10 Best Comic Book Universes

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe was created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird when they published the first TMNT title back in May of 1984. The TMNT Universe initially consisted of only the core characters and their adversaries, but it was expanded as the title grew.

Initially, the universe consisted of the Turtles, Splinter, their allies, and their enemies as they existed in Mirage Studios' publication, but it expanded as other publishers took hold of the franchise, which allowed for the incorporation of many different independent characters.

Since it first debuted, the TMNT Universe has been published in books by Mirage, Image, and IDW Publishing, which is the one currently holding the rights. Because the publishers have shifted about, and numerous creators have gotten involved, the TMNT Universe has expanded to include the likes of Batman, Cerebus, Usagi Yojimbo, Flaming Carrot, Savage Dragon, Archie & the Gang, Sonic the Hedgehog, and even Garfield & Friends.

The large number of crossover comics has kept the TMNT Universe somewhat fluid, but despite having so many characters jumping in and out of the Turtles' adventures, it remains primarily centered around Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael.