IDW Sets a Blockbuster Summer Release Slate Featuring TMNT, Sonic, Godzilla, Hello Kitty, Horror and More (Exclusive)

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It’s hard to believe, but we’re already halfway through April! That means spring is here, and summer is just around the corner. Summer is a fantastic time for vacations and new movies, but it’s also a great season for comics. This year, IDW Publishing is planning a huge summer lineup, and we’re thrilled to give you an exclusive first look at some of their biggest upcoming releases. We’re looking forward to both warm weather and great comics from IDW!

IDW Publishing is gearing up for a fantastic summer! They have major releases planned for popular franchises like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Sonic the Hedgehog, Godzilla, and Hello Kitty, as well as their new lines, IDW Dark and IDW Crime. The publisher has been doing incredibly well with both original stories and licensed properties – several books, including Event Horizon and Exorcism at Buckingham Palace, have already needed to be reprinted due to high demand. With sales already up, the summer releases are especially promising. Get ready for a summer packed with action, adventure, and thrills from IDW!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin – Training Day (Exclusive)

Get ready for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin – Training Day, a special 68-page one-shot comic! It arrives on sale July 15th, with pre-orders accepted until June 8th. This issue, created by the same team behind the original Last Ronin – writers Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz, artists the Escorza brothers and Ben Bishop, and colorist Luis Antonio Delgado – reveals a crucial training mission that wasn’t shown before. Michelangelo has just one day to prepare young Casey Marie Jones for a fight against Oroku Hiroto. It’s an epic story of action and legacy, expanding on the original tale with all the training and knowledge the Last Ronin has to offer.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #300

This summer, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are celebrating a big achievement with their 300th issue! The special 52-page comic goes on sale July 22nd, and you can pre-order it starting June 1st. Written by Gene Luen Yang, Tom Waltz, and Kevin Eastman, with art from Freddie E. Williams II and several other talented artists, plus pinups by Sophie Campbell, this is a landmark TMNT issue you definitely won’t want to miss!

For nearly four decades, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been revolutionizing the comic book world, and we’re thrilled to celebrate their 300th main series issue! It all started with four brothers and their wise sensei, facing the world on their own. While much has changed over the years, the connection between the Hamato Clan is stronger than ever. They’ll need that strength, because a terrifying new threat – unlike anything they’ve encountered before – is rising up to destroy both the living and the dead. After forty-one years and 300 issues, everything leads to this: one of the biggest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles stories ever. The epic begins with ‘The City That Never Dies.’

This issue is a must-read for TMNT fans! Creator Kevin Eastman and writer Tom Waltz team up to take Renet on a journey through TMNT history, featuring art from classic Turtle artists like Ben Bates, Eric Talbot, Chris Allan, Frank Fosco, Jim Lawson, and Dan Duncan.

Sonic the Hedgehog X Godzilla #1 (Exclusive)

The Horror of Godzilla #1 (Exclusive)

Following the recent Sonic and Godzilla team-up, IDW is releasing a chilling new comic book, The Horror of Godzilla #1, on July 29th. Pre-orders are open until June 15th. Written by Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan with art by Tristan Jones, this comic reimagines Godzilla’s initial attack as a truly terrifying event. The story is set in Tokyo, 1954, as Japan begins to rebuild after the war. Two scientists conduct an experiment in the Pacific Ocean with unforeseen, devastating consequences. As the story promises, this is a horrific look at the King of Monsters, where there are no heroes, no survivors—only Godzilla’s fury.

Sonic the Hedgehog: 35th Anniversary Special (Exclusive)



This summer is shaping up to be huge for Sonic the Hedgehog! In addition to a special crossover with Godzilla, fans can celebrate Sonic’s 35th anniversary with a brand-new special issue. Written by Iasmin Omar Ata and illustrated by Thomas Rothlisberger, Sonic the Hedgehog: 35th Anniversary Special arrives on July 8th, with pre-orders starting June 1st. The story follows Sonic, Tails, and Amy as they visit Knuckles on Angel Island when a meteor crashes nearby. They discover strange, rapidly growing plants have sprouted at the crash site, harming the existing vegetation. But they aren’t the only ones interested in the meteor – Dr. Eggman has his own plans for its power, and they’re definitely not good! It’s a thrilling race against time and the evil doctor to save the day in this long-awaited return to classic Sonic adventures.

Check out the exclusive covers above!

Star Trek: Red Shirts – Ghosts of the 21st Century #1

Gerry Duggan, the writer known for his work on Deadpool, is entering the Star Trek universe with a new comic book series, Star Trek: Red Shirts – Ghost of the 21st Century! The comic goes on sale July 22nd, and you can pre-order it starting June 15th. Duggan is teaming up with artist Scott Buoncristiano for this exciting new adventure, and it’s a great time to be a Star Trek fan who enjoys comics, especially with all the other excellent series IDW Publishing is releasing!

