The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Were Created in New England

Did you know that the ‘heroes in a half shell’ were actually first thought of, conceptualized, and essentially brought to life right here in New England?

Sure, in the comics the Ninja Turtles live in the sewers of Manhattan—but in real life, their roots aren’t so New York.

So, with that in mind, where in New England were Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo first created?

According to WMUR in Manchester, the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book was created in Dover, New Hampshire, in 1983, by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman.

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Laird and Eastman debuted the comic at a convention in Portsmouth on May 5th, 1984, where it quickly sold out.

Within a few years, the franchise expanded globally, including the launch of an animated television series by the end of 1987.

WMUR continued by highlighting how, in November 2023, Dover officials unveiled two markers honoring the city as the birthplace of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

A historical marker was installed on Central Avenue, and a custom manhole cover—designed by Eastman—was placed on Union Street, where Eastman and Laird lived when they created the comic.

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And there you have it! The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were first created in Dover, New Hampshire—just a few minutes from the Maine border.

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