Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Manga For 2026, and Judge Death
From IDW Publishing, Manga Mavericks and Rebellion
The latest news and previews, including:
News on the future of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
More manga news from Manga Mavericks.
The return of Judge Death!
New Era of TMNT Comics Revealed
From IDW Publishing, here is news on what is upcoming in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe, along with the addition of Godzilla!
IDW Publishing is proud to announce the ambitious and fan-focused plans for the future of the acclaimed and best-selling line of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (TMNT) comic books.
After an incredible ongoing series run from Jason Aaron and Juan Ferrerya, the high-quality, heartfelt and exciting storytelling that fans deserve won’t miss a beat with the arrival of an all-star duo: Eisner-winning writer Gene Luen Yang (Shang-Chi, Superman Smashes the Klan, Avatar: The Last Airbender, American Born Chinese) and blockbuster artist Freddie E. Williams II (Batman/TMNT, Turtles of Grayskull, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Godzilla vs Mighty Morphin Power Rangers). Also joining the line is Group Editor Jake Thomas, formerly of Marvel. Starting their run with TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #13 in December, this all-new story arc will provide fans with a fresh jumping on point as the Heroes in a Half-Shell are back together and hopeful about the future of the city, but there’s a dark and personal danger lurking in the shadows as a deadly new assassin makes their debut.
“I’ve been a fan of the TMNT since I was young. I remember watching the ‘80s cartoon with my brother and then reenacting the Turtles’ adventures with our action figures,” remarked Yang. “I read my first issue of TMNT at a friend’s house, and I was blown away by the melding of gritty martial arts action and wild, out-of-left-field ideas. Many years later, I began my cartooning career in American independent comics. All of us from that corner of comics owe a huge debt to Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Their talent and creativity, both as comics creators and as businessmen, carved out a path for the rest of us to follow. In fact, the very first comic I ever self-published was funded by a grant from Peter Laird’s Xeric Foundation. I’ve admired the Turtles for a long, long time. I’m absolutely thrilled to get to tell their stories at IDW.”
Williams is no stranger to working on the Turtles, but to finally work on the ongoing series’ interiors is a real joy for the celebrated artist. ”Finally I'm getting to REALLY scratch my TMNT itch! I've been so lucky to draw the Turtles on covers and crossovers, but it's not enough, never enough.” Williams continued, “I LOVE the Turtles! The original Mirage comics were instrumental in making me fall in love with the comic book medium, and of course I am SUPER inspired by the POWER and TEXTURE in that early Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird art! Now, after begging Editor-in-Chief Bobby Curnow for over a decade, I am so happy to draw my first FULL ON TMNT series! My goal is to draw at least 450 Turtles per page in each issue! Can't wait for everyone to see what we're working on, I'm having a BLAST!"
To celebrate the new era with TMNT #13, there will be a special blind bag variant for collectors, featuring exciting variants by amazing creators like Daniel Warren Johnson, David Nakayama, Clayton Crain, and more. Additionally, an annual issue, from writer Kenny Porter and artists Michael Shelfer and Maria Keane, will be released in October to bridge the gap between both runs. The special annual issue will also kick off the TMNT holiday-themed variant line, with festive and fun covers by Jared Cullum across various TMNT titles, with this first one celebrating Halloween!
Before the Turtles begin their new mission in the ongoing series, they’re stepping into a multidimensional tournament! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: BATTLE NEXUS is an action-packed five-week event kicking off in November.
Featuring beloved characters from various incarnations of the franchise - including the classic Shredder from Mirage Studios, Metalhead from the 2012 animated series, Slash returning from the dead and the IDW debut of Ninjara - this adrenaline-filled adventure is crafted by fan-favorite TMNT creatives, including writers Tom Waltz, Paul Allor, Sophie Campbell, Caleb Goellner, and Erik Burnham with art from the Escorza brothers, Ben Bishop, Vitor Cafaggi, Omar Francia, and Hendry Prasetya.
Stomping its way into comic shops this November is a crossover even bigger than the Technodrome itself: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES X GODZILLA! From the innovative minds of writer Tim Seeley and artist Fero Pe comes a jaw-dropping blend of the two pop culture franchises as it’s revealed the Foot Clan exists to stop the onslaught of kaiju attacks, but Shredder and General Krang have different plans to give mutagen a giant upgrade.
Visit a comic shop near you to pre-order these upcoming TMNT comics and other releases from the line, including SHREDDER, CASEY JONES, TMNT: JOURNEYS, TALES OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, and SATURDAY MORNING ADVENTURES. To find a comic shop, check out comicshoplocator.com.
