Check out the cover for issue one by artist Freddie Williams II below!:
This new series will tell stories focused on various supporting characters in the TMNT world. Characters named by series editor Bobby Curnow include Casey Jones, Fugitoid, Old Hob, April, Nobody, Harold, and Baxter Stockman. Bobby also teased that fans will get a couple of brand new villains!
Allor, who has written previous TMNT comics Turtles in Time and Mutanimals, told IGN what fans expect from the story.
"This is a classic siege story, in the vein of Rio Bravo and Assault on Preinct 13. It's a brutal, action-packed siege story, packed with villains old and new, that's also very driven by the relationship between these four brothers," Allor said.
He also let shine his excitement to be working with Couceiro.
"His previous work -- including Cluster, his creator-owned book with Ed Brisson, of which I'm a big fan -- shows that he does big action and deep emotion incredibly well. I know he's gonna bring so much depth to this book, and I can't wait for people to see what we're cooking up," Allow said.
But why is now the time to expand IDW's TMNT line to two ongoing comics?
"Essentially, over the past four-plus years our TMNT world has grown too large to contain to one monthly title. There are dozens of fan-favorite characters. In short, we need a second title to do the 'TMNT Universe' justice," Curnow explained. "With two series we can flesh out these supporting characters more and devote greater time to the Turtles themselves and expanding their world. Our aim is to tell stories that are self-contained but complementary to the original ongoing TMNT title."
Curnow's vision is to simply let the creators do their thing and tell awesome TMNT stories.
"In addition to enabling us to tell stories that we might not get the time to otherwise, my aim for this series is encourage creators, both new and familiar to TMNT, to stretch their creative muscles and run. Often in the past we've been shackled a bit to the events of the ongoing title. Here, if a creator wants to tell a story that's a bit farther away, in either tone or plot, than what is happening in the ongoing title, we can explore it. My hope is that we'll be able to nurture and flourish the creativity that has always been a huge part of TMNT, and in doing so, bring new creators and readers to the title," Curnow said.
Curnow also revealed that his favorite Turtle is Leonardo!
The Turtley Awesome news comes after IDW also recently announced plans to launch TMNT: Bebop & Rocksteady Destroy Everything, a brand-new miniseries starring the humanoid mutant Warthog and Rhinoceros pair which will feature a madcap time-travel adventure that puts the fate in the universe in the hands of the Ninja Turtles' foes!
Here's the official solicitation info for the series, scheduled for release in August 2016:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #1
Paul Allor, Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz (w) / Damian Couceiro, Kevin Eastman, Bill Sienkiewicz (a) / Freddie Williams (c)
Introducing a new era in TMNT! This series will explore characters and story-lines that are pivotal to the IDW TMNT universe! When a mysterious new mutant targets Baxter Stockman, it will be up to the TMNT to reluctantly save him. Little does everyone know that a larger trap is being laid by a new arch-foe! Plus a back-up story from TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman and comics legend Bill Sienkiewicz!
*Retailers: See your order form for incentive information.
FC - 40 pages - $4.99
August on sale
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