In 1984, Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman created and published a 40 page black and white comic and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were born.  The comic was dark, edgy and the look of the Ninja Turtles reflected that style.  In the color version of the comics all the Turtles were the same color green and their signature bandanas were all colored red.  If not for the different signature weapons, it was hard to tell the Turtles apart. In the late 80's and 90's the Ninja Turtles took America by storm in Movie theaters and on TV.  The look of the Turtles changed to appear much lighter and friendlier appealing to a much younger kid's audience.  Each of the Turtles had their own signature colored bandanas and the first letter of their names was imprinted on their belt buckles.