Manga Mavericks Books Announces 2 New Indie Manga Series For Early 2026 Release
New manga series for 2026! - we’re already looking forward to next year! Check out the details from Manga Mavericks.
Manga Mavericks LLC, a new manga publisher serving North America, announced 2 newly licensed titles during its panel at Comic Con International that will be added to its print and digital catalog in early 2026. These titles will also be made available early to paid subscribers of the Manga Mavericks Substack newsletter.
The latest releases include the sci-fi adventure series, PIPE MACHINE, the first volume of which is scheduled for release in March 2026, and the fantasy action series, PATH FROM TANUKI TEMPLE, the first volume of which is scheduled for release in April 2026.
PIPE MACHINE is an ongoing indie series that is currently 6 volumes in Japan, which will be collected into 5 volumes at A5 (5.83" x 8.27") size by Manga Mavericks Books.
PIPE MACHINE creator Takuji Umihara provided the following message to share with Comic Con International attendees:
“I drew this work both as a study and a means to relive what had excited me about Osamu Tezuka’s works as a child. It was at first a means to an end of becoming a pro mangaka, but now the story has grasped me and I can’t let it go. Now, Varun Gupta [Manga Mavericks CEO] and Manga Mavericks are going to produce an English version. I really can’t express anything but gratitude to them, and I hope that even just a little, American readers enjoy this work.”
Vol. 1 Print Pre-order: https://store.mangamavericks.com/products/pipe-machine-volume-1-2
Vol. 1 Digital Pre-order: https://store.mangamavericks.com/products/pipe-machine-volume-1-2-digital
PATH FROM TANUKI TEMPLE is an ongoing full-color 6-volume series in Japan, which will be collected into 3 volumes at B5 (6.9" x 9.8") size by Manga Mavericks Books.
PATH FROM TANUKI TEMPLE creator Shinkuro Koma provided the following message to share with Comic Con International attendees:
“Greetings to you all attending Comic Con. I’m Shinkuro Koma. I can’t express in words how happy I am that Manga Mavericks is going to publish my work “Path From Tanuki Temple” in English. There aren’t many full-color hand-drawn manga out there, and I don’t know how it’ll compare to digital manga, as there might be some rough spots. However, I hope you’ll enjoy the strength and warmth that one can only get from drawing the old-fashioned way. I hope English readers will enjoy and come to love this series.”
Vol. 1 Print Pre-order: https://store.mangamavericks.com/products/path-from-tanuki-temple-volume-1b
Vol. 1 Digital Pre-order: https://store.mangamavericks.com/products/path-from-tanuki-temple-volume-1-digital
The Judge Death Mega Special Descends this October!
A classic character from the world of Judge Dredd returns later this year from Rebellion - it’s Judge Death!
Greetingssss! If you’re hoping to send a chill down your spine this Halloween season, look no further than The Judge Death Mega-Special this October!
2000 AD celebrates 45 years of the undead alien superfiend, Judge Death and his Dark Judges, with an all-new 48 page special which will get your heart racing... just in time for Death to gleefully crush it in his skeletal hands!
The Special will be available via newsstands and comic stores – and international retailers should make note that this is our first Special to be available to order via Lunar Distribution!
Featuring a brand new cover from Judge Death’s iconic co-creator Brian Bolland, each of the stories in this special highlights one of the Dark Judges as they wreak havoc across the universe.
Kek-W and Dave Taylor return to Deadworld as Death plays a game of chance with the last living human alive, while Antony Johnston teams with Lee Carter for a story about Judge Mortis – who can kill with just one touch! Eisner-nominated writer Alex de Campi joins Mark Sexton for new calamity caused by Judge Fire, who is coated in ethereal flame, while Alec Worley and Leigh Gallagher dare to take on Judge Fear!
And don’t forget Death himself, as award-winning novelist Lauren Beukes returns to 2000 AD for a new story with chilling artist Tazio Bettin!
The Judge Death Mega-Special celebrates 45 years of absolute bone-chilling terror - all served with a smile, of course. But don't think for one moment that the Dark Judges have got it easy: as they cause chaos across the dimension, they'll find stiff opposition from Judge Dredd, Judge Giant... and of course that curssssed Judge Anderson!!
If you’re looking for a fright - you’ve come to the right place, readers!
The Judge Death Mega-Special is now available to order via Lunar Distribution – or readers can pre-order their issue directly from the 2000 AD webstore!
