Shellebrating 25+ Years of TMNT History [Infographic]

On the eve of a brand new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles show that’s already getting great reviews and its matching line of new toys flying off the shelves, I’m feeling the need to double-check the calendar to make sure this isn’t 1989. For nostalgic Ninja Turtle fans, or really any child of the 80s who remembers when Turtlemania was sweeping the nation, these are fun, exciting times.

While the new show with its younger April and edgier humor takes aim at a whole new generation of TMNT fans, there promises to be plenty of material for us older fans (e.g. those of us who still remember all the lyrics to “Turtle Power”) to enjoy–the new theme song even pays homage to the original cartoon! But will Nick’s new spin on the franchise live up to the expectations of fans who grew up with the Ninja Turtles? The past three decades have been riddled with many different versions of TMNT—some great and others we’d like to forget.

Here’s a look back at over 25 years of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles history and the various incarnations of our favorite heroes in green—the good, the bad, and sometimes the scary.

[click to enlarge]

Don’t forget to catch the special early premier of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles tonight at 8PM on Nick, and tune in Saturday morning at 11AM for the full one-hour, two-episode debut.

Tell us! What’s your favorite version of the Turtles?