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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #1
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures, Volume 1
Classic animated TMNT action is collected here in this collection of two fan-favorite cartoon adaptations! In both "The Return of Shredder Parts 1–2" and "The Incredible Shrinking Turtles Parts 1–2,” as Shredder comes back to Earth from Dimension X and attempts to exact his revenge upon the hard-backed heroes.
122 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 24, 2012
93 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Dave Garcia
46 books1 followerDave Garcia is a comic book writer and artist known for being the co-creator of Panda Khan, which he developed with his wife, Monica Sharp. He also wrote and illustrated many Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures issues and provided the art and story for Mid-Afternoon of the Living Dead in Turtle Soup (vol. 2) issue 2.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 5, 2021
In 2011, I randomly purchased a DVD of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fast Forward at a garage sale. While everyone has heard of the heroes in a half-shell, I didn't know much about them before buying that DVD; I'd seen the 2007 CGI film, but, I didn't remember much about it, because, as a non-fan, many of the references were lost on me. I soon converted those Fast Forward episodes to iTunes, and added them to my devices, where they sat...
...until that December, when I randomly decided to watch one episode on the half-hour ride to church. As soon as it started, it had me; even though I was viewing it on a tiny iPod touch screen, my eyes were glued the whole time. I soon watched every other episode of the 2003 series I could get my hands on, and bought the first season of the 1987 version on eBay. Since then, I've seen countless Ninja Turtles adventures; about a month ago, I completed the entire original series, which was a feat that took years to complete.
Still, when completing a series of any kind, I always wonder: Is there more? These days, you don't just have standalone movies or television shows; you also have books, comics, video games, and other media that tell stories that aren't available in any other format. When I saw that there were "funny books" that contained even more of the heroes in a half-shell's adventures, I knew I had to get my hands on them...and, thanks to the Hoopla app, I have plenty of them at my fingertips.
These comics were a throwback to the old days; nowadays, too many adventures from DC, Marvel, and other publishers are awash in sexual content, gruesome violence, and profanity. Even some of the recent Archie stories left me cold. If you're a big fan of the Ninja Turtles like me, and have already finished the original series, you should give these books a try. Rather than hunting them down on eBay, you should check with your local library systems and see if they have the Hoopla service; if not...well, there's always inter-library loan.
...until that December, when I randomly decided to watch one episode on the half-hour ride to church. As soon as it started, it had me; even though I was viewing it on a tiny iPod touch screen, my eyes were glued the whole time. I soon watched every other episode of the 2003 series I could get my hands on, and bought the first season of the 1987 version on eBay. Since then, I've seen countless Ninja Turtles adventures; about a month ago, I completed the entire original series, which was a feat that took years to complete.
Still, when completing a series of any kind, I always wonder: Is there more? These days, you don't just have standalone movies or television shows; you also have books, comics, video games, and other media that tell stories that aren't available in any other format. When I saw that there were "funny books" that contained even more of the heroes in a half-shell's adventures, I knew I had to get my hands on them...and, thanks to the Hoopla app, I have plenty of them at my fingertips.
These comics were a throwback to the old days; nowadays, too many adventures from DC, Marvel, and other publishers are awash in sexual content, gruesome violence, and profanity. Even some of the recent Archie stories left me cold. If you're a big fan of the Ninja Turtles like me, and have already finished the original series, you should give these books a try. Rather than hunting them down on eBay, you should check with your local library systems and see if they have the Hoopla service; if not...well, there's always inter-library loan.
April 27, 2024
In this compilation of re-released stories from the early 1990s, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures, Volume 1 collects the first four issues of the 72-issue Archie comic series, a pair of two-part tales adapting Season Two episodes of the classic cartoon series; namely, "Return of the Shredder" and—eat your heart out, Richard Matheson!—"The Incredible Shrinking Turtles."
In an alternate dimension, evil warlord Krang grants Oroku Saki, a.k.a. the Shredder, solitary passage to Earth so that he may exact vengeance upon the half-shelled heroes and their rodent sensei, Splinter. In his first scheme, the archvillain seizes control of a karate dojo and recruits the hard-faced students to commit a series of robberies in full turtle regalia, thereby discrediting the radical reptiles in the eyes of the media. In a further effort to draw out his rivals, the Shredder enlists mad inventor Baxter Stockman to reconfigure a drilling vehicle and abduct Splinter from his underground home. Naturally, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael claim victory over the Shredder, but before they can catch a breath, an extraterrestrial craft swan-dives into Central Park. Before the alien pilot succumbs, he informs the Turtles that a powerful crystal dubbed the Eye of Sarnoth has broken into three fragments now scattered across the city; the first fragment falls into the hands of none other than—you guessed it—the Shredder, and he uses its power to shrink the reptilian quartet to pint-sized heroes.
