Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate B&W Collection Vol. 1

Like many TMNT fans, I was introduced to the Turtles by the original animated series and toyline that launched in the late '80s and carried on throughout the '90s. It wasn't until I was an adult that I had the curiosity to dive into the roots of the Ninja Turtles and read their first comic book adventures. Since the original issues are highly desired collectors items and quite expensive, this book is the next best thing. It contains the first seven issues of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as well as Raphael's one-shot issue that was released during this span of time. While these issues were later colorized, this collection features the original black and white pages. While I enjoy color, I prefer to read old comics in the way they were originally presented, it helps you to go back in time as a reader. This collection is a bit bulky and cumbersome for a paperback, but I understand it's meant to present the magazine-sized panels without distorting the images. Another cool thing about this collection is that every single issue ends with written commentary from creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, who share interesting stories and ideas that went on during the birth of these wild characters. The stories aren't very sophisticated (it was probably targeted towards 1980s teenagers) but they are fun, and the gritty, detailed images are a joy to look at. Here you will not only be introduced to the very first incarnation of the four Ninja Turtles, but also their master Splinter, April O'Neil, the Shredder, the Foot Clan, Casey Jones, Baxter Stockman and his Mousers, Fugitoid, and the Triceratons. So grab a pizza, take a seat, and experience the original Turtle power!

After watching the episode of Toys That Made Us about TMNT I decided to invest in this book, since I was unaware of the gritty, underground history of the turtles. I was not disappointed. You can see the things that would later become sanitized, but the art (it is in black and white) is gritty and the story is certainly not for kids as these turtles get revenge by any means necessary. A really fun and quick read with some excellent artwork. Highly reccomend

The sharpness and tone spectrum is a little underwhelming when compared to reprinted books form the 90s. I figure whatever latest and greatest collection should also include the best rendition of artwork, but no?

Growing up in the 80s like many i was a huge fan of the teenage mutant ninja turtles. However i hadn't had the chance to read the comicw that started it all so when i seen this collection i had to have it.Turtles had a darker edge than the cartoons or movies had. A must read for any tmnt fan or just the comic collector /reader.Cannot speak more highly of these.Only flaw is sometimes its slightly difficult to tell which turtle is which as they are black and white and weapons cant always be seen.

Growing up watching the original Ninja Turtles cartoon, I bought this for my 10 year old son. Buyer beware! There's profanity. Also, the pages were black and white. I might have overlooked that in the product description. But after my son pointed out the curse words, we trashed it. Wish I could give it zero stars. Very disappointed.

For those who have no idea of where the TMNT came from. This collection of the first 7 issues answers that inquiry, Having watched my daughter grow up with the original animated series. It's great to return to the black and white panes of their beginnings. Any fan of the animated series and the episode with the Shredder destroying one reality leading two groups of Splinter's sons to find Turtle Prime will love this trip.

This book is large, so the pages are seen big and in the original black and white. This is the best reprint you could ask for.This is it, the birth of it all. The birth of the heroes of yours and all future generations. The turtles will last eons and it is because of these comics. To understand the turtles you really need to read all of these. Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird created these together and wove a rich story through a purely great action comic. It is subversive how good these are. A real treat.

I collected the original Mirage issues back in the late 1980's !!! I still own them today !!! This book is highly recommended to every TMNT fan who wants to own and read the original stories. These books are hardback and beautifully made and excellent quality !!! The comics are printed in very large print , making them even more easy and enjoyable to read. And the prices here on amazon are excellent too !!! Thank you IDW Publishing for releasing these books and thank you Amazon for making them affordable !!! And Thank You Keven Eastman and Peter Laird for all the wonderful TMNT stories over the years!!!

This book in the eyes of an avid TMNT fan is simply amazing and with the way it's presented and been made as an oversized hardcover, it was never going to be anything other than amazing.contained in this book are the first 7 issues of volume one of the original mirage run, also featuring the Raphael one-shot which comes between #3-4.Even if you are not a TMNT fanatic, but rarther just a casual fan or maybe even sombody completely new to the club, this book is still amazing for sombody who wants to start from the very begining and witness the true roots of the TMNT.The stories collected in this volume are of extremely high quality, particularly the first three, which in my opinion are all individual master pieces. The first shows the origins of the Turtles(which is much darker than may be remembered in other versions) and shows them battle their most famos foe 'the shredder' which had a surprising outcome for those who are completely unaware of these stories, considering his major profile as a villain in other TMNT media. The second features first appearances for April O'neil, Baxter Stockman and the Mousers and the third featuring possibly the most detailed cat chase ever in a comic book. The one shot introduces Casey Jones and then the rest of the issues take the Turtles to outa-space where we learn the truth behind their origin story and meet some mysterious alien creatures.All in all these original story's are quite amazing, featuring some amazing black and white art and story telling inspired by comic greats, maily the work of Jack Kirby who the creators looked up to. Also, the character development of the four well known protagonist' personalities begin to develop for the first time here aswell as some surprisingly gritty storytelling featuring violance and real ninja activities such as assanination however, these only contribute towards a very surreal and gritty atmosphere portrayed in these comics.Whats more, the issues are seperated by annotations and page by page rundowns by Eastman and Laird them selves which give an interesting insight into the difficulties experienced whilst originally concieving the original few issues and the eventual success.So obviously as a turtles fan i can find no faults in the product itself and highly recomend if you enjoy TMNT or are just starting or a fan of comics in general. Put it this way, it saves buying them individually if you want to get into TMNT, particularly avoiding the price of issue 1!my only minor complaint is that my copy was a little battered on thr corners where it must have been based during the delivery, however i can be angry about that!

Brilliant read. If you want to know how it all started for the turtles like I did and what stories occur after the shredder. This is a must buy.Art work by Eastman and Laird is beautiful although the book is not in colour I spent ages looking at the detail of each panel and full page panels!!Also at the end of each issue you get personal comments from the creator's themselves including where there ideas came from.Order the second volume as cant get enough!!

I was a 90s Turtles cartoon kid, fancied going back to the roots recently to see how it all started.I am not remotely disappointed, absolutely fabulous artwork - simple but gritty stories and brilliant character development alongside end of comic annotations by Eastman and Laird reminiscing on their greatest creations.Highly recommended to any turtles fans, from any era.I've wish-listed volume 2 already.

I bought this for my son, who loves every version of the turtles and was interested to see how it started. He has only read the first part so far, but I have nearly finished it. 😀 It's great. I should give it him back 😀

This collection is fantastic. I've been a turtles fan for so many years and have always wanted to read the original stories/origins - I was not disappointed at all! I love how dark it is compared to the 80's/90's TV show I grew up with (and subsequent shows that I watch, too). The Raphael one-shot is great and the artwork is awesome too. I will definitely be buying the rest of the volumes in this collection!Package arrived before estimated delivery date and was packed well.