1992 Mirage Studios Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #48 - NM Shades Of Grey Part 1

Add another essential late-Copper Age key issue from the Mirage Studios Volume 1 run to your catalog with this original 1992 release: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Vol. 1) #48! Written by Kevin Eastman and Eric Talbot with artwork by Eric Talbot, this issue kicks off Part 1 of the multi-part storyline "Shades of Gray" ("Shades of Gray Part One: Darkness"). The dramatic cover art by A.C. Farley (signed "A.C. Farley '92" in the lower right) features Casey Jones bursting dynamically from a central circular portal against a blue line-art montage backdrop featuring April O'Neil, the Ninja Turtles, handcuffs, and his signature hockey-mask emblem, framed beneath bold red and yellow TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES title typography ($2.00 U.S.A. / $2.75 CANADA cover price).

Published by Mirage Studios, this issue features the iconic back cover house advertisement for the official "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Portfolios" mail-order set ($9.95 each). The 9-panel art grid displays framable color plate previews created by Mirage artists Dan Berger, Peter Laird, Craig Farley, Jim Lawson, Ryan Brown, Eric Talbot, Michael Dooney, Mark Martin, and Steve Lavigne, completed with an order form and Mirage Publishing logo. An essential entry for TMNT Volume 1 completionists, Casey Jones key issue collectors, and early-90s independent comic book archivists!

Structural & Visual Inspection

• Cover & Spine Condition - NEAR MINT (NM): Original glossy cover preserves rich blue monocolor background inks, vibrant red title typography, and clean yellow/tan highlights on Casey Jones with no color fading, surface scuffs, or color-breaking tears. Spine is tight, flat, and square with crisp staple placement and minimal surface stress; corners remain sharp and intact.

• Interior & Back Cover Integrity: Interior newsprint pages remain clean, supple, and un-marred. The back cover featuring the Mirage Artist Portfolio mail-order catalog preserves sharp black grid borders, vibrant multi-colored art panels, crisp order coupon typography, and square edge margins with no creasing or foxing.

Item Specific Details