Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Reveals Big Plans for Its 300th Issue

1 day ago 7

Published Feb 20, 2026, 4:19 PM EST

Patrik Walker is an Emmy Award–winning writer who covers all things Comics & Superheroes. His work can also be found at the Dallas Cowboys, The Sporting News, and CBS Sports, among other outlets. One of the most respected names in his field, he is also a diehard enthusiast of all things comics, anime, gaming and movies — thriving in spaces where discussions involving those or similar topics reign supreme.

Unreal, unbelievable and unshakable. All three of those words perfectly describe the fact that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is on the verge of celebrating its 300th (!!) issue, a franchise that has been rock solid ever since its debut back as a comic book in 1984, now boasting more than 40 years of dominance in the superhero space.

When Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman began the franchise, it looked far different in scope in comparison to the version we've become accustomed to. Initially, it was intended to be a parody of superhero comics, TV and film, but it's mushroomed (not the ones on a pizza though, sorry Mikey) into one of the biggest global phenomenons in history — owning its own share of TV, film and even video games.

And for the 300th issue of the comic book series, it's only right the creators go big, which is exactly what they plan to do.

“300 issues! Gene Luen Yang and Freddie E. Williams II pulling out all the stops and kicking off an epic new TMNT storyline,” senior group editor at IDW Publishing said of the upcoming celebration. "What more could fans want?"

He then went on to explain what fans of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles can expect in #300: "Well, how about a double dose of Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz, with a backup story in #300 exploring the legacy of the TMNT line with a murderers row of classic artists and a new one-shot installment of their Last Ronin saga with The Last Ronin: Training Day?

"This July, it's never been a better time to be a TMNT fan, and we're just getting started — 2026 is shaping up to be a banner year for the heroes in a half shell. 300 issues is just the beginning, the next 300 starts here, and I cannot wait to share it with fans.”

Master Splinter Is ... WHAT?? TMNT #300 Changes Everything

Diehard fans of the Heroes on the Half Shell will be treated to a "radical" blind bag program that blesses with several versions of a "never-before-seen cover" from Eastman and Laird, with an assist from Fahriza Kamaputra, but it doesn't end there. There will also be a variant from J. Scott Campbell, along with other treats that aren't being disclosed upfront by IDW Publishing, because that simply wouldn't be as much fun.

“For more than 40 years, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been rooted in themes of brotherhood and resilience,” said Josh Silverman, President, Global Products & Experiences, Paramount. ”The Turtles’ stories continue to evolve while staying true to the beloved characters, classic humor, and action‑packed storytelling that have captivated generations of fans and cemented the franchise’s place in pop culture. Comics remain a defining expression of that legacy, allowing new adventures to unfold, expanding the universe, and deepening the stories in ways only this medium can.”

The 300th issue will launch The City That Never Dies storyline (writer: Gene Luen Yang, artist: Freddie E. Williams II) with Master Splinter being brought back from the dead, but that comes with its own set of consequences for the Turtles to navigate, including the shockwaves that will inevitably be sent outward through the entirety of their universe; and that means making sure it's at the top of your pull list in July 2026.