Set Description:
I was born in April of 1984...only a few weeks before the landmark Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 hit the market. That means I was in the target demographic during the height of Turtlemania in the late 80’s and early 90’s. I had the toys, the clothes, the video games, the snacks...anything TMNT related I could get my hands on, I had. I loved watching the cartoon and was sad to see it go. As I grew up, I merged my passion for TMNT with my passion for comic collecting. Now that I'm older, I've found it enjoyable to move from the kiddie-style cartoon Turtles to the grittier, more adult version from the comics. It's almost like my childhood obsession grew up with me.
In the descriptions, I’ve gone a bit further than the CGC label as far as the creative teams that worked on each issue. Most of the books in volume 1 had the same core artists and writers but their duties would change from issue to issue. For example, Kevin Eastman may do the pencils in one issue and let Eric Talbot do the inks and toning. A few issues later, Talbot would do the pencils and Eastman would do the inks. Mirage mixed up duties so often that a fan can really narrow down exactly where each creator shines.
I’ve also included a few notes about each book, the source of the book, and a synopsis. A lot of this is more for myself than anything else as the registry serves as a quick-reference guide for Volume 1. I tried to throw a shout-out to those who helped to assemble my collection, too. This has definitely been a team effort.
I was sure to include pictures of each book as well. Front covers in the slab are a must, but I decided to play around a little with the back cover slot. Many issues in this run have wraparound covers, oftentimes with important details for the scene occurring on the back (issue #17 springs to mind). It turns out that there’s no good wraparound cover gallery for these books on the internet, so I’ve started taking scans of the raw books and putting them together so the art can be seen in its full glory. I’ll continue doing this as the raw issues become available. Others just have some boring back covers, so I decided to showcase some Original Art featuring the TMNT. I own all of them with the exception of the #2 Original Cover Art, which was found on Peter Laird’s blog and was too cool not to post. Many of the pieces are commissions that I received directly from the artists of Mirage and I hope to someday get some art from the entire crew.
A few people have asked me why I named the set “Ninja kick the damn rabbit!” It’s one of my favorite lines from the original live-action movie. While watching a cartoon adaptation of the Tortoise and the Hare, Michelangelo gets frustrated at watching the hare run right by the tortoise. In a fit of playful anger, Mikey yells out “You believe this guy? Come on, Ninja kick the damn rabbit! Do something!” Still makes me laugh to this day.
Thanks for looking!
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| The gallery tab shows only items with images. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. |
| Slot: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 Second Printing |
| Item: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0501149001
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Owner Comments
Second Printing: June, 1984
NUMBER OF STORY PAGES: 40
COVER:.........Kevin Eastman
STORY:..........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
PENCILS:.....Kevin Eastman & Laird
INKING:.........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
TONING: ......Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
LETTERS:.....Kevin Eastman
NOTES:
Printings 1-3 were oversized (7 3/8" X 10 7/8") and featured this cover.
SOURCE:
This was a win from a Heritage Auction back in 2009.
SYNOPSIS:
This is the one that started it all. It's hard to believe that Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird had to take out a loan to get the first 3,000 of these books published, but it has to be one of the best business moves in history because within a few years the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were everywhere and they're still a household name over 25 years later.
This book contains the most well-known story of the TMNT. Hamato Yoshi was a great warrior. He had a pet rat who would mimic his movements as he practiced Ninjitsu in his dojo. Hamato Yoshi competed fiercely with a fellow member of his clan, Oroku Nagi, in just about all things...even the love of the beautiful Teng Shen. Teng Shen heart belonged to Hamato Yoshi, which drove Oroku Nagi to beat her in a fit of jealous rage. This drove Hamato Yoshi to kill Oroku Nagi. Yoshi was exiled to New York with Teng Shen for killing a member of his own clan. Of course, his pet rat came along.
Driven by the murder of his older brother, Oroku Saki trained hard and became a formidable warrior himself. Years later, he established his own branch of the foot clan in New York city in order to seek out his brother's murderer. Hamato Yoshi came home one day to find that Tang Shen had been murdered by Oroku Saki, who had taken on the mantle of the Shredder. Yoshi and the Shredder battled, but ultimately Shredder was the victor. In the stuggle, the pet rat's cage was knocked over and the rat escaped, eventually ending up in the sewers.
