IDW Publishing is proud to announce the ambitious and fan-focused plans for the future of the acclaimed and best-selling line of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic books. The announcements include a new all-star creative team for the flagship title, a Godzilla crossover and a multiverse event which is not to be missed…
After an incredible ongoing series run from Jason Aaron and Juan Ferrerya, the high-quality, heartfelt and exciting storytelling that fans deserve won’t miss a beat with the arrival of an all-star duo: Eisner-winning writer Gene Luen Yang (Shang-Chi, Superman Smashes the Klan, Avatar: The Last Airbender, American Born Chinese) and blockbuster artist Freddie E. Williams II (Batman/TMNT, Turtles of Grayskull, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Godzilla vs Mighty Morphin Power Rangers). Also joining the line is Group Editor Jake Thomas, formerly of Marvel. Starting their run with TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #13 in December, this all-new story arc will provide fans with a fresh jumping on point as the Heroes in a Half-Shell are back together and hopeful about the future of the city, but there’s a dark and personal danger lurking in the shadows as a deadly new assassin makes their debut.
“I’ve been a fan of the TMNT since I was young. I remember watching the ‘80s cartoon with my brother and then reenacting the Turtles’ adventures with our action figures,” remarked Yang. “I read my first issue of TMNT at a friend’s house, and I was blown away by the melding of gritty martial arts action and wild, out-of-left-field ideas. Many years later, I began my cartooning career in American independent comics. All of us from that corner of comics owe a huge debt to Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Their talent and creativity, both as comics creators and as businessmen, carved out a path for the rest of us to follow. In fact, the very first comic I ever self-published was funded by a grant from Peter Laird’s Xeric Foundation. I’ve admired the Turtles for a long, long time. I’m absolutely thrilled to get to tell their stories at IDW.”
Williams is no stranger to working on the Turtles, but to finally work on the ongoing series’ interiors is a real joy for the celebrated artist. ”Finally I’m getting to REALLY scratch my TMNT itch! I’ve been so lucky to draw the Turtles on covers and crossovers, but it’s not enough, never enough.” Williams continued, “I LOVE the Turtles! The original Mirage comics were instrumental in making me fall in love with the comic book medium, and of course I am SUPER inspired by the POWER and TEXTURE in that early Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird art! Now, after begging Editor-in-Chief Bobby Curnow for over a decade, I am so happy to draw my first FULL ON TMNT series! My goal is to draw at least 450 Turtles per page in each issue! Can’t wait for everyone to see what we’re working on, I’m having a BLAST!”
To celebrate the new era with TMNT #13, there will be a special blind bag variant for collectors, featuring exciting variants by amazing creators like Daniel Warren Johnson, David Nakayama, Clayton Crain, and more. Additionally, an annual issue, from writer Kenny Porter and artists Michael Shelfer and Maria Keane, will be released in October to bridge the gap between both runs. The special annual issue will also kick off the TMNT holiday-themed variant line, with festive and fun covers by Jared Cullum across various TMNT titles, with this first one celebrating Halloween!
Before the Turtles begin their new mission in the ongoing series, they’re stepping into a multidimensional tournament! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Battle Nexus is an action-packed five-week event kicking off in November.
Featuring beloved characters from various incarnations of the franchise – including the classic Shredder from Mirage Studios, Metalhead from the 2012 animated series, Slash returning from the dead and the IDW debut of Ninjara – this adrenaline-filled adventure is crafted by fan-favorite TMNT creatives, including writers Tom Waltz, Paul Allor, Sophie Campbell, Caleb Goellner, and Erik Burnham with art from the Escorza brothers, Ben Bishop, Vitor Cafaggi, Omar Francia, and Hendry Prasetya.
Stomping its way into comic shops this November is a crossover even bigger than the Technodrome itself: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Godzilla! From the innovative minds of writer Tim Seeley and artist Fero Pe comes a jaw-dropping blend of the two pop culture franchises as it’s revealed the Foot Clan exists to stop the onslaught of kaiju attacks, but Shredder and General Krang have different plans to give mutagen a giant upgrade.
Visit a comic shop near you to pre-order these upcoming TMNT comics and other releases from the line, including SHREDDER, CASEY JONES, TMNT: JOURNEYS, TALES OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, and SATURDAY MORNING ADVENTURES. To find a comic shop, check out comicshoplocator.com.