While this preliminary volume lacks the depth, character growth, action, and robust ongoing storylines for which the later issues of TMNT Adventures would be heralded, the artists behind these early stories succeed in capturing the likeness and spirit of the characters. On the other hand, both the campy dialogue and nondescript landscapes underscore the volume's cartoonish essence. Alas, the plots themselves are riddled with forced comic relief, bizarre coincidences, and maddening contrivances. Yet, the characters often lampshade their situations, thereby relying more on the story’s fundamental nature. In other words, the scriptwriters never intended for the stories to be taken seriously; it is entertainment, pure and unadulterated, and sure to enrapt adolescent readers who aren’t bothered by the shoddy 90’s coloring (since IDW didn’t bother remastering these antiquated issues) or nostalgia-minded thirty-somethings like myself.
In an alternate dimension, evil warlord Krang grants Oroku Saki, a.k.a. the Shredder, solitary passage to Earth so that he may exact vengeance upon the half-shelled heroes and their rodent sensei, Splinter. In his first scheme, the archvillain seizes control of a karate dojo and recruits the hard-faced students to commit a series of robberies in full turtle regalia, thereby discrediting the radical reptiles in the eyes of the media. In a further effort to draw out his rivals, the Shredder enlists mad inventor Baxter Stockman to reconfigure a drilling vehicle and abduct Splinter from his underground home. Naturally, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael claim victory over the Shredder, but before they can catch a breath, an extraterrestrial craft swan-dives into Central Park. Before the alien pilot succumbs, he informs the Turtles that a powerful crystal dubbed the Eye of Sarnoth has broken into three fragments now scattered across the city; the first fragment falls into the hands of none other than—you guessed it—the Shredder, and he uses its power to shrink the reptilian quartet to pint-sized heroes.
While this preliminary volume lacks the depth, character growth, action, and robust ongoing storylines for which the later issues of TMNT Adventures would be heralded, the artists behind these early stories succeed in capturing the likeness and spirit of the characters. On the other hand, both the campy dialogue and nondescript landscapes underscore the volume's cartoonish essence. Alas, the plots themselves are riddled with forced comic relief, bizarre coincidences, and maddening contrivances. Yet, the characters often lampshade their situations, thereby relying more on the story’s fundamental nature. In other words, the scriptwriters never intended for the stories to be taken seriously; it is entertainment, pure and unadulterated, and sure to enrapt adolescent readers who aren’t bothered by the shoddy 90’s coloring (since IDW didn’t bother remastering these antiquated issues) or nostalgia-minded thirty-somethings like myself.
October 22, 2023
I was practically obsessed with all things Ninja Turtle when I was a kid in the early ninties, including these comics. Upon a revisit, they don't hold up as well, especially since I have now read some of the far superior original stories from Eastman and Laird.
Still, these comics gave me endless enjoyment when I was a little punk, so I can't be too harsh on them. Also, I think they get better later when they become more than just cartoon episode adaptations.
Still, these comics gave me endless enjoyment when I was a little punk, so I can't be too harsh on them. Also, I think they get better later when they become more than just cartoon episode adaptations.
June 1, 2020
I'm such a nerd. I love these Archie TMNT stories as they were the very first comic books I ever owned. The art is wonky, the writing is silly and the coloring is incredibly inconsistent. Somehow as I am re-reading this I am still absolutely loving it. This particular volume is hampered by its issues that are direct adaptations of the original TMNT cartoon series. Once the writer gets to go their own way the story and fun improve immensely.
August 15, 2012
Background: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures Volume 1 is actually a compilation of re-releases of comics from the 1990’s. The volume includes, Return of the Shredder and The Incredible Shrinking Turtles. Both showcase the awesomeness that was the TNMT from my childhood; jokes about food, fighting the ridiculous bad guys, and always trying to stay hidden.
Review: This is a re-release so the illustration quality is straight out of the 90’s, which is great if you are an old 90’s TMNT fan, if you are new to the Turtles, it looks old…but really it is just a classic! Return of the Shredder (Parts A&B) is just that Shredder is back from Dimension X and the Turtles must defeat him before he terrorizes the city. The characters are entertaining and the Turtles always make me smile…food is super important. The Incredible Shrinking Turtles again is a re-release of the issue where the Turtles are subjected to “Three Fragments of the Eye of Zarnov” which had fallen to earth and fell into the hands of none other than…Shredder and he is threatening to shrink the city. This was another great Turtles adventure, the suspense is great, and even though disaster is about to strike, the Turtles keep it lighthearted.
