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2025 is already shaping up to be an exciting time for fans of comic books and iconic heroes like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from the 1980s and 1990s. Fueled by growing nostalgia for that era, comic publishers are pulling out all the stops to satisfy the public’s demand, reviving and reimagining beloved legacy titles from decades past.
Few publishers are better poised to capitalize on nostalgia culture than Disney’s Marvel Comics. With a vast library of iconic IPs, including Spider-Man, Daredevil, Fantastic Four, and X-Men, crafted by trailblazing writers and artists, Marvel’s influence is ubiquitous. But IDW’s latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot by writer Jason Aaron and a variety of artists is challenging Marvel’s place at the top of comics.
It’s rare to find adult comic book fans – the same enthusiasts driving the genre’s nostalgia movement – whose formative years weren’t shaped by Marvel in some way. But it could be that the Turtles are the real future of comics.
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Despite Marvel’s advantages in rekindling nostalgia for its ’80s and ’90s titles, another publisher is poised to challenge its dominance in the comic book “nostalgia wars” – at least for 2025. Enter IDW Publishing, a stalwart of independent comic book publishing, with a title that’s primed to captivate audiences: the quintessential 1980s phenomenon, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This beloved franchise is set to make IDW a major player in 2025.
Despite some behind-the-scenes turbulence, IDW had some major hits in 2024, and not just Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Be sure to check out the horror phenomenon Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees by Patrick Horvath, available now both digitally and in a collected edition from IDW Publishing.
IDW has been publishing Turtles stories since 2011, having acquired the license to produce comics featuring the “Heroes in a Half-Shell.” This acquisition led to an ongoing primary Turtles series, as well as a diverse range of limited series, crossovers, and one-shot editions. However, in 2024, coinciding with the wave of “nostalgia” reboots at other publishing houses, IDW also embarked on its own reboot of the Turtles series. This reboot commenced in July 2024 with the publication of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 by Aaron, Joëlle Jones, Ronda Pattison, and Shawn Lee.
The story begins with a “family” conflict that causes the four sewer-dwelling, pizza-loving Turtle brothers to part ways and pursue separate paths. Raphael takes on an undercover role in a California prison, while Michelangelo fulfills his dream of becoming a film star in Japan. Leonardo embarks on a journey of self-discovery in India, and Donatello returns to New York, resuming his mission to protect the vulnerable. However, when an old enemy resurfaces with a vengeance, the brothers must set aside their differences and reunite as the one lean, green, mean ninja team of old.
IDW Gave Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles An Amazing Creative Team
Jason Aaron Leads a Seriously Strong Storytelling Team
The new series has made a remarkable impact, earning widespread acclaim for its storytelling, character development, and artwork in just five issues. Critics have hailed it as a game-changer, praising its innovative blend of nostalgic elements and fresh perspectives. Indeed, it looks to be the franchise’s most significant revitalization since co-creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird’s original 1980s run. The series’ genius lies in seamlessly merging old and new to craft a captivating narrative.
IDW did not hesitate to pull out all the stops to ensure the end product was nothing short of spectacular. IDW first secured the services of two-time Eisner and Harvey Award-winning writer Jason Aaron. Known for his critically acclaimed works such as Scalped and Southern Bastards, Aaron’s success has shined throughout the comic book industry, with notable stints at Marvel and DC Comics, and having published work with independent publishers like Image, Boom! Studios, and 12-Gauge Comics. In short, if IDW aimed to publish a groundbreaking reboot of the Turtles franchise, few writers were better suited than Aaron.
IDW swung for the fences.
While strong writing forms the foundation of any great comic story, its impact would be diminished without compelling visuals to bring the narrative to life. IDW recognized this and assembled a formidable artistic team, enlisting not just one, but five top-tier artists with a history of success for the first arc of the new series. These artists have infused the series with their unique, groundbreaking, and immensely popular visual styles.
True to form, IDW swung for the fences, securing the talents of Jones, Rafael Albuquerque, Cliff Chiang, and Chris Burnham. Each artist was given the opportunity to pencil a single Turtle’s sub-story across the first four issues. The five-issue opening arc concludes with The Boys‘ Darrick Robertson inking the fifth issue, where the brothers finally reunite. A new ongoing artist, Juan Ferreyra, is joining the team with issue #6. This strategy of alternating artists not only infuses fresh creative energy into the series but also invites each artist’s fanbase into the TMNT universe — and ideally, to stay for the long haul.
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So far, story-wise, Aaron’s character-based approach, where each of the four brothers headlines their own “origin” story, has been captivating. By focusing on each turtle independently, readers are not only able to better understand their personalities but also explore their mental and emotional struggles – both during their time as a team and in the aftermath of their separation. This darker, grittier depiction of the Turtles truly unlocks many of the same vibes fans experienced while reading the series back in the ’80s, before the Turtles went mainstream.
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All these elements —story, author, and artwork— position IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot series as one of the most innovative and groundbreaking comic book releases of 2024, and its future is bright as the industry looks toward 2025. Meanwhile, Marvel is set to roll out several legacy reboots in the coming year, alongside ongoing reboots like Marvel’s Ultimate Universe’s Spider-Man, X-Men, Black Panther, and more. While these projects are exciting, they don’t appear to be taking the same bold, game-changing steps as IDW’s approach with the Turtles.
The Turtles are undeniably popular. The original fans, now in their forties and fifties, grew up reading and collecting the original Eastman and Laird comics. They’re now part of the “Nostalgia Movement” who appreciate the reboot’s direction. The newer generation, on the other hand, grew up when Turtle stories expanded across comics, movies, cartoons, and video games. If IDW continues its innovative approach, there’s no reason to doubt that the newer generation will catch on to what the original fans so loved about the first Turtles stories, propelling the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to even greater heights.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6 is available January 29th, 2025 from IDW Publishing.
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