This fall, IDW focuses on the teenage mutant Ninja Turtles universe in two rough solo miniseries that dive deep into the lives of the most iconic support characters. It starts with Dan Watters and Michele Bandini shredders on August 27th, followed by Alex Paknadel and Casey Jones of Amankai Naerpan on September 17th.
Both series promise bold reinventions, more character research than traditional heroes and villain spotlights, marking a great creative expansion for TMNT fans looking to explore the world beyond the turtle itself.
Provided by IDW.
Shredder (Dan Watters and Michele Bandini)
For Watters (Home Sick Pilots, Lucifer), the approach to Shredder was to take everything that made the character scary and remove it. There is no leg clan. There is no vast empire. Just Orokusaki, his blade, and fierce rage.
“We’re removing his family and his resources,” Watters said. “This is a shredder that relies on his wisdom and his blade. He draws on his knowledge of the secret horns of the world that allowed him to build a family of feet in the first place.”
The result was a Ronin story of revengeance, told from a perspective that was immersed in TMNT lore, but rarely explored.
Courtesy IDW
“It’s rooted in alien technology, magic and mysticism, gang wars and the hidden ninja history of TMNT universe,” Watters said. “Then I’ll have the shredder stab them.”
Bandini’s artwork brings pain with the gorgeously choreographed battle scenes and the release of the final page of Question #1.
Courtesy IDW
After all, Shredder is not just another villain. He is the turtle’s own dark mirror.
“He was a ninja from centuries ago and has been resurrected from the dead many times, including a trip to hell, literally,” Watters said. “In his gut there’s a new trembling rage that he’s pushing him to burn it all, and I’ll probably stab it.”
Provided by IDW.
Casey Jones (Alex Paknadel and Amankai Naerpan)
While Shredder toressing the lead to his violent nature, Casey Jones brings the honorable character back to the streets – breaking, bleeding, and dangerously close to losing himself.
From coma (thanks to Da Hale’s brutal attack on the main TMNT series), Casey proves that he’s still getting it, even if he’s not fully recovered.
“He’s back on the street with something to prove,” explained Paknadel. “It’s a recipe for disaster, or ‘drama’ and we call it in trade. ”
Provided by IDW.
For longtime fans, the solo book is a long and long love letter to Casey’s multiple iterations.
“One of the book’s listed goals since its founding was to unify Casey’s impulsive mirage repetition, taking a bit of a subtle and emotional IDW,” Paknadel said. “You are about to get all the ‘Gongala Goongala’ skulls you can hope for, but it’s all the armor for this sweet, unwavering, faithful child. ”
That emotional undercurrent pairs beautifully with the visual storytelling of Nahlfpan’s motor style.
“The book starts at 100 mph and hasn’t actually given up,” Paknadel said. “There are new enemies out there picking mutants from the streets.
Paknadel promises a fast-paced, emotionally raw experience based on street-level New York Grit.
“This is an uncompromising book by Casey that we’ve been waiting for decades,” Paknadel said.
Provided by IDW.
TMNT Fan: Don’t sleep with FOC
The message from the writer is clear as both books are heading towards the cutoff of the final order, rather than SSOON. These are more than just spinoffs. They are important extensions to the TMNT universe.
Watters calls Shredder the “Revenge Story…Ronin Story” and changes the familiar elements above his head. Meanwhile, Paknadel says Casey Jones delivers “the most unharmed, breathless and thrilling book possible,” pinning him to a character as broken as he is brave.
For readers ready to go deep into the shadows of the TMNT world, Shredder and Casey Jones offer two unforgettable journeys to revenge, survival and identity, where the blade (or hockey stick) is ready to sway, respectively.
