuity.

The Eastman-and-Laird-plotted issues are collected in the five "Ultimate Collection" books, and in colorized form in the three "The Works" books. Guest issues are collected in the first seven volumes of the "Classics" line.

2. Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1 (1987-1989) - Seven issues

The first volume of Tales is a series of one-shot issues Mirage published accompanying the original volume of the main series. It introduces several major characters.

The original Tales of the TMNT issues are reprinted in colorized form in books one and two of the Tales of the TMNT line.

3. Volume 2 (1993-1995) - 13 issues

Mirage published thirteen color issues picking up right from the end of volume 1 before passing publishing rights to Image comics for a portion of the '90s (due to flooding and other financial issues).

Volume 2 is collected in books eight and beyond of the "Classics" line.

4. Volume 3 (1996-1999) - 23 issues

Later removed from continuity when Laird began publishing the series again in 2001, Volume 3 was published by Image Comics and covers the continued adventures of the Mirage Turtles. It's very '90s, if anyone's familiar with what that meant for comics at the time, but still absolutely worth a look. You may see fans refer to issues "24 and 25," which were written, drawn and published by fans with the input of several of the original creators, and which aimed to give the series an ending compatible with later Mirage stories.

IDW has not yet collected Volume 3.

5. Volume 4 (2001-2009) - 31 issues

When Laird began publishing the series again in 2001 (Eastman having earlier sold his share), he did so in the form of Volume 4, a black-and-white, tightly serialized story that sees the Turtles aged real-time from their last appearance, and introduces several major changes to the Mirage universe. It went into an indefinite hiatus without receiving endings to its ongoing plots (though the ultimate endings of the Mirage universe characters are covered more or less in the second Tales volume), but Laird retains the right to print a certain number of issues each year despite Viacom owning the property. He's recently announced intent to release #32, and we may yet see the volume finished depending on his interest.

IDW has not yet collected Volume 4.

6. Tales of the TMNT Vol. 2 (2002-2010) - 70 issues

This second volume of Tales is an anthology series with stories set all over the Turtles' timeline, from their childhood to the far-flung future. There are some real gems here. Required reading if you want to move beyond the self-contained story of Volume 1.

Tales of the TMNT Vol. 2 is reprinted in colorized form in books three and beyond of IDW's Tales of the TMNT line.

---------- How is this reprinted? Where do I start? ------------------------

Yeah, good question. IDW's releasing everything again across several great reprint lines, but it can be a little confusing. Hopefully this helps.

TMNT "Ultimate Collections" Volumes 1-5
IDW's "Ultimate Collection" hardcovers collect all the material from Vol. 1 plotted by Eastman and Laird. This includes the micro-series. Together, they form one narrative that makes up the main plot of Volume 1. It can be read on its own. They can set you back a bit of money, so if you're dabbling, I actually recommend starting on Volumes 4 and 5. They do build on previous material, but they're absolute standouts and can be read as their own as a better indication of the series' later tone (the one that will carry through Volume 2, Volume 4, and the second Tales series).

If you're looking to get into Mirage, start here.

IDW's Tales of the TMNT

This single line of reprints collects colorized versions of both the original Tales series and the post-2002 volume. The original series runs through books one and two, with three and beyond collecting the second volume. Both are worth reading, and if you're looking for the next-most-important issues, story-wise, these are them.

IDW's TMNT "Classics" Line

This somewhat confusingly named line collects both the non-Eastman and Laird issues of Volume 1 (books one-seven) and, from Volume 8 onward, Volume 2 of the original Mirage series. The first seven volumes are a mix of quality and story importance, so you may want to ask for individual reviews. From volume eight onward, this is where the main story picks up after you've finished the "Ultimate Collections."

TMNT "The Works"

This hardcover line collects colorized versions of the same issues as the corresponding "Ultimate Collections." The coloring job is, for the most part, pretty nice, and it could be a toss-up between these and the Ultimate Collections depending on your preference. The main difference between the two is that these volumes don't contain creator commentary from Eastman and Laird, and IDW has indicated they may end on issue #21 (book three).

