The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, often referred to as TMNT, originated as a comic book created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. The first comic book, self-published in 1984, was a parody of popular comic book trends of the time, blending elements of superhero stories and martial arts. The characters—Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael—were mutated turtles trained in ninjutsu by their rat sensei, Splinter. The comic's unexpected success led to an animated TV series in 1987, propelling the Ninja Turtles into mainstream popularity. Over the years, the franchise has expanded to include numerous TV shows, movies, video games, toys, and a dedicated fanbase, making the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles a beloved and enduring part of pop culture.