The best Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics take the franchise beyond the kid-focused aesthetics of the cartoons and movies to something more adult. While the series started as a parody of superheroes, the turtles have become cultural icons and have spawned plenty of comics as a result. Our list of comics below delivers some of the best adventures the heroes in a half-shell have taken, and it points you toward even more amazing stories.
Best Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Comics as of 2025
With nearly four decades of stories spanning multiple publishers and creative teams, identifying the best TMNT comics can be overwhelming for both new readers and longtime fans. We’re going to take a look at some of the standout storylines that have defined the franchise. We’ll explore what makes these particular stories essential reading and why they continue to resonate with readers across generations.
Plastron Cafe: Old Times
In early 21st century Japan, an elderly Donatello activates his computer’s training simulation. He selects “New York City rooftop, circa 1985.” Within the virtual environment, he engages a squad of digitally rendered Foot Ninja, defeating each opponent. The Shredder is the final challenge, only to fall before Donatello’s seasoned combat skills. As the simulation winds down, Donatello sees holographic representations of himself and his three brothers as they once were: young, vibrant, united. The sight overwhelms him. He commands the computer to purge these images from the program and ensure they never appear again. Stepping out of the simulation chamber, Donatello is overcome with grief. Written and illustrated by Peter Laird.
Mirage Studios wanted a second comic series beyond TMNT. They created an anthology called Plastron Cafe with short stories, hoping one would become popular enough for its own series. They knew they needed turtle content to sell it. Peter Laird used this chance to tell a story about the last surviving turtle. “Old Times” appeared in Plastron Cafe #1. This story directly inspired The Last Ronin years later, but with a twist: instead of Donatello being the survivor, it’s Michelangelo. To date, Old Times has never been reprinted.
The Last Ronin
In a dystopian future New York, one surviving Turtle seeks revenge against the Foot Clan who killed his brothers and Master Splinter. The mystery of which brother survived is revealed to be Michelangelo, now a hardened warrior carrying his brothers’ weapons. He teams up with a resistance group to take down the Shredder’s grandson who rules the city, ultimately finding redemption and a new purpose beyond vengeance. Written by Peter Laird, Kevin Eastman, and Tom Waltz.
The series reached #1 on Amazon’s Best-Seller list for Science Fiction Graphic Novels and has impressive ratings. It was both a critical and commercial juggernaut. Critics have favorably compared it to Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, praising its dystopian take on the Turtles. The story presents a darker, more mature version of the TMNT universe that resonates with both longtime fans and newcomers. The visual storytelling captures the weight and emotion of the narrative. The series kicks off with a bang and successfully delivers on the hype with an accessible and compelling story.
City Fall
The Shredder captures and brainwashes Leonardo, turning him into his second-in-command. Leo fights against his own brothers while under the Shredder’s control. The remaining Turtles must find a way to save their brother and stop the Shredder’s plan to take over New York City. Written by Tom Waltz with art by Mateus Santolouco.
The great Tom Waltz is definitely at his finest with this one, and the art is also as beautiful as ever. The central premise of Leonardo becoming Shredder’s second-in-command creates a shift that fundamentally challenges the team dynamics. Things are taking a turn for the worse as violence in the city is getting out of control and the Shredder is planning on bringing the city to its knees. It’s one of those stories where it all comes together in a way that makes everything feel like it means something. The storyline spans issues 21-28 and represents the culmination of years of careful plotting, delivering both emotional impact and spectacular action.
City At War
After the Shredder’s defeat, New York’s criminal underworld erupts into chaos as different gangs fight for control. The Turtles become divided on how to handle the situation – some want to stay involved while others prefer to retreat from the violence. The brothers struggle with their relationship to each other and their role in the city as the gang war escalates around them.
City at War is one of the longest and most important storylines in TMNT history, spanning thirteen issues of the original Mirage comic series. It has become engrained in the TMNT’s legacy. Notably, City at War is the final collaboration between creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. At its core it is a rich and heartbreaking story of fractured relationships, the painful reality of aging, and the burdens of responsibility. It also happens to be one of the most poignant stories in the series. It’s all been leading up to this! A massive showdown on the streets of New York City! The story represents both a culmination of years of storytelling and a deeply personal work from the original creators. It combines epic action with intimate character moments in a way that few TMNT stories have matched.
Change is Constant
The origin story of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is retold with new twists. Four baby turtles and a rat are mutated by radioactive ooze, but this version explores different aspects of their transformation and early training. Master Splinter teaches his sons the ways of ninjutsu while they discover their place in the world. Written by Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz, with art by Dan Duncan.
This book is a re-telling of the slightly amended origin story of everyone’s favorite ‘heroes in a half-shell’. Change is Constant is a pretty solid start to the series, whether for newcomers or longtime fans who can spot all the references. It comprises the first four issues of the series and explores the different origins of the Turtles in this universe. The storyline establishes the groundwork for IDW’s definitive take. It’s a thesis statement for IDW’s approach to these characters. It is a series committed to change, to taking risks and remixing ideas to build upon the foundational elements of the series. The arc benefits from having one of the original TMNT creators directly involved. It respects the core TMNT mythology while reimagining key elements, setting the stage for what became IDW’s acclaimed long-running series.
How we chose the best Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics
When choosing the best TMNT comics, I focus on story quality and lasting impact. Character development is equally crucial. Historical significance plays a major role, with some of these being groundbreaking for their time. They should balance accessibility for new readers with rewards for longtime fans. Most importantly, the best TMNT comics must stay true to the TMNT spirit by capturing what makes these characters special, balancing serious martial arts elements with inherent absurdity, and maintaining the themes of family and brotherhood. The truly great TMNT comics succeed in multiple categories. They’re not just well-crafted stories, but ones that understand what makes this turtle world unique while pushing the boundaries of what TMNT can be. What do you think are the best Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics?
