I can recommend the first Volume of TMNT to the two groups.
First are people who already love Ninja Turtles and just want more of them. They don't need any recommendation, just reading order (read micro series before issue 9, "Tales of TMN" Vol 1 #1-7 after issue 11, crossover with "Usagi Yojimbo Vol 2 #1-3" anywhere you want. Period #22-44 was a "guest writers" era, almost everything is uncannon. I would recommend reading "Souls Winter" (31, 35, 56) and "River" trilogy 24-26. If you like them, check also 27, 28, 37, 43. Everything else is can be skipped, it's mostly terrible comedy. If you need more details, check "TMNT Entity" site.)
The second group are people who like comic books. As if, prefer well drawn comic over a cartoon animation. I'm saying this because 2003 TMNT cartoon adapted almost everything worth to adapt (mostly in its first 2 seasons). Sure, the cartoon isn't without flaws, with some lame jokes, padding here and there (but it has WAY better Shredder and Baxter). But I feel it's much more accessible (for starters you can tell Turtles apart) and modern, making it better starting point then Mirage comics. And just to be clear: I'm not saying that 2003 cartoon is better than Mirage, far from it. Some later stories ("City at War" arc, guest stories I listed above) take Turtles into a much more mature direction that trumps most of 2003 cartoon. But those 'mature' stories work best if you have some kind of connection with the franchise and you're WILLING to take story about four giant ninjitsu turtles seriously. Which is why I would suggest starting with any of three cartoons or the first movie...
...unless you really like black & white art, which is arguably Mirage's strongest point, depending on your taste. If you're unsure yourself, just check one of the first issues. "Tales" #4 would be a good pick, standalone story, debut of the classic character, considered as one of best early issues.
TMNT Volume 1
I can recommend the first Volume of TMNT to the two groups.
First are people who already love Ninja Turtles and just want more of them. They don't need any recommendation, just reading order (read micro series before issue 9, "Tales of TMN" Vol 1 #1-7 after issue 11, crossover with "Usagi Yojimbo Vol 2 #1-3" anywhere you want. Period #22-44 was a "guest writers" era, almost everything is uncannon. I would recommend reading "Souls Winter" (31, 35, 56) and "River" trilogy 24-26. If you like them, check also 27, 28, 37, 43. Everything else is can be skipped, it's mostly terrible comedy. If you need more details, check "TMNT Entity" site.)
The second group are people who like comic books. As if, prefer well drawn comic over a cartoon animation. I'm saying this because 2003 TMNT cartoon adapted almost everything worth to adapt (mostly in its first 2 seasons). Sure, the cartoon isn't without flaws, with some lame jokes, padding here and there (but it has WAY better Shredder and Baxter). But I feel it's much more accessible (for starters you can tell Turtles apart) and modern, making it better starting point then Mirage comics. And just to be clear: I'm not saying that 2003 cartoon is better than Mirage, far from it. Some later stories ("City at War" arc, guest stories I listed above) take Turtles into a much more mature direction that trumps most of 2003 cartoon. But those 'mature' stories work best if you have some kind of connection with the franchise and you're WILLING to take story about four giant ninjitsu turtles seriously. Which is why I would suggest starting with any of three cartoons or the first movie...
...unless you really like black & white art, which is arguably Mirage's strongest point, depending on your taste. If you're unsure yourself, just check one of the first issues. "Tales" #4 would be a good pick, standalone story, debut of the classic character, considered as one of best early issues.