And we’re back for the second edition of the weekly column TMNT Tuesday. That’s right, even MORE of your fan questions will be answered this week by editor Andy Khouri! This is your chance, the fans, to interact with TMNT in an exclusive one-of-a-kind way. You can ask about anything TMNT, from the ongoing series, to series like the Masters of the Universe crossover with TMNT, TMNT X Naruto, and more!
In the inaugural TMNT Tuesday column, Khouri discussed his journey to becoming the editor for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series at IDW. A lifelong fan who grew up on the animated series, toys, and 1990 film, Khouri reflects on how TMNT helped shape his career in comics. He explains how IDW’s TMNT relaunch, led by creators like Jason Aaron, provided him the opportunity to oversee the series.
Plus, the column wrapped up with a preview of upcoming TMNT issues: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles#6 and TMNT: The Last Ronin II – Re-Evolution #4.
Speaking of, scroll down to check out the preview pages for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7 throughout the interview!
Without further ado, check out some totally awesome answers from Andy below!
Upcoming TMNT releases:
- FEBRUARY 5, 2025
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Saturday Morning Adventures Volume 2 #21 on sale. - FEBRUARY 17, 2025
TMNT X NARUTO #3 pre-order deadline.
Courtesy IDW
AIPT: We’re into our second edition of TMNT Tuesday. Hurray! To start, I was curious if you could take us through what it is an editor is working on THIS TIME OF YEAR. Are you tinkering with summer stories, planning for fall, or are you even more ahead than that?!
Andy Khouri: Yes, yes, and yes! I can be more specific in the next few months, probably sooner than you think.
First up from fans, Ninja Turtle Power Hour asks: Are you able to definitively say how much time has passed in-universe since IDW Volume 1 issue 1? These teenagers have to be in their late 20s by now!
AK: Well, as you know, the IDW version of the Turtles aged into teenagers extremely quickly after their exposure to mutagen, like in a matter of days. So even if the IDW universe progressed in real-time as you and I experience it – which it definitely does not – they’d only have been alive for 14 years, from 2011 to 2025, which is how long the comics have been running. But we don’t work like that in comics.
The only thing we can definitively say about the timeline is that it’s been one year of storytime since the events of TMNT #150. In-universe, they are simply teenagers, albeit one year older than they were at the end of the last series.
NICE TRY THOUGH.
Courtesy IDW Exclusive TMNT #7 interior art
Next up, Thomas Fredrickson asks: The relaunch has been really good so far, but I’m wondering if we’ll get to see more of the old cast from the last run again. When should we expect the return of Alopex, the mutant Arctic Fox, and others like her for the relaunch?
AK: You will definitely see more of the old cast again. Right now, many of them are appearing in MUTANT NATION and NIGHTWATCHER, and we have plans for other projects as well. Alopex is a personal favorite of mine too, and I know when you’re going to see her next. The main TMNT book will remain focused on the four turtle brothers, at least for the first year, following the very successful back-to-basics strategy. But our intention is to reintroduce characters from the expansive supporting cast as we move forward.
We’re very mindful that most readers of this new series aren’t familiar with many of our favorite IDW characters, so we’re going to be very strategic about putting them in the spotlight of the main TMNT book; we want them to have the best possible introduction to the new audience.
We’re excited to eventually revisit these characters in the ongoing series, but in the meantime, it’s been great seeing Alopex receive her own Loyal Subjects action figure and appear in the TMNT X NARUTO crossover.
Courtesy IDW Exclusive TMNT #7 interior art
Possibly the toughest question comes from Kyle McBournie: Which of the Turtles is your favorite and why?
AK: Leonardo has always been my favorite. When I was a kid, it was simply because I liked the color blue and I loved swords. As an older reader, I appreciate that he occupies the unenviable position of being in charge and is always expected to know and do what’s best for everybody else. It’s a heavy burden, which makes for dramatic storytelling, and I’m a drama fundamentalist in my storytelling tastes. And I like that he has a dark side. But I love all the Turtles brothers, they’re some of the best comic book characters of all time. I do still love blue and swords, though.
Synergy between books questioner Barrett Owen asks: How will the main TMNT book connect to the Nightwatcher and Mutant Nation series?
AK: It would be more accurate to say NIGHTWATCHER and MUTANT NATION connect to the main TMNT book, rather than the other way around. For example, by now, you’ll have gotten to know Hieronymous Hale, New York’s monstrous new Distract Attorney, in TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #5 by Jason Aaron and Darick Robertson. Hale has been granted a private Foot Patrol army to make life hard for the Turtles and to run New York as he sees fit. You’re seeing how these events hit the Turtles in their main book, and you’re seeing, or will soon, how these events impact the rest of the cast in the sister titles.
Courtesy IDW Exclusive TMNT #7 interior art
AIPT reviewer Andrew Isidoro asks: What’s been the biggest surprise during the 40th-anniversary celebration?
AK: It’s not really a surprise, but I do continue to be impressed by the savviness of Turtles readers. Not just the encyclopedic knowledge of TMNT mythology but also great taste and interest in a wide range of interpretations of the characters across various iterations and media. They’ve come to expect a very high standard of quality from IDW, and it’s really fun and challenging to produce work for such an engaged and savvy audience.
Coming in with a quick reply to Kyle McBournie: What is your favorite villain to write or see written in TMNT?
AK: To borrow a phrase, Krang is.
Last question this week comes from Nikola. Can we expect some crossover in TMNT comics? Thank you for your answer, and have a nice day.
AK: Do you mean a crossover between the TMNT books? Yes. Do you mean a crossover with other characters from other entertainment universes? Yes.
Courtesy IDW Exclusive TMNT #7 interior art
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