Bud Plant Spring Part II 1985
Possibly 1st and Only Albedo 2 ad
In this catalog we find an ad for Albedo 2, the first appearance of Usagi Yojimbo. This may well be the only known ad for the issue and it features the iconic cover from the book, listed at cover price—$1.50!
"Introducing Usagi Yojimbo"--the samuri rabbit.
Bud Plant Fall/Winter 1985 TMNT Raphael Usagi Albedo Casey Jones
This Bud Plant issue features both a TMNT and a (partially obscured) Usagi Yojimbo appearance. We get a partial view of Usagi on the cover of Albedo #4, the cover to the Raphael one-shot (with Casey Jones!), and a partial cover view of TMNT #4!
Bud Plant Summer/Fall 1985 TMNT Dark Horse Miniatures Ad
In this Bud Plant catalog we find an ad for the 1st set of TMNT Miniatures. Created by Dark Horse Miniatures, this set of four 25mm lead figures was available by order through early TMNT issues and, of course, this catalog.
Bud Plant Summer 1984
The Summer catalog features an ad for TMNT #1, although it's not for a 1st printing. As the ad states, the 1st issue was sold out, and this preorder was for a "possible limited reprinting." We now know that the 1st issue has been reprinted many times, so it's interesting to note that at this time the 2nd printing had not been a sure thing.
Bud Plant Update 60 1984 Early TMNT 1 Ad
Back in 1984 when the first issue of TMNT was released, comic distributor and retailer Bud Plant sold copies through his catalog. The ad, shown below, is one of the earliest to appear promoting the 1st issue. While it's tough to pinpoint exactly when this appeared, it's safe to say it was before the summer (more on that to come). Check out the ad below, and a write up found on Heritage Auctions detailing the Bud Plant connection.
TMNT Movie 1990 Adaptation UK Fleetway
There are several movie adaptations from 1990, both from Mirage and Archie, with various covers and notable differences with the content itself. This very rare version from Fleetway (so rare in fact, there isn't another that we've personally come across, in person or seen online), is different from the rest for a few reasons. Let's start with the size. At over 8 3/8 x 11 3/4, it may well be the largest adaptation ever released. The full color cover, created by an uncredited artist, depicts scenes from the movie. There are several ads and activities inside (including the humorous Donatello on the back cover!) that feature art that seems to have been created specifically for this edition. The title on the cover is unique, as the UK did not use the word "Ninja" but rather "Hero." The credits on the 1st page and some of the ads inside use the word "Hero." A rare find indeed!
Amazing Heroes 187 1st Space Usagi
January 1991
Though not a TMNT character, Usagi Yojimbo, created by Stan Sakai, has had quite a few crossover adventures with the Turtles and was even published by Mirage for a time. In this particular issue of Amazing Heroes, we get many insights from Stan about his creation and the first appearance of Space Usagi, a comic and upcoming Netflix series. While there are two Space Usagi appearances in the TMNT Mirage comics, issues 46 (April 1992) and 47 (May 1992), this appearance predates both issues by at least 1 year. Expect this issue to heat up fast, and remember you saw it here first!
