Description

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Collected Book – Volume 1                Limited Hardcover w/ Dust Jacket
Signed & Numbered – Limited to 1000
Writers: Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird & Dave Sim
Artists: Michael Dooney, Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird & Dave Sim
Inkers: Gerhard, Stephen R. Bissette, Ryan Brown, Michael Dooney, Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Jim Lawson & Dave Sim
Colorists: Gerhard, Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird & Dave Sim
Letterers: Kevin Eastman, Steve Lavigne & Dave Sim
Cover by: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird

Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird of Mirage Studios proudly present a reprinting of the classic first eleven issues of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles along with the four micro-series by creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird! Over 540 pages of martial arts action as only the two masterminds of mutant mayhem could depict!  An ideal opportunity to relive the glorious days of the Turtles’ origins as well as an excellent place for new readers to see where the Turtles phenomena began!  Features the classic “wraparound” cover by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.

Table of Contents:
Dedication
Kevin Eastman’s Introduction
Peter Laird’s Introduction
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984) Book 1
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984) Book 2
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984) Book 3
Raphael (1985)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984) Book 4
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984) Book 5
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984) Book 6
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984) Book 7
Michaelangelo (1985)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984) Book 8
Donatello (1986)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984) Book 9
Leonardo (1986)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984) Book 10
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984) Book 11
Special Thanks
Kevin Eastman’s Biography
Peter Laird’s Biography

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Collected Book – Volume 1 contains:Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984) Issues #1-11
Writers: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Writers: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Inkers: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Letterer: Kevin Eastman

First in issue #1, The Sensei tells the Turtles, for the first time, their origins. Splinter was once the pet rat of Hamato Yoshi, said to be the greatest shadow warrior of his clan, known as the Foot. While watching Yoshi practice his art of combat, Splinter would mimic his movements and eventually became as adept as his human benefactor. Splinter explains that Yoshi had a bitter rivalry with a fellow clan member, Oroku Nagi. They competed fiercely in all things, even in matters of the heart. They both fell in love with a beautiful girl named Tang Shen, but she loved only one of them in return: Splinter’s Master, Yoshi. Nagi became extremely jealous and one night in a fit of rage he went to Tang Shen’s home and demanded that she love only him. She refused, and Nagi began to beat her. Just then, Yoshi came upon them, and in a fit of red rage he slew Nagi. This was a shameful act in the eyes of the Foot Clan, as one member must never kill another. Yoshi had two choices: he could take his own life in ritual suicide and hope for honor in the next life, or he could flee the Clan and attempt to start a new life. Master Yoshi decided on the latter, and fled to New York City with Tang Shen, Splinter, and a few possessions. He started his own martial arts school, and all went well for years. In Japan, Nagi’s brother Saki had sworn vengeance against Yoshi, the man who had killed his sibling. His anger pushed him to become a premiere ninja in the Foot, and as a reward for his hard work and diligence, the Clan sent him to New York City to lead the Big Apple’s branch of ninjas. Saki recognized this as his opportunity to reap his revenge against Hamato Yoshi and slay him. Saki quickly built the New York branch of the Foot into a criminal powerhouse involved in many illegal activities; from drug smuggling and arms running to their specialty of assassination. But he never forgot his goal, and after a time he tracked Yoshi and Tang down and set his vengeance into motion. While Yoshi was away at work, Saki broke into his apartment and murdered Tang Shen. Saki lay in wait until Yoshi returned home. As Hamato walked through the door he saw his dead wife and her murderer Oroku Saki, who proclaimed himself to be the Shredder. A great fight broke out, and Splinter’s cage was broken, freeing him. Eventually, the youthful Shredder bettered his older combatant, and Yoshi was slain as well. Anguished over the death of his Master, Splinter fled to the alleys and lived off of garbage scraps. Until the day when a TCRI truck drove by, and a strange canister flew out of its hold. The container struck a young man in the head, bounced off of the pavement and smashed into a boy’s aquarium filled with turtles. The shattered glass, canister and turtles all fell into an open manhole cover, dropping into the murky sewer below. The metal container held some strange chemical, and when it hit the floor of the sewer it broke, bathing the turtles in its glowing ooze. Splinter, curious, went to see what had become of the turtles. He collected them into a coffee can and cleaned the goo off of them as best he could. The next day the wise rat found that he and the turtles were mutating… becoming more human-like with each passing day! Eventually the turtles spoke, and Splinter began to set his own plan for vengeance into motion. He began training the turtles in the art of ninjutsu that he had learned from Hamato Yoshi. He named each turtle after a famous Renaissance artist, whose names he had found in an old book forsaken in the sewer. After hearing the tale of their origins, the TMNT knew what they must do: they had to avenge the death of Splinter’s Master Yoshi… they had to defeat the Shredder in mortal combat! Raphael goes on a guerilla mission to deliver a message to Saki… which he does in typical Raphael fashion. The message demands that Saki meet the Turtles on the rooftops to duel to the death in the name of honor. The Shredder brings many Foot with him, and a great battle between the Turtles and the ninjas erupts. The TMNT win hands down, forcing Shredder into combat. The fight is close, but the Turtles use teamwork to best Saki. Once the TMNT have defeated Shredder, they demand that he commit seppuku to regain the honor he had lost when he murdered Yoshi. Saki refuses and displays a thermite grenade that he had concealed in his costume. The Shredder vows that if he is to die he will take the Turtles with him. Donatello saves the day by throwing his bo staff into Saki’s jaw, knocking him and the grenade from the rooftop. As the Shredder falls, the Turtles rush to the edge of the building, seeing the handheld bomb go off in a blinding flash. The TMNT have performed the task that Master Splinter had trained them for… …or have they?

