IDW Reflects on the End of an Era with TMNT #150
We’re well on our way in the march to the momentous 150th issue of IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and, after more than 10 years worth of issues, it will make its presence felt in just a few short months. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #150, the oversized, concluding chapter to the decade-long saga, will be written by Sophie Campbell and hits shelves on April 10th. The issue will also mark Campbell’s 50th issue as series writer, after Tim Waltz wrote the first 100 issues.
While there will be much to celebrate within the pages of the issue, including art from former series artist Dan Duncan and Fero Pe, the final issue will also pave the way for what comes next for everyone’s favorite turtles in a half shell. IDW announced they will be sharing more on those next chapters in the coming weeks, but shared thoughts from TMNT creators across the past decade on what the series has meant to them:
Sophie Campbell: “I still can’t quite believe I’ve gotten to work on this much TMNT, I thought for sure I’d get the boot in the first year but nope – here I am four years later still here against all odds. It’s really been amazing, truly a dream job. I wonder what my 10-year-old self would think if she knew what she’d go on to eventually do. The fact that this chapter is ending and I’m leaving the series is bittersweet, I’ll miss it for sure but it’s time to move on and let somebody else have a shot at the Turtles, and I’ll be back for more before you know it, whatever form that might take. As two great men once said, ‘change is constant’ and ‘life at best is bittersweet.’”
Ronda Pattison: “It’s been a real career highlight to be part of such an impressively long run of TMNT with IDW, right from the beginning. I’ve worked with some amazing colleagues – writers, editors, an impressive array of artists – some of whom I’m lucky enough to call friends now. Most of all, I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a beloved franchise and – hopefully – leave my mark in some small way.”
Tom Waltz: “Back in 2011, when I was first asked to join Team TMNT at IDW as the ongoing series writer, I was praying I’d at least get four issues of the story I’d concocted out to the public before I was run out of town. But before I knew it, four issues became 12, then 25, then 50… and suddenly I was at issue #100, and it was time to hand the main writing reins over to the amazingly talented Sophie Campbell. And here we are now, on the final stretch of The Road to 150, and Sophie has taken our beloved TMNT series to new and exciting heights during her fantastic run, all the while maintaining the core consistency of what makes a TMNT tale a… well, a TMNT tale. Family, friendship, relatable protagonists, nuanced antagonists, real-world dangers and drama mixed with gritty street action and fantastical adventures, and on and on. It’s all been there every step of the way for Sophie’s fifty issues, and she’s gonna wrap it all up with one mind-blowing bow on top. What a great time to be a shellhead!”
Kevin Eastman: “For me, the IDW TMNT Comic Book Universe is a definitive one. When it was launched in 2011, Tom Waltz proposed to bring together elements from the first 25 years of storytelling, and from all various TMNT Universes, and with the help of a small army of extremely talented artisans, and nailed it brilliantly for 100 consecutive issues. Passing the baton off to Sophie Campbell for the following 50 fantastic issues solidified this TMNT foundation as the place where anything is, was, and has been possible. This wonderful place has been our collective ‘home’ for the past 12 years, and although we may see a ‘conclusion,’ but after 40 years of adventures, we won’t see an end.”
Official Press Release
LOS ANGELES, CA (January 11, 2024) – The colossal and cosmic time-consuming megalodon called Armaggon is trying to erase the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES from existence. Now, only the brilliant and determined Donatello can potentially stop the fearsome foe by racing back to the past in a double-sized landmark 150th issue that celebrates more than a decade’s worth of compelling TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (TMNT) storytelling.
Written by acclaimed author Sophie Campbell, the massive, epic and emotional TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #150 is the must-read conclusion of the ongoing series – fear not, shellheads, because more will be revealed about what’s next for TMNT soon! This momentous milestone issue will feature art by ARMAGEDDON GAME’s Vincenzo Federici and longtime TMNT creatives colorist Ronda Pattison and letterer Shawn Lee. Returning for this giant issue are former series artists Dan Duncan, Fero Pe, and Campbell.
This climactic comic will pave the way for the next mutation of TMNT storytelling from IDW Publishing, but before looking forward, it’s important to visit the past, just like Donnie. IDW’s TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ongoing series has presented fans with more than 10 years worth of brilliant and critically-acclaimed tales that captivated both longtime and new TMNT fans with its exciting and heartfelt stories.
