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!
Bud Plant Update 76 October 1985
In this catalog we find an ad for not one, but two TMNT products—TMNT and Other Strangeness, their first RPG game, and the 2nd set of Dark Horse Miniatures figures featuring Splinter and Shredder.
New England Comics Catalog 14 Fall/Winter 1988
In this issue, the TMNT is not only featured on the cover and in a spotlight on page 3, but also given an entire spread with looks at the toys, some of which were not yet released at the time this catalog was printed. The note below the figures listing reads: figures of Rocksteady, Bebop, April and a Clan Foot Soldier have been announced but have not been released yet. The vehicles, however, do have release dates, ranging from August (Cheapskate) to October (Technodrome). And a listing for Albedo 2 for a steal at $125!
TMNT American Comics Catalog #11
This rare catalog not only has tons of TMNT merchandise listed for sale but also has an amazing cover and spot illustrations throughout by fan-favorite artist Adam Hughes!
New England Comics Catalog 13 circa 1987-1988
This rare catalog features an image of the 1st TMNT issue on the cover (upper right) and again on page 33. Here we find a list of TMNT books, graphic novel collections, posters, games and more. There's also a reprint of the cover of the 1st issue of Usagi Yojimbo on page 35 for the UY completists out there! (More early Usagi appearances to come)
Comic Shop News 189
This issue features a 'toon version of Leonardo on the cover and an activity page with Michaelangelo and the logo on the back fold. Much like Comics Buyer's Guides, Comic Shop News issues can be tough to find because they were discarded by most everyone who had them, and with the popularity of the Turtles, this one can be especially so.
Comics Buyer's Guide 1326 April 1999
This issue is notable for a few reasons. For one, the cover sports a reprint of both the original 1st issue of the Mirage comic and the Archie TMNT Adventures cover, as well as a pic of creators Eastman and Laird. On the inside cover, we get a rarely seen photo of the duo with Cerebus creator Dave Sim. An interior spread chronicles the Turtle history up to this point in time (1999), with a reprinting of the first full-page ad Eastman and Laird ran in the Comics Buyer's Guide #547. And finally, a Peter David "But I Digress..." article about his involvement in trying to bring the TMNT comics to Marvel's Epic line. There's also a fun anecdote about how he was given a free copy of the 1st Mirage issue, which the store owner where he acquired it probably now regrets!
Comics Values Monthly #32 1989
This issue features the cover to TMNT #2. Interesting to note that the Future Picks section speaks to the rise of the value of the 1st Mirage comic but that its popularity "has not spilled to the Archie adaptations," because "there is no art in those issues by Eastman and Laird." As we've seen recently, the Archie comics have spiked in value, though not at the rate of the original Mirage comic.
