The artist lineup for Jason Aaron’s relaunch of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise at IDW Publishing has been revealed. The writer behind fan-favorite runs on Thor and Avengers at Marvel is bringing his talents to IDW for a new volume of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The long-running series is ending with a double-sized 150th landmark issue, celebrating more than a decade of storytelling. ComicBook.com exclusively revealed Jason Aaron as the new writer of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, with IDW holding the announcement of which artist(s) would be joining him for today.
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IGN announced that Rafael Albuquerque, Joëlle Jones, Cliff Chiang, and Chris Burnham are the artists on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Each artist will illustrate one of the first four issues, with each artist drawing a story featuring one of the four main turtles. The second story arc will be illustrated by Albuquerque. IDW is kicking things off with a 10-page prelude story in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Alpha #1 one-shot on sale in June. IDW’s ongoing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series will return with a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 in July.
Jason Aaron comments on writing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
“Launching a new TMNT comic series in the midst of the characters’ 40th anniversary is clearly one of those dream jobs of all comic book dream jobs,” Aaron says in a statement. “Especially for me, a kid who first fell in love with the Turtles all those years ago because of that original Mirage Studios series, buying those groundbreaking issues fresh off the rack, comics that kicked you in the face with their action-packed grit and gloriously raw attitude. I couldn’t be more honored and thrilled to get to add to that esteemed legacy of comic book face-kicking, especially as part of an amazing IDW run that has expanded the world and timeline of the Turtles in such daring and exciting ways. In terms of what’s to come, the kid in me wants you to know that you can expect some good old-fashioned grit, a sprinkle of dark, new attitude and all the bone-cracking action that four mutated ninja brothers can possibly handle.”
You can find the covers of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1-4 below, along with comments from the artists illustrating the issues.
Raphael by Joëlle Jones
“For me working on TMNT was first a nostalgia hit, being an ’80s kid I consumed it all!” Jones said. “But at its heart, and why I think it still resonates with people today, is that it’s a story about a family of outcasts brimming with personality and the conflicts that come out of it! Or maybe I just like the giant rat father figure, which might be something for me to unpack with a therapist at a later date!”
Michelangelo by Rafael Albuquerque
“I’m thrilled to be working with Jason on such a special project, with so many talented artists,” Albuquerque said. “Being a child from the ’80s, the TMNT cartoon has a special place in my heart, so having the chance to draw them for the first time kind of completes a full circle, full of nostalgia and excitement. I can’t wait to reveal what we’re working on!”
Leonardo by Cliff Chiang
“I still remember the thrill of reading those early black-and-white issues and how they ushered in a new wave of independent comics, and I’m incredibly excited to be a part of this next chapter for the Turtles,” Chiang said. “Even better, Jason and I have been friends for a long time but haven’t yet worked together, so I get to kill two Mousers with one sword.”
Donatello by Chris Burnham
“I am SO excited to be working on the Turtles!” Burnham said. “I’ve been a TMNT fan since the black and white days – Fugitoid is one of the first comics I ever owned, and the original Donatello One-Issue Micro Series is one of my favorite comics of all time! I discovered so many amazing artists as a kid reading the Turtles – beyond Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird there’s Mark Bodé, Rick Veitch, Mark Martin, Richard Corben, Michael Zulli, Eric Talbot, Jim Lawson, Sophie Campbell… the list goes on and on and it’s a great honor to add my name to it!”