It wasn't long before the rat came upon 4 pet turtles covered in a green ooze. He gathered them up in a coffee can and brought them back to a safe place where he could care for them. By the next morning, the turtles had doubled in size. Not only were the turtles physically growing at an increased rate, but they were getting to be far more intelligent as well. The change was happening in the rat, too, although not as quickly. The rat took it upon himself to teach the 4 turtles Ninjitsu as a means of protecting themselves since he knew first hand that the world is a harsh place. He named the turtles Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michaelangelo (misspelled in the first few issues and corrected later).
For years the rat, now called Splinter, trained his turtle sons in the art of ninjitsu. The ultimate goal was for the turtles to avenge the murder of Hamato Yoshi by battling and killing the Shredder. When the day finally arrived, the four turtles battled waves of foot ninjas on a rooftop before squaring off against the Shredder himself. The Shredder was a fierce opponent, initially besting each of the turtles in combat. Eventually, they gained the upper hand and defeated him. Leonardo offered his sword to the Shredder to let him commit seppuku in order to die with honor. Instead, the Shredder attempts to kill all of them with a thermite grenade. Upon seeing this, Donatello quickly throws his bo staff, striking the Shredder in the face and knocking him off the roof. Hamato Yoshi was avenged.
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| Slot: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 Third Printing |
| Item: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1024849002
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Owner Comments
Third Printing: February, 1985
NUMBER OF STORY PAGES: 40
COVER:.........Kevin Eastman
STORY:..........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
PENCILS:.....Kevin Eastman & Laird
INKING:.........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
TONING: ......Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
LETTERS:.....Kevin Eastman
NOTES:
Printings 1-3 were oversized (7 3/8" X 10 7/8") and featured this cover.
SOURCE:
This was the result of a deal with a CGC board member in late 2010. I then sent it off with a friend to the Boston Comic Con in 2012 where Kevin Eastman was added his famous Turtle headsketch on the back cover. Thanks, Jesse!
SYNOPSIS:
This is the one that started it all. It's hard to believe that Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird had to take out a loan to get the first 3,000 of these books published, but it has to be one of the best business moves in history because within a few years the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were everywhere and they're still a household name over 25 years later.
This book contains the most well-known story of the TMNT. Hamato Yoshi was a great warrior. He had a pet rat who would mimic his movements as he practiced Ninjitsu in his dojo. Hamato Yoshi competed fiercely with a fellow member of his clan, Oroku Nagi, in just about all things...even the love of the beautiful Teng Shen. Teng Shen heart belonged to Hamato Yoshi, which drove Oroku Nagi to beat her in a fit of jealous rage. This drove Hamato Yoshi to kill Oroku Nagi. Yoshi was exiled to New York with Teng Shen for killing a member of his own clan. Of course, his pet rat came along.
Driven by the murder of his older brother, Oroku Saki trained hard and became a formidable warrior himself. Years later, he established his own branch of the foot clan in New York city in order to seek out his brother's murderer. Hamato Yoshi came home one day to find that Tang Shen had been murdered by Oroku Saki, who had taken on the mantle of the Shredder. Yoshi and the Shredder battled, but ultimately Shredder was the victor. In the stuggle, the pet rat's cage was knocked over and the rat escaped, eventually ending up in the sewers.
It wasn't long before the rat came upon 4 pet turtles covered in a green ooze. He gathered them up in a coffee can and brought them back to a safe place where he could care for them. By the next morning, the turtles had doubled in size. Not only were the turtles physically growing at an increased rate, but they were getting to be far more intelligent as well. The change was happening in the rat, too, although not as quickly. The rat took it upon himself to teach the 4 turtles Ninjitsu as a means of protecting themselves since he knew first hand that the world is a harsh place. He named the turtles Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michaelangelo (misspelled in the first few issues and corrected later).
