Inside the Guide: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were created in 1984 by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, originally published by Mirage Studios. Their battles with mutated creatures, alien invaders, and petty criminals gave way to a dynamic multimedia franchise in cartoons, films, action figures, other merchandise, and many more comic books. As their popularity has grown, so too has the market for TMNT collectibles – especially comics.

When Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 was first published in 1984, it carried a cover price of $1.50. It didn’t take long for the comic to become an established key. Two years later in 1986, for The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #16, Robert M. Overstreet valued a Near Mint copy at $40. After another four years, for the Guide #20, it was up to $185.

When the Guide #30 was released in 2000, TMNT #1 had devalued to $120. This is likely due to the growing popularity of the franchise through animation and film, prompting more people to sell their copies, thereby flooding the market with the first printing. Ten years later in 2010, it had returned to an upward trajectory and was valued at $8,300. For 2021’s Guide #51, Overstreet estimated that a Near Mint copy was up to $16,500.