Fan-Favorite TMNT Character Finally Getting Solo Series After 30-Year Wait

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans have plenty to look forward to as the year unfolds, especially with the announcement of IDW Publishing's latest series. Not only is the TMNT universe getting even bigger in just a few months, but one fan-favorite character is about to take center stage in his very own solo series.

Per a press release from IDW Publishing, the mainline Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe is about to get a brand-new addition in the form of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey Jones #1. Set to go on sale September 10 with an August 4 cutoff date for pre-orders, the upcoming series will be written by acclaimed writer Alex Paknadel and feature art and colors from Amancay Nahuelpan and Luis Antonio.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey Jones #1

• Written by ALEX PAKNADEL
• Art by AMANCAY NAHUELPAN
• Colors by LUIS ANTONIO
• Main cover art by AMANCAY NAHUELPAN
• Variant covers by DANNY EARLS & JÃO CANOLA, DANNY EARLS, and MIKE HENDERSON

The series will mark the first solo title for the beloved character in over thirty years, and will pick up after Casey's recovery from being shot by the corrupt district attorney Hieronymous Hale in the pages of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. As Casey takes to his second chance at life, his loved ones have to wonder if he isn't pushing himself too hard, all while the rest of the city falls under the threat of a whole new strain of mutagen. This, plus never-before-seen villains, will set the stage for one of the biggest fights of Casey Jones' life.

"As a weird British kid who once had the lyrics to 'Turtle Power' committed to memory, I feel like life has come full circle," said writer Alex Paknadel of the series. "IDW and a host of talented creators have deepened and enriched Casey’s mythology over many years, but Amancay and I are making our contribution at a uniquely exciting time. We’re going to be taking Casey back to his roots and confronting him with a terrifying, unstoppable villain who preys on the city’s most vulnerable mutants. If this book is half as much fun to read as it is to make, readers are going to have the time of their lives."

IDW Publishing editor Dave Wielgosz said in a statement, "Casey Jones is one of the best characters in the TMNT universe." Wielgosz explained, "He's loyal, brave, pure of heart, and as we're going to see in this mini-series… more than a little reckless. Alex and Amancay are going to highlight all the attributes that have made Casey an enduring part of any incarnation of the TMNT he's been a part of and put him through a challenge the likes of which he's never been through before. If you love street-level vigilante stories and the world of the TMNT, you're going to love our book."

Introduced back in 1985's Raphael: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, Casey Jones is by far one of the Turtles' oldest and closest allies. When he made his debut, Casey Jones seemed like he was the perfect arch-nemesis for Raphael to face off against, only for the two to become fast friends rather than enemies. A hot-headed, proactive vigilante with a heart of gold, Casey Jones has been an indelible part of the Turtles' universe from nearly the very beginning, and as such has been reimagined for almost every single iteration of the franchise to date.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey Jones #1 will be available September 10 from IDW Publishing.

Source: IDW Publishing