Following word that Jason Aaron would take over writing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles after the current series ends, IDW Publishing has now revealed the artists Aaron will work with on his first arc.
Each of the first four issues will focus on a different member of the team and will be drawn by a different artist, with the roster including Joëlle Jones, Rafael Albuquerque, Cliff Chiang and Chris Burnham.
“I almost couldn’t believe it when these folks started saying yes. It’s such a dream team of modern artists, folks responsible for some of my favorite comics of this century,” said IDW Editor-in-Chief Jamie S. Rich. “All four of them were so enthusiastic to draw characters they love for the first time. It was cool to hear why they loved each of the individual Turtles. Like Chris talked about the Donnie issue with the Jack Kirby homage, and Joëlle mentioned how she has always liked hotheads and fighters. It’s comic book kismet!”
The first issue will spotlight Raphael in a tale drawn by 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!”
The second issue features Michelangelo as drawn by Albuquerque.
“I’m thrilled to be working with Jason on such a special project, with so many talented artists,” Albuquerque said. “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!”
Chiang will draw Leonardo’s story in the third issue.
“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. 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,” Chiang said.
And finally, Burnham will wrap up the first arc with an issue featuring Donatello.
“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. 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,” Burnham said.
The first issue will arrive in July, following a prelude story in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Alpha #1 in June.