Review copy provided by IDW Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Review: This is a re-release so the illustration quality is straight out of the 90’s, which is great if you are an old 90’s TMNT fan, if you are new to the Turtles, it looks old…but really it is just a classic! Return of the Shredder (Parts A&B) is just that Shredder is back from Dimension X and the Turtles must defeat him before he terrorizes the city. The characters are entertaining and the Turtles always make me smile…food is super important. The Incredible Shrinking Turtles again is a re-release of the issue where the Turtles are subjected to “Three Fragments of the Eye of Zarnov” which had fallen to earth and fell into the hands of none other than…Shredder and he is threatening to shrink the city. This was another great Turtles adventure, the suspense is great, and even though disaster is about to strike, the Turtles keep it lighthearted.
Review copy provided by IDW Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2012
I've been hyper-aware of my the strong nostalgic streak in my me over the last several years. It's in part due to turning 30 in 2010, and becoming a parernt later that year. My son can say Batman and Superman and Spider-man with ease, and he's aware of their images from the toys and magazines I've gladly supplied him. I'm happy to share these things with him, but I don't want to burden him with the feeling of having to like things I like.
My wife found an old TMNT dry erase board she had when she was a kid. It's sitting on a shelf somewhere in our house. Our son played with it a little, but it's a dry erase board. There's not a lot of fun to be had with it when you can't be trusted with markers. Also, he insists the turtles are frogs.
This collection features adaptations of the cartoon from the late 80s/early 90s. That show was my jam. It was one of many signs (which I mostly ignored) that I should be reading comic books. I wrote TMNT fan fiction in 4th and 5th grade. This show was my jam. These comics are candy, pointless fluff, and not really even in the good way. The spirit of the show is here, for what it's worth, and this is a short and pleasant diversion from all the awful in the world.
My wife found an old TMNT dry erase board she had when she was a kid. It's sitting on a shelf somewhere in our house. Our son played with it a little, but it's a dry erase board. There's not a lot of fun to be had with it when you can't be trusted with markers. Also, he insists the turtles are frogs.
This collection features adaptations of the cartoon from the late 80s/early 90s. That show was my jam. It was one of many signs (which I mostly ignored) that I should be reading comic books. I wrote TMNT fan fiction in 4th and 5th grade. This show was my jam. These comics are candy, pointless fluff, and not really even in the good way. The spirit of the show is here, for what it's worth, and this is a short and pleasant diversion from all the awful in the world.
July 15, 2013
This book reprints the first four issues of the long-running Archie Comics TMNT series from the 1990's. According to Wikipedia only the first few issues (including a 3-issue mini-series that came before the issues found in this book) followed the storyline of the cartoon show. After that, the creators were given free reign to tell new stories. That said, this series feels like the cartoon show. It's both ridiculous and random much of the time.
I actually enjoyed later volumes in this series more than volume 1. So, if you read this volume and think it's a little lame, stick with it. Volume 3 was really great.
Overall, I enjoyed this collection and the other volumes that followed it because the cartoon show was one of my favorites. I'm not sure it's the "best" introduction to the turtles for a brand new reader. (The silliness of the villains alone will make you groan.) There's a lot of great TMNT material out there which may tell their story a bit better. This one is for the 90's cartoon show devotees.
I actually enjoyed later volumes in this series more than volume 1. So, if you read this volume and think it's a little lame, stick with it. Volume 3 was really great.
Overall, I enjoyed this collection and the other volumes that followed it because the cartoon show was one of my favorites. I'm not sure it's the "best" introduction to the turtles for a brand new reader. (The silliness of the villains alone will make you groan.) There's a lot of great TMNT material out there which may tell their story a bit better. This one is for the 90's cartoon show devotees.
April 11, 2014
I read this only this past year as catching up with TMNT comics. I admit it wasn't exactly as deep as the other comics, seeing as these are adaptations of the show meant for kids, but it was still thoroughly entertaining, even for adults.
I haven't watched the animated show in about a decade, when the DVD of the first season came out, but I remember it not aging well. I've been watching the new animated series by Nickelodeon, and I believe that one to be the best animated rendition of the four turtles yet.
The comic is such a fun read, and brings back many memories I had as a child. Recommended for the audience of all.
I haven't watched the animated show in about a decade, when the DVD of the first season came out, but I remember it not aging well. I've been watching the new animated series by Nickelodeon, and I believe that one to be the best animated rendition of the four turtles yet.
