Donatello Is Back in Action a Preview of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4

As a seasoned gamer and longtime fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, I can hardly contain my excitement for the latest developments in IDW Publishing’s ongoing series. The raw, gritty art style that Chris Burnham brings to Donatello’s solo adventure in TMNT #4 harkens back to the original Mirage Studios comics that first captured my imagination decades ago.

The latest chapter of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, penned by Jason Aaron at IDW Publishing, is now underway. The first two issues of the revamped Teenage Mutan Ninja Turtles series have hit shelves, and the third issue, number 3, will be available on October 23rd. Each installment spotlights a different turtle, with a distinct artist handling each one. Joelle Jones introduced Raphael in the premiere, Rafael Albuquerque showcased Michelangelo in the second issue, and Cliff Chiang will portray Donatello in TMNT #3. For Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4, set to release on November 27th, artist Chris Burnham, who illustrated the 10-page prologue in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Alpha #1, will return to bring Donatello’s story to life. IDW Publishing has shared a sneak peek of Burnham’s black-and-white artwork (which will be colored by Brian Reber in the final comic).

Earlier conversations with Burnham revealed insights into his work on TMNT prior to the launch of Alpha. He discussed how the comics created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird at Mirage Studios served as a significant inspiration for his approach to TMNT, an influence that’s evident when comparing the raw, uncolored pages to the original black-and-white Mirage comics.

Burnham explained that he deliberately avoided drawing smooth lines, instead opting for angular and chunky ones. He made no reference to the original work, as he didn’t want to mimic the Eastman and Laird style. Instead, he aimed to evoke memories of it. His goal was to create a style similar to Jim Lawson and Eric Talbot’s, characterized by its rough, unpolished, and sketchy appearance. He wanted his work to appear both gross and cartoonish, with elements of shading. In essence, he wanted the finished product to look far from polished or sleek. If it looks bad intentionally, then he’s on the right track.

To visualize Donatello’s combat style, Burnham suggested thinking about classic martial arts movies in the following manner: “I considered what it would look like if someone was wielding a bow staff,” Burnham explained. “Typically, you see lean individuals doing this, but Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have a large, heavy shell on their backs. So, when they’re spinning the bow, it doesn’t function in the same way as it would for a skinny person. Sammo Hung is extraordinary with a bow staff, and he’s quite stout. If you squint a bit, you can envision him shifting his mass from front to back, making it easier to imagine a turtle. This was part of my process in understanding how a bow staff works when you have a large shell on your back. Sammo Hung provided me with some insights on this.

The fourth issue of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series will be available for purchase starting November 27th. You can already buy issues #1 and #2. Issue #3 is set to go on sale on October 23rd.