2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. The Turtles have evolved quite a bit over the years, and that’s something IDW Publishing is hoping to showcase in the upcoming TMNT 40th Anniversary Comics Celebration. This oversized anthology issue features new stories set not just in IDW’s ongoing TMNT universe, but in many past incarnations of the franchise in comics and animation.
IGN can exclusively debut a new preview of TMNT 40th Anniversary Comics Celebration. Head to the slideshow gallery below to see all of the covers revealed so far, along with some brand-new interior art from several of the stories featured within:
The creative team on TMNT 40th Anniversary Comics Celebration includes many franchise veterans, from original co-creator Kevin Eastman to animated series producers like Emilio Lopez (from the 2003 cartoon) and Ciro Nieli (from the 2012 TMNT cartoon). Here’s a full breakdown of what’s included in this massive collection:
- 3 stories in the Mirage comic book era
- 2 stories in the IDW comic book era
- 1 TMNT: Saturday Morning Adventures story
- 1 story in the Archie Comics era
- 1 story in the Image Comics era
- 1 story in the 2003 animated series universe
- 1 story in the 2012 animated series universe
- 1 story in the Rise of the TMNT animated series universe
- 1 new Kevin Eastman story
In addition, this issue will feature new pinup artwork from a variety of artists. Read on to see exclusive commentary from some of the creators involved in this issue.
Jim Lawson (Mirage Comics, Archie Comics)
“How does destiny work? Is it something that you create for yourself, or are there forces out there pulling you towards what you were seemingly meant to do? Either way, somehow I found my way to Mirage – and from there I spent 35+ years drawing the Ninja Turtles and more. As I like to think, just as destiny intended. 6,000 pages of comic art and stories was the result.”
“But truly, beyond that body of work, perhaps even beyond the Turtles themselves, something else happened. I guess it could be described as a movement. People, fans, supporters – they all came together. First for the characters, then for each other. And… us – the creators on the other side of the table. You were there for us as well.”
“My part was a small one, really. It’s the fans that deserve the most credit for what the Turtles have achieved. I know from many of you, these guys are much more than just drawings on a page. I feel it too. They’re friends – they’re fellow travelers through life. They’re someone with whom we’ve shared an adventure. I can’t easily express the enormity of my gratitude for allowing me to be a part of this.”
Lloyd Goldfine (2003 animated series, Turtles Forever)
“We were still in the thick of telling our Turtles’ stories when we were told to put our crayons down, so it’s a huge treat to get to work with the green team supreme again. And to get to tell a new story with Khary Randolph and Emilio Lopez, my brothers from the show, it just couldn’t be better.”
Tristan Jones (Mirage Comics)
“I turn 40 with these guys, and as one of those rare cases that grew up with the Mirage Turtles more than the iterations with the catchy theme songs, being a part of that world as my first professional job in comics is still such a surreal experience. Coming back to that world nearly twenty years later and finding it so easy to just snap back into that world and those characters after so much time has passed is a genuine testament to the world Kevin and Peter created. It was an honour then, and coming back into things now with the life I’ve had the privilege of living between propels that into an indescribably powerful place for me. And to be back here with Paul Harmon is a testament to the care being put into things by everyone who’s taken the Turtles into their care since. The only problem is, now I just want to do more! So hopefully everyone enjoys!”
Ciro Nieli (2012 animated series)
“My 2012 incarnation of the Turtles are still alive and roaming New York City. I’ve had this story idea of the brothers dealing with change, feeling pointless, facing a new threat—they are growing up, grappling with losing their “teenage” moniker. Towards the end of the series, I pitched it as an animated movie, unfortunately it never happened.”
“This short, comic interlude is a teaser for that bigger story that never was. It was really exciting to let the boys out to play. I knew I missed them, I didn’t realize how much though.”
Khary Randolph (2003 animated series)
“TMNT has played a major role in my life since its inception. From being one of the most influential comic books of my youth, to being one of the first major jobs of my career, those turtle boys have been with me every step of the way. Although no gesture can truly show how much Eastman and Laird have meant to the culture, this is our small attempt at gratitude. We are eternally grateful.”
Chris Allan (Archie Comics)
“Working on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was the best job I ever had, period. At the time, I thought it was just a really fun gig that ended and I had to go find the next thing. But, a funny thing happened over the years since… the kids that read the books we made grew up and began reaching out to tell me what an impact we’d had on them. Honestly, it was hard for me to fully accept and believe, but I’ve slowly been able to see that this was a truly magical time not just for myself, but for so many others. I will forever be grateful that I was able to be a part of this history. Cowabunga!”
Emilio Lopez (2003 animated series)
There’s an old saying in the art space: you’ll always get a chance to do things again. Fifteen years ago, LLoyd Goldfind, myself, and Khary Randalph ended our time on TMNT 2003 with ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles Forever,’ the Special 25th Anniversary film. And now, we’re back to continue where we left off.
TMNT has always been the gift that keeps on giving. It was my first work in animation and led to a long-standing work relationship with Khary and work on Multiple TMNT related projects.
When this project came along, Khary and I wanted Lloyd along for the ride. In a lot of ways He ‘was’ TMNT 2003 and pushed hard to get Peter Laird’s vision on air. It wouldn’t be a proper TMNT 2003 celebration without him. I wish we could’ve brought the rest of our in-house team along. In short it is great to be back and I hope the fans enjoy our return to the world of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2003. Also Happy late 20th anniversary TMNT ’03. Sorry we were late, but like our iteration says ‘It’s Ninja Time!’”
TMNT 40th Anniversary Comics Celebration is priced at $11.99 and will be released on July 11, 2024. A hardcover collection will follow on November 5, 2024.
In other TMNT news, the voice cast of TMNT: Mutant Mayhem is returning for the spinoff series Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. There’s also the sequel to Mutant Mayhem coming out in 2026 and an R-rated live-action movie adaptation of The Last Ronin is in the works.
While you’ll have to wait a few years for those films, you can look back right now at how the original TMNT movie conquered Hollywood.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.
