IDW has been exceptionally ambitious with its approach to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, delivering a series of exciting projects in 2024. This year saw the relaunch of the flagship TMNT comic under the pen of writer Jason Aaron, the sequel to the best-selling TMNT: The Last Ronin, and a thrilling ninja-heavy crossover with TMNT x Naruto. As we move into 2025, the main TMNT series introduces a new regular artist and a fresh status quo, with the four Turtles reuniting in New York City—albeit under strained circumstances.

At IGN Fan Fest 2025, we had the opportunity to speak with Jason Aaron and TMNT x Naruto writer Caleb Goellner about the future of their respective series. We delved into how these stories evolve, the overarching mission for the TMNT line, and whether Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo can mend their fractured relationships. Here's what we discovered.

The Mission Statement of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

IDW's recent launch of multiple TMNT series has been nothing short of impressive, with the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 becoming a standout, selling approximately 300,000 copies and ranking among the top-selling comics of 2024. We were eager to learn if IDW had a guiding vision for the TMNT line that Aaron was aiming to fulfill. Aaron shared that his approach was deeply rooted in 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 to the world. My first encounter with these characters was through that original black and white Mirage Studios book, before the films or cartoons. I wanted to recapture the grittiness and griminess, the big double-page spreads and action scenes of grimy turtles fighting ninjas in New York City alleyways."

Aaron elaborated, "We aimed to capture that spirit but also tell a story that feels new and moves these characters forward after their journey in the previous 150 issues of the IDW series. It's about showing how they've grown and reached a turning point in their lives, where they're heading in different directions yet trying to figure out how to reunite and reclaim their role as the heroes they once were."

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #11 - Exclusive Preview Gallery

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TMNT #1's success last year, alongside other major hits like Marvel's Ultimate Universe line, DC's Absolute line, and Skybound's Energon Universe, suggests a strong audience demand for rebooted and streamlined major franchises. Aaron, reflecting on this trend, said, "It certainly seems like it after last year, and I'm very happy to have been a part of a couple of those. Despite my 20-year career and having written for nearly every comic company, I still focus on crafting stories that excite me. When I got the call to work on Turtles, I was thrilled and knew I could do something special."

He continued, "Working with an incredible array of artists on those first six issues was a joy. As someone who grew up a Turtles fan and loves good comic book stories, I think this series appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Thankfully, that excitement has resonated with readers."

A TMNT Family Reunion

Aaron's run on TMNT began with a unique status quo. At the start of 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 dire straits. By the end of the initial storyline, Aaron reunites the family in their familiar New York City setting. We asked if Aaron found satisfaction in bringing the brothers back together, despite their evident reluctance.

"Those first four issues were really fun to write, showcasing each brother in a different global situation," Aaron said. "The real fun began once they were all together, seeing how these four characters interact. At this stage, things aren't great; they're not happy to see each other or reliving old times. They're clashing and rubbing each other the wrong way."

He added, "None of them really want to be there, and the pieces don't fit together like they used to. When they return to New York City in issue #6, the city itself has changed, weaponized against them by a new Foot Clan villain. The Turtles are the most hated in the city, including Mutant Town, and they can barely stand each other. The challenge is how they'll unite to overcome these odds."

A significant change starting with issue #6 is the addition of Juan Ferreyra as the new regular artist. Aaron expressed his excitement about working with Ferreyra and having a consistent visual style moving forward.

"Using different artists for the first five issues made sense as we focused on individual Turtles and introduced 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 picked up. Despite following a group of artistic titans, Juan's work has been phenomenal. Anyone who sees issues #6 and #7 will agree he was born to draw the Turtles, capturing the essence of their action-packed adventures through New York's alleyways and rooftops."

Merging the TMNT and Naruto Universes

Combining two iconic franchises like TMNT and Naruto is no small feat, but Caleb Goellner and artist Hendry Prasetya have achieved it with their crossover series. The first two issues of TMNT x Naruto introduce a universe where the Turtles and the Uzumaki Clan coexist, encountering each other for the first time. Goellner credited Prasetya for the Turtles' redesign, which seamlessly integrates them into 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, similar to Naruto. What they came back with was unreal. I hope they get made into toys; it's my wish, though I have no say in it, just to add them to my collection."

As with many comic book crossovers, the fun lies in the character interactions. We asked Goellner about his favorite character pairings in these initial chapters.

"My job is to ensure all characters have their moments throughout the book," Goellner said. "I particularly enjoy seeing Kakashi interact with anyone; as a dad, he's my viewpoint character into the Naruto world. I'm curious about how he manages all these kids. Splinter is another favorite, though I'm not as wise or strong. Kakashi's internal face-palming while keeping things professional is relatable. But really, I love all the interactions."

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

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Goellner added, "It's funny; I write this stuff and sometimes forget what I've done. It's a surprise when I revisit it. Mikey's humor with the group is great, and I enjoy the dynamics between Raph and Sakura, both being the tanks of their teams. I'm excited to see more cool surprises as the fighting intensifies in issue #3."

Teasing the series' progression, Goellner revealed that the two ninja clans are headed to Big Apple Village, centered around a major TMNT villain specifically requested by Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto.

"He had one request for this crossover: to feature a certain villain and have the Naruto characters fight them," Goellner said. "I'm not revealing who, but I think everyone will be excited. The response to the book has been overwhelmingly positive so far, and I'm grateful for everyone joining this journey."

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7 hit stores on February 26, while Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #3 releases on March 26. 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.