I am a lover of TMNT, and my husband somehow moreso than me, having had delved into the IDW and Last Ronin before me. The Mirage Years throws it back to the similarly-clad (i.e. before they had their own colors to differentiate them) but distinctly unique quad of brothers in their everyday life. Losing your glue is always hard, and as the boys begin to drift apart, they are forced together once again to save their friends, family, and city from Baxter Stockman and his ingenuity. I don't want to spoil any main plotpoints, but the fights are so colorful and grotesque in a realistic and palpable way, and you fight to root for our boys while watching them walk down paths that may lead to ruin. The chapter headings were clean and beautifully illustrated, and I look forward to owning this and putting it on my shelf for my husband to read. The lore and depth this book has really highlights the struggle and aggression of such turmoil and somehow always leaves you hoping for the best and wanting more.

Thank you IDW Publishing, Jim Lawson, and NetGalley for the ARC!

Turtles Forever!

I love the heart of these early comics and the artwork is amazing. It felt so nostalgic, like I missed the characters and was getting to visit them again. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Stockman returns as a cyborg of sorts to attack April in NYC, but the Turtles and Nobody manage to fight him off. However, Ralph is captured by DARPA and needs a rescue. So off to Nevada they head with Leo, Casey, and Nobody. Plenty of action, fighting, weird science, and ET activity to entertain the reader!

Thanks Netgalley and IDW for the chance to read this title!

A hit of nostalgia for fans with a classic comic book art style and the darker themes and style of early TMNT. It's an excellent pick for fans of comics from the '90s and for TMNT collectors/those familiar with the earlier lore and feel of the franchise.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Mirage Years (1993-1995). By Jim Lawson. 2025. IDW Publishing (eBook ARC).

The Turtles, Casey, and April go up against a powered-up Baxter Stockman and alien mutants in this reprinted collection. There’s plenty of colorful and gritty action to go around as the gang drifts away and comes together as they try to protect and redefine their family and home, respectively. Overall, an entertaining volume, but the line art for the humans is weak compared to the turtles.

Worthy of purchase for the artwork alone. The story is a little basic, but it's all in service of Lawson's dynamic art.

As a lifelong fan of the Ninja Turtles I was absolutely thrilled for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I've read a few other TMNT comics, but I've never read the really early works, so this was interesting for me.

These earlier volumes are a darker side of the Turtle adventures, from the language, the gore, and the danger to our beloved characters. Baxter Stockman is back, and just as terrifyingly brilliant as before, but this time he's hellbent on revenge, and he's willing to go to great - disturbing - lengths to accomplish his goals. April and Casey are together with their child, Shadow, and I loved seeing their slice of domestic bliss. Our boys are all clad in red, and seem older, wiser, and a bit more disillusioned.

I did feel like a few of the volumes dove headlong into an adventure, but didn't offer much resolution along the way. There were other storylines though, that reminded me this is why I love the Turtles; their sense of loyalty and honor, the strong bonds of family and friendship, and their desire to do the right thing even when it's the hard thing.

I love TMNT and it was fun to receive this and relive the early days of the series. Elements of the artwork are a bit old school and clumsy but still enjoyable stories.

This is a Graphic Novel. I read this book with my teenage daughter who loves Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I remember my brother reading Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when I was a kid in the 90's. The drawings and coloring is 90's. My daughter loved this book, and She really enjoyed reading it with me. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

I received an ARC of this collection from NetGalley and IDW.

It’s been a while since I read any TMNT comics so I was a little lost at the start. The issues in this collection pick up after some major story arcs and I would say it’s pretend dependent on reading those at least for the first half of the issues.

Some of the art was incredible especially anthropomorphic characters and techy scenes. The humans all looked a bit wonky. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Arnold-esque bulky Casey Jones and April.

The problem with 80s and early 90s comics is style over substance it’s all lead up and cliff hangers then the main action is hardly anything and off to the next dramatic event. The main event fighting is a few panels and underwhelming. The pacing in comics like these feels off but if you love the 80s and 90s action comics with a more adult theme (violence and language) then this will be a good addition to the collection.

I also found the read texts bubbles near impossible to read but I had an e-copy hopefully it’s more clear in print but at the same time it felt like I missed nothing important with the anti-climatic ending (in these series I’m sure the plot that feels like a soap opera means it’s not really the end).

Overall it’s a pretty standard comic collection maybe worth reading for a completionist but not something for a causal reader or fan.

I enjoyed this collection of TMNT history in the original format. I've always been a fan of both TMNT comics, and cartoons and even the original movies. So this was walk down memory lane.

I had a hard time getting into this collection, as I wasn’t too jazzed on the artwork or the direction of the narrative.

But…

I put it down for a bit. And after reading the current Return to New York collection, I picked it back up this weekend. And it hit a little bit different. It screams vintage, because it is. And that was difficult to grasp, my mindset that TMNT wasn’t yesterday. It was decades ago (and modern, yes. But this, decades.) This was cutting edge at the time, that’s the mindset to have when starting this book.

Upon a revisit, I’m bumping my rating from 3 to 4. This is important TMNT history.

