Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Greatest Era Is Returning In 2027 With New Prequel

Published Oct 12, 2026, 1:02 PM EDT TJ Mills is an editor on ScreenRant's Comic team, where she combines her lifelong passion for DC with her analytical background as a former Intelligence Analyst. Since joining ScreenRant in 2023, she has specialized in covering major DC storylines, character evolutions, and industry developments. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is officially returning to one of the franchise’s greatest eras with a five-part prequel series set to launch in Spring 2027. This could be one of the franchise’s most ambitious returns yet, and if executed well, it could become another legendary chapter in TMNT history. While the classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will always be a favorite among fans, there is no denying that IDW’s TMNT: The Last Ronin is one of, if not the greatest, eras in the franchise’s history. This isn’t just a personal opinion, either, since The Last Ronin became IDW's best-selling comic book series. While The Last Ronin has produced its fair share of lackluster spin-offs, tie-ins, and other related content, IDW's announcement that it is returning to this era with a five-part prequel series feels different from the publisher’s previous attempts to recapture the hype around The Last Ronin. Officially titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The First Ronin, this limited series sets itself apart from previous spin-offs with a premise that promises to be nothing short of exceptional. Launching in March 2027, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The First Ronin #1 will kick off a new story that serves as the spiritual predecessor to The Last Ronin. TMNT Returns To The Last Ronin Era With New Spiritual Predecessor, All Details Main Cover by Soo Lee for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The First Ronin #1 (2027) Confirmed as a five-issue miniseries, The First Ronin will be brought to life by creative powerhouse team writer Stan Sakai and artist Soo Lee. Set in 1600s Japan, the story follows General Kameyama, a fearsome warrior who becomes the last man standing... until four turtle-like yōkai come to his aid. These four yōkai are perhaps the most notable aspect of the series, as they will be inspired by supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore, a departure from the traditional mutant versions of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Readers can find the full synopsis for the first issue below: The First Ronin transports readers to 1600s Japan as the fearsome warrior and tactician General Kameyama is facing impossible odds in a great war. When his allies fall, and he becomes the last man standing, the tide swiftly changes when four yōkai — supernatural creatures and monsters from Japanese folklore — who resemble humanoid turtles leap to his aid and defeat his foes. But Kameyama's battle is far from over as the epic yōkai war approaches… This premise already sounds fantastic, and the confirmation that Japanese folklore will inspire the issue makes this series an even bigger must-pull for TMNT: The Last Ronin fans. While the page count for this issue remains unconfirmed, fans can look forward to an oversized first issue. League of Comic Geeks currently lists Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The First Ronin #1 as an oversized issue that will be available for purchase for $8.99. Previous The Last Ronin spinoffs have drawn significant fan criticism, so it wouldn't be surprising if The First Ronin faces some skepticism. However, with the all-star creative duo of Sakai and Lee behind it and such an epic premise, this next venture into the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin era feels different and like it could truly be something special. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The First Ronin #1 from IDW Publishing will be available to read in March 2027! TV Show(s) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012), Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Video Game(s) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem - The Game, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-Up, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles In Time, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: Radical Rescue, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Danger Of The Ooze, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: Mutant Nightmare, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: The Manhattan Project Comics Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles