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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IDW Reading Order

Originally published by Mirage Studios in 1984, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was a black-and-white, self-published comic created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird that quickly gained traction, helping to ignite the independent comics boom of the 1980s.

Unlike many of its contemporaries, which faded into obscurity, TMNT evolved into a long-lasting franchise. The original comics follow four mutated turtles—Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo—who are trained in ninjutsu by their rat sensei, Splinter. Living in the sewers of New York City, they battle crime, alien threats, and supernatural forces, expanding their adventures across multiple dimensions in comics, television, and film.

While the original Mirage series ended in 1995, TMNT publications continued in various forms. The property moved to Image Comics in 1996, returned to Mirage in the early 2000s, and was later acquired by Nickelodeon in 2009. Since 2011, IDW Publishing (Transformers, G.I. Joe) has produced an ongoing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic series, spearheaded by TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, writer Tom Waltz, and artist Dan Duncan. This iteration introduced a revised origin story and an expanded mythology, ensuring that the heroes in a half shell continue their legacy in fresh and ambitious ways.

After 150 issues, IDW decided to relaunch the main Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic series and announced Volume 2 now written by Jason Aaron. A new era of the Turtles began.

What to read before Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles published by IDW?

Mostly, nothing as the IDW comics are not a continuation of the original comic series by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Still, while IDW reinterprets the mythology, many core elements—like the turtles’ personalities, key villains, and tone—come from there. And the publishing company has reprinted almost everything from the Mirage years in black & white and colorized collections.

Eastman & Laird’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection (Black & White)
    • Volume 1, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 1 issues #1–7, and Raphael #1.
    • Volume 2, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 1 issues #8–11, and the Michaelangelo, Leonardo, and Donatello “micro-series” one-shots.
    • Volume 3, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 1 issues #12, 14, 15, 17, and 19–21.
    • Volume 4, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 1 issues #48–55.
    • Volume 5, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 1 issues #56–62.
    • Volume 6, collects short stories/one-shots published between 1985 and 1989.
    • Volume 7, details coming soon.
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classics (colorized versions)
    • Volume 1, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 1 issue #13 along with a collection of stories from the Shell Shock TP.
    • Volume 2, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 1 issues #16, 22, and 23.
    • Volume 3, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 1 issues #27–29.
    • Volume 4, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 1 issues #32, 33, and 37 along with “The Ring”.
    • Volume 5, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 1 issues #34 and #38–40.
    • Volume 6, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 1 issues #42–44.
    • Volume 7, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 1 issues #45–47 and six short stories.
    • Volume 8, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 2 issues #1–5.
    • Volume 9, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 2 issues #6–9.
    • Volume 10, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 2 issues #10–13.
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Compendium Edition
    • Volume 1, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 1 issues #1-7, 9-14; the Raphael, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Leonardo Micro-Series one-shots; Fugitoid #1; and Tales of TMNT #1-5.
    • Volume 2, collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vol. 1 issues #15–23, #27–29, and #31–37 of the ongoing series plus Tales of the TMNT #6 and 7, and the short story “The Ring.”
    • Volume 3, collects “Shades of Gray” and the 13-part epic “City at War” that concludes the series by co-creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird with Jim Lawson. New

After the original 62-issue run of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mirage continued the series with a new #1 in 1993 and it ran for 13 issues in total. This 13-issue run by TMNT veteran Jim Lawson is now known as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Vol. 2. Picking up after the events of “City At War.”

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IDW Reading Order

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics published by IDW are now divided into two volumes following the 2024 relaunch.

  1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IDW Comics – Volume I
  2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IDW Comics – Volume II
  3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The IDW Deluxe Hardcover Collections
  4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Comics: Not part of the IDW continuity
  5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IDW Comics – Volume I (2011-2024)

In 2011, IDW Publishing launched a new take on the franchise, blending elements from past incarnations with fresh ideas to create a definitive modern interpretation. This ongoing TMNT comics, spearheaded by writer Tom Waltz, artist Dan Duncan, and TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, reimagined the turtles’ origins, introduced an expanded mythology, and offered a compelling mix of action, drama, and character-driven storytelling.

This Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book series introduced a new sci-fi twist to the turtles’ backstory, incorporating reincarnation, feudal Japan, and a deeper connection between Splinter and his archenemy, the Shredder.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles / Ghostbusters
Collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles / Ghostbusters #1–4. For those who read the Ghostbusters, this takes place after Ghostbusters (Vol. 2) #20.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles / Ghostbusters Vol. 02
Collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles / Ghostbusters II #1–5. For those who read the Ghostbusters, this story takes place after Ghostbusters 101 #6.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Rebirth

Starting with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #101, series writer and artist Sophie Campbell took over as the sole lead writer for the book.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IDW Comics – Volume II (2024-present)

In July 2024, IDW Publishing relaunched the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic series with Volume II. Jason Aaron took the helm as the head writer. Different artists drew the first five issues, then artist Juan Ferreyra became the series artist. But there’s more as the world of the TMNT is ever expanding!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IDW Reading Order - Michelangelo

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The IDW Deluxe Hardcover Collections

If you have a bigger budget and/or are a collector, you’ll maybe prefer the beautiful Deluxe Hardcover Collection. It’s quite easier to follow, you buy them in order…

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Comics: Not part of the IDW continuity

Those miniseries were published by IDW, but are not taking place in the same continuity as the main series. They offer crossover self-contained stories with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, of course.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin

Written by TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, along with Tom Waltz, and drawn by Esau and Isaac Escorza, Ben Bishop, and Eastman, The Last Ronin is based on an unused concept originally created by Eastman and Peter Laird in the late 1980s, making it one of the few TMNT projects to feature input from both original creators since Mirage Studios sold the rights to Nickelodeon.

Set in an alternate dystopian future, The Last Ronin follows the last surviving Ninja Turtle on a mission to avenge his fallen family. The story reveals that New York City has been taken over by the Foot Clan, now led by Hiroto Oroku, the grandson of the Shredder. Armed with the weapons of his deceased brothers, the lone turtle fights against overwhelming odds to bring down the oppressive regime.

 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures

Written by Erik Burnham and illustrated by Tim Patrick Lattie and Dan Schoening, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures is a continuation in comics of the 1987 TMNT popular animated show. Launched in 2022 with a miniseries that takes place after the events of season 7 and before the events of season 8, it has since become an ongoing series.

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