IDW's approach to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise in recent years has been nothing short of ambitious. 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 introduced a ninja-heavy crossover with TMNT x Naruto. Moving into 2025, the main TMNT series has a new regular artist and a new status quo, with the four Turtles reunited in New York City, though their reunion is fraught with tension.
During IGN Fan Fest 2025, we had the opportunity to speak with both Jason Aaron and TMNT x Naruto writer Caleb Goellner about the future of their respective series. We explored how these stories evolve over time, the overarching mission statement for the TMNT line, and whether the Turtles—Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo—can reconcile their differences.
The Mission Statement of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
IDW has been prolific in launching new TMNT series, including the flagship monthly series, which saw its new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 issue become a hit, selling around 300,000 copies and ranking among the top-selling comics of 2024. Jason Aaron shared that his guiding vision for the series is to reconnect with the essence of the original 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 was the 40th anniversary of that series, which introduced the Turtles, and that was my first experience with those characters. Before the films or the cartoons, it was that original black and white Mirage Studios book. So I wanted to recapture some of the grittiness and griminess, along with the big double-page spreads and action scenes of turtles fighting ninjas in New York City alleyways."
Aaron emphasized his intent to blend this classic feel with new narratives that reflect the Turtles' growth and the turning points in their lives, exploring how they can come together again to be the heroes they need to be.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #11 - Exclusive Preview Gallery
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The success of TMNT #1, alongside other major hits like Marvel's Ultimate Universe line, DC's Absolute line, and Skybound's Energon Universe, indicates a strong audience demand for reboots and streamlined major franchises. Aaron reflected on this trend, expressing his excitement at being part of such successful ventures.
"It certainly seems like it after last year, and I'm very happy to have been a part of a couple of those," Aaron said. "Even though I've been doing this for 20 years and written a lot for Marvel, I still don't really think about that stuff. 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. When I got the call about doing Turtles, I was excited for that opportunity and realized I think I can do something cool."
Aaron also praised the collaboration with a variety of artists over the first six issues, which contributed to a book that resonated with both long-time fans and newcomers.
A TMNT Family Reunion
Aaron's run began with a unique status quo, with the Turtles scattered globally: Raphael in prison, Michelangelo a TV star in Japan, Leonardo a brooding monk, and Donatello facing severe challenges. By the end of the initial storyline, Aaron reunites them in New York City, though their reunion is far from harmonious.
"Those first four issues were really fun to write when you're seeing each of the brothers in different situations around the globe," Aaron said. "But the real fun is what happens once they are all together, seeing how those four characters bounce off each other. At this point in time in the book, things aren't great. They're not really happy to see each other, and they're not relishing old times. They're very much rubbing each other the wrong way."
The return to New York City in issue #6 introduces a new challenge: the city has been weaponized against them by a new villain within the Foot Clan, making the Turtles the most hated entities in the city. The addition of Juan Ferreyra as the new regular artist from issue #6 brings a consistent visual style that Aaron believes perfectly captures the essence of the Turtles' story.
"Again, it made sense to use different artists for those first five issues because we focused on the different Turtles, and then issue #5 focused on our new bad guy, the District Attorney of New York City," Aaron explained. "But having Juan come on with issue #6 made sense when the main bulk of the plot picks up. Juan, even though he was following this group of artistic titans on this book, is doing incredible work. I think anybody who sees issues #6 and #7 will realize this guy was born to draw the Turtles."
Merging the TMNT and Naruto Universes
Combining TMNT with Naruto is no small feat, yet Caleb Goellner and artist Hendry Prasetya have achieved this with their crossover series. The first two issues introduce a world where the Turtles and the Uzumaki Clan coexist, with their first encounter sparking the series. Goellner credits 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 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."
The crossover series thrives on the interactions between characters from both universes. Goellner enjoys the dynamics between various pairings, particularly Kakashi's interactions with others, reflecting his own experience as a parent.
"The job for me is to make sure all of the characters have a moment together through the course of the book, because you don't want to leave anybody hanging," Goellner said. "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, 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 professional and keeping the trains moving for the youth."
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #3 - Exclusive Preview Gallery
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As the series progresses into Big Apple Village, Goellner teased the involvement of a major TMNT villain specifically 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," Goellner said. "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. Be sure to check out IGN's exclusive preview of the final chapter of TMNT: The Last Ronin II - Re-Evolution.
Additionally, as part of IGN Fan Fest 2025, we got an early look at IDW's new Godzilla shared universe and a sneak peek of an upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog storyline.
