The man whose dark, noir style helped shape the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is finally part of their story. IDW Publishing has released Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #300, a milestone issue that brings together legendary creators—including Frank Miller, whose work inspired the heroes in a half shell in the first place.
Miller, the mastermind behind Daredevil, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and Sin City, contributes a cover to the issue. It's his first official involvement with the franchise that owes so much to his influence. Co-creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird originally conceived the Turtles as a playful parody of the gritty, shadowy comics Miller was famous for in the 1980s. The unspoken backstory? The same toxic waste that blinded Matt Murdock and gave him Daredevil's powers later seeped into the sewers, mutating four pet turtles into Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello. Daredevil had Stick as a mentor; the Turtles got Splinter. Daredevil fought the Hand; the Turtles fought the Foot. What started as a send-up quickly became a phenomenon, spawning cartoons, movies, action figures, and a wave of black-and-white indie comics.
But TMNT #300 is more than just a collector's cover. The main story, written by Gene Luen Yang with art by Freddie Williams III, pits the Turtles against the mad scientist Baxter Stockman in a fight for their lives. The issue also includes a back-up story by writers Tom Waltz and Eastman, with art from Ben Bates, Eric Talbot, Chris Allan, Frank Fosco, Jim Lawson, and Dan Duncan. That story reintroduces Renet, a teenage "Timestress" who first appeared in issue #8 back in 1986. She takes readers on a tour through the Turtles' extensive comics history—from their black-and-white early days to the present, with stops along the way (including that time Raphael punched Adolf Hitler).
How did the Turtles reach 300 issues? It's not a continuous run. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #300 is actually the 20th issue of the current volume, but the number comes from "legacy numbering," which adds up all previous volumes. (The same method will see The Amazing Spider-Man celebrate its 1000th issue later this year.)
The milestone issue is available now from IDW Comics in stores and digitally. For fans of the Turtles—and of the legendary creators who shaped them—this is a must-have. And if you're looking for more epic storytelling, check out our guide to why Tracy Deonn's 'Legendborn Cycle' is the next great fantasy TV adaptation, or dive into the world of Prime Video's 'The Legend of Vox Machina' as it dominates streaming.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on the Turtles and all your favorite entertainment news.
