So Begins the Summer of Turtles

Notes on TMNT ALPHA & this weekend's FANEXPO Dallas, plus my darkest, deadliest secret

Jun 06, 2024

Hey. Couple quick things this week. For starters, I just wanted to make sure you were aware that this year’s big Summer of Turtles has officially kicked off.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ALPHA hit comic stores this week, featuring a couple stories that preview a lot of the goodness that’s to come in IDW’s new slate of TURTLE titles, including a prelude to TMNT #1 by me and the amazing art wildman Chris Burnham.

It’s a story about Donatello, who it turns out is not having a particularly great summer of his own.

In my script for this story, which was the first TURTLES story I wrote, I told Chris I wanted this to feel like a comic that had dirt caked under its fingernails. And I’d say he delivered, giving us a story that makes you need a tetanus shot before reading. A story that very much sets the tone for what’s to come.

Speaking of what’s to come, some previews of TMNT #1 went out to select folks this week, and the response was pretty great. Look away for a moment if you can’t stand the sight of shameless self-promotion.

"TMNT #1 is a bloody good time and a perfect jumping on point for both new and old readers!" — Looper

"Jason Aaron understands the poetry of TMNT, delivering a perfect take on Raphael’s inner life, while knowing when to step back & let Joëlle Jones just go off with some insane Turtle action.” — Comic Book Couples Counseling

"Stunning art, razor-sharp writing and a gripping mystery kicks off an electrifying start to the Turtles comic franchise!" — ComicPop

"TMNT #1 packs a punch, literally and figuratively, with street-level appeal and dark-edged moodiness only Raphael could bring. There's an internal struggle similar to something Jim Jarmusch might pull off, only way more Turtle power.” — AIPT

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of TMNT. I have a feeling that we are in for a wild ride with this RADICAL new launch.” — ComicsOnline

“It's a showstopper! Perfect for longtime fans and new, just be warned you might leave with dirt under your fingernails.” — GateCrashers

"Whether you are a kid of the 80s or started with Mutant Mayhem, this new series by Jason Aaron hints at new terrain for our mutant brothers, while fully comprehending and admiring what makes the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles special." — Oblivion Bar

"The creative team takes my childhood nostalgia and kicks it into high gear!" — Near Mint Condition

“Dark, gritty, and brutal…A true return to form that brings the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles back to the grunge and grit that made them the icons fans know and love today!” — Screen Rant

And hey, because I don’t want you dear readers to feel left out, here’s your own little raw, unfinalized preview of TMNT #1, coming this July.

This is the last week before FOC for TMNT #1, so make sure your local comic shop knows that you’re ready to celebrate the Summer of Turtles.

And as one last enticement, to show you just how deeply qualified I am to be spearheading this new iteration of everybody’s favorite ninja team, I give you the photographic evidence of my own personal history as a devoted practitioner of the martial arts.

That’s me, the real life Daniel LaRusso, studying Yoshukai Karate all through my teens. I made it to the first and lowest degree of black belt before I drifted away. I learned under Sensei Paul Calligan, an Alabama Pastor who sometimes broke bricks with his head. A truly amazing man, with an unforgettable presence.

So I can say I studied with three out of the four Ninja Turtle weapons. I never made it to whatever rank gets to handle samurai swords. But I did learn a few kata for bo staff, nunchucks and sai.

So of course the big question, is, do I still retain this deadly knowledge? Could I kill you with my bare hands if need be?

Perhaps you should just order lots of copies of TMNT #1 and we need never find out.

Notes & Links & Things & Stuff

—I’ll be headed to Dallas this weekend to appear at FANEXPO Dallas. My first ever appearance of any sort in Texas. If you’re looking for me there, you can find me with the folks from Comic Sketch Art, signing at the following times:

Friday, June 7, 2024
Booth signing, 2:00-4:30 pm
Booth signing, 6:00-7:30 pm
Saturday, June 8, 2024
DC Writer Spotlight panel with Ram V, 11:30 am, Theater #4
Booth Signing, 1:00-3:00 pm
Booth Signing, 4:30-6:30 pm
Sunday, June 9, 2024
Booth Signing, 10:30-12:30 pm
Booth Signing, 2:00-4:00 pm

—I appreciated this write-up from Reed Beebe at Medium on my two issues of HELLBLAZER with Sean Murphy from back in 2008. It was a creepy little story called “Newcastle Calling” about the dark legacy of Constantine’s days as a punk rock frontman. I haven’t looked at it in forever, but I remember having a wicked amount of fun writing it.

—This lovely review of the ONCE UPON A TIME AT THE END OF THE WORLD finale by the folks at Comic Book Club really made my day. They reviewed the final issue on their podcast, but there’s also a summary of their conversation here:

Once Upon A Time At The End Of The World #15 Review: “This Is A Masterpiece”

This has been Beard Missives, direct from the deadly-as-fuck face of Jason Aaron.

This week’s newsletter has been brought to you by Enter the Dragon, Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja, Ninja III: The Domination, Pray for Death, Game of Death, Fist of Fury, Karate Kid, Karate Kid II, the Way of the Dragon and of course the Last Dragon.

Cheers, y’all. Stay worthy.

Jason Aaron

June 6, 2024