TheTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' new ongoing series is a massive hit among readers, and they’ve already set themselves apart from DC and Marvel’s heroes through their current familial conflict. The sibling dynamic shared by these Heroes in a Half Shell is growing more strenuous than ever before. As they prepare for their next challenge, the ninja turtles will continue to struggle in a way that that separates them from their peers.
In an interview withComicBook.com,writer Jason Aaron and Senior Editor Andy Khouri open up about IDW Publishing’s successfulTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesseries. When discussing the comic’s tone, Khouri offers his perspective on the key difference betweenTMNTand the stories that other publishers - such as DC and Marvel - are putting out.
“I think that’s distinct from the loner characters of [DC’s] Absolute line or even the nuclear family dynamic you see inUltimate Spider-Manor something like that. This is a very fraught sibling relationship that I think a lot of us can relate to, but there’s still a lot of love there.”
According to Khouri, the bond shared by the ninja turtles makes their story stand out among others as a realistic portrayal of a strained family.The TMNT’s new era is pushing their brotherly relationship to its limits without fully severing it, establishing a unique tone that’s unlike most other comics on the market.
The TMNT’s New Series Sets Itself Apart From Marvel & DC With Its Family Focus
The Ninja Turtles' Bond Is Complicated, And That’s For The Best
Theninja turtlesare usually inseparable, but Aaron has rewritten that status quo by splitting them apart at the start of his run. They’ve all now undergone varying degrees of trauma, and though they’ve reunited physically, they have a long way to go until they’re back to normal. In Khouri’s words,“The story’s full of action, and adventure, and mystery, but there’s a core story that Jason is telling about a family trying to heal itself.”DespiteTMNTbeing a comic about ninjas engaging in epic battles, the true narrative is centered on these four brothers attempting to bridge the distance that’s formed between them.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Marks Major Comeback With an Exclusive First Look: “The Best of Both Worlds”
Screen Rant got an exclusive first-look at two all-new TMNT variant covers from IDW Publishing, which marks two iconic artists' return to the series!
Other comics explore similar themes of separation or family, but not so much in conjunction with one another. In DC’sAbsolute Universe, for instance, heroes like Superman and Batman are isolated from their usual family units and must operate alone in a hopeless world. On the other hand, Marvel’sUltimate Universegrants Spider-Man a family he lacks in the main continuity, but they are relatively drama-free.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesoffers a middle ground between these ideas, featuring a story that divides the brothers yet never loses sight of the genuine care they have for one another.
After the TMNT’s Long-Awaited Reunion, They Can Finally Heal Together
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Are On Track to Mend Their Relationship
Each of the turtles has endured immense hardship, andDonatelloin particular is overcome with trauma after his experience in a mutant zoo. However, he and his brothers aren’t alone in their struggle the way DC’s Absolute superheroes are. Instead, they can all rely on each other to reach a better place as a family. Aaron’s bold take on theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesputs DC and Marvel in their place by striking a delicate balance in its depiction of family, and although it’s clear that the turtles' bond will be tested in stories to come, their relationship will never be broken beyond repair.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles#6is available January 29th, 2025 from IDW Publishing!