The comic is such a fun read, and brings back many memories I had as a child. Recommended for the audience of all.
July 12, 2012
Oh man are the kids at my library going to LOOOOOVE this. I love this! These are the Ninja Turtles I remember from my childhood, goofy puns, silly bad guys and all. It's a must for anyone looking for a little nostalgia and for any fan of pizza, mutant reptiles and yellow jumpsuited reporters.
May 11, 2014
I will always be a fan reminds me of my childhood :)
July 15, 2014
Now these are my turtles!!! Classic cartoon silliness
June 25, 2021
Recently, I came across the Ninja Turtles online again and decided that I wanted the original animated series on DVD (1987-1996, 10 seasons) and managed to snag it online. Subsequently, I found out that these exist; 16 graphic novels/comic compilations with 2 full stories in each across 4 separate comics. Apparently, these are only based on the animated series' episodes until 'book 5,' which doing the math means 10 episodes ended up becoming comics. Presumably, the rest are only loosely-at-best based on episodes. Really, I didn't remember much about the original series before putting this in aside from Bebop, Rocksteady, and Krang, though admittedly not their names and I didn't really remember what the face of the body Krang gets looked like.
This one has the first two episodes of season 2 ("The Return of Shredder Parts 1-2" and "The Incredible Shrinking Turtles Parts 1-2") with very few differences. Having recently started binge-watching the series, I basically read every character's talk and thought bubbles in the character's voices, which probably makes this experience all the better. I will say that I find it interesting that in the latter half of story 2/comic 4, they actually fixed a mistake made in the episode. In the episode, something happened without any explanation whatsoever. I'm assuming the team realized this after the episode aired. It's such a small mistake that it's hard to harshly judge them for it.
As a random note: I thought this would take much, much longer to read than it actually did. I had to check this out through a public library because the price to own it -- just because it's the first one -- is a bit high for only 120 pages. The cheapest I found it online was for $40-some while the pricier end runs from $70-120. MAYBE it would be worth those prices if these were just based on the characters with stories that never ended up in the animated series (years mentioned above), but even those in this series that aren't based on the episodes cost somewhere between $17-22. It was worth reading and I even appreciated their mistake correction. 5 stars.
This one has the first two episodes of season 2 ("The Return of Shredder Parts 1-2" and "The Incredible Shrinking Turtles Parts 1-2") with very few differences. Having recently started binge-watching the series, I basically read every character's talk and thought bubbles in the character's voices, which probably makes this experience all the better. I will say that I find it interesting that in the latter half of story 2/comic 4, they actually fixed a mistake made in the episode. In the episode, something happened without any explanation whatsoever. I'm assuming the team realized this after the episode aired. It's such a small mistake that it's hard to harshly judge them for it.
As a random note: I thought this would take much, much longer to read than it actually did. I had to check this out through a public library because the price to own it -- just because it's the first one -- is a bit high for only 120 pages. The cheapest I found it online was for $40-some while the pricier end runs from $70-120. MAYBE it would be worth those prices if these were just based on the characters with stories that never ended up in the animated series (years mentioned above), but even those in this series that aren't based on the episodes cost somewhere between $17-22. It was worth reading and I even appreciated their mistake correction. 5 stars.
September 7, 2022
Oh wow, this was rather rough. Like even the official comiXology scan looked a little dated, which is totally fine by me. It adds another level of nostalgia to the whole experience.
This first volume of the Adventures (read: based on the cartoon) comic didn't have much in terms of a compelling story, but it was nice to see the cartoon styling translated into a comic book. The turtles started as a grittier comic and then became an animated TV series, then became a comic based on the cartoon.
This volume has Shreddy mostly alone on Earth since we're at that point in his relationship with Krang when he's continually denying him troops and other support. As in he won't even let Bebop and Rocksteady go back to Earth to help. Thus we end up with some weird adventures with thee likes of Baxter Stockman helping him and later some alien crystal thing.
This first volume of the Adventures (read: based on the cartoon) comic didn't have much in terms of a compelling story, but it was nice to see the cartoon styling translated into a comic book. The turtles started as a grittier comic and then became an animated TV series, then became a comic based on the cartoon.
This volume has Shreddy mostly alone on Earth since we're at that point in his relationship with Krang when he's continually denying him troops and other support. As in he won't even let Bebop and Rocksteady go back to Earth to help. Thus we end up with some weird adventures with thee likes of Baxter Stockman helping him and later some alien crystal thing.