For years the rat, now called Splinter, trained his turtle sons in the art of ninjitsu. The ultimate goal was for the turtles to avenge the murder of Hamato Yoshi by battling and killing the Shredder. When the day finally arrived, the four turtles battled waves of foot ninjas on a rooftop before squaring off against the Shredder himself. The Shredder was a fierce opponent, initially besting each of the turtles in combat. Eventually, they gained the upper hand and defeated him. Leonardo offered his sword to the Shredder to let him commit seppuku in order to die with honor. Instead, the Shredder attempts to kill all of them with a thermite grenade. Upon seeing this, Donatello quickly throws his bo staff, striking the Shredder in the face and knocking him off the roof. Hamato Yoshi was avenged.
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| Slot: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 Fourth Printing |
| Item: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0000162014
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| Slot: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 Fifth Printing |
| Item: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0175831003
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Owner Comments
Fifth Printing: November, 1988
NUMBER OF STORY PAGES: 49
COVER:.........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
STORY:..........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
PENCILS:.....Kevin Eastman & Laird
INKING:.........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
TONING: ......Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
LETTERS:.....Steve Lavigne
NOTES:
A 9 page story by Eric Talbot was added to this printing. An error causes there to be 2 different fifth printings of this book on the CGC census. There is in fact only 1.
SOURCE:
This came from a deal with a CGC board member in early 2011. Thanks Don!
SYNOPSIS:
This is the one that started it all. It's hard to believe that Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird had to take out a loan to get the first 3,000 of these books published, but it has to be one of the best business moves in history because within a few years the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were everywhere and they're still a household name over 25 years later.
This book contains the most well-known story of the TMNT. Hamato Yoshi was a great warrior. He had a pet rat who would mimic his movements as he practiced Ninjitsu in his dojo. Hamato Yoshi competed fiercely with a fellow member of his clan, Oroku Nagi, in just about all things...even the love of the beautiful Teng Shen. Teng Shen heart belonged to Hamato Yoshi, which drove Oroku Nagi to beat her in a fit of jealous rage. This drove Hamato Yoshi to kill Oroku Nagi. Yoshi was exiled to New York with Teng Shen for killing a member of his own clan. Of course, his pet rat came along.
Driven by the murder of his older brother, Oroku Saki trained hard and became a formidable warrior himself. Years later, he established his own branch of the foot clan in New York city in order to seek out his brother's murderer. Hamato Yoshi came home one day to find that Tang Shen had been murdered by Oroku Saki, who had taken on the mantle of the Shredder. Yoshi and the Shredder battled, but ultimately Shredder was the victor. In the stuggle, the pet rat's cage was knocked over and the rat escaped, eventually ending up in the sewers.
It wasn't long before the rat came upon 4 pet turtles covered in a green ooze. He gathered them up in a coffee can and brought them back to a safe place where he could care for them. By the next morning, the turtles had doubled in size. Not only were the turtles physically growing at an increased rate, but they were getting to be far more intelligent as well. The change was happening in the rat, too, although not as quickly. The rat took it upon himself to teach the 4 turtles Ninjitsu as a means of protecting themselves since he knew first hand that the world is a harsh place. He named the turtles Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michaelangelo (misspelled in the first few issues and corrected later).
For years the rat, now called Splinter, trained his turtle sons in the art of ninjitsu. The ultimate goal was for the turtles to avenge the murder of Hamato Yoshi by battling and killing the Shredder. When the day finally arrived, the four turtles battled waves of foot ninjas on a rooftop before squaring off against the Shredder himself. The Shredder was a fierce opponent, initially besting each of the turtles in combat. Eventually, they gained the upper hand and defeated him. Leonardo offered his sword to the Shredder to let him commit seppuku in order to die with honor. Instead, the Shredder attempts to kill all of them with a thermite grenade. Upon seeing this, Donatello quickly throws his bo staff, striking the Shredder in the face and knocking him off the roof. Hamato Yoshi was avenged.
