Splinter

Few characters carry the weight of legacy quite like Splinter, the wise sensei at the heart of IDW Publishing's beloved TMNT universe, who made his catalog debut in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 30th Anniversary Special in 2014, brought to life by Andy Kuhn. His presence anchors some of IDW's most celebrated corners of the franchise, from the gritty retrospective of The Last Ronin - Lost Years to the action-packed Urban Legends, always surrounded by the familiar company of Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and April O'Neil. Though his catalog footprint is intimate rather than sprawling, the titles he graces are among the most cherished in the Modern Age TMNT canon — the kind of issues serious collectors seek out. If you love the soul behind the Turtles' story, Splinter is exactly where to look.