THE ARCHIE COMICS
2005 update : Apparently, with Dean Clarrain now working with Peter Laird on some of the new issues of the current "Tales of the TMNT" series he has had enough influence to impress upon Laird and Mirage the need to do "The Forever War" story arc for the Archie TMNT universe, which would have been the final TMNT storyline for the Archie comics series but was cancelled before he could tell it. We can possibly expect this "The Forever War" mini-series sometime in 2006, coming out under the Mirage Publishing label.
   Hot on the heels of the
success of the syndicated TMNT cartoon that debuted in 1987,
the licensed Archie Comics Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures
comic series hit the stands with the first issue of a 3 part
mini-series in 1988. The regular series premiered in 1989, which
lasted until 1995 for 72 issues. Its cancellation was followed
by another 3 part mini-series called "Year of the Turtle"
the same year, though it would be the final TMNT comic Archie
Comics would publish. |
The series began by adapting already-existing
TMNT cartoon episodes into comic book form. This trend stopped
at #4, and every comic beyond that was original. As differences
began to develop between the origins of certain characters in
the TMNT Adventures and the cartoon, the TMNT Adventures
was declared to be in a TMNT universe separate from the cartoon
(though extremely similar).
The
comic lived up to its name. Going on various adventures through
all regions of the world, and even across the expanse of space,
the Turtles went through a great many ordeals, encountering enemies
such as the insectoid queen, Maligna, the corrupt businessman
named Null, and an assortment of mutated villains. In "The
Final Conflict" arc, the Turtles dueled the minions of Maligna
in a quest for the Turnstone (a stone of awesome properties) on
another world, emerging triumphant and beating Shredder, Krang,
and Bebop & Rocksteady at their own game. The new characters
that popped up were interesting and welcome. One character, Ninjara
(a humanoid fox), became more than friends with Raphael. Other
noteworthy arcs, like "The Black Hole Trilogy" and "The
Early Years" explored the future and past of the Turtles.
 The TMNT Adventures had a
number of spin-off mini-series and specials, most notably "The
Mighty Mutanimals" and the April O’Neil minis. |