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| Slot: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 Second Printing |
| Item: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1024846003
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Owner Comments
Second Printing: January, 1985
NUMBER OF STORY PAGES: 38
COVER:.........Peter Laird
STORY:..........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
PENCILS:.....Kevin Eastman & Laird
INKING:.........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
TONING: ......Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
LETTERS:.....Kevin Eastman
NOTES:
Note: Printings 1 and 2 were oversized (7 3/8" X 10 7/8") and featured this cover. There were roughly 30,000 copies in this printing, although some were destroyed due to a printing error, a common problem with early TMNT books.
SOURCE:
I bought this from Turtle-collector TMNT when he sold his CGC collection to focus on Turtle OA. Thanks Danny!
I then sent the book with a friend to get it signed at San Diego Comic Con in 2011. Thanks Rich!
SYNOPSIS:
The second issue introduced April O'Neil and Baxter Stockman. The book begins with the Turtles and Splinter watching the news. The reporter, Ms. Hynes, is doing a story about Dr. Baxter Stockman and his new invention: the rodent-killing robotic Mouser. Stockman, with the help of his lovely assistant April O'Neil, demonstrate the Mouser's ability to track and slay rats. Splinter cautions the Turtles that they must be very careful with this new threat in town.
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 robots 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!
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| Slot: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 Third Printing |
| Item: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0164834005
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Owner Comments
Third Printing: January, 1985
NUMBER OF STORY PAGES: 43
COVER:.........Richard Corben
STORY:..........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
PENCILS:.....Kevin Eastman & Laird
INKING:.........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
TONING: ......Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
LETTERS:.....Kevin Eastman
NOTES:
A 5 page story by Fred Hembeck was added to this printing.
SOURCE:
I bought this from Turtle-collector TMNT when he sold his CGC collection to focus on Turtle OA. Thanks Danny!
SYNOPSIS:
The second issue introduced April O'Neil and Baxter Stockman. The book begins with the Turtles and Splinter watching the news. The reporter, Ms. Hynes, is doing a story about Dr. Baxter Stockman and his new invention: the rodent-killing robotic Mouser. Stockman, with the help of his lovely assistant April O'Neil, demonstrate the Mouser's ability to track and slay rats. Splinter cautions the Turtles that they must be very careful with this new threat in town.
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 robots 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!
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| Slot: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4 |
| Item: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1024846006
|
Owner Comments
First Printing: 1985
NUMBER OF STORY PAGES: 37
COVER:.........Peter Laird
STORY:..........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
PENCILS:.....Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
INKING:.........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
TONING: ......Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
LETTERS:.....Kevin Eastman
NOTES:
Note: First printings were oversized (7 3/8" X 10 7/8")
This is one of my personal favorite covers from the entire first volume.
SOURCE:
This was an ebay purchase back in 2009. In 2011, I sent it with a friend to get it signed at San Diego Comic Con 2011. Thanks Rich!
SYNOPSIS:
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 mutants 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!
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| Slot: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4 Second Printing/MANUFACTURING ERROR |
| Item: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0971033002
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Owner Comments
Second Printing: May, 1987
NUMBER OF STORY PAGES: 45
COVER:.........Ryan Brown
STORY:..........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
PENCILS:.....Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
INKING:.........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
TONING: ......Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
LETTERS:.....Steve Lavigne
NOTES:
The second printing of TMNT #4 and the first issue of "Tales of the TMNT" volume one went to the printer at the same time, and unfortunately the image for the "Tales" cover was used on the first run of #4. These books did make it into the distribution chain before the error was discovered. The misprinted cover version was recalled and 59,000 of the 60,000 misprinted copies were destroyed.
SOURCE:
This was purchased on ebay already graded as a Universal 9.6. I took it to the New York Comic Con in 2009 where I first met both Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. They both signed and sketched on the book for me. That was a great day!
SYNOPSIS:
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!
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| Slot: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 5 |
| Item: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 5 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1316855001
|
Owner Comments
First Printing: October, 1985
NUMBER OF STORY PAGES: 37
COVER:.........Kevin Eastman
STORY:..........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
PENCILS:.....Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
INKING:.........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
TONING: ......Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
LETTERS:.....Steve Lavigne
NOTES:
This story is continued from Fugitoid #1
SOURCE:
This was an already-graded and already-signed ebay purchase.
