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

IDW's ambitious Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) expansion continues in 2025, with new creative directions for both the flagship series and the TMNT x Naruto crossover. This article features interviews with writers Jason Aaron (TMNT) and Caleb Goellner (TMNT x Naruto), offering insights into their respective projects.

A Return to Gritty Roots

The relaunched TMNT series, a major success selling around 300,000 copies and ranking among 2024's top-selling comics, aims to recapture the spirit of the original Mirage Studios comics. Aaron emphasizes a return to the "grittiness and griminess," incorporating dynamic double-page spreads and action sequences reminiscent of the classic TMNT aesthetic. The narrative focuses on the Turtles' growth and the challenges of reuniting after diverging paths, culminating in a major conflict against a new Foot Clan villain.

Aaron attributes the series' success to a resurgence of interest in rebooted or streamlined franchises, providing accessible entry points for new and longtime fans. He emphasizes his personal excitement for the project, driven by his childhood love for the Turtles and a desire to craft compelling narratives.

A Fractured Family Reunion

The initial arc saw the Turtles scattered globally, each facing unique challenges. The reunion in New York City, however, reveals a strained dynamic; their bond fractured, they find themselves at odds with each other and a hostile city. The introduction of Juan Ferreyra as the regular artist starting with issue #6 provides a consistent visual style, perfectly capturing the gritty urban landscape and the Turtles' action-packed encounters. Ferreyra's artistic talent is praised for seamlessly integrating into the established TMNT universe while adding his unique flair.

Blending Ninja Worlds: TMNT x Naruto

Goellner and artist Hendry Prasetya's TMNT x Naruto crossover seamlessly blends the two universes, featuring stunning redesigns of the Turtles that integrate them cohesively into the Naruto world. Goellner highlights the creative team's success in this integration, particularly Prasetya's contribution to the Turtles' visual adaptation. The crossover explores the dynamic interactions between characters, with Goellner expressing his enjoyment of the character pairings, especially Kakashi's interactions with the younger characters and the interplay between Raphael and Sakura.

The narrative will feature a major TMNT villain specifically chosen by Masashi Kishimoto, promising an exciting confrontation. TMNT #7 launched February 26th, TMNT x Naruto #3 on March 26th, and the final chapter of TMNT: The Last Ronin II - Re-Evolution is also available. Additionally, IGN Fan Fest 2025 offered previews of IDW's new Godzilla shared universe and an upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog storyline.