Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Editor Teases Last Ronin Projects, April O’Neal Series, TMNT x Godzilla Battles, and More (Exclusive)

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In 2026, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe is bigger and more diverse than ever, particularly in comics. The main TMNT series is constantly growing, and there are many other stories happening alongside it. ComicBook recently spoke with TMNT editor Jake Thomas about everything going on within the franchise. He shared some hints about upcoming events and developments for titles like The Last Ronin, TMNT x Godzilla, individual series focusing on characters like Shredder and Casey Jones (and possibly April O’Neal), Battle Nexus, and more.

The popular comic series The Last Ronin recently released a successful sequel, The Last Ronin II Re-Evolution, continuing the original story and introducing a new team of heroic turtles. Creator Thomas shared his enthusiasm for the series, explaining that as a long-time fan and veteran of Marvel Comics, he initially thought the ‘lone survivor’ concept had been overdone. However, The Last Ronin felt incredibly fresh and impactful thanks to its intense drama, stunning artwork, and vibrant world. He praised the series as an exceptional achievement and announced that a new Last Ronin-verse expansion will be revealed early this year, promising even more exciting content to come.

TMNT’s Solo Series Are Moving Full Speed Ahead (And More Could Be Happening Soon)




The solo series for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are developing well, with both Shredder and Casey Jones each having compelling individual storylines. When asked about how these series are shaping the characters, the writer explained that Shredder’s series allows him to be a more intimidating and purely evil villain.

According to Thomas, after a long-running series, villains can sometimes lose their edge and become less intimidating. It’s common to see heroes and villains team up against a bigger threat, which can lead to understanding and soften the villain’s image. They realized they had previously explored Shredder’s humanity in stories like ‘City At War’ and ‘Shredder In Hell,’ but wanted to bring back his truly menacing side. Thomas believes Dan Watters, Michele Bandini, Sid Kotian, and Marco Lesko have successfully done just that, making Shredder a frightening and powerful villain once again.

The story arc for Casey began with a compelling premise: he’d recently survived a shooting and a near-death experience in the main series. Writer Alex Paknadel and editor Dave Wielgosz wanted to explore how that trauma would impact someone like Casey, who hasn’t always prioritized his own well-being. Would it make him more cautious, or push him further into danger? What would he do next? As Thomas explained, Casey predictably seeks out trouble, and he’s definitely found it. The writers paired him with a fascinating antagonist – a mutant who desperately wants to be human and holds a particular grudge against Casey. It’s a dynamic, action-filled story, and artists Amancay Nahuelpan and Luis Antonio Delgado are doing an amazing job bringing it to life.



There’s exciting news for fans looking ahead! Thomas hinted at more solo books – and maybe even some team-ups – currently being discussed. When asked about April O’Neal, who’s been a standout character recently, they confirmed a solo April series is also under consideration. Thomas expressed enthusiasm for getting a dedicated April book off the ground, hoping to give her the spotlight she deserves.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Expands To The Multiverse And Godzilla With Ease

The latest installment takes the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Battle Nexus, a massive arena where Turtles from every different time period collide. This has allowed for incredible team-ups that fans have always wished for. Thomas recently shared details about how this ambitious event was created and hinted at an amazing battle still to come.

According to Thomas, the event was originally organized by Andy Khouri, who did an excellent job bringing together talented creators and exciting battles in the classic Battle Nexus style. He also praised the support from Paramount’s Jeff Whitman and Benjamin Harper, who helped determine which characters could be used across different versions of the series, calling it a significant undertaking. He especially highlighted the backup stories created by Erik Burnham and Sarah Myer, calling them a fantastic team. Thomas shared that his personal favorite matchup is in the final battle of Battle Nexus #5 and encouraged readers to check it out.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Godzilla comic is already incredibly over-the-top, and it’s only just begun! We spoke with writer Thomas to get a sneak peek at what’s coming up in future issues and to find out which battle with Kaiju he enjoyed writing the most.

I’m really enjoying this story! Editor Jake Williams is doing a fantastic job revitalizing the Godzilla comics, and writer Tim Seeley has a knack for delivering those shocking, unforgettable moments – perfect for a team-up between the TMNT and giant monsters. The art by Fero Pe and Luis Antonio Delgado is also incredible. Issue #4 is going to be a real showstopper! My son is a big fan of King Ghidorah, so our family is already thrilled with how things are going.”

Okay, fellow comic fans, just a quick heads-up on what’s dropping for us Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles lovers! Issue #14 is already out, so you can grab it now. Then, on January 21st, we’ve got Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Battle Nexus #3. After that, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey Jones #4 comes out on January 28th, and finally, get ready for the epic crossover – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Godzilla #3 lands on February 4th! Don’t miss these!

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2026-01-18 02:41