Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ##9
Mirage Studios • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1
Writer
Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
Interior Artist
Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
Cover Artist
Michael Dooney
Publication Date
Sept 1986
Cover Variant
Regular
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
This issue features the first appearance of the character Gnatrat (in a backup story). The main story involves a dream sequence titled 'The Ring', following the Turtles' return to New York. Key characters include Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Fine/Near Mint (CGC 9.0)
Condition Details
Visible light spine stress/ticks that do not appear to break color significantly. Minor blunting on the bottom left corner. Front cover surface shows high gloss with minimal scuffing. Edges appear sharp with no significant chipping.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $30.00 - $50.00; Graded (9.8): $250.00 - $350.00
Recent Sales
CGC 9.8 copies have recently sold between $275 and $325. Raw high-grade copies consistently sell in the $40 range.
Grading Recommendation
Moderate recommendation. If it can achieve a 9.6 or 9.8 after a professional press, it adds significant liquidity and value. As a 9.0, the cost of grading may outweigh the value increase.
Notable Features
First appearance of Gnatrat. Features a unique wrap-around cover art by Michael Dooney. Notable for being part of the original independent Mirage run which had smaller print runs compared to Marvel/DC titles.
Authentication Notes
The $1.50 cover price and Sept 1986 date are consistent with the first printing. Paper stock is the original newsprint-style interior common for Mirage at the time. Print quality on the blacks of the cover is dense and uniform.