[Cipher]

---------- TMNT Adventures ------------------------

TMNT Adventures is the comic many fans of the cartoon may have been familiar with as kids in the '90s. Published by Archie comics, this series is loosely based on the 1987 cartoon, though it quickly goes in its own radically different direction and is more tightly serialized. Written and drawn by several Mirage staffers, the series still has a fairly large following among fans.

IDW is rereleasing the Adventures series in its own line of reprints, and while it has nowhere near the convoluted publishing history Mirage does, it's still worth noting here:

The TMNT 100-Page Spectacular

Reprints the original three-issue mini-series published by Archie, which is a direct adaptation of the first season of the cartoon. Technically, the Adventures series begins here, though it probably isn't required reading for anyone with a passing familiarity with the cartoon. Also, be warned: This release isn't an actual paperback. It's staple-bound like a regular comic, though with fairly sturdy paper (you can put it on a shelf just fine).

TMNT Adventures Vol. 1-

This line collects the main seventy-some issues of the TMNT Adventures series, plus essential tie-ins, at a rate of four-five issues per volume. The first book contains more cartoon adaptations, while books two and beyond contain storylines completely original to the Archie series.

---------------------------------------------------------------

That's it. I hope this helps shed some light for new fans. If there are any questions, feel free to drop them in the thread below. Pictures/formatting fixes to come. If anyone has input on how to make this less of a block of text, feel free to suggest it.

Happy reading.

[The Fifth Turtle]

Great thread. Perhaps you can add the comic book checklist to your thread. You can delete the comics that have already been collected via IDW trades. Then when a new trade comes out you can delete the newly collected material.

[CyberCubed]

Great thread and this should be stickied and edited as few editions come out.

In any case I'm quite confident Image will be collected directly after Volume 2 is finished, most likely as part of the Classics line.

[Joey Kamikaze]

The letters column in #32 seems to indicate that the Image material will be collected after Vol 2. Is that not considered confirmed already?

[Cipher]

Originally Posted by Joey Kamikaze

The letters column in #32 seems to indicate that the Image material will be collected after Vol 2. Is that not considered confirmed already?

Oh. I don't know. I haven't read it. At any rate, I don't think we know how it'll be collected yet, though I wouldn't be surprised to see the "Classics" line chug right along into it.

[Cipher]

One more thing I thought might be worth noting:

If you're dabbling and just want to check out some highlights without committing to the entire run of the "Classics" or "Tales" lines, here are some standout volumes. Because much of the Mirage series used an anthology format, recommendations are really focused around individual issues and which volumes contain them.

Obviously the "Ultimate Collections" (particularly Volumes 4 and 5) are worth reading, but also:



Tales of the TMNT Vol. 1

Why's it worth reading? In addition to introducing several key characters, I can recommend this one for Tales #4 alone, "I, Monster." It's a somber, funny, horror-tinged tale that introduces the character of the Rat King, and is overall a standout tale for early Mirage.


TMNT Classics Vol. 3

You can't go wrong with this one. It contains two of the best stories of Mirage's guest artist era in "Dreams of Stone" and "Sons of the Silent Age," the latter of which I think most fans agree is one of the best Turtles stories ever printed.


TMNT Classics Vol. 4

Why do you want this? Two words: "The Ring." A prelude story from a Mirage anthology book and TMNT #37 make up one of the better, more surreal entries from the guest artist era.


TMNT Classics Vol. 7

It doesn't have the emotional standouts the volumes above do, and the entire first Tales series is required reading for these sequel stories, but it's easy to recommend for "Leatherhead, Too" alone. "Masks" is really fun as well.


Tales of the TMNT Vol. 4

It's not out until April 23, but this contains two of my very favorite issues in the form of "Blind Faith" and "Scars." Don't ask! Just buy it.


Tales of the TMNT Vol. 5

What's good here? Everything's serviceable, but the standout is #9, "The Path," in which Michelangelo is faced with the loss of his pet. Most of the best Tales stories are downers. Sorry.

