TMNT Brothers Reunite at IGN Fan Fest 2025

IDW continues to push boundaries with its Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. In 2024, they relaunched the core TMNT comic with writer Jason Aaron, debuted the sequel to the hit TMNT: The Last Ronin, and launched a ninja-packed TMNT x Naruto crossover. Now in 2025, the flagship TMNT series welcomes a new regular artist and a fresh dynamic. The four Turtles are reunited, but tensions run high as their bond frays.

At IGN Fan Fest 2025, we sat down with Aaron and TMNT x Naruto writer Caleb Goellner to discuss the future of their series. How will these stories evolve? What’s the vision for the TMNT line? And can Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo mend their fractured brotherhood? Here’s what they shared.

The Vision for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

IDW has rolled out multiple TMNT series recently, including the flagship monthly comic. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 was a massive success, selling nearly 300,000 copies and ranking among 2024’s top comics. We asked if IDW has a clear mission for the TMNT line that Aaron is bringing to life. He emphasized a return to the gritty roots of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird’s Mirage Studios comics.

“My approach was to revisit the original Mirage Studios series,” Aaron told IGN. “Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the Turtles’ debut, which was my first encounter with them—before the movies or cartoons. It was that raw, black-and-white Mirage book. I wanted to bring back that gritty, intense vibe with big action scenes of battle-worn Turtles facing ninjas in New York City’s dark alleys.”

Aaron added, “We’re capturing that spirit while telling a fresh story that moves the characters forward after the events of the past 150 issues of IDW’s series. The Turtles have grown, drifted apart, and are now at a crossroads, trying to rediscover how to unite as heroes to face their latest challenge.”

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #11 - Exclusive Preview Gallery

TMNT #1 joined other 2024 blockbusters like Marvel’s Ultimate Universe, DC’s Absolute line, and Skybound’s Energon Universe, all of which tapped into a hunger for accessible, rebooted takes on major franchises. Is there a growing demand for comics that offer clear entry points for readers?

“It sure feels that way after last year,” Aaron said. “I’ve been in this industry for 20 years, writing for nearly every major publisher, but I don’t overthink the trends. I just sit at my desk, alone, crafting stories that spark my excitement. When I got the chance to work on TMNT—something I never expected—I saw an opportunity to create something special.”

He continued, “Working with an incredible lineup of artists for the first six issues was a thrill. As a lifelong Turtles fan and a lover of great comics, I believe this story resonates whether you’ve followed the Turtles for 40 years or are just discovering them. The excitement we poured into it seems to be connecting with readers.”

A Tense TMNT Family Reunion

Aaron’s TMNT run kicks off with the Turtles scattered across the globe. Raphael is behind bars, Michelangelo is a TV star in Japan, Leonardo is a brooding monk, and Donatello is in a dire state. Only by the end of the first arc do they reunite in New York City. We asked Aaron if bringing the brothers back together, despite their strained relationships, felt rewarding.

“Writing those first four issues, with each Turtle in a unique global predicament, was a blast,” Aaron said. “Seeing what trouble they’d stumbled into and what draws them back together was fun. But the real excitement comes when they’re all in one place, clashing and sparking off each other. Right now, they’re not thrilled to be reunited—they’re at odds, grating on one another.”

He added, “They don’t fit together like they used to. By issue #6, as they return to New York, the city itself has turned against them, weaponized by a new Foot Clan villain. The Turtles are public enemies in every borough, including Mutant Town. With the odds stacked against them and their own tensions simmering, how will they unite to overcome this threat?”

Another big change in issue #6 is the arrival of Juan Ferreyra as the series’ regular artist. Aaron couldn’t be more excited about the consistent visual direction Ferreyra brings.

“Using different artists for the first five issues made sense as we focused on each Turtle individually, and issue #5 spotlighted our new villain, New York’s District Attorney,” Aaron said. “But with Juan joining for issue #6, as the main story accelerates, his work is phenomenal. Following a lineup of legendary artists, Juan’s proving he was meant to draw the Turtles—leaping through alleys, racing across Manhattan rooftops. He’s truly making this series his own.”

Blending TMNT and Naruto Worlds

Merging the iconic TMNT and Naruto franchises is no small feat, but Goellner and artist Hendry Prasetya have pulled it off in their crossover series. The first two issues of TMNT x Naruto create a shared universe where the Turtles and the Uzumaki Clan meet for the first time. Goellner credits Prasetya for seamlessly integrating the Turtles into the Naruto world.

“I’m thrilled with the results,” Goellner told IGN. “I offered a few small ideas, but the Turtles’ stunning redesigns are all Prasetya’s doing. I suggested things like masks for the Turtles in the first issue, Naruto-style, but what he delivered is incredible. I’d love to see these designs turned into action figures for my shelf.”

The joy of TMNT x Naruto lies in the character clashes and team-ups. We asked Goellner about his favorite pairings in the early issues.

“My goal is to give every character a moment to shine together,” Goellner said. “As a dad, I relate to Kakashi, juggling all these young ninjas while keeping things professional. Splinter’s wiser and stronger, but Kakashi’s my lens into the Naruto world—he’s quietly exasperated but keeps things moving. Honestly, I love all the pairings, but Raph and Sakura stand out as the teams’ heavy-hitters, bouncing off each other in a great way.”

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

Goellner added, “I sometimes forget what I wrote until I see it. Mikey’s humor shines with the group, and I’m excited for what’s coming. The action ramps up in issue #3 with some surprising twists as the teams face their adversary.”

Goellner also hinted at what lies ahead as the ninja clans converge on Big Apple Village, spotlighting a major TMNT villain handpicked by Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto.

“Kishimoto had one specific request: feature a certain villain for the Naruto characters to battle,” Goellner said. “I won’t spoil who, but fans will be thrilled. The response to the series has been amazing, and I’m grateful for everyone joining this adventure.”

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7 hit shelves on February 26, while Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #3 arrives on March 26. Don’t miss IGN’s exclusive preview of the final chapter of TMNT: The Last Ronin II - Re-Evolution.

At IGN Fan Fest 2025, we also got a first look at IDW’s new Godzilla shared universe and a preview of an upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog storyline.