Exclusive TMNT Preview Teases A Bloody End To The Ninja Turtles' Biggest Story

From the darker early days of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" to the kid-friendly era that began in the 1990s and beyond, there's little question the iconic franchise has stood the test of time. Now, the Turtles are set to enter a new era under writer Jason Aaron – but before that happens, the Turtles' long-running IDW Publishing series is coming to an exciting, and possibly (likely?) bloody close.

In the current "TMNT" series by Sophie Campbell and Vincenzo Federici, the Turtles are fighting to protect their futures in a time-bending story set in different timelines. Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello, Jennika, and their other allies are working together to stop Armaggon, a giant-shark-like creature who is causing mayhem across various eras, including Feudal Japan where he plans to eliminate the Hamato sons, who are destined to be reincarnated as each of the Turtles. Meanwhile, in the future, a version of Donatello has made contact with Armaggon and is working to stop him there. The story marks the end of the current run and will usher in a new age for the Turtles.

In Looper's exclusive first look at "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #150" by Campbell, Federici, Ronda Pattison, Fero Pe, Luis Antonio Delgado, Dan Duncan, Shawn Lee, and TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman (who serves as a story consultant), the chaos comes to a head as the Turtles' final battle against Armaggon unfolds.

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" #150 will conclude the current series, as the milestone issue clears the decks for a relaunch helmed by superstar writer Jason Aaron.

In January, it was announced that Aaron's relaunch of the long-running series starts in June with a 10-page story in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Alpha" #1. After that, a new ongoing starts with the first four issues each featuring a different guest artist and focusing on a member of the iconic superteam. Joelle Jones is drawing Issue #1 focusing on Raphael, Rafael Albuquerque is drawing the second issue starring Michelangelo, Cliff Chiang is tackling Leonardo for Issue #3, while Chris Burnham is taking on Donatello for the final chapter of the four-issue arc.

Aaron, who concluded his long-running arc on Marvel's Avengers last year, said working on the Turtles is a dream job. "I couldn't be more honored and thrilled to get to add to that esteemed legacy of comic book face-kicking, especially as part of an amazing IDW run that has expanded the world and timeline of the Turtles in such daring and exciting ways," Aaron told IGN. "In terms of what's to come, the kid in me wants you to know that you can expect some good old-fashioned grit, a sprinkle of dark, new attitude and all the bone-cracking action that four mutated ninja brothers can possibly handle."

For those worried Aaron's stories will wipe out the continuity and storylines Campbell created during her time on the comic, IGN promises the series continues what's been established in the soon-to-be-concluded run and isn't a reboot, though the comic is designed to be new reader-friendly.