Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were created in 1984 by artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Many people are unaware that the Ninja Turtles began as a black and white comic book and were geared toward adults. The comics were published by Mirage Studios out of Dover, New Hampshire. The original concept was intended by the artists to be somewhat of a parody of then-popular comic books.

The original incarnation of the Turtles consisted of eating pizza, drinking beer, profanity (lots of it) and killing the bad guys. The stories in the early comics had a gritty, intense feel, nothing like the most commonly known version of the Turtles that spawned from the 80s cartoon. These Turtles were dark, moody and brooding as were many popular heroes of the time.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reached the height of their popularity as a result of the late 80s/early 90s animated series. The cartoon first aired in December of 1987 as a 5-part miniseries. The Ninja Turtles cartoon official run on October 1, 1988 began its official run on October 1, 1988. There was a dramatic change in tone. The cartoon was a complete departure from the dark books to a silly, family-friendly cartoon aimed at young children.

While this watered down version of the Turtles made fans cringe, the cartoon helped launch these characters into mainstream popularity. In fact, the show became one of the most popular animated series in the history of television. A merchandising frenzy followed shortly thereafter. Kids were earting TMNT cereal, wearing TMNT shirts, playing with TMNT action figures and battling each other on TMNT video games.

Leonardo (Leo) - The courageous leader and devoted student of martial arts, Leonardo wears a blue mask in some versions and wields two katana. He is the oldest of the four and the most skilled fighter of the turtles. Leonardo was named after the Italian polymath, scientist, engineer, inventor, anatomist, and painter, Leonardo da Vinci.

Michelangelo (Mike or Mikey) - Easy-going and free-spirited, Michelangelo wears an orange mask in some versions and wields a pair of nunchaku. Michelangelo provides much of the comic relief. While he loves to relax, this Turtle also has an adventurous and creative side. He's something of the "surfer" boy, speaking usually in a Southern California accent. He is named after the Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer Michelangelo Buonarroti. His name was originally misspelled "Michaelangelo" by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman.

Donatello (Don or Donny) - The brilliant scientist, inventor, engineer, and technological genius, Donatello wears a purple mask in some versions and wields the b%u014D staff. Donatello is perhaps the least violent Turtle, preferring to use his intellect to solve conflicts. He is named after the sculptor Donatello.

Raphael (Raph) - The team's bad boy, Raphael wears a red mask and wields a pair of sai. He has an aggressive nature and seldom hesitates to throw the first punch. He is an intense fighter. He would usually speak in a Brooklyn accent. His personality can be alternately fierce and sarcastic, and oftentimes delivers deadpan humor. Still, he is intensely loyal to his brothers and sensei. Raphael is good friends with Casey Jones. He is named after the Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance, Raphael.

Splinter - The Turtles' sensei and adoptive father, Splinter is a Japanese mutant rat who learned the ways of ninjutsu from his owner and master, Hamato Yoshi. In the 1987 TV series and Archie Comics series, Splinter was Hamato Yoshi mutated into a rat instead of being just Yoshi's pet.

Shredder - A villainous ninjutsu master called Oroku Saki. In every incarnation of the TMNT franchise, he has been the archenemy of Splinter and the Turtles. Shredder prefers to use his armor instead of weapons in some versions. He is also the leader of the Foot Clan.

April O'Neil - A former lab assistant to the mad scientist Baxter Stockman, April is the plucky human companion of the Turtles. April first met up with the Turtles when they saved her from Baxter's Mouser robots. She embarks on many of the Turtles' adventures and aids them by doing the work in public that the Turtles can not. In the 1987 TV series, Archie Comics series and subsequent three films, April was a television news reporter.

Casey Jones - A vigilante who has become one of the Turtles' closest allies as well as a love interest to April. Casey first met up with the Turtles after having a fight with Raphael. Casey fights crime with an assortment of sporting goods (baseball bats, golf clubs, ice hockey sticks, cricket bat, etc.) while wearing a hockey mask to protect his identity.

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