If there was one constant throughout San Diego Comic-Con’s Preview Night, it was the presence of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Heroes in a Half-Shell not only saw the release of a new ongoing series courtesy of IDW Publishing, but they also have a new animated series coming out: Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which picks up immediately after the events of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. I got to attend three different TMNT-related events at Preview Night, each one with its own unique aspect.
First up was the Turtle Pizza Parlor in Paramount+’s Lodge. While other events in the Lodge, specifically the Star Trek T-shirt “replicator”, were packed to capacity the Turtle Pizza Parlor was surprisingly quick – and remarkably tasty, since visitors got their choice of cheese or pepperoni pizza with one of four lemonades meant to represent a specific Turtle. I went with a slice of cheese and the Donatello lemonade, which featured strong blueberry and raspberry flavors.
Next was a VIP signing for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1. I joined a select group of journalists and met Jason Aaron and Joelle Jones, some of the nicest professionals I’ve met at a signing event. As for the issue itself, you can check out Andrew Isidoro’s review here. I dug it, especially the element of Raph in prison. The fact that future issues will each focus on a different member of the Turtles is also a great hook.
Finally, IDW invited me to a private party at the Union Kitchen and Tap, where Aaron was in attendance alongside other journalists. Not only did the Union have a special cocktail called the “Ninja Turtle”, which had to be the greenest drink I’ve ever had, but it also had different pizzas for each member of the TMNT along with other finger foods. (Because is it really a TMNT party if you don’t have pizza?)
This year’s Preview Night was among the best, thanks to a heaping helping of Turtle Power. More comic book publishers should take note, as events like these go a long way towards convincing journalists and fans to check out a book.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 is on sale now. Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles premieres on Paramount+ on August 9, 2024.
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