SYNOPSIS:
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 make 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 make 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 decide 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 hurt seriously. 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 TMNT are trapped in a cargo bay of the craft and discover that it doesn't contain gravity... or oxygen!
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| Slot: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 6 |
| Item: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 6 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1239137001
|
Owner Comments
First Printing: February, 1986
NUMBER OF STORY PAGES: 38
COVER:.........Peter Laird
STORY:..........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
PENCILS:.....Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
INKING:.........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
TONING: ......Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
LETTERS:.....Steve Lavigne
NOTES:
This issue shows the Turtles getting down to business and taking on warriors much bigger and stronger than they were and emerging victorious because of their superior skill. Volume 4 of TMNT shows that years later, the Triceratons end up creating a special division of their military that puts less emphasis on brute force and more on skill based on the turtles winning this now-legendary battle.
SOURCE:
This was bought already-graded from ebay. I first had it signed at the Free Comic Book Day event at Shellback Artworks in 2013. I then took it to Gem City Comic Con 2014 to have Kevin Eastman sign it.
SYNOPSIS:
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 (now spelled with two "ts" for some reason :) 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 Honeycut into working for them.
The Turtles are shackled and lead to a jail cel. 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 2 days. April turns on the television and hears a news report regarding a strange phenomena emanating from the T.C.R.I. building (where the Turtles had gone 2 days 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 homeworld, the TMNT are being forced to fight for their lives in a monstrous arena filled with thousands of blood-thristy 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 Honeycut are about to be blasted to bits, they're engulfed in a power field... along with 3 Triceraton warriors.
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| Slot: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 7 |
| Item: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 7 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1024865002
|
Owner Comments
First Printing: May, 1986
NUMBER OF STORY PAGES: 41
COVER:.........Kevin Eastman
STORY:..........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
PENCILS:.....Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
INKING:.........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
TONING: ......Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
LETTERS:.....Steve Lavigne
NOTES:
This story is continued from TMNT #6
This issue contains a bonus 4 page story by Kevin Eastman and Richard Corben entitled "You Had to be There." It was the first ever full color TMNT comic.
SOURCE:
This was part of a large submission I sent with a friend to be signed by Eastman in late 2011. Thanks, Joel!
SYNOPSIS:
This issue opens with the news reporter, Jim McNaughton, explaining the strange situation going on at the T.C.R.I. building. 3 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 3 Triceraton warriors are recovering from being teleported by the Utroms' Transmat device. As soon as the Triceratons recover, they attack in effort to seize the Transmat. A huge brawl breaks out and several Utroms are hurt in the fight. Finally, all 3 Triceratons are taken out and the TMNT are reunited with Splinter.
April is outside and finds out what is going on. Knowing that she can be of no assistance, she 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 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 them 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. 20 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 can 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 homeworld and were asked to remain in New York to continue observation of the planet.
Tragically, the Turtles accidental use of the Transmat had caused the beams of light that have alerted the local police and National Guard, so the Utroms are in a serious bind. They offer to teleport the Turtles home, but it's at that moment that the National Guard attack the T.C.R.I. building. As Honeycutt works with the Utroms to program the Transmat to get everyone to safety, the soldiers battle the aliens' various robotic guards (who are firing stun weapons, so no men are killed in the battle). Just as the Guardsman are about to enter the Transmat chamber, all of the Utroms are teleported to safety. The TMNT are angry that they weren't being sent home, but decide that they must follow the Utroms or be captured by the National Guard. The Turtles and Master Splinter enter the Transmat and disappear.
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| Slot: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 7 Second Printing |
| Item: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 7 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1024869001
|
Owner Comments
Second Printing: January, 1989
NUMBER OF STORY PAGES: 37
COVER:.........Peter Laird, Ryan Brown, & Steve Lavigne
STORY:..........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
PENCILS:.....Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
INKING:.........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
TONING: ......Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
LETTERS:.....Steve Lavigne
NOTES:
This story is continued from TMNT #6
SOURCE:
I bought this book on Ebay directly from the Mirage store. I then sent it to a facilitator on the west coast to get it signed by Eastman. He then sent it to a facilitator on the East coast to get it signed by Laird. Thanks Jesse and Andrew! I appreciate the opportunity!
