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While TMNT was made mainstream through the 1987 TV series, it began as a comic in 1984. The TMNT comic was dark and gritty, featuring a no-nonsense group of turtles that in no way resembled their super-friendly an rarely-serious counterparts from the 1987 animated series.

In 1984, Eastman and Laird brought to life a group of unlikely heroes that in fact started off as a joke (turtles, not exactly known for their speed, stealth, or fighting prowess, made dubious candidates for a group of crime-fighting ninjas).

To this day, TMNT comics continue to provide readers with endless entertainment. As of this writing, there is even talk of a new TMNT comic, so keep eyes out for this!

Last Ronin Cover
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The Future of The Last Ronin

by Kyle Tobey
written by Kyle Tobey

What is the future of The Last Ronin?

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Ronin
The Last Ronin – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The comic series became a smash hit with the release of issue #1 in late 2020. The first issue had at least 5 reprints and (after a few delays between issues) the series concluded in a satisfying way for fans, and the creative team. It was the first collaboration of TMNT co-creators Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman in many years and returned several fans to franchise who were looking for a more “mature” story. So, what is the future of The Last Ronin?

With the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles being a multi-media franchise, the comic series has opened the door to a whole world of stories, collectibles, and other media. Let’s take a look at what we know is happening and how likely each might be.

Spoilers from here out!!!

The end of the first 5 issue run saw the death of the final brother, and the rebirth of a new group of mutant turtles. Casey and April’s daughter, Casey Marie Jones has her own batch future ninjas. Created by Ben Bishop, Moja, Odyn, Yi, and Uno, the new turtles have launched their own spinoff series. While half of The Lost Years takes place in the past, the other half shows the “present” as we see the new turtles going through their own training.

What does this mean? It means the Last Ronin franchise has already split itself 2 ways- classic black hood Ronin with the original brothers, and the new batch. We’ll explore the possibilities of each version in each category, as well as other possibilities in the Ronin-verse.

Comics

The original series was so successful, a sequel was inevitable. The Last Ronin: The Lost Years is on issue #3 at time of writing, and shows no signs of slowing down. After the 4 new turtles gain more of their origin story, I can see a new breed of familiar faces. Sons of Bebop and Rocksteady? Daughter of Slash? Tadpole of Punk Frogs?

There’s too much of an open world to explore and too many new character designs to leave on the table. I could see the comics becoming a regular staple on the shelves. Similar to Batman and Detective comics, I see these running for a long time, side by side.

Video Games

This one isn’t much of a prediction- because it’s already been announced!

It’s still incredibly early and we don’t have any details, including a developer, screenshots, literally anything. But it was announced. It’s being worked on. But the Video Game industry is notoriously fickle. For all we know it could have already been cancelled.

While I doubt we’d ever get a full game with Moja, Uno, Yi, and Odyn. The Black Bandana is definitely the more iconic figure from the series.

Toys & Collectibles

We’ve just begun seeing the merchandising potential for the Last Ronin. Playmates has released a special edition version, as well as a black and white chase.

NECA has an entire line in the works featuring the original brothers, based on artwork from Ben Bishop. 3 Figures have already been released, and so many more on the way. Even more news came out recently that April would be getting her own figure- and we did see a shot of Odyn behind Grammy April.

NECA Instagram Account

In addition to an entire line of Last Ronin figures based on the comics, they included an Easter Egg of sorts at last years SDCC. There was a Last Ronin figure in the style of their Cartoon series.

Via Pixel Dan on YouTube

The other major player in in the TMNT toy universe is Super 7. No word yet on any plans for a Last Ronin Ultimates figure, but hopefully we get one down the line.

As far as statues go, PCS Collectibles has already released a huge statue featuring the ghosts of the downed brothers. Another limited statue is on the way, this one even more limited than the last.

There are tons of other companies who release their own TMNT collectibles, and its yet to be seen what their plans might be. Loyal Subjects, Goodsmile, Iron Studios, and Funko all have yet to announce their own future Last Ronin plans.

TV/Streaming

This could be a bit more of a shot in the dark. Nothing has been announced. All we know for sure is that HBO Max and Paramount+ need content. Paramount+ is the more logical choice given the rights lie with Viacom. But if Warner Bros Animation Studios helps with facilitating the movie like they did with the direct to home video adaptation of “Batman vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, it could find find it’s home on HBO Max.

Whatever we get, it’s likely to stay with black bandana as well. Although, we’d see the next generation in the finale. It would make a great limited series!

