‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Comics Are Staying With IDW

IDW renewing the license with Paramount allows them to be part of 40th anniversary celebrations

IDW Publishing is staying Turtle-Powered. The comic book company has renewed its licensing deal with Paramount for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, maintaining a partnership that has been in place since the megaconglomerate acquired the property in 2009, getting its Mirage and Archie backlogs in 2011.

With the rights secured, IDW can go forward in being the home of the comics sector of the Turtles franchise in celebrating its 40th anniversary. Multiple titles will be released, including the The Last Ronin sequel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin II – Re-Evolution, releasing February 28. It continues the story set in an alternate future and is based on a long-lost outline from the earliest days of the franchise written by TMNT creators Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman. The current ongoing series includes the main Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which hits hits a milestone 150th issue rather soon (seemingly April from the fact that #145 wPas released in November), and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures, based on the first animated iteration.

”We are delighted to continue our relationship with IDW Publishing for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics and graphic novels,” said Lourdes Arocho, Senior Vice President of licensing & publishing, consumer products at Paramount. “After 40 years, there are still so many more stories to be told, and we can’t wait for everyone to see what’s next.”

IDW Co-Publisher Mark Doyle would add “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. 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!”

While the film and TV side dives into the world of Mutant Mayhem, the comics have managed to introduce a much better-received fifth and female turtle, the yellow-masked Jennika, and crossed over with so many properties. The Batman/TMNT miniseries is probably most well-known thanks to its movie adaptation, and it got two sequels! There’s been such with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (probably the second-most well-known), and it got one sequel, while also having crossovers with The X-Files, Ghostbusters, Cobra Kai, and Street Fighter.

Meanwhile, Toy World Magazine reports that Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the franchise’s next animated series that will bridge between Mutant Mayhem and its sequel, will debut in this year’s third quarter, so anywhere from July to September.

Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, NickAlive