IDW has been pushing boundaries with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise, demonstrating a bold and expansive vision for the series. In 2024, they relaunched the flagship TMNT comic with writer Jason Aaron at the helm, launched the sequel to the best-selling TMNT: The Last Ronin, and initiated a thrilling crossover with TMNT x Naruto. Now, as we step into 2025, the main TMNT series introduces a new regular artist and a fresh status quo. Despite being reunited, the four Turtles—Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo—are navigating through strained relationships.

During IGN Fan Fest 2025, we had the opportunity to delve into the future of these projects with Jason Aaron and Caleb Goellner, the writer behind TMNT x Naruto. We explored how these narratives evolve, the overarching mission for the TMNT line, and the possibility of the Turtles reconciling their differences.

The Mission Statement of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

IDW has been prolific in launching new TMNT series, with the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 achieving remarkable sales of around 300,000 copies, ranking it among the top-selling comics of 2024. Jason Aaron shared with us the guiding vision for the TMNT line, emphasizing a return to the roots of 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 explained to IGN. "Last year marked the 40th anniversary of that series, and that was my first experience with those characters. Before the films or cartoons, it was that original black and white Mirage Studios book. I wanted to recapture some of the grittiness and griminess, along with the big double-page spreads and action scenes of the Turtles fighting ninjas in New York City alleyways."

Aaron aims to blend this classic feel with a modern narrative, telling a story that feels fresh yet rooted in the Turtles' history. "That's the spirit we were going for, but also to tell a story that feels new and takes these characters forward after all they've been through in the previous 150 issues of the IDW series. It's about how they've grown and reached a turning point in their lives, where they're going in different directions and figuring out how to come back together as the heroes they need to be to win this fight."

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #11 - Exclusive Preview Gallery

5 Images

The success of TMNT #1 aligns with a broader trend in the comic book industry, where reboots and streamlined narratives of major franchises are resonating strongly with audiences. This trend is evident in other successful series like Marvel's Ultimate Universe line, DC's Absolute line, and Skybound's Energon Universe. Aaron, reflecting on his involvement, expressed a passion for storytelling over commercial considerations.

"I sit down to do my job here at my desk, in an empty basement by myself, and I'm just trying to make up stories that get me excited," Aaron said. "I knew as soon as I got the call about doing Turtles, which was not a job I'd ever imagined would come my way, I was excited for that opportunity and realized I think I can do something kind of cool."

Aaron's enthusiasm extends to the collaborative process with a variety of artists on the first six issues. "As someone who grew up a Turtles fan and as someone who just loves good comic book stories, I think this is a story for you if you've loved the Turtles for 40 years, or if you've never heard of them until this moment in time. And so, thankfully, that excitement seems to have translated to other people."

A TMNT Family Reunion

Aaron's TMNT run begins with the Turtles scattered across the globe, each in unique circumstances. By the end of the first storyline, they are reunited in New York City, though their relationships remain strained. "Those first four issues were really fun to write when you're seeing each of the brothers in a different situation around the globe," Aaron shared. "I had a lot of fun with those - what kind of trouble they had gotten into and then what starts to bring them back together. But the real fun is what happens once they are all together, seeing how those four characters bounce off each other."

The reunion is complicated by their new adversary within the Foot Clan, who has weaponized New York City against them. "The Turtles find themselves the most hated entities in the Five Boroughs, the Six Boroughs, including Mutant Town. So the odds are stacked against them in a huge way, and again, they can't even stand to be around each other, it seems like. So how are they going to come together and win this fight?"

A significant change from issue #6 onward is the introduction of Juan Ferreyra as the new regular artist, bringing a consistent visual style to the series. "Having Juan come on with issue #6 made sense when the main bulk of the plot picks up," Aaron noted. "Juan, even though he was following this group of titans on this book, artistic Titans, he's doing incredible work. I think anybody who sees issues #6 and #7 realized this guy was born to draw the Turtles. He was born to draw this kind of Turtle story again, jumping through alleyways, running across the rooftops of Manhattan. Juan's work on this has been absolutely killer."

Merging the TMNT and Naruto Universes

The TMNT x Naruto crossover, penned by Caleb Goellner and illustrated by Hendry Prasetya, successfully merges these iconic universes. The series introduces a world where the Turtles and the Uzumaki Clan coexist, with their initial encounters sparking dynamic interactions. Goellner praised Prasetya's redesigns of the Turtles, fitting them seamlessly into the Naruto universe.

"I couldn't be happier," Goellner said. "I only had a few basic little suggestions about how to do that. I can't take any credit for the Turtles’ awesome redesigns. I was like, ‘I don't know, put them in masks in the first issue, like in Naruto,’ and what they came back with was unreal. I hope they get made into toys. I don't have any say. I don't have any insight, but that's my wish, just so I can put them up on my shelf with my collection."

Character interactions are a highlight of the crossover, with Goellner enjoying the challenge of ensuring all characters have their moments. "I really like seeing Kakashi with anyone because now that I'm a dad, Kakashi is my viewpoint character to the Naruto world. I'm like, ‘How do you manage all these kids?’ Splinter, you know, I'm not as wise and strong and as good at fighting as Splinter, so I love him, too, but Kakashi is doing a lot of internal face-palming, but he's staying profesh and he's keeping the trains moving for the youth."

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #3 - Exclusive Preview Gallery

5 Images

Goellner also highlighted the dynamic between Raphael and Sakura, noting their similarities as the heavy hitters of their respective teams. Looking ahead, he teased a major TMNT villain's involvement, requested by Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto. "He had one request for this crossover. It was to have a certain villain appear and for the Naruto characters to fight that certain villain. I'm not going to say who, but I think everybody's going to be pretty stoked. I know I am, and I can't wait to see how folks react because so far the vibe on the book's super positive, and I really appreciate everybody coming on this journey."

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7 hit stores on February 26, while Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #3 is set to release on March 26. Additionally, don't miss 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.