SYNOPSIS:
This issue opens with the news reporter, Jim McNaughton, explaining the strange situation going on at the T.C.R.I. building. 3 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 3 Triceraton warriors are recovering from being teleported by the Utroms' Transmat device. As soon as the Triceratons recover, they attack in effort to seize the Transmat. A huge brawl breaks out and several Utroms are hurt in the fight. Finally, all 3 Triceratons are taken out and the TMNT are reunited with Splinter.
April is outside and finds out what is going on. Knowing that she can be of no assistance, she 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 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 them 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. 20 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 can 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 homeworld and were asked to remain in New York to continue observation of the planet.
Tragically, the Turtles accidental use of the Transmat had caused the beams of light that have alerted the local police and National Guard, so the Utroms are in a serious bind. They offer to teleport the Turtles home, but it's at that moment that the National Guard attack the T.C.R.I. building. As Honeycutt works with the Utroms to program the Transmat to get everyone to safety, the soldiers battle the aliens' various robotic guards (who are firing stun weapons, so no men are killed in the battle). Just as the Guardsman are about to enter the Transmat chamber, all of the Utroms are teleported to safety. The TMNT are angry that they weren't being sent home, but decide that they must follow the Utroms or be captured by the National Guard. The Turtles and Master Splinter enter the Transmat and disappear.
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| Slot: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 8 |
| Item: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 8 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1024865003
|
Owner Comments
First Printing: July, 1986
NUMBER OF STORY PAGES: 45
COVER:.........Kevin Eastman
STORY:..........Dave Sim, Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
PENCILS:.....Dave Sim, Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
INKING:.........Dave Sim, Gerhard, Michael Dooney, Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
TONING: ......Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
LETTERS:.....Dave Sim & Steve Lavigne
NOTES:
Independent publishing pioneer Dave Sim added his trademark character Cerebus to this issue. It’s a fun story that flows very well in the traditional Cerebus style.
SOURCE:
This was a raw book that I sent with a friend to have signed by Eastman late in 2011. Thanks, Joel!
SYNOPSIS:
This story begins as Renet, the apprentice to time master Lord Simultaneous, "borrows" her boss' scepter 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 scepter, 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 "anyplace 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 Scepter.
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 Scepter.
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 wrist watch). 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.
|
| Slot: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 9 |
| Item: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 9 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1020825007
|
Owner Comments
First Printing: September, 1986
NUMBER OF STORY PAGES: 31
COVER:.........Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, and Michael Dooney
STORY:..........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
PENCILS:.....Michael Dooney
INKING:.........Michael Dooney, Ryan Brown, Jim Lawson, Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
TONING: ......Michael Dooney, Ryan Brown, Jim Lawson, Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
LETTERS:.....Steve Lavigne
NOTES:
"The Passing"
This issue shows the Turtles sometime in their youth dealing with one of their first missions as trained ninja. In their youth, their masks covered the tops of their heads as well as their eyes and Raphael didn’t yet have his trademark Sai yet. Instead, he used a pair of tonfa.
SOURCE:
I bought this raw on ebay and took it to Heroes Con in 2010 to have it signed by Michael Dooney. It was the first graded copy in 9.8 as the run seems to be riddled with flaws that keep it out of 9.8.
SYNOPSIS:
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.
|
| Slot: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 10 |
| Item: |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 10 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0162123001
|
Owner Comments
First Printing: April, 1987
NUMBER OF STORY PAGES: 36
COVER:.........Peter Laird
STORY:..........Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
PENCILS:.....Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
INKING:.........Michael Dooney, Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
TONING: ......Michael Dooney, Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
LETTERS:.....Steve Lavigne
NOTES:
"Silent Partner", Continued from Leonardo #1
This issue feature the Shredder clone once again. I find it interesting that while in the cartoon, the Shredder was the arch nemesis of the TMNT and in the comics, he really only appeared in a single issue.
SOURCE:
I took this book to the San Diego Comic Con in 2009 to get it signed by as many of the Mirage guys as I could.
SYNOPSIS:
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...
Continued in TMNT #11.
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