Next in issue #2, Several weeks pass, and in that time many bank robberies have occurred. April is reading the paper to Dr. Stockman, which describes strange small tunnels dug into the bank’s vaults. April hypothesizes that the Mousers would be capable of doing this, which the good Doctor promptly dismisses, pointing out the April had helped to program them, so she should know better. Stockman then proceeds to take Ms. O’Neil to an underground security level of the laboratory, where he shows her an army of Mousers that are being built. April demands to know how he got the funding to build hundreds of Mousers… when she concludes that her suspicions were correct: the Mousers were robbing the banks! Stockman then reveals his plan to blackmail the city. April is confused, as she notes that Stockman could have made millions legally with his invention. Dr. Stockman replies that he’s not doing it for money but because it’s “fun.” April realizes that the Doc is quite mad, and she bolts for the elevator. Stockman then programs the elevator to drop her into the sewers and sends several mousers to kill her. Just as she’s about to be mauled, the Turtles show up and save her by destroying the robots. April faints at the sight of them! The TMNT take Ms. O’Neil to their home, and when she awakes, tell her their origin. The Turtles then turn on the news to find Stockman making his demands of the city. It seems that he’s had the Mousers dig tunnels underneath every corporate headquarters in New York, and if a ransom is not paid for each building, he will have the Mousers destroy the skyscrapers’ foundations, thus causing them to crash to the ground. The Turtles and April decide that it’s up to them to stop the mad Doctor, and they sneak into his building. They confront Baxter, who sets off an explosion and traps them in the basement lab. The Turtles manage to blast a whole in a wall, but unfortunately it leads to the storage room full of Mousers! The horde of bloodthirsty robot’s attack! Leo, Raph and Mike struggle to hold them off, but there are too many! Just as it looks like it’s curtains for our heroes, Don and April manage to program the computer to shut down all power in the cellar… including the Mousers!

Next in issue #3, The Turtles return to their sewer lair to find that Splinter has been abducted by the Mousers. They call the only person who they know that might help them… April! She shows up in a van, and a wild car chase ensues when the police mistakenly think that April’s vehicle was the one used in a recent robbery. As luck would have it, the chase leads the cops to the actual robbers in their van… which looks exactly like April’s vehicle! O’Neil and the TMNT make their escape and head for her apartment to rest and make plans to find Splinter. Meanwhile, Splinter takes a serious blow to the head while battling the Mousers in the sewer. Just as the rabid robots are about to make mouse meat out of the Sensei, they mysteriously march off in another direction. Splinter, dazed and nearly unconscious, takes this opportunity to escape by crawling into the tepid waters of the sewer system. The Master is discovered by two human guards, who take him to the TCRI laboratories. At the hi-tech facilities, Splinter discovers that the humans that work there are actually small alien creatures that utilize humanoid robotic bodies to disguise themselves. These aliens, known as the Utroms, are the precursors to what would become Krang on the television cartoon.

Next in issue #4, Issue four opens with the Turtles out exercising on the rooftops of New York City. Not too surprisingly, members of the Foot Clan show up and attack the mutant terrapins. Also, not too surprisingly, the TMNT whip the New York ninjas thoroughly, although Mikey receives a serious cut on his arm. The fight ends and Raphael notices that the building directly beneath them has the TCRI logo. The Turtles, a bit freaked by finding the place that created the ooze that created them, decide to investigate… but not until they go to April’s place to patch up Michaelangelo. Once everyone is rested and rarin’ to go, they head back to the TCRI headquarters. Donatello uses a clever ploy to defeat their security cameras (a puppet of a pigeon), and the lads make it into the building. The Turtles sneak around for a bit and then stumble into a bizarre techno lab. The guys find Master Splinter housed in a stasis tube, where he is being held in suspended animation. As Raph prepares to shatter the cylinder, the Utroms arrive in their robotic bodies armed with laser stun-guns. A fight breaks out and ends when the TMNT poise themselves in the middle of a strange device that the Utroms won’t fire upon. Michaelangelo attempts to vault over the Utroms’ heads to find an escape route, but his injury causes him to fall out of control. He crushes the control panel for the machine that the other three mutant Ts are standing upon, causing it to activate! Mikey is grabbed by an android as the device energizes. Leo, Raph and Don are enveloped in cosmic rays as Michaelangelo frees himself and dives onto the machine to be with his brothers… wherever they may be going!

