The Comics Journal 89 March 1984 Rare TMNT

The Comics Journal 89
March 1984
Fantagraphics

UPDATE: CGC has officially recognized that this appearance predates the 1st issue of TMNT! 

The CGC label reads:

Leonardo drawing in "Newswatch" predates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1

This issue features one of the earliest appearances, if not THE earliest appearance, of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! This issue, listed in the masthead as their May issue, was actually printed and released in March (see the zoomed in credits), ONE MONTH before Amazing Heroes 45 (April 15) and The Comics Buyer's Guide 542 (April 6). It's also listed on the official The Comics Journal website as their March 1984 issue.

While this image does not show the full team like the other press release ads, it does feature the Leonardo illustration from the T-shirt Iron-On ad (T5) inside the back of the 1st issue. This image must have been pulled from a press kit and chosen because of its size to fit in the space allotted for this issue.

One other interesting note: this Leonardo illustration also graced the covers of the Archie comics series in the indicia area. This early appearance is a very rare find indeed!

Comics Collector Magazine 6 1st Color TMNT

Comics Collector Magazine 6
January 1985

In an earlier post I mentioned that there was a color image published prior to February 1985 (the date of TMNT #2, 3rd printing), and this is it! This may very well be the first time we see the TMNT (or more specifically, Leonardo, in that classic Eastman and Laird style) in full color. Since there were no color reprints in 1984, and the merchandising hadn't begun until the RPG in September of that year, all signs point to this predating all other color versions in print. More to come!

Comics Collector Magazine 10

Comics Collector Magazine 10
January 1986

This issue features a 3-page article on the early success of the TMNT comics. There are a couple of black and white photos of Eastman and Laird, a full color illustration of Leonardo wearing a red bandana, and a reprint of the press release ad sent to news media in Spring 1984!

And here's another ad showing the cover of the 1st issue with an $85 (1st printing) price listing.

Comics Collector Magazine 8

Comics Collector 8
June 1985

Like The Comics Buyer's Guide, this magazine was published by Krause Publications, Inc., but only ran for 10 issues. A couple of notable appearances here, but let's start with the TMNT. There's an ad that features a very small image of the Turtles. What's interesting is this image looks to be the exact same one used to promote the Portsmouth, NH, Mini-Con, except for the background panels from the 1st issue. See the 2 images below. (Note: I do not own the flyer)

Here's another great find. This issue spotlights Batman and may contain the 1st appearances of Frank Miller's Bruce Wayne and Carrie Kelley in The Dark Knight Returns! This issue predates The Dark Knight Returns 1, which was published in February 1986. More to come!