It’s no exaggeration to say that last year IDW went all out with the release of the relaunched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles book resulting in huge sales of 300,000 copies. In December, a new creative team of Gene Luen Yang and artist Freddie E. Williams II will take over the book with TMNT #13. Considering how much IDW has been promoting this new era, including a blind bag variant promotion, I wouldn’t be surprised if TMNT #13 tops the sales of the first issue.
In fact, at New York Comic Con an ashcan preview of TMNT #13 will be available to fans at the IDW Booth (#4451) on a first come, first served basis. The Beat was fortunate to get access to an advanced preview of the TMNT #13 ashcan and trust me when I say that this new creative team is cooking up something special.
Don’t get me wrong. I think writer Jason Aaron and his various artistic collaborators did a fantastic job relaunching the TMNT book. For one thing, Aaron crafted a self-contained storyline accessible to potential new readers while still taking place in IDW’s larger TMNT Universe continuity. That said, the TMNT #13 ashcan preview hints at incorporating more continuity of the TMNT Universe. For instance, Xiang Fei Tong, the leader of the Chinatown gang the Ghost Boys, makes a brief appearance. Readers who’ve been keeping up with IDW’s TMNT tie-in books likely know she was recently seen in the most recent issue of Mutant Nation having forged an alliance with the Dog Star Clan, a splinter cell of the Foot Clan.
Straddling the line of continuity is difficult with any shared universe, most especially in comics. The approach IDW is taking with TMNT seems very much akin to Peacemaker in that missing out on other DC Studios projects doesn’t detract from the storytelling experience. But fans will still get a kick out of seeing the “toys” coming out of the toy chest.
In interviews, Yang has said that Donatello is his favorite member of the TMNT. The previous run certainly put Donnie through quite the wringer resulting in a shriveled and gaunt appearance resulting from his time as a caged mutant slave. So it’s somewhat of a relief to see him return to his old relief.
Of course, the big selling point for the series is the introduction of a major new villain named Ujigami. Unsurprisingly, IDW is keeping details close to the vest. There’s not much even I can reveal from the ashcan preview. Yet another reason for fans to pick up a copy for themselves when TMNT #13 goes on sale December 10, 2025!
After a best-selling and acclaimed run from writer Jason Aaron and artist Juan Ferrerya (which has a can’t-miss finale in issue #12 this October), 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, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Godzilla vs Mighty Morphin Power Rangers).
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 the deadly new assassin Ujigami makes their debut.
Plus: to celebrate this new era with TMNT #13, there will be a special blind bag variant for collectors, featuring jaw-dropping variant covers from amazing creators like Daniel Warren Johnson, David Nakayama, Clayton Crain, and more.
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- Writer Gene Luen Yang
- Artist Freddie E. Williams II
- On sale date: December 10, 2025
- Pre-order deadline (last chance to guarantee a copy): October 20, 2025
- TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #13 cover credits
- Freddie E. Williams II (Cover A)
- Kevin Eastman and Ben Bishop (Cover B)
- Jared Cullum (Cover C, Holiday Theme Variant)
- Clayton Crain (Cover D)
- Daniel Warren Johnson (Cover E)
- Kevin Eastman and Ben Bishop full art (1:25 incentive variant)
- Clayton Crain full art (1:50 incentive variant)
- Daniel Warren Johnson full art (1:75 incentive variant)
- Dustin Nguyen (1:100 incentive variant)
- David Nakayama (1:250 incentive variant)
- Nathan Szerdy (blind bag exclusive 1:25 ratio variant)
- Rahzzah (blind bag exclusive 1:100 ratio variant, features first cover appearance of new villain Ujigami)
- David Nakayama full art (blind bag exclusive 1:250 ratio variant)