-----------------------------------------------

Other recommended material:

One of the best arcs from Volume 1 hasn't been collected by IDW yet, though you may somehow still be able to find a copy of the collection Mirage did a few years back that won't set you back an arm and a leg: "Soul's Winter." It's an out-of-continuity tale by Michael Zulli that's a standout for the entire series. If IDW ever puts out another version, snap it up right away.

Finally, for those curious about the "ending" of the Mirage universe, there are a handful of issues, mostly scattered throughout the second Tales series, that focus on the Turtles' future. For easy reference, here's all the material:

Donatello story "Old Times" in Mirage's Plastron Cafe #1 (not collected), Raphael story "Choices" in Mirage's Puma Blues #20 (not collected), original pages from Mirage's 2007 Tales collection (out of print), Tales Vol. 2 #13-14, #40, #41, #45 (sorta), #55, #69.

Finally, finally, so as not to reinvent the wheel, TMNT Entity, a site run by a member here, currently has the most in-depth summaries of the Mirage and Archie issues since the old Ninja Turtles site went down. It also has an insane timeline providing a best conjecture of how all the Mirage material fits together. Give it a look if you're curious about specific content.

[CyberCubed]

I think I remember Bobby saying "Soul's Winter" was on track for a late 2014 release, but I don't know if that changed. Its hard to imagine it being released in the middle of Volume 2, because I'm sure it would be part of the "Classics" line when it comes out.

I just think its odd they skipped over it to begin with and are collecting it after all of Volume 1 is done. There aren't any legal snafu's like with Veitch's stuff or #41.

[sawcesome]

Thanks a lot for this thread.

[discordiatookie]

Top notch thread! I never realised that IDW had reprinted so much already, I haven't been keeping up with the stuff that I already own...

[CyberCubed]

About the only fault with IDW's collections is well...everything outside of the Ultimate Collections has been colored. And the coloring is not always the best, with many characters being incorrectly colored and weird mishaps.

The coloring doesn't bother me that much, and in some cases improves the old issues.

I'm just really curious to see:

1) If Volume 2 is re-colored, since its already in color

2) How the Image series looks like in color, given the style of that art

[~Donatello~]

Thanks for this thread, it is super helpful for all the beginners. I recently started collecting Volume 1 and have found Mirage's website very helpful. They have several copies of Tales Vol 2 listed for sale.

Besides "Blind Faith", "The Path", and "Scars" what are some other gems from Tales Vol 2 would you recommend so I can get the most bang for my buck. Thanks!

[liugeaux]

It should also be noted that the TMNTA reprints are literally just scans of issues of the original book (basically a copy of a copy). Because of the original paper quality and print process the reprints can look a bit weird at times. Staple marks can be seen on a few pages here and there and a slight translucency in the original prints can sometimes be seen in the scans for this collection. Meaning shadows of the art on the other side of the page can be seen in some of the reprints.

Obviously this is probably the most economical way to get these books reprinted, since I understand that the original color masters were carelessly discarded over a decade ago, and recoloring them all would be cost prohibitive. This doesn't affect the readability of the books, and its nice to see the original colors intact, but at times, its kinda weird and bootleggy.

[Cipher]

Originally Posted by ~Donatello~

Thanks for this thread, it is super helpful for all the beginners. I recently started collecting Volume 1 and have found Mirage's website very helpful. They have several copies of Tales Vol 2 listed for sale.

Besides "Blind Faith", "The Path", and "Scars" what are some other gems from Tales Vol 2 would you recommend so I can get the most bang for my buck. Thanks!

"Loops" (#13-14; it follows up on something introduced in #3-4, which are collected in IDW's third paperback, but it's not hugely necessary and you can look up the plot).

"To Serve and Protect" (#36).

"Silent Night" (#40).

Everyone else hates this one, but #41, "Swan Song" as well. I really like all the future stories.

"Rocks" (#45), and "World's Deadliest" (#50), to a lesser extent.

"A Day in the Life" (#55) for sure.

"Hun" (#56).

"Exposé" (#59) and "Sometimes They Come Back" (#61).

"Burning Man" (#64) and "Cold, Cold Ice" (#65).

"Schooled" (#67).

"Dark Shadows" (#69).

