The legendary Mirage Studios comic book run of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is one that quite literally created a cultural phenomenon. Unlike the popular 1987 cartoon that followed, these original comics were gritty and violent. However, while this series was off the rails, nothing prepared anyone for how things would flip during the third volume.
The third volume of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic series was hosted by Image and written by Gary Carlson. While it's no longer canon this series introduced the turtles to some very weird circumstances. This list will feature the weirdest moments and will show why Peter Laird isn't a fan.
10 LEONARDO LOSES A HAND
This new take on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles introduced the team to a new villain called King Komodo. As one can guess, this character is a big mutated Komodo Dragon and he had a taste for blood when it came to the heroes in a half shell.
During a battle with the turtle leader, Leonardo, King Komodo manages to get the upper hand and cut one of the hands off of Leo. Leonardo, being the badass he is, keeps on fighting one-handed. After the battle, he is given a new robotic hand.
9 RAPHAEL GETS HIS FACE SCARRED
This is one of the most surprising yet, somewhat try-hard and unnecessary additions to the turtle lore that Image set out to add. After defeating an attacking cyborg in the sewer with his brothers Raph begins tinkering with the cyborg, attempting to investigate the new enemy.
The cyborg's defensive systems activate and quite literally blow off half of Raphael's face, leaving fans with an image of one of their heroes that they'd never expect. He continues in the series wearing one of Casey's masks but soon just grows into wearing a simple eyepatch.
8 OPRAH BECOMES A MICHAELANGELO FAN
Michaelangelo's love of writing has always been a piece of his character in the world of the turtles but the image comics takes this love a step further. Throughout the series, we find more and more that Mikey has been getting into poetry and fictional writing. By the end of the tale, we learn that he's even published a title.
April O'Neil lets the titular turtle know that Oprah Winfrey even has become a big fan of his first big hit. His stories become best-sellers and Mikey gets started on his next big novel.
7 DONATELLO NEARLY DIES
In one of the first issues of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Image run the turtles are ambushed and attacked in their own home. The enemies seem to be too strong for the turtles and give them quite the run for their money. This is the same battle that resulted in the Raphael messing with that cyborg and ruining his face.
During this rude awakening, Donatello is shot by said cyborgs and takes more damage than any of his brothers after a fall from a helicopter. He goes missing and can't move due to the wounds. He lays battered and broken awaiting a savior.
6 DONATELLO BECOMES A CYBORG
During this time that Donny sat waiting for death to let its cold hands cover him but before he meets his sad end one of the cyborgs that fell with him begins acting strange. It turns out this dying robot started merging with the downed turtle, turning Donatello into a cyborg himself which saved his life.
However, things still aren't good as throughout the series Donatello's cyborg half begins trying to take over the body for itself. Thankfully Donny remains in control, though the cyborg has made him more aggressive.
5 SPLINTER BECOMES A MUTANT BAT
One of the first arcs of the series funny enough isn't about the turtles simply facing the new cyborg enemies, local gangs, nor the foot, but their master as well. Master Splinter is kidnapped early on in the series by a man known as Dr.Wu, the scientist that created the new turtle foe, King Komodo as well.
Dr.Wu gives a new mutagen to Master Splinter and turns him into a monstrous mutant bat. He goes feral and attacks the turtles every time they attempt to save him. They give him another mutagen and he returns to normal.
4 RAPHAEL MURDERS A GANG
Everyone knows that Raphael has always been the hot head of the four turtle brothers but the Image comics vision of the mean green anger machine took things to the next level, as they often do.
During one issue of this run Raphael ends up in the presence of a mafia-like gang that comes equipped with an arsenal of their own. After reaching his limit Raphael pulls out a gun of his own and opens fire on the group of baddies. This is no cartoony showcase either. Readers see full on their favorite turtle spraying down the men, blood and all.
3 THERE IS A WEIRD AND RANDOM SUPERHERO SIDEPLOT
Image Comics seemed to be obsessed with the idea of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossing over with characters from their realm of comics. This brought in characters like Savage Dragon and the very niche Galahad. Galahad comes into the series hunting the murderer of his mentor who has business with Shredder for some reason.
This leads to the three having beef with each other as well as a few other encounters. In the end Shredder leaves Headhunter (the assassin) to Galahad and owes him a debt of gratitude.
2 IT ENDED WITH AN UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE SHREDDER
A big part of the plot was supposed to be a successor to Shredder rising up after his defeat. The final successor of the series before it was canceled was an unidentified Female Shredder who readers were brought to believe was Pimiko, the daughter of Oroku Saki.
This however wasn't the case. A note in the letter pages of the comics hinted at it being Karai and a semi-canon followup said it was Headhunter. Fans may never know.
1 RAPHAEL BECOMES THE SHREDDER
During Raphael's troubled time during this run of the comics and after the shock he faced after murdering he turned to the darkness to find a way to feel better. He ended up making connections with the Foot Clan and even became friends with certain members.
Those mobsters were enemies of the Foot and this gave Raphael power in the clan. The power to run the New York faction of the Foot, which he did while wearing a variation of the Shredder's iconic armor. He was soon overthrown by the Lady Shredder.