Next in issue #5, The TMNT are teleported by the Utrom’s Transmat device to the alien city of Peblak. As soon as they arrive, the Turtles are confronted by armed soldiers (who are here to capture the Fugitoid). Since the Turtles don’t notice the robot standing behind them, they decide to defend themselves and attack the gunmen. As the battle erupts, the Fugitoid punches a whole through a wall and invites the TMNT join him as they flee from the ever-growing number of soldiers. The group makes it to a rooftop with the military in hot pursuit – their only chance for escape is to jump from the top of the structure into a garbage truck far below. The Fugitoid is afraid of heights, but the TMNT take him with them as they make the leap. After a short ride where the TMNT are shocked by the sights of the alien planet, the team makes it to cover and the Fugitoid explains to them where they are and who he is. The Turtles agree to an alliance with the robot as they’re “all in the same boat,” being pursued by the authorities. The group decides to head for a spaceport near the sea. Leonardo laments that they’ve finally found a world where they can walk out in the open without fear of people being frightened by their appearance, but they can’t do so because the military is hunting them. Meanwhile, both General Blanque and the Triceratons plot to capture the Fugitoid. Our heroes head into a bar to try to find some information and assistance but are spotted by the soldiers. A bar brawl breaks out and then the Triceratons show up in force and capture the Fugitoid. The Turtles steal an air car and go after the Triceratons who are taking the robot back to their base. Sadly, the Green Team is spotted by a squad of Triceratons and an air battle ensues. The Turtles’ car is hit, and they’re forced to bail out from a great height. Fortunately, a thick canopy of trees breaks their fall, and no one is seriously injured. When the lads fully recover, they find that General Blanque’s men are in an all-out war with the Triceraton troops. Through the chaos, Leo spots a Triceraton carrying the Fugitoid into a structure. The TMNT scramble to help their newfound friend. Unfortunately, the structure turns out to be a ship, and it blasts off into outer space. The Triceratons try to sweet talk the Fugitoid into creating the Transmat for them as the ship approaches the gigantic Triceraton base. Meanwhile, the Turtles are trapped in a cargo bay of the craft and discover that it doesn’t contain gravity… or oxygen!

Next in issue #6, The Fugitoid, a captive on one of the Triceratons’ asteroid ships, is taken to the Triceraton Homeworld – an unbelievable conglomerate of other asteroid ships connected into a single, gigantic planetoid. As the Triceratons try to convince a doubtful Honeycutt to join them, the TMNT are found onboard the ship which brought them here. The Turtles have put themselves into a meditative trance to conserve the limited oxygen that was available in the cargo hold during the space journey. Surprisingly, the Triceratons who find our heroes decide to keep them alive. Meanwhile, the Triceraton High Council is meeting with the Fugitoid in effort to convince him that the Federation is a terrorist organization that must be stopped. Prime Leader Zanramon of the Triceratons states that the good doctor’s Transmat device is just what they need to accomplish their goal. Honeycutt confesses that even if he could build the device, he wouldn’t do it for anyone, as he has no desire to see it used as a weapon. As Zanramon makes a veiled threat, he is interrupted by his men who display the captured TMNT. The Fugitoid asks the Triceratons not to harm his friends and the High Council quickly seize on the opportunity to blackmail Honeycutt into working for them. The Turtles are shackled and lead to a jail cell. Before they’re incarcerated, Michaelangelo picks a fight with one of the guards and a scuffle breaks out. The Triceratons are impressed with Mike’s spunk, but the battle is easily won by the saurians (who have the advantage of being unbound) and the Turtles are thrown headlong into the awaiting prison. We cut to the Fugitoid who is mourning the situation alone in nice quarters. Honeycutt decides that he cannot work on the Transmat, even if it means the death of himself and his four friends. Back on Earth, we find April entering her apartment and missing the boys, who have been gone for two days. April turns on the television and hears a news report regarding a strange phenomenon emanating from the T.C.R.I. building (where the Turtles had gone 48 hours ago). A police captain explains that when the boys in blue attempted to enter the building to investigate, it sealed itself off and has become an impenetrable fortress. The National Guard has been requested for back-up. April sits on the floor in shock and dejectedly wonders what she can do to help her friends. On the Triceraton home world, the TMNT are being forced to fight for their lives in a monstrous arena filled with thousands of bloodthirsty fans. Fortunately, the boys are no longer shackled, and their battle against the Triceraton gladiators goes well. As the fight wages, one of the television camera ships that’s covering the event zooms in too close to the action and the TMNT are able to board it. The Green Team maneuvers the vehicle to the platform housing the Triceraton High Council and the Fugitoid and bail out. The Turtles quickly take the Prime Leader hostage and prompt him to lead them to a ship. As they approach the hangar, our heroes are ambushed. Zanramon is killed in the crossfire by his own men. Just as the Turtles and Honeycutt are about to be blasted to bits, they’re engulfed in a power field… along with three Triceraton warriors.

