First full artwork of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles goes for $71,700

Heritage Auctions reports that the first-ever full artwork of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird sold for $71,700 on Friday, May 11, at Heritage Auctions in Dallas as part of a Vintage Comics & Comic Art Auction. It sold to an anonymous buyer.  Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman consigned the artwork, created in Nov. 1983.

Eastman has designated an undisclosed percentage of profits from the auction proceeds to benefit The Hero Initiative, Heritage Auctions reports.

“What an incredibly exciting week this has been! The Turtles have been blessed with the best fans on the planet, so I chose this event to make available personal historical TMNT items for those really hardcore supporters – but WHOA – what a response!” wrote Eastman in a statement to the auction house. “My many, many, thanks to all the fans that have given me the best job in the world, and for their love for a great, goofy, bunch of green guys that just wanted to be normal teenagers – Mutant Ninja ones anyway!”

- Matt Price