Tag Archives: isaac escorza

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and IDW celebrate 40 years this July

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After the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) made their debut in a black-and-white comic by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird in 1984, the Heroes in a Half Shell went on to become a global phenomenon. Over the next forty years, countless talented people across the entertainment industry worked passionately with the beloved franchise, allowing adventures with new iterations of TMNT to consistently reach new audiences. Now, brilliant TMNT creatives from different eras are joining forces to present something truly special to fans: the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 40TH Anniversary Comics Celebration.

With several new stories and pinup art pieces inspired by different eras of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, this technodrome-sized issue with more than 70 pages will feature fan-favorite creatives returning to their respective eras for all-new tales. This special one-shot issue will feature new stories and pinup art from Jim Lawson, Ciro Nieli, Tristan Jones, Paul Harmon, Steve Lavigne, Andy Suriano, Ronda Pattison, Pablo Tunica, Freddie E. Williams II, Sophie Campbell, Tom Waltz, Lloyd Goldfine, Khary Randolph, Emilio Lopez, Dan Duncan, Erik Burnham, Sarah Myer, Luis Antonio Delgado, Chris Allan and more. Plus, the one and only Kevin Eastman will be contributing a story, too! 

No TMNT anniversary celebration would be complete without the two people who created it all. This oversized issue will feature a primary cover with never-before-seen pencils from Laird that have been inked by Eastman, just for this special issue! Additional eye-catching covers will be provided by acclaimed artists Sophie Campbell, Isaac and Esau Escorza, Simon Bisley, Michael Dialynas, Vincenzo Federici, Khary Randolph, Emilio Lopez, Michael Cho, Dave Wachter, and an IDW Exclusive cover by Ben Bishop.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 40TH Anniversary Comics Celebration will leap into comic shops on July 10, 2024 for $11.99. Fans have until June 3 to pre-order at their local comic shop.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin is getting an R-Rated adaptation

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #1

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles isn’t just for kids. The high body count, action packed, hit comic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin is getting an R-rated adaptation from Producer Walter Hamada. The script is being penned by Tyler Burton Smith.

The Last Ronin is set in a totalitarian future New York City where most of the Turtles and Splinter have been killed off by a descendent of the Shredder. One Turtle has lived, but which of the four is it? And, can the Last Ronin get his revenge?

Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz wrote the comic which was based on an older story by Eastman and Turtles co-creator Peter Laird. Art was by Esau and Isaac Escorza, Ben Bishop, and Eastman and it was published by IDW. It was one of the top selling comics of the year. The series recently saw the release of the first issue of a sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin II – Re-Evolution.

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin II #1 sells over 140,000 copies and sells out. Second printing announced!

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin was the top-selling western graphic novel of 2023, and now, IDW Publishing is incredibly proud to announce the eagerly anticipated sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin – Re-Evolution, has made a triumphant debut out of the sewers and into comic shops.

Featuring the return of the original creative team – co-writers Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz, artists Esau and Isaac Escorza and Ben Bishop, colorist Luis Antonio Delgado, and letterer Shawn Lee – the first issue’s orders rushed past 140K copies. Thanks to the overwhelming popularity of this fan-favorite sequel, a second printing is now on the way as well. The second printing, featuring a new cover by the Escorza brothers, will go on sale on May 15 and fans have until March 25 to pre-order at their local comic shop.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin – Re-Evolution #1 is on sale now and the next action-packed issue arrives on May 15.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin - Re-Evolution #1 second printing

SDCC 2023: The Last Ronin II: Re-Evolution Presents the next generation of TMNT

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In 2020, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin – an epic story more than 30 years in the making, originally from the minds of TMNT co-creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird – made comic book history as it revealed the story about the last Ninja Turtle standing in the future. The New York Times bestseller was a massive success, with the debut issue selling more than 160,000 copies to retailers and receiving overwhelming praise from both critics and fans. Now, the brilliant creative team behind the exciting and emotional limited series is back for a gripping must-read sequel. IDW Publishing presents Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin II – Re-Evolution.

