SDCC 2025 Recap: IDW Shares TMNT Updates
Just ahead of San Diego Comic-Con, word began spreading that a major shake-up was happening on the main TMNT title at IDW Publishing. Jason Aaron and Juan Ferreyra are exiting the series after issue #12, while writer Gene Luen Yang (who also cleaned up at this year’s Eisner Awards) and artist Freddie E. Williams II will take over in the following issue. Jake Thomas, formerly of Marvel Comics, will also join the creative team as Group Editor.
Yang was on hand throughout SDCC for a jam-packed press tour, providing insights and teases on his plan for the shelled foursome. “I’ve been a fan of the TMNT since I was young. I remember watching the ‘80s cartoon with my brother and then reenacting the Turtles’ adventures with our action figures,” remarked Yang. “I’ve admired the Turtles for a long, long time. I’m absolutely thrilled to get to tell their stories at IDW.”
The publisher will also celebrate the new direction starting in December’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13 with a blind bag variant featuring covers by high profile artists including Daniel Warren Johnson, David Nakayama, Clayton Crain, and more. Williams will provide the main cover for the issue and Dustin Nguyen will provide an open-order variant.
The publisher also announced Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2025 from writer Kenny Porter and artists Michael Shelfer and Maria Keane. Legendary Turtles artist Mateus Santolouco will provide the main cover for the special issue dropping in October, acting as a bridge between Aaron’s and Yang’s runs. Jared Cullum provides a Halloween-themed variant, which kicks off a holiday series he’ll provide across other TMNT titles.
After the special annual, the five-week Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: BATTLE NEXUS event launches in November, pitting the Turtles against characters from various TMNT universes. Expect to see fan favorites pop-up across the weekly event from some of the most acclaimed TMNT writers and artist, including Tom Waltz, Paul Allor, Sophie Campbell, Erik Burnham, the Escorza brothers, and Ben Bishop.
And last, but not least, IDW revealed that two of their most popular franchises will be featured in an epic crossover hitting shelves this November: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES X GODZILLA. Writer Tim Seeley and artist Fero Pe team up to tell a story about the Foot Clan trying to stop the giant lizard while Shredder and General Krang have other plans.
