IDW's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Finally Gets the Brothers Back Together – IGN Fan Fest 2025

IDW's ambitious approach to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise continues to impress. 2024 saw the relaunch of the flagship TMNT comic under Jason Aaron, the sequel to the best-selling *TMNT: The Last Ronin*, and a ninja-fueled crossover: *TMNT x Naruto*. Now, in 2025, the main TMNT series boasts a new regular artist and a revamped status quo. The Turtles are reunited, yet their relationships are far from harmonious.

IGN Fan Fest 2025 provided an opportunity to speak with Aaron and *TMNT x Naruto* writer Caleb Goellner, delving into the future of their respective books. We explored the evolving narratives, IDW's overarching vision for the TMNT line, and the ever-elusive prospect of Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo finding common ground.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mission Statement

IDW's recent flurry of TMNT releases, including the highly successful *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1* (selling approximately 300,000 copies and ranking among the top-selling comics of 2024), prompted questions about their guiding vision. Aaron reveals a focus on revisiting the classic Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird Mirage Studios era.

“My guiding principle was looking back at the original Mirage Studios series,” Aaron explains. “Last year marked its 40th anniversary, and that original black and white comic was my introduction to these characters. I aimed to recapture the grittiness, the double-page spreads, and the action-packed scenes of turtles battling ninjas in New York City alleys.”

He continues, “We aimed for that spirit, but also to tell a new story, moving these characters forward after 150 issues. We explore their growth, a turning point where they diverge, and their journey back to being 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 reboots like Marvel’s Ultimate Universe, DC’s Absolute line, and Skybound’s Energon Universe, suggests a strong audience demand for fresh starts. Aaron reflects, “I just try to create stories that excite me. When I got the call about the Turtles, I knew I could do something cool. The excitement translated to others, thankfully.”

A TMNT Family Reunion

Aaron's TMNT run began with the Turtles scattered globally. Raph was imprisoned, Mikey a TV star in Japan, Leo a brooding monk, and Don in a precarious situation. Their reunion in New York City, however, is far from idyllic.

“The first four issues were fun, showing each brother in a different situation,” Aaron says. “But the real fun is their interaction once reunited. Things aren't great; they rub each other the wrong way. None of them want to be there, the pieces don't fit. New York City itself has been weaponized against them by a Foot Clan villain, making them the most hated entities. The odds are stacked against them, and they can barely stand each other. How will they overcome this?”

Issue #6 marks another significant change: Juan Ferreyra becomes the regular artist. Aaron praises Ferreyra's work, stating, “Having Juan come on with issue #6 made sense. He’s doing incredible work. He was born to draw this kind of Turtle story.”

Merging the TMNT and Naruto Universes

Goellner and artist Hendry Prasetya tackled the *TMNT x Naruto* crossover, introducing a universe where the Turtles and the Uzumaki Clan coexist. Goellner credits Prasetya's redesigns for seamlessly integrating the Turtles into the Naruto world.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Goellner says. “I had minimal suggestions. The Turtles' redesigns are unreal. I hope they get made into toys!”

The crossover's appeal lies in the character interactions. Goellner notes, “I like seeing Kakashi with anyone; as a dad, he’s my viewpoint character. I also love Splinter, but Kakashi's internal face-palming is hilarious. I like Raph and Sakura; they bounce off each other well.”

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

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Goellner teases the upcoming issues, highlighting a major TMNT villain specifically requested by Masashi Kishimoto: “He requested a certain villain for the Naruto characters to fight. I won't say who, but it'll be exciting.”

*Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7* released February 26th, *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #3* on March 26th. Check out IGN’s exclusive preview of the final chapter of *TMNT: The Last Ronin II - Re-Evolution*, IDW's new Godzilla shared universe, and a sneak peek of an upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog storyline.