Next in issue #7, This issue opens with the news reporter, Jim McNaughton, explaining the strange situation going on at the T.C.R.I. (Techno-Cosmic Research Institute) building. Three days earlier a mysterious beam of light had erupted from the roof of the structure, and when police came to investigate, they were promptly shut out by heavy steel plates that sealed all doors and windows. The local police and National Guard are plotting their next step when another incredible beam of energy strikes the rooftop, lighting the city for several blocks. On the crowded streets below, chaos erupts, and the National Guard tell McNaughton that they’ve been ordered to “blast their way in.” Inside the building, the TMNT, Fugitoid and three Triceraton warriors are recovering from being teleported by the Utroms’ Transmat device. As soon as the Triceratons have regained their bearings, they attack in effort to seize the Transmat. A huge brawl breaks out and several Utroms are hurt in the fight. Finally, the Triceraton trio is taken out and the TMNT are reunited with their mentor, Master Splinter. April is on the street, and she meets a friendly Guardsman who tells her what’s going on. Knowing that she can be of no assistance, Miss O’Neil heads for home, hoping that the Turtles will be there when she gets back. Master Splinter explains to the Turtles how he had battled the Mousers until he fell unconscious and was then found by the Utroms, who brought him to their building to heal. Unfortunately, the Turtles had thought the worst when they saw their Sensei in the stasis tube (TMNT #4), and their outburst damaged the Transmat device (and sent the Green Team to Fugitoid’s world). Splinter explains that the unhappy Utroms had no intention of rescuing them due to their behavior, but he managed to convince them to bring the TMNT back via the Transmat. The Triceratons were brought along by accident. As Leo questions the aliens’ motives, a lone Utrom walks in and explains how they came to Earth. Twenty years ago, their ship had crash landed and killed one third of their crew. The survivors managed to integrate themselves into American society thanks to their high-tech android disguises. The crew took jobs and quickly amassed enough wealth to buy the building that would become their headquarters. The Utroms salvaged what material they could in effort to build their Translocation Device – the Transmat. Unfortunately, while working on their machine, the visitors had an accident 15 1/2 years earlier. The Utroms were bringing the last load of supplies from their crashed ship to their abode when a blind man walked in front of their truck, causing them to swerve out of the way. This violent action dislodged a canister filled with alien ooze and it flew into the street, striking a young man in the head. The container continued to bounce down the street until it hit an aquarium full of turtles that a boy was holding, shattering it. The turtles and the canister fell into the sewers, where the reptiles were bathed in the strange glowing ooze. It was then that Splinter found them… and the rest is history. The Utroms finally managed to contact their home world and were asked to remain in New York to continue observation of the planet.

Next in issue #8, This story begins as Renet (pronounced “rah-net”), the apprentice to time master Lord Simultaneous, “borrows” her boss’ sceptre that contains the “sacred sands of time.” The wand allows its wielder to be taken anywhere in time and space by merely wishing to go. Just as Renet grasps the sceptre, she is discovered by Simultaneous, who is not happy with her. In fear and desperation, Renet wishes to be sent to New York, circa 1986. As the Fates would have it, Renet is transported to a rooftop in New York City, where the Turtles are goofing around. Renet quickly makes friends with the boys when they’re suddenly interrupted by an enraged Lord Simultaneous. Renet wishes to be taken “any place on Earth before humans recorded time!” Back in the past, we find Cerebus being awakened by his henchmen. It seems that the men are uncomfortable with the aardvark’s plan to invade a foreboding castle and so they announce their plan to desert him. Cerebus threatens them and tries to get back to sleep, when Renet and Turtles emerge through a portal in a flash of magical light. As the Turtles struggle to their feet, we see that within the castle a satyr-like being awakes, alerted to the presence of the Time Sceptre. Leo apologizes to Cerebus for crash landing in his camp, but the aardvark is in no mood for discussions. As the two prepare for battle, Renet tells them to chill out and offers to explain everything. While Renet tells the tale of why she’s bouncing through time (she was bored), Savanti Romero (the satyr-like dude) and his army rush out of the castle to fetch the Sceptre. Our heroes hear the approaching warriors too late, and while they make efforts to escape, Savanti easily overcomes them with magic and takes the Time Sceptre. The wizard and his men retreat back to the fortress and leave our heroes unconscious on the ground. A few hours later, the TMNT, Renet and Cerebus find a town and go into a tavern. Cerebus arranges for a mercenary force to attack the castle at dawn by lying to them. The next morning the hired army attacks the fortress as the Turtles, Cerebus and Renet scale the castle walls. Savanti conjures an army of undead to fight the human attackers as the heroes battle their way into the castle. Eventually the TMNT and crew make it to Romero’s inner chamber, but they’re quickly subdued by his magic. As Savanti ponders how to kill them, Lord Simultaneous shows up. Romero casts numerous spells in effort to defeat Simultaneous, but all his efforts are in vain. The time lord explains that the Sceptre is old technology and then displays the new trans-temporal talisman – the Digital Cosmic Quartz (a wristwatch). Simultaneous zaps Romero and he disappears. He then sends the TMNT back home and gives Cerebus the scrolls he came to the castle to get. Finally, Simultaneous returns home, where he punishes Renet by making her dust his vast library.

