IDW’s TMNT Relaunch Artists Revealed

Last week IDW announced a 2024 relaunch for their TMNT ongoing book, and confirmed Jason Aaron was being hired as head writer. This week they’ve followed up that announcement with the reveal of the four artists that will be working on the title.

It looks like each artist will be introduced one at a time, handling one specific Turtle in one specific issue. Issue #1 will be all about Raphael and will be drawn by Joelle Jones.

“For me, working on TMNT was first a nostalgia hit – being an ’80s kid, I consumed it all!” said Jones. “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!”

Issue #2 will be about Michelangelo and will feature the art of Rafael Albuquerque.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Jason on such a special project, with so many talented artists,” stated Albuquerque. “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!”

Issue #2 will focus on Leonardo and will feature the art of 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,” says Chiang. “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.”

Finally, the fourth issue will focus on Donatello and will feature the art of Chris Burnham.

“I am SO excited to be working on the Turtles! 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,” confesses Burnham. “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!”

The new TMNT will pre-launch in June with a preview issue, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Alpha, before officially launching the following month with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 in July.