TMNT: Sophie Campbell’s epic run ends with #150 as Jason Aaron preps a relaunch

IDW has revealed several details about their plans for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 2024, which will “shell-ebrate” their 40th anniversary this year.

First, Sophia Campell’s four-year run crafting stories featuring the turtles will come to an end with issue #150.

“I still can’t quite believe I’ve gotten to work on this much TMNT. I thought for sure I’d get the boot in the first year, but nope – here I am, four years later, still here against all odds,” Campbell said. “It’s really been amazing, truly a dream job. I wonder what my 10-year-old self would think if she knew what she’d go on to eventually do. The fact that this chapter is ending and I’m leaving the series is bittersweet, I’ll miss it for sure but it’s time to move on and let somebody else have a shot at the Turtles, and I’ll be back for more before you know it, whatever form that might take. As two great men once said, ‘Change is constant’ and ‘Life at best is bittersweet.’”

Campbell worked with TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman on one of issue #150’s covers:

As for that next person who will have their shot, it is none other than Jason Aaron, writer of Wolverine, Punisher, Avengers, Batman: Off-World and many other titles. Aaron is fresh off an exclusive contract with Marvel, and it’s interesting to see how his dance card is filling up.

“Launching a new TMNT comic series in the midst of the characters’ 40th anniversary is clearly one of those dream jobs of all comic book dream jobs,” said Aaron. “Especially for me, a kid who first fell in love with the Turtles all those years ago because of that original Mirage Studios series, buying those groundbreaking issues fresh off the rack, comics that kicked you in the face with their action-packed grit and gloriously raw attitude. I couldn’t be more honored and thrilled to get to add to that esteemed legacy of comic book face-kicking, especially as part of an amazing IDW run that has expanded the world and timeline of the Turtles in such daring and exciting ways. In terms of what’s to come, the kid in me wants you to know that you can expect some good old-fashioned grit, a sprinkle of dark, new attitude and all the bone-cracking action that four mutated ninja brothers can possibly handle.”

Both announcements come on the heels of IDW and Paramount renewing their agreement to have IDW continue telling TMNT stories. No doubt they’ll have a lot of other TMNT news to announce this year as well.

“The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are iconic. They are part of the tapestry of comic book history and I’m honored to be publishing their continuing adventures during this milestone year,” said IDW Co-Publisher Mark Doyle. “Our Editor-in-Chief Jamie S. Rich and the editorial team have put together an incredible publishing plan that will thrill long-time fans, excite new readers and show why the Turtles stand shoulder to shoulder with the biggest heroes in comic shops all over the world. It’s a great time to be a fan of TMNT!”

Joining Campbell for that final issue are artist Vincenzo Federici and longtime TMNT creatives colorist Ronda Pattison and letterer Shawn Lee, as well as former series artists Dan Duncan, Fero Pe and Campbell herself.

“For me, the IDW TMNT Comic Book Universe is a definitive one,” said Eastman, who co-created the Turtles with Peter Laird back in the 1980s. “When it was launched in 2011, Tom Waltz proposed to bring together elements from the first 25 years of storytelling, and from all various TMNT Universes, and with the help of a small army of extremely talented artisans, and nailed it brilliantly for 100 consecutive issues. Passing the baton off to Sophie Campbell for the following 50 fantastic issues solidified this TMNT foundation as the place where anything is, was, and has been possible. This wonderful place has been our collective ‘home’ for the past 12 years, and although we may see a ‘conclusion,’ but after 40 years of adventures, we won’t see an end.”

Aaron will make his TMNT writing debut in the oversized Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Alpha #1 issue this June with a 10-page prelude story, to be followed by a rebooted title in July.