Sophie Campbell: “I still can’t quite believe I’ve gotten to work on this much TMNT, I thought for sure I’d get the boot in the first year but nope – here I am four years later still here against all odds. It’s really been amazing, truly a dream job. I wonder what my 10-year-old self would think if she knew what she’d go on to eventually do. The fact that this chapter is ending and I’m leaving the series is bittersweet, I’ll miss it for sure but it’s time to move on and let somebody else have a shot at the Turtles, and I’ll be back for more before you know it, whatever form that might take. As two great men once said, ‘change is constant’ and ‘life at best is bittersweet.’”
Vincenzo Federici: “The meaning of this experience as a TMNT artist is too much for me to describe. If someone has had the opportunity to listen to my crazy speeches at NYCC panels in the last two years, they know that the TMNT were the main reason to make me choose this job when I was seven. And that’s it!
When Tom Waltz asked me to be the artist on ARMAGEDDON GAME I was so excited that I stopped sleeping for two days! Then, at the end of that event series, I was asked to be the main artist on the ongoing series until issue #150 and this was the ultimate blast. I was truly inspired by the previous artist’s job, this helped me to create a personal vision of the TMNT and their world. This Road to #150 is an amazing run, full of surprise and action. Many revelations will be made and the fans will be delighted by them. I feel that TMNT is an evergreen title and they are able to cross generations. I put all of myself into these pages.”
Ronda Pattison: “It’s been a real career highlight to be part of such an impressively long run of TMNT with IDW, right from the beginning. I’ve worked with some amazing colleagues – writers, editors, an impressive array of artists – some of whom I’m lucky enough to call friends now. Most of all, I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a beloved franchise and – hopefully – leave my mark in some small way.”
Shawn Lee: “Having grown up a fan of the comics, the cartoons, the toys, it’s just a fantastic feeling to have contributed, in my small way, to this quirky self-published comic turned global smash!”
Fero Pe: “As a fan of Turtles since the ’80s and living through the Turtlemania of the ’90s, it was always a dream to be able to participate in anything related to my heroes. Since issue one of IDW’s TMNT came out, I told myself that I wanted to participate in that comic. Having the opportunity to draw them, and for several issues, exceeded any expectations. I am very grateful.”
Dan Duncan: “The Turtles introduced me to comics as a kid, so this book was not just the job that started my career, it changed my life. I’m so proud of my time here and grateful to IDW, Nickelodeon and Kevin Eastman who let me be a part of it. Even after I left, I was excited to be a fan and while it’s sad to see something so special wrap up, I hope everyone is as proud as I am and as a fan I’m excited to see what’s next. Congratulations to you all!”
Tom Waltz: “Back in 2011, when I was first asked to join Team TMNT at IDW as the ongoing series writer, I was praying I’d at least get four issues of the story I’d concocted out to the public before I was run out of town. But before I knew it, four issues became 12, then 25, then 50… and suddenly I was at issue #100, and it was time to hand the main writing reins over to the amazingly talented Sophie Campbell. And here we are now, on the final stretch of The Road to 150, and Sophie has taken our beloved TMNT series to new and exciting heights during her fantastic run, all the while maintaining the core consistency of what makes a TMNT tale a… well, a TMNT tale. Family, friendship, relatable protagonists, nuanced antagonists, real-world dangers and drama mixed with gritty street action and fantastical adventures, and on and on. It’s all been there every step of the way for Sophie’s fifty issues, and she’s gonna wrap it all up with one mind-blowing bow on top. What a great time to be a shellhead!”
Kevin Eastman: “For me, the IDW TMNT Comic Book Universe is a definitive one. When it was launched in 2011, Tom Waltz proposed to bring together elements from the first 25 years of storytelling, and from all various TMNT Universes, and with the help of a small army of extremely talented artisans, and nailed it brilliantly for 100 consecutive issues. Passing the baton off to Sophie Campbell for the following 50 fantastic issues solidified this TMNT foundation as the place where anything is, was, and has been possible. This wonderful place has been our collective ‘home’ for the past 12 years, and although we may see a ‘conclusion,’ but after 40 years of adventures, we won’t see an end.”
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #150 goes on sale April 10, 2024, and will include 68 pages of story for $9.99 USD. The milestone issue will have a Cover A by Vincenzo Federici, Cover B by Kevin Eastman and Sophie Campbell, Cover C by Dan Duncan, and cover D by Jesse Lonergan.
Fans and retailers have until March 4, 2024 to preorder. For updates on everything regarding TMNT comics, be sure to follow IDW and the official TMNT accounts on social media.