Next in issue #9, A young man wakes screaming from a recurring dream about samurais in battle, wielding a flag with an enigmatic symbol… The Turtles are training with Master Splinter. The Sensei offers them pointers and then retreats to his room to meditate. While in practice, Splinter senses someone searching for something… The next day Splinter ends the Turtles’ practice early so he can meditate once again, searching the astral plane for the presence he felt the day before. Finally, the Sensei reaches Gosei Hatsumi, a proud man who lies in his deathbed in Japan. Hatsumi has been searching the astral plane for someone who could help him continue the Gosei lineage. When Splinter asks what he could do to help, Hatsumi explains that the spirit force of the great Gosei Samurai Clan has been passed down from father to son throughout time. Now is his time to pass it along to his son, Kenji, but he lives in New York City and has turned to evil. Hatsumi hopes instead to pass the spirit force on to his grandson, before he too is turned to the dark path and the bushido spirit of the family is lost. Splinter again asks what he can do to help, and the old man explains that Splinter must allow his spirit to inhabit the rat’s body. The transfer of the Gosei spirit force must be made in person, but Hatsumi is too near death to make the trip to New York to perform the ritual himself – in fact, his body will perish in just 10 hours. Gosei needs Splinter’s body to accomplish his goal. Hatsumi warns that if his body dies before the transference takes place, Splinter will perish with it. The Sensei states that there is little time to waste and allows Hatsumi to exchange spirits with him. Hatsumi, now in Master Splinter’s body, leads the Turtles on the mission to save his family’s proud heritage. Gosei locates the elaborate building that houses his offspring and the TMNT make their way inside. The heroes discover that Kenji is a crime boss, and he is preparing to give the “business” to his son, Hattori, who wants nothing to do with the “job.” Hatsumi tells the Turtles that he must speak with Hattori alone. Raphael and Donatello go off to search for guards and escape routes. While patrolling the building, Don and Raph find two men gloating over the planned assassination of Hattori and his father. The Turtles do what they can to stop the killings, but Kenji is shot to death in the battle. The TMNT take out the final assassin and rush to Hattori’s side, who is crying over the dead body of his father. Hattori is extremely upset and seeing a giant talking rat and Turtles only causes him more mental duress. Hatsumi attempts to explain the situation as the Turtles rush to seal the area off from more attackers. Finally, Hatsumi is able to calm Hattori down by drawing the symbol from the young man’s dreams, the crest of the Gosei Samurai Clan. Hattori is afraid and reluctant to accept the family’s life force, but he is gradually able to grasp its importance and accepts it fully. Just as the transference is made, Hatsumi passes away, returning Master Splinter to his own body. A lone ninja assassin enters the room by crashing through a skylight. Hattori feels that all is lost, but Splinter rallies him to fight the attacker. Now that he has the Gosei spirit, Hattori can defeat the assassin on his own. Hattori battles his assassin unarmed and wins! Splinter and Hattori bid farewell. The Sensei tells Hattori that he now has the spirits of his ancestors within him, and what he does with their power is up to him. The Master tells the young man to choose wisely and departs.

Next in issue #10, As everyone is reacting to Leonardo’s battered body being thrown through April’s apartment window, a cadre of Foot Soldiers crash through the remaining apertures in hot pursuit of the fallen Turtle. A fierce battle takes place and April’s home is trashed. The wonderful Holiday spirit that had pervaded the apartment mere moments before has been shattered as easily as the panes of glass. The Turtles retreat to the first floor of April’s building, fighting Foot all the way. Leonardo is badly hurt and can barely move, so April helps him walk. O’Neil is nearly killed as she opens a door, but she’s saved by Leo’s quick reactions. The exertion causes him to collapse again, but our heroes make their way to April’s ground floor junk shop (which she inherited from her father). Unfortunately, they find the Shredder and numerous Foot Soldiers waiting for them! Before the battle can erupt, a hooded stranger emerges… it’s Casey Jones (the crazy vigilante Raph befriended in Raphael #1)! Casey attacks and Raph joyously joins in… much to everyone else’s surprise. The battle now favors the Turtles thanks to Casey, and they begin to kick some serious butt. Casey actually gets the better of the Shredder and sends him flying with a kick! Don, however, doesn’t fare so well against Shredhead later in the fight. Fortunately, as Shredder is about to make mincemeat out of Don-san, Mikey hurls a Foot Soldier into the villain, proclaiming “You forgot one thing… our teamwork!” As things begin to look hopeful for the TMNT and crew, the Foot blast a hole in the ceiling of the shop and more enemies drop into the melee. April remembers that her father had done a poor job of sealing an opening in a defunct walk-in freezer (the shop had once been a grocery store), so everyone heads there to escape. The blast in the ceiling has created a fire, and the smoke alerts the local police. As the sirens wail and the building burns, the Shredder and his Foot make their escape. Casey, the Turtles, April and Splinter manage to get out of the burning building by way of the freezer. They decide that they can’t take the van due to the police presence and head out on foot (no pun intended). From a rooftop several blocks away, our heroes watch April’s building burn. April falls to the ground and cries. In the next scene, we find the group driving out on the highway in Casey’s ’57 Chevy with a U-Haul trailer in tow. April rides in the car with Casey while Splinter, Don, Raph and Mike do what they can to attend to Leonardo’s injuries inside the trailer. The group take the Northampton, Massachusetts exit…