I also have a personal soft spot for "Shanghaied" (#28 ), because it's so bizarre. Also, #3-4 ("Worms of Madness"), to a lesser extent. The story's not terrific, but it sets up #13-14, has a few good beats, terrific art, and is of interest if you're into the continued and increasingly strange fate of Oroku Saki.

There are probably some I'm forgetting. Even the ones that aren't fantastic tend to have great ending beats or something else that makes them memorable. You can't go too wrong.

Originally Posted by liugeaux

Obviously this is probably the most economical way to get these books reprinted, since I understand that the original color masters were carelessly discarded over a decade ago, and recoloring them all would be cost prohibitive. This doesn't affect the readability of the books, and its nice to see the original colors intact, but at times, its kinda weird and bootleggy.

Yeah, that could be offputting for some. As it's the only way most of the series has ever been collected, and considering the only alternative was to go black-and-white or recolor, I'm pretty forgiving of it. But it's definitely not a premier treatment.

[CyberCubed]

I'd hold off on the Archie reprints for now. I get the feeling they'll be re-released with better collections later on. They're clearly low on the totem pole for IDW.

[Cipher]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

I'd hold off on the Archie reprints for now. I get the feeling they'll be re-released with better collections later on. They're clearly low on the totem pole for IDW.

I'm sliiiiightly hesitant to hypothesize about that, as it's not as much of a cornerstone to the property as, say, the Marvel Transformers series (which has received multiple collected editions) is to its franchise. And the only way to do "better" collections would likely be larger volumes, considering the condition of the material.

That said, who knows, but I wouldn't recommend holding off on the Adventures series if that's where your interest lies just for the possibility of future collections.

[Joey Kamikaze]

Yeah, I could be wrong, but my gut says TMNTA is niche enough at this point that it's fortunate to get this full reprint run. I really hope it does at least get completed in this form--there are still issues from the last couple years I haven't read yet because I dropped the book mid-"Terracide" as a teenager and I want to finally finish reading it. But TMNTA doesn't seem to have the mass appeal or nostalgia factor of the Mirage material and something tells me the current collections might be the last time it gets printed for the foreseeable future.

[CyberCubed]

The problem with the Archie trades is at only 4 issues each it takes them forever to get through this. Aren't they still only in the mid-20's of the issue count? And this is not counting all the Mutanimals issues and specials they have to slot inbetween them.

I keep getting this feeling they're going to cancel the Archie trades somewhere in the middle and never complete it. If IDW support starts to trim I'm sure they'll keep up with the Mirage and Tales of the TMNT trades but Archie would get the cut. That's why I've been hesitant about buying them, plus I own all the original issues anyway so its not like I'm missing out on the stories themselves.

I dunno, everything about the Archie trades seems, "half-assed" or "rushed" to me. It doesn't seem like as much care is put into them as the Mirage Classics or Tales of the TMNT collections.

[Joey Kamikaze]

I think they're doing 5 issues a trade from this point on for TMNTA. That's what the last few have been. I think you're right that TMNTA is kind of an afterthought though... people seem to think of the Mirage books as the "real" TMNT and Archie is more of a curiosity/object of nostalgia for a lot of people.

I'm curious as to whether or not they'll bother with all the specials and side-stories.... those are pretty hit and miss anyway. They did the original Mutanimals miniseries, for which I give them props, but then it's a major part of continuity for the Archie universe. I wouldn't be surprised if Mutanimals #6 is the only issue of the short-lived ongoing that gets collected (as part of the "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" crossover)... otherwise they're going to have to devote an entire trade to the first five issues of MM.

Other than that... most of the Archie side story stuff is skippable, continuity-wise. Donatello & Leatherhead? The May East Saga, which was so bad it was retconned out of continuity? All the goofy stories about bigfoot and Halloween monsters in the seasonal specials? It'll probably all get ignored in favor of the core series.

I do hope they finish TMNTA out though. As fond as I am of the first couple years of the run, it was the way the series evolved in the later years and grew up with its audience that made it special.

[CyberCubed]

Well the Mutanimals series is the only one that really crossover with the main volume. That and the Merdude mini-series I believe, as that deals with Armaggon's final fate.