8 Massive Franchises You Didn't Realise Started As Comic Books
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise revolutionised merchandising after its original comic book debut in 1984 and, as a result, has produced some of the most recognisable characters of all time.
Originally conceived by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird and published using money from a tax refund along with a loan from Eastman’s uncle, TMNT was initially published as a single-issue comic book which played on the incongruity of a slow cold-blooded reptile participating in high-octane martial arts.
The popularity of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles really took hold in 1987 with the production of a range of TMNT action figures by Playmates Toys Inc., which coincided with the release of Murakami-Wolf-Swenson’s iconic cartoon series.
The franchise has since gone on to produce another 3 animated and one live-action TV series alongside multiple films.
Despite the original comic ceasing publication in 2014, a Michael Bay-produced reboot of the film series has since been produced with 2014’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and 2016’s sequel Out of the Shadows both becoming box-office successes.