Finally in issue #11, The issue opens with April having nightmares about being attacked by ninja monsters who look similar to the Turtles and Shredder. April wakes up screaming and then heads off to write in her diary. The diary becomes the framework for this issue, and the means by which we learn of our heroes’ problems since they were attacked by the Foot and lost all that they held dear. April begins the tale by writing how she arrived in Northampton and her less than enthusiastic reaction to both the small New England town and Casey’s grandmother’s farmhouse, where our heroes will be spending the winter. The farm has been abandoned for four years and is quite a mess, and while Casey is excited to be there, April is not. April then writes about Leonardo’s condition. While Leo has healed physically, the stress of being beaten so badly by Shredder and the Foot is wearing hard on his psyche. He’s taken to hunting in the woods alone, and we see a scene where Leo has a skirmish with a large buck. Leo is knocked down by the deer and he sits dejectedly in the snow, looking utterly defeated. April then writes about Donatello, who is working obsessively on repairing the homestead. Don fixes the windmill, uses a water wheel to generate electricity, hooks up a wood stove for heat and manages to get the hot water heater working. April is surprised to find that Don is also writing, tapping away on an old typewriter in the attic. April wonders what Donatello is writing about. We see Don looking out of a window, a huge pile of crumpled paper overflowing his wastepaper basket. Michaelangelo’s story is next. It seems that Mike has lost his sense of humor and spends most of his time practicing in intense, almost maniacal workouts. April sees Mikey destroy a work bench and punch holes through the barn. It seems everyone is suffering tremendously under the strain of recent events. Raph is keeping to himself, the first up in the morning and the last to bed. We see the fiery ninja on the roof of the barn late at night, keeping a steadfast watch. April describes Casey, “I believe that in Casey’s mind there’s a petulant, mischievous ten-year-old waging constant war with a somewhat mature, bright young man… unfortunately the ten-year-old wins far too often.” We then see Case and Raph working on an old truck while they trade insults with one another. With Raph behind the wheel, the lads manage to get the vehicle going, but unfortunately the truck careens out of control thanks to the snow. Raphael accidentally pilots the truck into Don’s windmill, destroying it, and then the frantic Turtle crashes the vehicle itself into a ditch. The accidents don’t stop Casey and Raph’s insult contest. We then cut to a scene where April is walking on ice, which cracks open. Miss O’Neil screams and falls into the icy waters. Luckily Leonardo is hunting nearby and comes to her rescue. Leo uses his katana and cloak to make a lifeline and pulls April out of the cold depths, and then carries her home. Inside the farmhouse we find April is sitting unconscious but snug in a chair with a blanket and hot water tub for her feet, surrounded by the Turtles and Splinter. Master Splinter announces that it’s time for the Turtles to get busy, as their spirits have drifted for too long. With the oncoming Spring, the Sensei puts the team back to work, training together once again. April’s final journal entry, written a full month after her “mid-winter swim,” is one of hope. The near-death experience has helped her come to the realization that material possessions are not the important aspects of one’s life – that friendship is what matters above all else. It seems that April and the Turtles have learned much at the farmhouse, although it was a very difficult journey. April ends her diary with these words, “Life is good… and life goes on.” We then see Splinter and the Turtles practicing in the woods. The group sits by a fire and the Sensei speaks, congratulating the boys on their progress and addressing their concerns for all that April has lost due to them. Splinter explains that change is the way of life, and they must accept it. While the initial results of their friendship have been hard for April, she herself has come to terms with the repercussions and moved on. Splinter ends his speech with these words, “Life is good… and life goes on.” Finally, we see the sun rising over the horizon and zoom into the farmhouse, where April lies sleeping. There’s a knock on the door and April sits up alarmed. The final page shows the Turtles bringing their friend breakfast in bed. Life is good… and life goes on.
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Raphael (1985) #1
Writers: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Artists: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Inkers: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Letterer: Steve Lavigne
Cover by: Kevin Eastman

