Of all the many strange and wonderful things in the universe of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — and that includes Wyrm and Man Ray, mind you — The Last Ronin has been a certified hit. The pseudo-dystopian tale about a final remaining Turtle took the series’ core and brought it into a dark and especially intense future perfect new for new and old readers alike. It’s become such a vital part of TMNT lore that its titles/stories, including The Lost Years prequel-sequel title, are packaged as The Roninverse.
One of the main architects of The Roninverse (aside from TMNT creator Kevin Eastman) has been Tom Waltz, who is also behind the equally compelling Armageddon Game in the main title. Next month, Waltz will join Eastman (alongside artists Ben Bishop, Escorza brothers, Freddie E. Williams II, and Luis Antonio Delgado.) for another new Roninverse title in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Lost Years – The Lost Day Special.
The one-shot takes place several years after The Last Ronin, and focuses on the vacuum left by the recently-defeated Foot Clan. But more than that, it sees April O’Neil and her daughter, Casey Marie Jones, helping to shape and mold an all-new generation of talented teenage Turtles. It’s a book that marries past and future, and it’ll likely be a big part of the Roninverse’s continued popularity and ongoing development.
The special officially arrives on July 19 (the FOC is slates for Monday, June 12). To better understand this dynamic offering, Waltz was kind enough to join us for an exclusive interview. We talked about the new Turtle younglings, working with Eastman, some Armageddon Game tidbits, and much, much more.
AIPT: What’s the elevator pitch for this book? How much should folks know coming into it?
Tom Waltz: Quick and easy elevator pitch for TMNT: The Last Ronin — Lost Day would be: Grandma April O’Neil takes the new mutant turtles for their first adventure above ground in NYC! It’s a fun story… and other than reading The Last Ronin and the available issues in Lost Years mini-series (which I always suggest), readers — old and new alike — should have no problem picking this issue up and settling right in, as it provides much of the history they’ll need to know what’s happening, as well as sets up future stories (and new characters!) in the ever-evolving Roninverse.
AIPT: The solicitations talk about a “dangerous power vacuum waiting to be filled” after the defeat of the last master of the Foot Clan. What’s this book doing to “re-establish” the Foot Clan? How does that group continue to evolve?
TW: It’d be a lie to say we don’t have future plans for the Foot Clan in the Roninverse. And it’d be a massive spoiler to say any more. Sorry! Keep reading, my friends!
AIPT: What can you tell us about April in this story? And what about the four new turtle younglings/trainees?
TM: Approximately 12 years have passed since the closing sequence of The Last Ronin, so April is definitely older now. Gray hairs have replaced red. That said, she continues to serve in somewhat of a community leadership role in New York City (both below and above ground), while simultaneously settling in nicely (and comfortably) to her role as mom/mentor to her daughter Casey Marie Jones, as well as doting grandma to the four new mutant turtles.
Courtesy of IDW.
The four new turtles are older now, too — pre-teens who are growing restless (as pre-teens tend to be) and are starting to yearn for more experiences than their subterranean lair has to offer. They’ve been training hard all their lives with their sensei, Casey Marie, and are all becoming extremely skilled (and well-rounded) martial artists. But like the four famous ninja turtles that came before them, they each maintain unique personality traits, which are becoming more and more apparent as they get older.
AIPT: How does this book help extend and grow The Last Ronin “corner” of this grander TMNT universe? What has made this a place or story to come back to again?
TW: Well, Lost Day will definitely provide the foundation for much of what’s to come following Lost Yats, so from a future plot standpoint, it’s an important issue, no doubt about it. But that doesn’t it mean it’s not fun — it most definitely is! As I was writing it, I felt like I was getting my cake and eating it too. Not only is the Roninverse still heavily grounded in OG TMNT lore (albeit, a new iteration of OG TMNT lore, which we plan to explore even further eventually), it gives we creators the opportunity to develop new TMNT characters and new scenarios never before seen in any existing TMNT version.
I remember how exciting it used to be back in the day when the Avengers would occasionally change their line-up in the Marvel comics. Same team, same mission, yet different (and often new) team members mixing with the old favorites. That’s how the Roninverse feels, and it’s been a blast to help create. I’m always excited to dive in on the writing side…which I hope carries over to readers being just as excited to continue to dive in on the reading side.