Guided by Casey Marie Jones, the formidable and strategic daughter of April O’Neil and the late Casey Jones, the next generation of Ninja Turtles – Yi, Uno, Odyn, and Moja – will face the ultimate enemy! Will the young heroes be able to adapt to the pressure of a city at war? Featuring new foes and foils, this exhilarating and compelling next chapter in the Ronin-verse is overflowing with turtle power as The Last Ronin team returns to continue the stunning story. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin II – Re-Evolution is co-written by Eastman and Tom Waltz, illustrated by Ben Bishop, Esau Escorza and Isaac Escorza, colored by Luis Antonio Delgado, and lettered by Shawn Lee.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin II – Re-Evolution #1 goes on sale December with more variant covers by astonishing artists to be revealed soon. Reach out to a comic shop near you for more information on pre-ordering the debut issue.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin II - Re-Evolution #1

The Epic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin—Lost Years Comic Book Saga Expands with Lost Day Special

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin—Lost Day Special

IDW Publishing has announced Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin—Lost Years. The upcoming five-issue prequel to the New York Times best-selling The Last Ronin, will further expand its epic tale with a tie-in one-shot by writers Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz, illustrator Ben Bishop, and colorist Luis Antonio Delgado. The 40-page special issue, available in May, is called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin—Lost Day Special and will straddle both the past and the future of the Last Ronin universe, setting the stage for thrilling new tales to come.

In Lost Day, longtime resistance leader April O’Neil finds herself and her loved ones—including the four young mutant turtles she and her daughter, Casey Marie Jones, are raising and training together—once again caught up in the battle for the soul of New York City. When April takes the turtles with her on a supply run into the city, they get lost and risk becoming collateral damage in the newest power struggle overtaking the streets. Old memories mix with new realities as April and her four small charges race to get back home before it’s too late.

With the highly anticipated debut of TMNT: The Last Ronin—Lost Years slated for January 25th, IDW has also announced an expanded Director’s Cut edition of the miniseries’ first issue, which will be available in April. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin—Lost Years #1 Director’s Cut will feature never-before-seen supplemental materials from legendary TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, as well as series artists Ben Bishop and SL Gallant.

For fans hungry for more insight into the creative process behind Last Ronin’s runaway success, Lost Years, Director’s Cut offers an exclusive look at the concept’s evolution from a speculative draft composed by Eastman and Laird in the nascent days of TMNT’s indie comics era to a New York Times best-selling, internationally beloved phenomenon, as well as the new, expansive universe that has emerged as a result.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin—Lost Years #1 Director’s Cut

Springing from a lost 1987 storyline by TMNT co-creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, The Last Ronin tells the heartrending revenge story of a sole, shrouded Turtle in a dark, possible future, undertaking a seemingly hopeless mission to obtain justice for his fallen family and friends. The kinetic layouts from Eastman, atmospheric illustrations from Isaac & Esau Escorza and Ben Bishop, thrilling script full of surprises from longtime TMNT scribe Tom Waltz, and bold hues from colorist Luis Antonio Delgado instantly resonated with fans and critics alike. Debuting in October 2020 as a quarterly periodical in a prestige oversized format, The Last Ronin took the comic world by storm, eventually leading to over 840,000 units of the individual comic books in print and New York Times best seller status for its hardcover collection with more than 125,000 copies sold.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin—The Covers Hardcover Announced for June

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Relive the gritty realism and explosive action of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin—one of the greatest TMNT stories of all time—through the iconic covers that helped make it an instant classic! IDW Publishing has announced the June 2023 release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin—The Covers, a 200-page, full-color hardcover serving as a comprehensive showcase of each and every cover variant over the span of the series.

Featuring an all-new cover by Last Ronin series co-artist Ben Bishop, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin—The Covers features artwork from an all-star lineup of top-tier talent, including TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, Last Ronin co-artists Esau & Isaac Escorza and the aforementioned Ben Bishop, and comic industry superstars including Mateus Santolouco, Sophie Campbell, Freddie E. Williams II, Rick and Morty’s Justin Roiland, Peach Momoko, Tyler Kirkham, John Giang, Amanda Conner, Rob Liefeld, Simon Bisley, Stan Sakai, and many more!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin—The Covers
by Kevin Eastman, Ben Bishop, Esau & Isaac Escorza, and more
ISBN: 978-1-68405-997-3
$34.99 US / $45.99 CAN
200-Page, Full-Color Hardcover, 7″ x 10.875
On Sale: June 13, 2023

Springing from a lost 1987 storyline by TMNT co-creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, The Last Ronin tells the story of a sole, shrouded Turtle in a dark possible future, undertaking a seemingly hopeless mission to obtain justice for his fallen family and friends. The kinetic layouts from Eastman, atmospheric illustrations from Esau & Isaac Escorza and Ben Bishop, thrilling script from longtime TMNT scribe Tom Waltz, and bold hues from colorist Luis Antonio Delgado instantly resonated with fans and critics alike.

