The title's first run was from 1987 to 1989, released in alternating months with the regular Eastman & Laird book, with Ryan Brown and Jim Lawson handling the writing and artwork.

Tales is also notable for borrowing a unique tradition that originated in Creepy magazine: an opening splash page would feature an introduction by a TMNT character and conclude with the ominous line, "Let me tell you a story".

[3][2] Sixteen years later, under the direction of Stephen Murphy, a relaunch of the series began publication in January 2004.

This revived title maintained the tradition of including a "Let me tell you a story" splash page at the beginning of every issue, in homage to its 1980s predecessor.

IDW Publishing would later also collect issues of both volumes of Tales of the TMNT (reprinted in color) after acquiring the comic book licensing rights from new franchise owner Viacom.