CBR has an exclusive first look at the premiere issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Nation. The team behind the comics also discuss their experiences writing new stories featuring the famous turtles and how the new series fits into the TMNT Universe.

After the events of “The Armageddon Game”, the Ninja Turtles are at a crossroads, attempting to keep their family together while also feeling the individual need to explore life in a world that now knows about mutants. In Mutant Nation, Tom Waltz, the co-writer of TMNT: The Last Ronin, returns to tell brand-new stories with artist Vincenzo Federici. “With the mighty Jason Aaron returning the original four turtles to New York in the main ongoing series, TMNT: Mutant Nation gives my fellow TMNT creators and myself the very cool opportunity to explore other fan-favorite characters (both old and new) in the ever-expansive IDW TMNT Universe,” Waltz said. TMNT: Mutant Nation #1 goes on sale Sept. 18.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT NATION #1

Written by TOM WALTZ & ERIK BURNHAM Art by VINCENZO FEDIRICI & MATEUS SANTOLOUCO Cover A by JAVIER FERNANDEZ Cover B by VINCENZO FEDERICI Cover C by MATEUS SANTOLOUCO Cover D by JIM LAWSON Cover RI by JESSE LONERGAN On sale Sept. 18

“Starting with the first arc, no stone will be left unturned as we reveal what all our beloved heroes and villains have been up to during the year gap between issues #150 and the new #1…and beyond!” Waltz continued. “And I couldn’t be more excited and proud to be joined on the first arc by superstar artist Vincenzo Federici and the always amazing Ronda Pattison. I can’t wait for our many loyal readers to see what we’ve all been up to!”

Federici spoke about providing art for the main story, featuring the Ninja Turtle Raphael. “My favorite thing about the series is that it is a Raph solo man show and that’s very exciting, because I like to draw muscular and angry characters. Moreover, I drew him very little in my previous runs, so I’m very happy about this. I loved working with Tom again; we’re a great team together, and I’m very happy with his action scenes. Furthermore, I’m in the same issues with Mateus!! He was and still is such an inspiration for my turtles job! It’s a really adrenaline-filled story arc, so people will find it truly incredible. Time to kick some shells!”

Mutant Nation Backup Story Stars Casey Jones

Each arc of Mutant Nation will explore two stories in different parts of the TMNT universe, easily accessible for casual fans and with ties connected to the ongoing series and Nightcrawler. Writer Erik Burnham and artist Mateus Santolouco will present a four-issue bonus backup, set after the events of The Untold Destiny of the Foot Clan and starring Casey Jones.

Burnham spoke about writing the backup story and how it connects to others in the TMNT comics. “There is so much going on in the TMNT universe, it has so many great characters and stories to tell, and it’s always been tough to fit everything into 20 pages a month. I’m psyched Mutant Nation exists to shine a light on those stories and give us all the chance to keep building out this iteration of the mythology. Personally, I’m always glad to get a chance to both expand on the Foot Clan characters and work with Mateus Santolouco, so these first few issues are extra special for me.”

Santolouco discussed tying Mutant Nation in as a follow-up to Untold Destiny of the Foot Clan, saying: “There are a couple reasons I’m excited to be on board for Mutant Nation. First, here Erik and I have the opportunity to create a little follow-up of our latest miniseries, Untold Destiny of the Foot Clan, unfolding character-driven motivations and consequences of the events that took place in Untold on an action-packed story. Erik did a great job establishing a frenetic dynamic to the narrative that delivers non-stop punches and kicks without forgetting the character’s development, and I’m having a blast turning this into a visual storytelling. Also, it is nice to be a part of the “glue” that will tie the former ongoing series to the new TMNT relaunch at IDW, and I’m looking forward to seeing how everything will fit together down the road.”

TMNT: Mutant Nation #1 goes on sale Sept. 18 from IDW Comics.

Source: IDW