Debuting in October 2020 as a quarterly periodical in a prestigious oversize format, The Last Ronin took the comic world by storm, eventually leading to over 840,000 units of the individual comic books in print, coveted New York Times best seller status with over 125,000 collections sold, and adaptations to action figures and statues. The story of The Last Ronin expands in 2023 with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin—Lost Years, a miniseries straddling Michelangelo’s past as a lone wanderer and the future where four new turtles will grow up in his shadow.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin—The Covers

Spend the holidays with Bill & Ted and Death Dealer spotlights Opus Comics’ Final Order Cut Off

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On FOC Monday, November 21, for December 21 on sale, Opus Comics has a new BILL & TED special and the latest installment of our flagship title DEATH DEALER. Plus, a COVER GALLERY featuring the amazing covers we’ve had for the first five issues.

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Holiday Special

Roll over Beethoven, the Wyld Stallyns have their own ode to joy to share with the world! John Barber (Back to the Future) and Butch Mapa (Marvel Action: Avengers) bring you this most triumphant message of peace, love, and misunderstanding. Plus, another bonus story featuring Rufus by Barber and Juan Samu!

$6.99 • 40 pages
OCT221846 Cover A – Butch Mapa
OCT221847 Cover B (1:5) – Beethoven Action Figure
OCT221847 Cover C (1:10) – Wayne Nichols

Frank Frazetta’s Death Dealer #8

Critically acclaimed animation writer Mitch Iverson (Dota: Dragon’s Blood) and world-renowned artists Esau & Isaac Escorza and Luis Antonio Delgado (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin) chronicle the next chapter in our hero’s twisted life, where in order to atone for a terrible deed, he must literally go through Hell—both of them!

$4.99 • 32 pages
OCT221852 Cover A – Clara Tessier
OCT221853 Cover B – Frank Frazetta
OCT221854 Cover C (1:5) – Tyler Walpole
OCT221855 Cover D (1:10) – Dave Dorman
OCT221856 Cover E  (1:20) – Dave Dorman unbranded

Frank Frazetta’s Death Dealer Cover Gallery #1

Collected in one volume are the awe-inspiring and epic covers to the Death Dealer series. Artists include Simone Bianchi, Frank Cho, Gabrielle Dell’Otto, David Finch, Joseph Michael Linsner, Dan Panosian, Paul Renaud, Bill Sienkiewicz, and many more!

$4.99 • 40 pages
OCT221857 Cover A – Liam Sharp

Frank Frazetta's Death Dealer Cover Gallery #1

Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #5

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #5

After a rather extended wait, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #5 is finally here wrapping up the anticipated miniseries. The issue delivers a lot of action, wrapping things nicely, though in a rather predictable fashion. Will Michelangelo get revenge for the death of his family? Will the rebellion succeed?

The previous issue left us with a major blow against the fascist government and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #5 kicks things off with the next steps and the anarchy that has spread due to the lack of power and lack of law enforcement. It’s not quite the rally the people feel I was expecting which has the comic delivering at least one surprise. It also helps add to the rather chaotic story that shows how unprepared the resistance was to deal with their oppressors.

The comic really bounces between three plots. There’s April who attempts to save her home from flooding due to the lack of power. There’s her daughter who bounces around not quite knowing what to do. Finally, there’s the Last Ronin seeking his revenge.

The first two plots feel like filler in some way. It gives each of these characters something to do and explains why they don’t help Mikey in his battle. That final battle is satisfying at times with some interesting twists though a few that feel familiar and been there in other stories. The conclusion too is a little predictable where things end. Overall, it’s a final piece of the story that wraps things up in a somewhat ok fashion.

That ok fashion extends to the art which lacks some of the flair and excitement from the previous issues. There’s a lot of action but much feels like odd poses and none of which is memorable. It feel rather anticlimactic in some ways. None of it is bad but there’s an excitement that just lacks at times. Cool moments don’t really come off as such instead just delivering beats and never really taking advantage to build up to anything. The exhaustion and difficulty of the battle is told more than shown leaving things disconnected between the visuals and dialogue.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #5 isn’t a bad finale but it also doesn’t quite have the punch that’s expected. For a series that has been so good, it’s a little bit of a letdown. It does deliver a rather touching final moment but beyond that, this went from a series that was one of the best TMNT stories to just another miniseries that doesn’t stick the landing.

Story: Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Tom Waltz Script: Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz
Layouts: Kevin Eastman Pencils/Inks: Esau and Isaac Escorza, Ben Bishop, Kevin Eastman
Color Assistance: Samuel Plata Color: Luis Antonio Delgado, Ronda Pattison Letterer: Shawn Lee
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics

Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #4

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #4

It feels like a long amount of time has passed since the previous issue but Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #4 throws you right into the mix with a trio of stories all packed into a single issue. It’s one that is filled with emotion, action, and a little bit of hope.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #4 is broken up into three different segments. In the present, Mike and his allies are in a full assault against Stockman in hopes of getting the upper hand against Hiroto. It’s the desperate battle we’ve seen so many times before in other stories but it works and works well. What Tom Waltz and Kevin Eastman deliver in their script is desperation but a lot of hope. Things look grim and like the heroes will lose but it’s done in a way that you’re convinced it won’t happen. There’s a glimmer of success within. It keeps the issue from being a complete downer because…

The issue also gives us the fate of Splinter and Donatello. Talking to April, Mike recounts his trip to try to find his Master and brother and what he discovered about their fates. It’s a sad moment that’s full of expected tragedy. While it’s sad to see the death of these two, how it’s delivered is done so in an epic manner that feels befitting.

The final piece of the comic focuses on Casey as we learn a little bit more about April and Casey Jones’ daughter. There’s some interesting revelations with the character that adds to her and opens up some possibilities for how she’ll fit into the future story. Beyond that, her interaction with Mikey is fantastic taking what used to be the “jokey” Turtle and turning him into an adult in many ways.

The art and color of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #4 is intriguing. There’s varying styles depending on when the story takes place creating distinct chapters visually. Kevin Eastman‘s layouts with Esau and Isaac Escorza‘s pencils and inks look fantastic. With color by Luis Antonio Delgado and lettering by Shawn Lee, the issue takes us through the history of TMNT with its styles and look. There’s moments that feel modern and others that are a throwback to the early days of the original series.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #4 a chapter that feels desperate but never feels depressing. There’s a lot of action and a lot of loss but it never quite hits you emotionally, because the issue keeps things focused on the living and the future. Through all of it, it focuses on the hope of success and what’s next making sure to remind readers this is but a chapter in the greater story.

Story: Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Tom Waltz Script: Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman
Layouts: Kevin Eastman Pencils: Esau & Isaac Escorza Ink: Esau & Isaac Escorza
Color: Luis Antonio Delgado Letterer: Shawn Lee
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW

Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin Director’s Cut #1

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin Director’s Cut #1

As a kid who grew up in the 1980s and a fair amount into the 90s, I saw where cartoons evolved and newer ones launched making a splash. I grew up in a time when shows like He-Man and The Masters Of The Universe was everywhere and everything to kids. I remembered asking my parents to go to Toys R Us back then to pick up my favorite character’s action figures. This was also true for shows like G.I. Joe and Robotech. They gripped my imagination in ways that they still d. Eventually, those shows faded into memory and newer shows would take their place.

We went from watching shows like those mentioned on Saturdays to watching after school every day. One of my favorites being Gargoyles and the another being Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I found out The Turtles’ stories were much darker in the comics and actually were a precursor for Marvel MAX in so many ways. The creators of these beloved characters return in a story that only they can put together. Now, the hit debut gets a “director’s cut” in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin Director’s Cut #1.

We are taken to the not distant future, where NYC is deeply polluted, and human survival is pretty scarce, where we find Michaelangelo, without his brothers and Master Splinter, who all have died because of some mysterious circumstances. As Michaelangelo makes his way through what used to be his home, the sewers, he is met by fully integrated robotic security, as a man named Oroku Hiroto, the master of The Foot Clan, who now rules what used to be known as New York City. As Michaelangelo dismantles the security every step of the way, he gets closer to Hiroto’s lair, as Hiroto uses every contingency to delay Michaelangelo’s progress. By the issue’s end, before Michaelangelo can get any further, he gets badly injured, by Hiroto’s security, and gets aided by an old friend.

The comic is an expanded first issue. It not only comes with the excellent story but now also features notes about the comic itself. Expanded material features script information, sketches for characters, and rough page layouts. They add to the depth and excitement of the series.

Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin Director’s Cut #1 is a timely yet worthy story added to TMNT’s canon, while this edition, gives fans a peak into the creative teams’ process, and more than elevates the franchise. The story by the creative team is harrowing and powerful. The art by the creative team is beautiful. Altogether, probably one of the best books of 2020, and with this edition, gets the Criterion Collection treatment for comic books.

Story:  Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Tom Waltz Script: Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman
Layouts: Kevin Eastman Pencils/inks: Esau Escorza, Isaac Escorza Page 39 art: Ben Bishop
Colors: Luis Antonio Delgado Color Assistance: Samuel Plata Letters: Shawn Lee
Edits: Bobby Curnow Additional Editorial coordination: R.G. Llarena
Story: 9.7 Art: 9.8 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics

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