IDW has been incredibly ambitious with its approach to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise in recent years. In 2024, they relaunched the flagship TMNT comic under the guidance of writer Jason Aaron, launched the sequel to the best-selling TMNT: The Last Ronin, and introduced a ninja-heavy crossover with TMNT x Naruto. Moving into 2025, the main TMNT series welcomes a new regular artist and a fresh status quo. The four Turtles are reunited, but their relationships are strained, setting the stage for compelling new narratives.
During IGN Fan Fest 2025, we had the opportunity to discuss the future of these series with Jason Aaron and TMNT x Naruto writer Caleb Goellner. We explored how these stories evolve, the overarching mission for the TMNT line, and the potential for reconciliation among Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo.
The Mission Statement of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
IDW has launched several new TMNT series in a short period, including their flagship monthly series. The new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 was a massive success, selling around 300,000 copies and ranking among the top-selling comics of 2024. We asked Jason Aaron about the guiding vision for the TMNT line, and he emphasized a return to the classic Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird TMNT comics from the Mirage days.
"For me, on this book, the guiding principle was just looking back at that original series, the original Mirage Studios book," Aaron told IGN. "Last year marked the 40th anniversary of that series, which introduced the Turtles. My first experience with these characters was through that original black and white Mirage Studios book, before the films or cartoons. I wanted to recapture some of the grittiness and griminess, the big double-page spreads and action scenes of grimy turtles fighting ninjas in New York City alleyways."
Aaron further explained, "That's the spirit we were going for, but also to tell a story that felt new and took these characters forward after all they've been through in the previous 150 issues of the IDW series. We wanted to show how they've grown up and reached a turning point in their lives, where they're going in four different directions and trying to figure out how to come back together and be the heroes they need to be to win this fight."
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #11 - Exclusive Preview Gallery
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TMNT #1's success aligns with other major comic successes like Marvel’s Ultimate Universe line, DC’s Absolute line, and Skybound’s Energon Universe. These comics have resonated with audiences seeking reboots and streamlined narratives for major franchises. Aaron shared his thoughts on this trend, "It certainly seems like it after last year, and I'm very happy to have been a part of a couple of those. I've been doing this for 20 years and written for many companies, but I still focus on creating stories that excite me. When I got the call about doing Turtles, I was thrilled and knew I could do something cool."
Aaron continued, "Working with an incredible array of artists over the first six issues was a joy. As someone who grew up a Turtles fan and loves good comic book stories, I think this is a story for both long-time fans and newcomers."
A TMNT Family Reunion
Aaron's TMNT run began with a unique status quo. In issue #1, the Turtles are scattered across the globe: Raph in prison, Mike a TV star in Japan, Leo a brooding monk, and Don in a dire situation. By the end of the first storyline, Aaron reunites the family in New York City. We asked if he felt satisfaction in bringing the brothers back together, despite their strained relationships.
"Those first four issues were fun to write, seeing each brother in different situations around the globe," Aaron said. "But the real fun begins when they're all together, seeing how they interact. At this point, they're not happy to see each other and are not reliving old times. They're rubbing each other the wrong way."
Aaron added, "None of them want to be there, and the pieces don't fit like they used to. When they return to New York City in issue #6, the city has changed, weaponized against them by a new Foot Clan villain. The Turtles are the most hated entities in the city, and they can't stand to be around each other. So, how will they come together to win this fight?"
Starting with issue #6, Juan Ferreyra becomes the new regular artist on the series. Aaron expressed his excitement about working with Ferreyra and having a consistent visual style. "It made sense to use different artists for the first five issues, focusing on the different Turtles and our new villain, the District Attorney of New York City," Aaron explained. "But having Juan come on with issue #6 was perfect as the main plot picks up. Juan's work has been incredible, and he's making this book his own in a huge way."
Merging the TMNT and Naruto Universes
Combining TMNT and Naruto is no small feat, but Caleb Goellner and artist Hendry Prasetya have successfully done so in their crossover series. The first two issues introduce a universe where the Turtles and the Uzumaki Clan coexist, encountering each other for the first time. Goellner praised Prasetya's redesigns of the Turtles to fit the Naruto universe.
"I couldn't be happier," Goellner told IGN. "I only had a few basic suggestions, like putting them in masks in the first issue. What they came back with was unreal. I hope they get made into toys, so I can add them to my collection."
One of the joys of comic book crossovers is seeing character interactions. Goellner shared his favorite pairings in the series. "The job is to ensure all characters have moments together," he said. "I really like seeing Kakashi with anyone. As a dad, Kakashi is my viewpoint character in the Naruto world. I'm like, 'How do you manage all these kids?' Splinter is great, but Kakashi is doing a lot of internal face-palming while keeping things professional. I like Raph and Sakura; they're both the tanks of their teams. I'm excited to see more surprises as the fighting heats up in #3."
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #3 - Exclusive Preview Gallery
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Goellner teased what fans can expect as the two ninja clans enter Big Apple Village, revealing a major TMNT villain requested by Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto. "He had one request for this crossover: to have a certain villain appear and for the Naruto characters to fight that villain," Goellner said. "I'm not saying who, but I think everyone will be stoked. The vibe on the book has been super positive, and I appreciate everyone coming on this journey."
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7 hit stores on February 26, while Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #3 releases on March 26. Be sure to check out IGN’s exclusive preview of the final chapter of TMNT: The Last Ronin II - Re-Evolution.
As part of IGN Fan Fest 2025, we also got an early look at IDW's new Godzilla shared universe and a sneak peek of an upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog storyline.
