Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 1988 VF First Printing Vintage Comic

Author: Jim Lawson
 Art: Jim Lawson, Ryan Brown
Cover Art: Jim Lawson, Steve Lavigne

As the weather turns cold, a bedraggled man emerges from a swamp, thinking of himself as "The Monster," and seeks refuge in a nearby, abandoned industrial park. Simultaneously, the Turtles and Casey Jones arrive at the same complex to explore. The Monster, believing the TMNT are a rival gang of beasts trying to claim his territory, spies on them.

Mikey separates from the group and is ambushed and knocked senseless by the Monster. He wakes up tied to a table, where the crazed man accuses him of theft before leaving him to be eaten by rats. Mikey eventually struggles free just as dozens of rats attack, but Don, Leo, Raph, and Casey arrive just in time to repel them.

The Monster reveals himself and leads the group into a giant silo, trapping them as hundreds of rats pour out, having been fed there by the man. Mikey breaks a hole in the wall, allowing their escape. As they exit, Leonardo throws a shuriken that embeds in the Monster's chest, knocking him into the silo. Despite Mikey's protest, the others leave. Inside the silo, the man, surrounded by rats who do not attack him, is transformed—he has become The Rat King

This is a raw vintage comic. Please examine photographs carefully. Contact Dreamworld Comics if you wish to see more photographs of this issue.