I really enjoyed experiencing this piece of Turtles' history. Being able to read the comics in their original colorization was such a wonderfully nostalgic experience. It helps that the comic was so fast-paced that you are never bored while reading. I especially enjoyed Lawson's introduction, which was such a beautiful look into why comics have had such a lasting impact on our culture for generations, and why the Turtles have endured as such a prominent part of pop culture since their creation. Fans of TMNT should definitely pick up a copy of this volume and revisit the magic and charm of Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael!

A great omnibus collection of a 13-issue storyline of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from the early 1990's that was a fun nostalgic read.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions written are completely honest and my own.

It took me a second to figure out how this version of the Turtles worked, but it was a fun ride after that. You really can't go wrong with a ninja turtle graphic novel, even if they all wear orange.

First off, huge thanks to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for the chance to check out this collection in advance. As always, this is my honest review.

Confession time: I haven’t read the Mirage TMNT issues before this run. My exposure to the franchise comes from the Archie comics and the first animated series (aka what my generation tends to call the "real" or "first" TMNT - even though we all know that’s not actually true). So, diving into this volume was like being tossed into a sewer without a map. At first, it’s chaotic. Confusing even. But once you settle in and let the characters guide you, it starts making more sense - assuming you already have at least a basic understanding of TMNT lore.

Speaking of pacing, this comic doesn’t just move fast - it sprints. I don’t think I’ve ever blasted through a 360-page omnibus so quickly. As a collected edition, that’s fantastic; as a monthly series back in the day? I’d probably have been frustrated waiting for each issue just to speed-run through it in minutes before the dreaded “to be continued” struck again.

The artwork? It’s weird. In a good way. The early ‘90s US comic style is definitely there, but there’s also a surprising influence that feels almost manga-esque. It’s a unique mix that makes the book visually stand out from its contemporaries. The coloring, while varied, is never overwhelming - just the right balance to keep things engaging without an assault on the senses.

This is an interesting read, particularly for dedicated TMNT fans who want to explore more of the franchise’s roots. Don’t expect an earth-shattering, mind-blowing storyline, but do appreciate it for what it is - a fascinating (almost) early chapter in TMNT history. If you’re here for a piece of comic book nostalgia, this delivers in spades.

Such an honor to be able to read the ARC version!!
Born in 96, The Turtles have been such a huge part of my childhood! i love all the movies, tv shows, toys, comics!! To be able to read the Mirage Years in colour!!! was amazing!!
Picking up after the events of City at War, TMNT Compendium Vol 3, Donatello and Splinter recuperate in Northampton Leonardo, Raphael and Michelangelo are in NYC staying with Casey, April and their child
Baxter Stockman is free from prison and builds a robot to host his brain/soul, and sets his sights on April
Federal Agents from the DARPA are searching for Stockman and mutants
dark, gritty and nostalgic!!

A huge thank you to NetGalley, IDW Publishing, and Jim Lawson for providing me with an ARC of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Mirage Years (1993-1995) in exchange for my honest review.

As a longtime TMNT fan, this collection was a blast of pure nostalgia. I devoured it in one sitting, drawn in by the signature mix of humor, danger, and the relentless battles against formidable villains that define the Turtles' adventures. Jim Lawson’s art and storytelling capture the essence of the era, making this a treat for fans of the classic Mirage run.

I rated this 4 stars, though nostalgia plays a big role in that score. The story is gripping but moves at a breakneck pace, and the abrupt ending left me wondering if it was initially meant to be part of a longer series. Still, the energy and charm make up for it.

For anyone craving a hit of TMNT nostalgia or just an action-packed read, this is definitely worth picking up. While longtime fans will appreciate the deeper connections, I believe newcomers could still enjoy it as a standalone introduction to this era of the Turtles.

This book has everything you'd want from a TNT comic. Lots of action, some drama, some comic relief, and over the top 80s (even though these were originally released in the 90s) art, dialogue, and plot.
The art style is certainly unique, I'm not quite sure how to describe it. I liked it though.
The start of the book was pretty melancholy following the previous events that took place, but the book picks up speed quick.
None of the plots were particularly interesting or deep, but they did their job.
One note for pre-release, I would've loved a "Previously in TMNT" section at the start for newer readers to catch up on this chapter of the characters.
Thanks to IDW and NetGalley for this ARC!

Thank you to IDW Publishing for sending me a copy through NetGalley.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Mirage Years is not the entry point for the comics of the pizza-eaters creatures I was expecting. The choice of stories whose style is aged badly, mixed with the lack of an introduction to the narrative told in this collection makes it difficult to follow for the not passionate, and turning this comic into something nostalgic and strictly reserved to a public who loves the Turtles. The positive elements are linked with the characters themselves and their iconicity, their irony and the way the authors never have been scared of playing and changing them permanently, where the idea of mutation is here used in the most expressive and imaginative way, while this urban, street-punk world appear in front of us as something incredible and interesting. So, if you can go over the limitations linked with the contents, this would be a volume you want inside your library. Otherwise, there are too many omissions to really start from this publication.

STYLE: 3,5
WRITING: 3,5
STORY: 3,5
WORLDBUILDING: 4
RHYTHM: 2,5
CHARACTERS: 4
VILLAINS: 3
ARTISTIC FEATURE: 3,5
ATMOSPHERE 3
EMOTIONAL IMPACT: 3

FINAL VERDICT: ⭐⭐⭐