A lost Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series of the past is making a return in the present. Not every TMNT fan is aware that the franchise originated not with Saturday morning cartoons, but with gritty comic books. Among the grittiest was the fourth volume of TMNT by Peter Laird and Jim Lawson, released between 2001 and 2014.

Per Comic Book, IDW Publishing will launch TMNT: Journeys, a monthly series that will be reprinting every single issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Vol. 4 starting on August 20. The deadline to pre-order these comics is July 14. Michael Dooney’s original cover art for TMNT #1 will be used for Journeys #1, as seen below, along with a brand-new variant cover by TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman.

In addition, here is the official solicit summary for TMNT: Journeys:

A LOST PIECE OF TMNT HISTORY BROUGHT BACK TO LIGHT!

Twenty four years ago legendary Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Peter Laird ed forces with Jim Lawson and the legendary talent at Mirage Studios to continue the epic journey of the Ninja Turtles in the fourth volume of their ongoing series. TMNT: Journeys reprints that epic series here for the very first time! The Ninja Turtles are growing up and facing off against new, frightening dangers that could tear the four brothers apart and change New York City forever. Meanwhile, April and Casey Jones prepare for the next step in their relationship as they’re expecting a baby. And Master Splinter trains with Shadow Jones for the dark forces threatening the family ahead. With a brand-new variant cover by TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, this is a can’t-miss story for all TMNT fans!

The modern uncovering of TMNT allows younger fans to discover an old gem and lost piece of art for the franchise.

IDW is Re-releasing a Classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Series for TMNT: Journeys

TMNT #1 by Peter Laird and Jim Lawson

Raphael Donatello Michelangelo Leonardo the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are tired in TMNT #1 vol 4 by Peter Laird

Peter Laird and Jim Lawson's TMNT series is one of the most significant eras of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles history. Beyond introducing to audiences the strongest Turtles in canonical history, the series was the first to bring the Turtles back to the gritty roots of their 80s origins. The original comics that the Turtles debuted in under Mirage Studios back in 1984 portrayed them and their stories in a more pulpy, violent light. TMNT vol. 4 arrived in the early 2000s, during which the Turtles were at the height of their popularity due to the mainstream cartoons.

The original comics the Turtles debuted in were created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Lawson would pen and draw a relaunched second volume in 1993, while Image Comics would take over from Mirage and release Vol. 3. The soon-canceled third volume was rendered non-canonical when Laird returned for Vol. 4.

For Laird and co. to find success and critical acclaim for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with a tone that was exceedingly different from what was offered for wider crowds is just as impressive today as it was back then. Today, the mainstream kid-friendly TMNT animated movies and shows can still exist alongside the grittier comics that IDW offers today. Fans and retailers continue to both parties equally, as Eastman expresses in a statement promoting the TMNT: Journeys:

I have been asking about Mirage volume four of TMNT since I started at IDW 2 years ago. When I found out we were finally going to release, I jumped out of my chair in excitement. Getting a chance to honor the final TMNT series that Peter Laird, co-creator of TMNT, worked on is an immense honor.

The TMNT fans and retailers that continue to our books have been amazing. I can’t wait for them to relive or experience these books for the first time. They’re in for an exciting journey.

Revisiting the Classic TMNT Release Helps Preserve Lost Media

Forgotten Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Maintain Longevity

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Casey Jones and April O'Neil in TMNT #4

Older media is becoming a dying breed that's becoming harder to track down. The decades-old TMNT is falling into that same category of lost media, but thankfully, TMNT: Journeys is keeping it alive. These books have long been out of print, meaning that if a new generation of readers want to discover them, they need to search far and wide, or get lucky enough to find it in a used comic bookshop. This reprinting opens the door for an entirely new era of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to discover one of the best volumes of the material.

TMNT: Journey #1 will be available from IDW starting August 20.

Source: Comic Book