The original Ninja Turtles behind the mask

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been a beloved cultural phenomenon since their inception in 1984. Originally created as a comic book series by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the four turtles – Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael – have since been adapted into countless TV shows, movies, and video games. However, many fans may not know the story of the original Ninja Turtles behind the mask.

Eastman and Laird originally created the Ninja Turtles as a parody of popular comics of the time, particularly Frank Miller’s Daredevil. They envisioned the Turtles as a satirical take on the gritty superhero genre, imagining that their characters would be a group of turtles who were transformed into human-like creatures with ninja skills after being exposed to radioactive waste. The duo initially self-published the first issue of the comic book in 1984 with a print run of just 3,000 copies.

The comic book was an instant success, and Eastman and Laird soon found themselves with a cult following. In 1986, they sold the rights to the characters to Playmates Toys, who began producing a line of action figures. The Ninja Turtles became a merchandising juggernaut, with a wide range of products from breakfast cereal to bed sheets.

The Turtles’ popularity only continued to grow when they were adapted into a successful animated TV series in 1987. The show ran for 10 seasons and 193 episodes, and helped to solidify the Turtles’ status as pop culture icons.

Despite their success, Eastman and Laird remained largely behind the scenes as the Turtles’ creators. They continued to write and draw the comic book series, but their involvement in the other adaptations was minimal.

In recent years, however, the original Ninja Turtles have been making a comeback. IDW Publishing began publishing a new comic book series in 2011 that returned the Turtles to their gritty, adult-oriented roots. Eastman and Laird have also been involved in the development of the new live-action movies, serving as executive producers on the 2014 and 2016 films.

The story of the original Ninja Turtles behind the mask is one of unexpected success and enduring cultural impact. Though they were originally conceived as a parody, the Turtles have become beloved by generations of fans who continue to be drawn to their unique blend of humor, action, and teenage angst.

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