November 18, 2024
Este tomo adapta los primeros capítulos de la segunda temporada del dibujo animado original a historieta, y hasta le suma algunos chistes y mini-escenas. Nunca lo había leído porque no se editó en Argentina, a diferencia de la historia que le sigue, así que no es que tenga un gran apego emocional por estas historias, pero igual se dejan leer pese al tiempo transcurrido desde su salida original.
April 1, 2019
I had the audiobook and comic that precedes this graphic novel.
I loved the cartoon as a kid and reading this brought back a lot of nostalgic memories. I could even hear the proper voices as I read it. A must read for those who absolutely loved the old cartoon.
I loved the cartoon as a kid and reading this brought back a lot of nostalgic memories. I could even hear the proper voices as I read it. A must read for those who absolutely loved the old cartoon.
January 2, 2019
An entertaining adaptation of two episodes of the 1980s cartoon. The original stuff doesn't start until the next volume, but one of the primary artists gets their start in the second storyline... (B)
June 2, 2020
I read a few of these ages ago, though not from the start of Volume 1, and the familiar, cartoony art style will take you straight back in time. Undemanding amusement.
May 28, 2021
Feels like a retelling of episodes that loses something in the translation - some of the charm and the art, I think.
February 25, 2022
The 80s cartoon slapped onto a comic.
August 13, 2023
Not a fan of the adaptions of episodes.
August 20, 2012
There are four stories in this collection of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Adventures. In the first April’s boss thinks that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are evil. April knows that they are not. With Shredder in another dimension with Krang (and Bebop and Rockstedy are there too) the turtles think that all is well in their world. Splinter knows that evil is never that far away and wants the turtles to keep vigilant. Sure enough Shredder comes back and the turtles must protect themselves, the city, and their reputation first from Shredder and then from an alien’s power that Shredder happens to capture. Life is never dull when the TMNT are around!
I started reading this book as a sentimental nod to my teenage years. (I remember when the first TMNT movie came out…we painted “masks” on our faces as we went to the movie theater in the color of our favorite ninja turtle.) I enjoyed reading these stories. They felt like four fun comics thrown together into one collection. Shredder was just as evil and frustrating. The turtles true to form always saved the day (and enjoyed a slice of pizza). And April and Splinter were just as resourceful and knowledgeable as ever. These stories feel like all the other classic turtles adventures, minus the kerfuffles of Bebop and Rocksteady that would happen if they had been more than spectators.
I started reading this book as a sentimental nod to my teenage years. (I remember when the first TMNT movie came out…we painted “masks” on our faces as we went to the movie theater in the color of our favorite ninja turtle.) I enjoyed reading these stories. They felt like four fun comics thrown together into one collection. Shredder was just as evil and frustrating. The turtles true to form always saved the day (and enjoyed a slice of pizza). And April and Splinter were just as resourceful and knowledgeable as ever. These stories feel like all the other classic turtles adventures, minus the kerfuffles of Bebop and Rocksteady that would happen if they had been more than spectators.
February 24, 2015
"I’m glad this trade did well, because it allowed the next trade and the one after – with the original stories many of us grew up with and loved – to be printed. I think that if you’re a hardcore Adventures fan like me you should get it to have the complete collection. But if you’re looking to see what the fuss was about… start with volume 2. You’ll be much more satisfied.
Read my full review, at TheBookCloset
Read my full review, at TheBookCloset
September 2, 2012
How much fun!
This rerelease of classic TMNT comics from the 1990s is a perfect introduction to a new generation of readers.
This volume tells the story of Shredder returning from Dimension X to try and defeat the turtles through two stories- The Return of Shredder and The Incredible Shrinking Turtles.
This rerelease of classic TMNT comics from the 1990s is a perfect introduction to a new generation of readers.
This volume tells the story of Shredder returning from Dimension X to try and defeat the turtles through two stories- The Return of Shredder and The Incredible Shrinking Turtles.
July 2, 2016
chapter 1 leo donie raph and mikey need to find there master there master is a rat name splinter got capture from two bad guys name baxter stopman and shedder. ninja turtles must stop shedder. chapter 2 the ninja turtles found a alien.
August 18, 2012
See the full review here - http://le-grande-codex.blogspot.in/20...
September 22, 2012
I am glad that the old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle comics are being reprinted in graphic novel format. It’s completely about nostalgia.
May 11, 2014
Cute.
October 20, 2022
Cowabunga!!!
Totally Tubular Dudes I love the classics and can't get enough of them epically Amazing
Now I'm craving some deep dish pizza
Totally Tubular Dudes I love the classics and can't get enough of them epically Amazing
Now I'm craving some deep dish pizza
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews