A question about the IDW Turtles series

[James Hunter]

Hi guys,

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the BATMAN/TMNT cross-overs (I've just finished the third one), after reading the second one I picked up the IDW OMNIBUS Volume 6 which I thoroughly enjoyed and I'm wondering if I can now go to the latest volume without being too confused or how far back I have to go.

In other words, does anyone have an IDW TMNT reading order which includes the BATMAN/TMNT crossovers?

Thanks very much

[jb681131]

Hi guys,

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the BATMAN/TMNT cross-overs (I've just finished the third one), after reading the second one I picked up the IDW OMNIBUS Volume 6 which I thoroughly enjoyed and I'm wondering if I can now go to the latest volume without being too confused or how far back I have to go.

In other words, does anyone have an IDW TMNT reading order which includes the BATMAN/TMNT crossovers?

Thanks very much

The IDW TMNT is written by Eastman. Yes the Eastman that started the title in 1984.

IDW is currently colloring those original issues. I'm reading it and it's fantastic (3 omni only so far):
1. https://www.idwpublishing.com/produc...lassics-vol-1/
2. https://www.idwpublishing.com/produc...lassics-vol-2/
3. https://www.idwpublishing.com/produc...lassics-vol-3/

For your information, I don't think the Batman/TMNT crossover is linked to the current IDW title.
But if you would like to continue the Batman/TMNT univers you can read the current TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: TMNT UNIVERSE serie going on.

But to be filled in with the current IDW serie, you have to read it from the beginning. There are 10 volumes.
As for the other series, I don't really know how they tie in.

[K. Jones]

The IDW TMNT is written by Eastman. Yes the Eastman that started the title in 1984.

IDW is currently colloring those original issues. I'm reading it and it's fantastic (3 omni only so far):
1. https://www.idwpublishing.com/produc...lassics-vol-1/
2. https://www.idwpublishing.com/produc...lassics-vol-2/
3. https://www.idwpublishing.com/produc...lassics-vol-3/

For your information, I don't think the Batman/TMNT crossover is linked to the current IDW title.
But if you would like to continue the Batman/TMNT univers you can read the current TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: TMNT UNIVERSE serie going on.

But to be filled in with the current IDW serie, you have to read it from the beginning. There are 10 volumes.
As for the other series, I don't really know how they tie in.

The Batman/TMNT crossovers do loosely slot into IDW continuity. But they have no specific time-table which they lock into, where they fall in the TMNT timeline, and as a loose crossover rather than a major plot point, the events themselves aren't referenced in any kind of historical way where characters reference "that time they met Batman" or anything like that. Pre-Mutagen Bomb, one surmises. I mean there's major plot spoilers regarding when it "Could Take Place" regarding characters that appear in the crossovers, so I won't get too far into it because if you'll permit me the recommendation ... I recommend the ENTIRE IDW run of TMNT. It's levels of quality are consistent and inspirational. The art is almost always gorgeous and passionately rendered. The long history of the TMNT in multiple incarnations is all touched on and homaged and incorporated. And man oh man, the story is consistent. Like, verisimilitude, internal consistency, story logic, plot progression. CONTINUITY. 100+ issues (more like 200 with the specials and minis) and no plot holes or leaps of logic. Man they have a good editor.

An industrious fan could probably find a slot for the Batman crossovers between arcs a few years back, when the Shredder-Krang status quo was more poignant. As is often the case in a loose crossover, it's definitely a hard sell because the events seem pretty epic not to ever be referenced again, especially by like, Mikey. You'd think Mikey would never, ever, ever shut up about meeting Batman.

The same is true on the Batman side of things. It's definitely REBIRTH Batman, the Batman of the last few years books with his sidekicks in their costumes. It's gotta be pre-Tom King, yeah, because you know ... Alfred. But nobody will probably ever specifically reference it. A million cool guy points to any writer that does, though. Come on, TYNION, you write Batman. Read this thread and have Batman reference meeting the Turtles off-hand low-key, inside baseball. I mean a multiversal incursion is like a day in the life for Batman, so it's less of a surprise that he never brings anything up.

Maybe it's like a Crisis or a Multi-Doctor Special and nobody remembers it after they repair the dimensional breach.

But I mean, Ra's al Ghul and The Shredder joined forces and it was one of the most glorious team-ups in comic book history and we should never be quiet about it.

[Lvenger]

If you want a full understanding of what's going on in the IDW TMNT comics, I would recommend reading all their omnibus volumes, of which there are 10 so far. You can find them all here on IDW's site: https://www.idwpublishing.com/produc...dw-collection/ or on Amazon.

I don't think the Batman/TMNT crossovers are in continuity for either DC or TMNT. New 52/Rebirth Batman is used all 3 crossovers and the Turtles are clearly inspired by their IDW incarnations as well as their villains like Shredder but these events are not acknowledged in either series as most crossovers tend to be. In fact, I think Bobby Curnow said on the Technodrome Forum that Batman/TMNT was non canon to the IDW TMNT comic. I enjoyed all 3, I'd say the first or second one was my favourite.