Movies

Finally, the movies. There is obviously a desire for a more adult oriented TMNT movie. However, this Summer, we can already expect the next iteration of the original 4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem hits theaters in August and we already know plenty about it. We got a trailer and cast list! While this is obviously at the forefront of everyone’s mind right now, there’s still a live action movie announced as well.

Back in 2018, Casey and Colin Jost (of SNL) were announced as writers of an upcoming live action reboot of the TMNT. Given how close in proximity the announcement was to Mutant Mayhem, I wonder if this could be the live action adaptation in the works. We probably won’t find out about the live action movie until the publicity cycle for Mutant Mayhem ends. But this makes the most sense to me.

What do you think will be the future of the Last Ronin? What are you most excited for? Let us know!

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Comic Book NewsNews

TMNT & Stranger Things Comic Crossover Announced!

by Chris M. P.
written by Chris M. P.

The TMNT head to the Upside Down this Summer!

And the only things that can make it more 80’s would be some dense hairspray! IDW publishing confirmed that, this summer, one of the largest properties born out of the 1980s is about to collide with one of the biggest hits of recent years channelling the 1980s. It appears that writer Cameron Chittock and artist Fero Pe are attached to the upcoming series, their surnames listed on the full cover that was shown by IDW Publishing. This remains to be confirmed by either party just yet.

It’s no mystery that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have crossed over with a slew of popular franchises. Three volumes of TMNT/Batman have been published while the second volume of a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers crossover is currently ongoing. Other crossovers have included TMNT/Ghostbusters, TMNT/X-Files, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vs. Street Fighter (set to be published this year). Not to mention the TMNT crossing over with various multiverses of themselves throughout various forms of media.

Yet this crossover may not come as such a surprise to some shellheads, as Playmates Toys have released TMNT x STRANGER THINGS action figure packs as early as last year…making the team up not as random as it may seem. And with a new wave of TMNT x Stranger Things action figures hitting Target stores this year, the collision shows no signs of stopping just yet. The action figure packs may also give a hint at what the announced comic book series may entail, as the toys read:

 “The Turtles have tracked TCRI’s latest illegal experiments from NYC to Hawkins, Indiana, where it’s trying to harness the power of the upside down. The half-shell heroes must team up with eleven and her friends to try and stop TCRI’s next experiment before it succeeds.” 

While a team up of these properties may seem a bit “random” at first, one may argue that plotline isn’t as preposterous as we thought, in fact, we are actually looking forward to this.

This isn’t Stranger Things first comic rodeo either, as the property isn’t shy in the funny pages. From character focused prequel comics to a crosser over with Dungeons and Dragons, Stranger Things is a property able to entertain in many forms of media. As are our favorite heroes in a halfshell.

So here’s to a fun and interesting summer and hoping we can see Eleven share a slice of pizza with our Turtle brethren and perhaps a Kraang can meet a Demogoron

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Comic Book NewsComic BooksReviews

TMNT#129: REVIEW

by Chris M. P.
written by Chris M. P.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #129

Story by Sophie Campbell

Art by Tony Gregori and Ronda Pattinson 

Published by IDW 

Released May 25th, 2022

The Story So Far: Donatello and Alopex have been captured by mad surgeon Dr. Jasper Barlow. With Venus’s help,Donatello begins to explore the powers of the dragon scales, which he discovers give him access to the Astral Plane and visions of his past life in feudal Japan. Meanwhile, thanks to Ma’riell’s efforts, Regenta Seri has safely escaped Colonel Ch’rell’s clutches by blasting off in a Triceraton scout ship bound for New York City.

Donatello struggles to escape from the fiendish Dr. Barlow! The Turtles attempt to save him but first they’ll have to have a final showdown with the Punk Frogs!

Plus the long-awaited introduction of Sluggothy!

The Burnow Island story thread has been a slog and the introduction of Venus can go either way. After a disappointing previous issue, can IDW’s TMNT series pick up the otherwise solid momentum with Issue 129? 

SPOILER: IT DOES. 

Issue 129 exercises a great blend of action and drama with the wide range of characters and plots we’ve grown accustomed to reading about. From Donnie, Venus and the gang escaping the clutches of the twisted Dr. Barlow, The Turtles facing off with the Punk Frogs, and Raph and Casey at odds with each other the plot lines meet head on with the crash ending of a Triceratron ship! Let’s see what works and what doesn’t! 

The Rad!

