Summary

• Screen Rant is pleased to share an exclusive first look at the synopsis for IDW's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2, along with some first look cover art from a collection of all-star creators.
• The latest Ninja Turtles ongoing series, written by Jason Aaron, starts with the brothers separated, with each of the first four issues acclimating readers to the characters' new status quos – including Michelangelo's unexpected role as a television star.
• After starring in the gritty alternate timeline story The Last Ronin, Michelangelo – who was previously the traditional comic relief among the four brothers – continues to be pushed in fresh new directions with the latest TMNT comic series.

The start of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles relaunch will position Michelangelo in an unexpected role, establishing him as a TV star who has left his escapades as a ninja – and his brothers – behind. IDW's new Ninja Turtles series, by writer Jason Aaron, is set to bring some new, unexpected dynamics to the franchise, as revealed by the solicitation for early issues.

Screen Rant is pleased to share an exclusive first look at covers for the second issue of the relaunch from series artist Rafael Albuqueque, as well as Geoff Shaw and J. Gonzo. Fans will be thrilled to know that Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman is also contributing a variant cover for the debut issue, which will be revealed closer to the release. Danny Earls, Darick Robertson, and Dike Ruan will also produce limited edition variants for the issue.

The pre-order for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 is July 29, 2024. The issue will be released on September 11, 2024.

TMNT comics has arrived, bringing with it a slew of exciting new ideas, and a roster of some of the most talented creators in the comic book industry, ready to realize the full potential of the franchise on the page.

The latest Ninja Turtles ongoing series promises major changes for its iconic characters, and already the advanced material for the series has prompted a great deal of intrigue and anticipation among readers – especially with the revelation of what Michelangelo is up to at the beginning of the story.

IDW's "Ninja Turtles" Takes Michelangelo On Another Unexpected Journey

From Last Ronin To Celebrity Status

Famously, "Mikey" was the protagonist of the gritty Last Ronin series, a storyline that was pivotal to ushering in the contemporary era of Ninja Turtles comics, which the new ongoing series will build on in unique, exciting ways.

According to IDW's synopsis for the issue:

Michelangelo is living in Tokyo, where he’s become a big TV star. It’s a pretty cool life, full of fame and fortune, but if he’s being honest, Mikey misses his brothers and the sense of purpose they had together. Well, in a classic case of “be careful what you wish for,” that old life looks like it’s coming to find him when ninjas show up in his apartment armed to the teeth!

Continuing the all-new ongoing series from writer Jason Aaron (Action Comics, Thor), this time ed by Detective Comics and American Vampire artist Rafael Albuquerque, this spotlight story on everyone’s favorite jokester puts the second piece of the puzzle together for the future of TMNT.

This builds on what fans already know about Jason Aaron's TMNT relaunch – that each of the first four issues will reintroduce the individual brothers, before bringing them together once more as the heroic, and often hilarious, hero team they are destined to be. As the synopsis for the new series' debut issue put it: "The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have all left New York to pursue their own interests, but there are forces gathering that will pull them back together."

While the first issue will focus on Raphael, the second will catch readers up with Michelangelo, who has once more been thrust into an unexpected role. Famously, Last Ronin series, a storyline that was pivotal to ushering in the contemporary era of Ninja Turtles comics, which the new ongoing series will build on in unique, exciting ways. That includes a very different arc for Michelangelo. Readers can only speculate, for now, what leads to the separation of the Turtle brothers, and how Mikey ends up as a TV star.

Jason Aaron and the creative team behind IDW's latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ongoing series have the opportunity to strike the ideal [character] balance for Michelangelo.

The "Turtles" Relaunch Can Find The Perfect Balance For Michelangelo

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 – Written By Jason Aaron; Art By Rafael Albuquerque; Color By Marcelo Maiolo

For much of the character's history, Michaelangelo functioned as Ninja Turtles' primary comic relief. The Last Ronin recast him as a brutal warrior on an unrelenting quest for vengeance. Now, Jason Aaron and the creative team behind IDW's latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ongoing series have the opportunity to strike the ideal balance for the character, landing him in the 'Goldilocks zone' between the two extremes of his comical nature and his capacity for violence. Based on the teases released so far, the latest incarnation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles seems poised to take the franchise to new heights.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 will be available September 11, 2024 from IDW.