IDW's ambitious Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) initiative continues to expand. In 2024, they relaunched the flagship TMNT comic (written by Jason Aaron), released the sequel to the best-selling TMNT: The Last Ronin, and launched the TMNT x Naruto crossover. 2025 sees the main TMNT series with a new artist and a revamped status quo: the Turtles are reunited, but their relationships are strained.
IGN Fan Fest 2025 featured interviews with Aaron and TMNT x Naruto writer Caleb Goellner, revealing future plans. The discussion covered the series' overarching vision, the characters' development, and the potential for reconciliation among the brothers.
IDW's TMNT Vision:
Aaron's approach to the flagship series draws inspiration from the original Mirage Studios comics, aiming for a gritty, action-packed feel reminiscent of the classic black-and-white issues. He also sought to advance the characters' narratives, exploring their growth and the challenges they face in reuniting and overcoming their internal conflicts. The first issue's success (approximately 300,000 copies sold, ranking among 2024's top-selling comics) suggests a strong audience appetite for reboots and streamlined franchises. Aaron attributes the success to focusing on creating compelling stories rather than market trends.
A TMNT Family Reunion:
The initial storyline featured the Turtles geographically dispersed and facing individual struggles. Their eventual reunion in New York City, however, reveals a fractured dynamic. The city itself has been weaponized against them, further complicating their efforts to overcome their differences and defeat a new Foot Clan villain. The arrival of Juan Ferreyra as the regular artist from issue #6 onwards provides a consistent visual style, perfectly capturing the action and grit of the story.
Merging TMNT and Naruto:
Goellner and artist Hendry Prasetya's TMNT x Naruto crossover seamlessly integrates the two universes. Prasetya's redesigns of the Turtles blend them seamlessly into the Naruto aesthetic. Goellner highlights the enjoyable character interactions, particularly Kakashi's role as a mentor figure, and the dynamic between Raphael and Sakura. A key plot point involves a major TMNT villain specifically chosen by Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto, promising exciting developments.
Preview Galleries:
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TMNT #7 released February 26th, TMNT x Naruto #3 on March 26th. IGN also previewed the final chapter of TMNT: The Last Ronin II - Re-Evolution, IDW's new Godzilla shared universe, and an upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog storyline.
