Nearly forty years ago, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sprung from the Jack Kirby and Frank Miller-obsessed brains of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Pop culture was forever altered. For the better.

In this week's episode, we continue to explore the sibling dynamics between the four mutant brothers: Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael. This time, however, we go back to the beginning, flipping through the pages of the first seven Mirage Studios issues. What we find within feels familiar and unfamiliar simultaneously. It's an emotionally rich and turbulent saga, an immigrant story involving revenge, mad scientists, and aliens. Not a single slice of pizza is present.

Helping us understand the TMNT familial relationships is Dawn Huebner, Ph.D., and her book "The Sibling Survival Guide: Surefire Ways to Solve Conflicts, Reduce Rivalry, and Have More Fun with Your Brothers and Sisters, illustrated by Kara McHale. 

Before we dig into this thick turtle soup, we must celebrate this year's Baltimore Comic-Con, our last convention of the season. We discuss the friends we caught up with, the past guests we finally met in person, the artists we stood in line for, and the comics we purchased. Every con has its unique vibe, and there is no other place on Earth like Baltimore Comic-Con. The two-dollar bins alone should entice your curiosity.

Relevant Links:

• CBCC on TMNT: The Movie w/Bryan Young

Comic issues covered in this episode: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 - 7 and the Raphael one-shot. All were written, illustrated, and toned by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Issues 1 - 4 were lettered by Eastman and Laird, issues 5 - 7 were lettered by Steve Lavigne. The comics were originally published by Mirage Studios between May 1984 and March 1986. 

Be sure to follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

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Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.

Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner art by @Karen_XmenFan.