  • Campbell balances action and drama at a great pace. I’ve given Campbell a lot of flack for focusing on petty interspecies drama and disappointing conclusions over ninja action and adventure; but her writing has been on a peak of late. And, thankfully, continues with #129. 
  • Punk Frogs origin is as punk as you’d think as I really dig these characters from the get-go. A Fort  Lauderdale Punk band turned angsty Battletoads is a fun and cool premise that TMNT is built on. So I enjoy every panel they get. 
  • Barlow continues to be a worthy and interesting foe. And Venus is coming along to be a cool creature herself. I could see both of these characters leading to some upgrades to Donetello in the future. 
  • Solid ending with our Burnlow Island plot literally crashing into Mutant Town. Eager to see how this all plays out. 
  • Pattinson creates great moods with her vibrant colors. 

The Bad

  • Saki is thrown into things for the sake of simply being there. I feel he’s a mostly forgotten character that’s conveniently written as a scapegoat of sorts. 
  • Raph and Casey have an awkward scuffle. It starts over something I perceived as serious: Raph being concerned with Casey’s drinking and wishing for him to not turn into his father. Yet they just laugh it off as horseplay. Oddly written. Campbell seems to really struggle when it comes to writing the character of Casey Jones. 
  • Gregor’s artwork works on some levels but mostly falls flat. The more novice look of his perspectives, character stances and expressions give a feeling of classic Eastman and Laird Turtle books. But I doubt it as an homage and often makes the book look amateur. 

Notes: Campbell and Company gives us a well rounded exciting chapter of the current TMNT story. With an interesting array of villains and emphasis back on adventure (not to mention the return of the RAT KING) IDW’s TMNT seems to be back in a good place yet again. I hope everyone keeps up the good work for our trusted Heroes in a Halfshell!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #129 is available wherever comics are sold! 

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Comic Book NewsNews

IDW’s TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Stopping With #105

by Chris M. P.
written by Chris M. P.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles writer/artist Sophie Campbell has tweeted that IDW Publishing has instructed her to stop production on the series “for now”, with plans to stop after #105.

“Just got word that production is stopping, so TMNT is done for now,” said Campbell in a tweet. “I’m going to finish up issue 105, then that’s it. See you guys on the other side!”

Issues #105 through #107 have been solicited to come out, starting with #105 on May 6.

It’s unclear when or if production on the series will resume, and if so if Campbell will be involved.

Many publishers are pausing or shifting production schedules due to supply chain interruptions caused by coronavirus, including Diamond Comic Distributors’ ongoing closure.

TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles.com will keep fans up-to-date with the current proceedings with the much acclaimed IDW TMNT comic title. Stay tuned!

 

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Comic Book NewsNews

Jennika Goes Solo February 2020!

by Chris M. P.
written by Chris M. P.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Jennika goes Solo

The Breakout Star of IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Will Headline a Comic Book Miniseries in 2020

Via IDWPublishing.com: The ongoing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book from IDW Publishing  has achieved resounding acclaim from fans and critics alike on the march to its 100th issue. Now, in the aftermath of the cataclysmic “City at War” storyline, the newest addition to the team will step into the spotlight in a three-issue miniseries, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Jennika!!

Written and illustrated by Brahm Revel (Guerillas), who previously shed light on the character’s mysterious origins in IDW’s TMNT Universe series, the miniseries finds Jennika still trying to acclimate to life as a mutant. Drawn into conflict with a never-before-seen villain, she embarks on a journey that forces her to face her troubled past and conflicted present!

“Jennika has always been a fascinating character, and her story is now moving in directions none of us could have ever anticipated,” says Revel. “I’m very excited about the opportunity to revisit Jenn’s past and explore how she’s been handling the recent changes in her life, all while being tested by a world that’s changing just as rapidly as she is.”

Editor Bobby Curnow says, “Brahm has a fantastic knack for revealing character through adversity. With the Jennika miniseries, he’s digging deep into what makes this fan-favorite character tick, all in a fast-moving and accessible story. I’m also excited for people to see the back-up stories from up-and-coming creators that will be featured in every issue.”

TMNT: Jennika #1 will be available with a main cover by Brahm Revel, plus two Retailer Incentive variant editions by talented newcomer Jodie Nishijima and Freddie Williams II (Batman/TMNT), respectively.

For information on how to acquire copies of the new TMNT: Jennika miniseries by Brahm Revel or the ongoing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series by Sophie Campbell, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.

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