In, “Me, myself and I”, In the debut appearance of Mirage’s one-issue “Micro-Series,” Raph is sparring with Michaelangelo when he loses his cool and goes after his good-natured brother with a wrench. Leonardo breaks up the skirmish and sends Raph outside to “cool off.” As he’s patrolling the rooftops, Raphael wonders if he’s nuts and ponders his inability to control his temper. Meanwhile, we see Casey Jones lifting weights and watching television. The mighty Casey decides that the police need help cleaning up the city, so he dons his hockey mask, grabs his golf bag full of sports equipment and heads out to defend the city from “vile scum.” Casey quickly runs into some muggers and proceeds to stomp them. Raph sees the fight and feels that Casey is going overboard with his punishment and tries to stop the pounding before the crooks are murdered. Mr. Jones does not take kindly to Raph’s interference, and a fight breaks out between the two. Raph knocks Casey to the ground and Casey surrenders – only to “sucker punch” Raph with a golf club and escape Raph is dazed and decides that this crazy vigilante has to be stopped, so he heads out in pursuit moments later. Casey spots two thieves stealing a car radio and quickly dispatches them. As Casey prepares to beat the crooks into mincemeat, Raph catches up with him. The two renew their battle and Raph knocks Casey down again, telling him that not all crimes are deserving of “capital punishment.” This has no effect on Jones, and he lashes out at Raph and flees into the streets. Raphael has a moment of reservation – should he risk being seen by people or remain hidden and allow Casey to escape? Raphael decides to pursue Jones and is spotted by some alarmed and confused drivers. Casey hides in a park and attacks Raphael when he appears. The battle is fierce, and Raph once again gets the better of Jones, who finally surrenders for real. The two have a quick discussion. Raph tells Casey that killing people for stealing tape decks is crazy. “Yeah, right – I’m crazy!” Jones says, “But somethin’ tells me you ain’t above takin’ somebody out if they tick you off!” “I have a temper, true,” Raph replies, “But at least I try to control it – you don’t!” The boys continue the argument until they hear some cries for help, and then they head off to battle the criminals in a tentative alliance…
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Michaelangelo (1985) #1
Writers: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Artists: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Inkers: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Letterer: Steve Lavigne
Cover by: Kevin Eastman

In, “The Christmas Aliens”, Michaelangelo is out walking during the Christmas holiday, enjoying the sights and atmosphere. On his travels, Mikey finds a stray cat that he picks up and names Klunk. Mike decides to do some last-minute shopping and heads downtown, which is all a bustle with fellow shoppers. The thinly yet effectively disguised ninja goes into a toy shop and finds numerous items to amuse himself with – much to Klunk’s dismay. The cat is frightened by the Turtle’s hijinks and runs off into the alley. Mike goes to find his newfound companion when he discovers some robbers hijacking a truck in the alleyway. The vehicle is full of “Little Orphan Alien” dolls (the “hot” item of the year) which are intended to be donated to an orphanage. The crooks don’t care about the philanthropic goal that the dolls are meant for and knock out the driver and steal the truck, dolls and all. Klunk cries out and the burglars hear him. The bad dudes spot Mikey and open fire on him with their handguns. Mike isn’t impressed and rushes the hoodlums, who freak and flee in the truck. Mikey manages to hop inside the back of the vehicle as it speeds away. The Ninja Turtle manages to get the better of the thieves and decides to drive the truck to the orphanage himself. Unfortunately for the well-meaning Ninja, the police are looking for the vehicle and when they spot it, a chase ensues. Mikey manages to elude the police, but not before he causes some destruction of public property… alas, things don’t always go as smoothly as we’d like. Once he’s escaped the long arm of the law, Mike parks the truck in a hidden alley, picks up Klunk and laments the fate of the toys – now they’re sure to be impounded as evidence, so the orphans won’t receive them in time for Christmas. Mikey hatches a plan and heads for home. Mike enlists the aid of his brothers and April, who take the van to the alley and fill it with the Little Orphan Alien dolls. On the final page we see the Turtles and April, in holiday costumes, distributing the toys to the orphans. Ho ho ho!
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Donatello (1986) #1
Writers: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Artists: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Inkers: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Letterer: Steve Lavigne
Cover by: Kevin Eastman

