More than 25 years after its first comic book, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles return to their roots with IDW Publishing. On April 1, at WonderCon in San Francisco, IDW and Nickelodeon announced a long-term agreement to offer an all-new installment of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics and graphic novels. Starting this summer, IDW’s comic series will bring the “Heroes in a Half Shell” back into action. IDW’s new comics are part of a larger initiative to bring Turtles to a new generation of fans, starting with these new storylines from the original series. Additionally, in fourth quarter 2012, Nickelodeon will premiere a new CG-animated version of the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise.
“Through this partnership, we’re able to introduce Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to a new generation of fans, while also providing new stories for the fans who grew up enjoying these comics,” said Paula Allen, Senior Vice President, Global Publishing, Nickelodeon Consumer Products. “These all-new comics and graphic novels based on the original series will support the overwhelming demand we’ve received from the millions of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans looking to reconnect with this celebrated franchise.”
Created in 1984 by Mirage Studios founders Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles went from an independently published, black and white comic to one of the most popular brands in the world. IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will kick off with an ongoing series this summer, featuring new storylines that also maintain the “turtle power” core beloved by millions of fans. In addition to the all-new series, TMNT fans will also be treated to newly remastered collections of classic Turtles comics, beginning with the original 1980s series that started this worldwide phenomenon.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of Turtles,” said Greg Goldstein, chief operating officer for IDW. “This is one of the most successful comic book franchises ever, and we look forward to exploring new territory with our ongoing series, as well as reliving all the classic adventures.”
The return of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael and the rest of the TMNT world begins this summer. In IDW’s all-new, original series, readers will follow their favorite characters on exciting adventures that explore new depths of the TMNT universe.
