"TMNT Brothers Reunite in IDW's 2025 Comic - IGN Fan Fest"

IDW has been incredibly ambitious with its approach to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise recently. 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. Now, as we move into 2025, the main TMNT series welcomes a new regular artist and introduces a new status quo. The four Turtles are back together, yet their relationships are strained and far from friendly.

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 delved into how these narratives evolve over time, the overarching mission for the TMNT line, and the potential for reconciliation among Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo. Here's what we discovered.

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 or mission statement for the TMNT line. He shared that his approach is 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, and that was my first experience with these characters. Before the films or the cartoons, it was that original black and white Mirage Studios book. I wanted to recapture some of the grittiness, the griminess, and the action-packed scenes of the Turtles fighting ninjas in New York City alleyways.”

Aaron emphasized the desire to tell a story that feels fresh and propels the characters forward, considering their journey through the previous 150 issues of the IDW series. “That's the spirit we aimed for, but also to tell a story that feels new and moves these characters forward after all they've been through. We wanted to explore how they've grown and reached a turning point in their lives where they're going in different directions, 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 hits like Marvel’s Ultimate Universe line, DC’s Absolute line, and Skybound’s Energon Universe, suggesting a strong audience demand for reboots and streamlined major franchises. “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. “As someone who grew up a Turtles fan and loves good comic book stories, this is a story for both long-time fans and newcomers. The excitement we felt while creating it seems to have resonated with readers.”

A TMNT Family Reunion

Aaron's run on TMNT began with an unusual 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, showing each brother in different situations around the world,” Aaron said. “But the real fun starts when they're all together, seeing how they interact. At this point, they're not happy to see each other; they're not reliving old times. They're rubbing each other the wrong way, and none of them want to be there. The pieces don't fit like they used to.”

In issue #6, as they return to New York City, they find the city has changed and is now weaponized against them by a new villain from the Foot Clan. “The Turtles are the most hated entities in the Five Boroughs, including Mutant Town. With the odds stacked against them and their inability to stand each other, the challenge is how they will come together to win this fight,” Aaron added.

Starting with issue #6, Juan Ferreyra becomes the new regular artist, bringing a more consistent visual style to the series. “Using different artists for the first five issues made sense as we focused 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. His work is incredible, and he's making the book his own in a huge way.”

Merging the TMNT and Naruto Universes

Combining the iconic TMNT and Naruto franchises is no small feat, yet Caleb Goellner and artist Hendry Prasetya have successfully done so with their crossover series. The first two issues of TMNT x Naruto introduce a world where the Turtles and the Uzumaki Clan coexist, encountering each other for the first time. Goellner praised 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 suggestions, like putting them in masks in the first issue, but what they came back with was unreal. I hope they get made into toys; it's my wish to add them to my collection.”

The fun of comic book crossovers lies in the character interactions and personality clashes. Goellner shared his favorite pairings from the early chapters. “My job is to ensure all characters have moments together throughout the book. I really like seeing Kakashi with anyone; as a dad, he's my viewpoint character in the Naruto world. I love how he manages all these kids. I also enjoy the interactions between Raph and Sakura, both being the tanks of their teams. There are more cool surprises coming in issue #3 as the fighting heats up.”

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 specific villain appear and for the Naruto characters to fight that villain. 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. 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.