In, “Kirby and the Warp Crystal”, ” As the story opens, Raph is yelling at Don to fix the hot water heater. Don reluctantly agrees to do so and heads to the basement. On his way, April cautions him to be on the lookout for her new tenet, a reclusive fellow named Kirby. As Don takes the stairs to the basement, he hears a strange sound, like wings flapping… when suddenly a winged monster comes flying right over his head! Don is shocked and investigates the cellar. He comes upon an open door and inside he finds Kirby, who’s busily drawing in his sketchbook. When the artist’s latest drawing leaps from the page and comes to life, Don lets out an exclamation. Kirby turns to see the Turtle, and remarks that he doesn’t remember drawing him and assumes that Don is an alien who has come to retrieve the “magic crystal.” Don calms Kirby down and asks how he made the drawing come to life. Kirby explains that he found the crystal in a pile of coal and accidently discovered its powers. The artist allows Donatello to try it out, and the Turtle draws a stick figure which leaps to life and promptly disappears. Kirby explains that all of the drawings made with the crystal-enhanced pencil come to life, only to disappear a few seconds later… all save for one, at least. Kirby then shows Don a strange mechanism that resembles some sort of high-tech mirror – save for the fact that it doesn’t show any reflections. When Don reaches out to touch its face, he’s excited to find that his hand goes right into the machine! Donatello then sticks his head through the portal and disappears into it! Kirby is alarmed but a second later Don pokes his head back into the basement and invites Kirby to join him. The two enter the doorway and wind up on another world! The guys immediately notice that the monsters that Kirby has been drawing are everywhere on this planet… and they’re attacking the native human population! The creatures spot our heroes and close in on them. Donatello goes to work fighting the monsters as Kirby gets a bright idea – he draws Don with an anti-gravity gun strapped to his arm! As soon as the artist finishes the sketch, the device appears on Donny’s arm and the Ninja Turtle puts it to good use. Unfortunately, the gun fizzles out under the heavy usage and Kirby is forced to come up with Plan B – which is a gigantic robot that scoops up the beasts and deposits them inside the mouth of the machine. However, there are more monsters than the robot can handle, so Don has to go back to fighting the creatures in hand-to-hand combat. Kirby struggles to come up with Plan C as Don kicks monster cans. Finally, Kirby realizes the perfect solution and starts drawing with a fury. In short order Kirby has taken all of his old sketches and added shackles of one sort or another to each beast – thus incapacitating every single one of them! The local warriors thank Kirby and call him a mighty sorcerer, welcoming him to their homes and land. Don and Kirby decide that it’s time to head for home, when they find that the portal is closing rapidly! There’s barely time for one of them to escape, and Kirby pushes Don through the closing gap. As soon as Donatello is back in the basement, the portal closes and disappears. Don is upset and he finds a crumpled sketch on the floor. He looks at it and heads dejectedly back to April’s apartment. When he arrives, Raph proceeds to complain again. Don responds with a glare and heads to his room, where he sits on a windowsill and looks at the drawing once more. Kirby managed to leave Don with a farewell note, it’s the drawing of Don with the anti-gravity gun and a message that reads: Don – “Life at best is bittersweet.” Take care of yourself! – Kirby
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Leonardo (1986) #1
Writers: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Artists: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Inkers: Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Steve Bissette, Michael Dooney & Ryan Brown
Letterer: Steve Lavigne
Cover by: Peter Laird

In, “What Goes Around… …Comes Around!”, Kevin and Peter used a couple of great storytelling devices for this issue. While the main tale of Leo’s fight with the Foot takes place on the top portion of each page in near silence, the final panel illustrates what’s happening with the rest of the gang at the same time. The story opens with Leonardo alone on the rooftops of New York City. We quickly find out that he’s being pursued by numerous Foot Soldiers. Leo battles countless foes as he tries to make it to safety. The portion of Leo’s tale has no word balloons and practically no sound effects. It’s an action sequence told brilliantly in the Eastman and Laird tradition! As Leonardo battles his enemies, we see April, Mike, Don, Raph and Splinter making preparations for Christmas. Despite Michaelangelo worrying about where Leo is, it’s a warm and happy time. April and Raphael bring home a tree as Mike and Master Splinter prepare a hearty meal. Raph heads off to wrap gifts while Don and April trim the Christmas tree and sing carols. Raph tries to peak at the presents Mikey has bought, but Klunk (the stray cat Mike adopted in Michaelangelo #1) prevents him from doing so. As everyone enjoys the quiet time, Raph finally decides that it’s time to go look for Leo, as the weather outside has gotten frightful and Leo has been gone for too long. Simultaneously, things for Leonardo have gone from bad to worse. He’s been chased onto a construction site, where he’s confronted by a swarm of Foot Soldiers, no less than two dozen by the looks of things. To make matters worse, the Shredder is with them! Leo puts up a fight, but he is vastly outnumbered… The remaining Turtles have put on their gear and are preparing to head out in search of Leonardo when suddenly a figure crashes through one of the apartment windows! It’s Leo, battered and bloodied. As his brothers rush to his side, Leo chokes out a warning, “…He’s…back…the…Shredder!”
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Also features:
Signed by Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Numbered out of 1000
Original Sketches by Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Wrap-a-Round “poster” dust jacket cover

Hardcover reprints/collects from Mirage Studios:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984) Issues #1-11
Raphael (1985) Issue #1
Michaelangelo (1985) Issue #1
Donatello (1986) Issue #1
Leonardo (1986) Issue #1

Trade Paperback is bagged & boarded and will be carefully / securely packaged then shipped via USPS Priority Mail to ensure that it arrives to you perfectly and quickly.

Limited to 1000
Publisher: Mirage Studios
Publication Date: 1988
Format: BW, 540 Pages, HC, 10″ x 8″
ISBN-10: 0981949703
ISBN-13: 9780981949703

Collectible Entertainment note: Limited Hardcover w/ Dust Jacket is in Very Fine + condition.  Beautiful!  Please See Scans!!  A must have for any Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles collector and/or enthusiast.  A fun & entertaining read.  Very Highly Recommended.

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