Gerry Duggan, the writer behind Deadpool and X-Men: Fall of the House of X, delivers a new action-packed story set in the Star Trek universe. On the furthest reaches of the Federation, low-ranking security officers – often called “red shirts” – are more than just cannon fodder. When Henry Deubert discovers hidden contraband on a fallen crewmate, he stumbles upon Section Null, a secret Starfleet division exploiting these disposable officers in a large-scale criminal plot. Partnering with Andorian officer Lyna Taval, who has her own hidden motives, Deubert uncovers a dangerous conspiracy. As they investigate, they realize someone within Starfleet Security is betraying the Federation, and the truth about the “red shirts” will change everything.

The Rocketeer: Infiltrator #1

Get ready for a thrilling new chapter with The Rocketeer! In The Rocketeer: Infiltrator #1, hitting stores July 8th (pre-orders due June 1st), writer Gabriel Hardman and artist Dean Kotz deliver the most dangerous story yet. It’s World War II, and rumors of a powerful Nazi weapon are spreading. When Allied planes start falling from the sky, the U.S. sends the Rocketeer on a secret mission to investigate. He’ll go undercover with Betty, posing as her brother and manager, as she pretends to be a defecting American actress working on a German film. To help them navigate this dangerous assignment, an MI6 agent joins the team, playing Betty’s co-star. The Rocketeer must maintain his disguise, destroy the mysterious superweapon, and keep Betty from getting too close to the charming British agent – all while being a daredevil pilot with no spy experience! It’s a high-stakes mission that will test even the Rocketeer’s skills.

Operation: Iron Coffin #1

Coming from IDW Dark’s horror line, Operation: Iron Coffin is a new comic by Kenny Porter and Tyrell Cannon. It will be available for purchase on July 8th, with pre-orders starting June 1st. We’re particularly excited about it because it explores a fascinating premise: can Dracula find a path to redemption, especially when facing off against Nazis?

Dracula is back, and he’s on a surprising mission: to make amends for his monstrous past. During World War II, he joins forces with British troops and parachutes onto a Nazi train packed with soldiers, supervillains, and a dangerous vampire plague. If unleashed, this plague could create a whole new army of vampires! Dracula must fight his way through the train, battling enemies and confronting his own dark history. Standing in his way are the sinister Hazel and Ivy, who are pulling the strings for the Nazis and actively trying to ensure Dracula fails. This action-packed horror novel comes from award-winning writer Kenny Porter (known for his work on Superboy and TMNT) and exciting new artist Tyrell Cannon.

Killer Influences #1

IDW’s Crime imprint continues with a new series, Killer Influences #1, launching in July. The comic, written by Joey Esposito and illustrated by Valeria Burzo, tells the story of Melvin, a meticulous serial killer who wants to become truly notorious. His biggest challenge? He’s too good – his crimes are clean and haven’t been linked to him. That is, until Kylie, a struggling true crime enthusiast working at a local newspaper, stumbles onto his case. She sees an opportunity: she’ll help Melvin create a public image, turning him into the infamous killer he desires, while documenting his crimes to build her own online fame. Their deal promises to fulfill both their ambitions, but at a terrible cost.

Hello Kitty And Friends: Hello World! #1 (Exclusive)

Hello Kitty is making her big debut in the comic book world! Life is perfect for Hello Kitty – her friends are happy, her radio show is a hit, and she has a special gift to share. But things take a turn when My Melody realizes her bow is missing! Soon, important items belonging to everyone start disappearing, and it’s up to Hello Kitty to solve the mystery. As suspicions arise among friends, Hello Kitty must use her detective skills to not only find the missing items but also keep everyone from falling apart. Can she solve the case and save the day? This exciting new comic is written by award-winning author Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by rising star Cody Lemieux!

Fans will be thrilled to know that Cover A comes sealed in a polybag with one of three exclusive sticker sheets! It’s a fun surprise – collect all three to complete the full set!

These titles are just the beginning of a fantastic summer for IDW Publishing! Star Trek fans especially should keep an eye out for what’s coming next, including a special celebrating the franchise’s 60th anniversary and a brand-new ongoing Star Trek comic series. Plus, readers who enjoyed Behind the Trees Where Nobody Sees will be pleased to know there’s more to come for them too.

We’re curious to hear what IDW summer releases you’re looking forward to the most! Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss with other fans in the ComicBook Forum.

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2026-04-16 17:13