AIPT: Tell me about the work of S.L. Gallant and Ben Bishop. What do they add to things?
TW: Both S.L. Gallant and Ben Bishop are true (and uber talented) pros, who have the patience of saints (laughs). As you might guess, creating a new (and hopefully fresh) TMNT universe can be a bit complicated at times, not to mention rife with delays as Kevin and I work together behind the scenes on Lost Years to make sure we’re telling the story best deserving of our many readers. That means scripts can be a bit slow getting to S.L. and Ben at times. I’m just so thankful they’ve stuck around to take those late scripts and quickly turn them into amazing four-color comics (alongside super inker Maria Keane and legendary colorist Luis Antonio Delgado).
Courtesy of IDW.
And not only do they render the scripts in fine fashion, they also bring their own amazing creative/design ideas, which more often than not influence the overall running plot. This is as much their story as it is Kevin and mine. I honestly can’t thank all our artists enough for what they’ve brought (and continue to bring) to the Roninverse table.
For Lost Day, we’ve got the Escorza brothers (Esau and Isaac) returning to work alongside Ben (and Luis), which is the original The Last Ronin team. Very excited to have them all back together, not to mention to inclusion of superstar artist Freddie Williams II, who will be teaming up with Kevin Eastman on some of the pages in Lost Day.
AIPT: The book is co-written with Kevin Eastman. What’s it like working with the TMNT godfather? Is it still somehow intimidating?
TW: Kevin is my brother from another mother, without a doubt, and it’s always been pure joy collaborating with him. I admit that I was intimidated by the idea of working with him on TMNT before I met him (way back in 2011), but he immediately made me feel at ease with his genuine kindness and honest respect (he now calls me the official TMNT stepdaddy).
I will say, however, that working with him in The Last Ronin has been an amazing learning journey for me. During our many years working together on the IDW TMNT ongoing series, Kevin was willing to let me lead the way for the most part. But our roles reversed on The Last Ronin , and I’ve gotta say that Kevin has taught me so much about evergreen comic-book making during our time in the Roninverse. He proves to me daily why he’s a living legend in this industry.
AIPT: What’s the thing that you love about TMNT that informs how you tell these stories and your larger goals and objectives?
TW: Family. Always family. At its heart, TMNT is a family story, and that’s what I always keep in mind when I dive into any TMNT script. All the crazy stuff — ninja fighting, spacefaring, interdimensional adventuring — is simply part of the story setting. Fun fluff, if you will. But it’s the interpersonal — dare I say, human — aspects of TMNT that always resonate most.
Courtesy of IDW.
AIPT: Can you tease any subsequent projects or titles in the Ronin-verse?
TW: Without giving any specifics, let me just say that the Roninverse has only just begun! Lost Years/Lost Days are just the latest steps in what we hope (and plan) will be a long, exciting journey for TMNT fans, old and new alike. We’ll be looking forward and backward in this new TMNT universe in the many stories we plan to tell… and everywhere in between. Look for big announcements soon!
AIPT: How, if at all, does this tie into (directly, spiritually, etc.) with what you’re doing in Armageddon Game?
TW: TMNT: The Armageddon Game is a very personal project for me. It was my chance to revisit the ongoing series I worked on for so long and tie up some loose plot threads we left dangling in issues 1 through 100, as well as set a new foundation for future IDW TMNT writers to work from. Will I be one of those future writers? Only time will tell, sports fans! Let’s just say, I’m not planning on going too far away from all the fun.
AIPT: Why should anyone pick this book up?
TW: I love writing for both our TMNT ongoing series and the Roninverse so much and truly (and humbly) believe all of IDW’s TMNT offerings stand up to anything the Big 2 publishers are putting out. I think our many longtime and loyal readers would agree. We creators put our hearts and souls into each and every panel, just as our loyal readers continue to put their hearts and souls into supporting our work (and our stories) month after month. Like the TMNT, we’re one big happy family… and we’d love new readers to join us. Always room for more Shellheads, so jump aboard the IDW TMNT train and have a blast on this amazing journey with us. I meant it when I said it: we’re just getting started!!!
You must be logged in to post a comment Login