The first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic was published in May 1984.
Mirage Studios released the 40-page black-and-white issue as an independent comic. Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird financed the project partly with a $500 loan from Eastman’s uncle, making the debut a notably small publishing venture compared with later franchise releases.
The first issue introduced the four turtles, their teacher Splinter, the Foot Clan, and the villain known as the Shredder. Its darker artwork and violent tone differed substantially from the brighter, more comedic versions that later reached television audiences.
The comic’s success encouraged additional issues and licensing opportunities. A 1987 animated series then broadened the audience dramatically, while the 1990 live-action film brought the characters to cinemas. Publication dates are sometimes confused with the launch of those later adaptations.