The urban jungles of Gotham and NYC are safer especially now that Batman and the TMNT are promised to be returning in volume III of their best-selling adventures!
As the Dark Knight begins to enter into celebrating its landmark 80thAnniversary as one of the biggest properties to emerge from the expanding pantheon of heroes published by DC Comics, the Batman is once again preparing to make history yet again! Just announced this week DC will once again be joining forces with IDW Publishing to deliver Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III. The iconic pairing will be released as a six-issue comic arc.
This will be the third time that the Caped Crusader crosses paths with the Heroes in the Half-Shell, who are also celebrating an anniversary this year. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles may still only be in their adolescence in print, but the fan favorites have been staking their claim to pop-culture relevance for 35 years. Series writer James Tynion IV expressed great excitement over bringing these beloved characters together again and concluding the trilogy.
He recalled the thrill of first learning via email that he had been tapped to tell the tale. “My brain couldn’t even process what I was reading,” he said. “I started having a panic attach about fitting it into my work schedule. Then, finally, I pictured Michelangelo’s reaction to seeing the T. Rex in the Batcave for the first time and started laughing out loud.” The astonishing success of that first crossover, lead to the inevitable sequel.
Tynion IV will now be tasked with bringing the trilogy to close in Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IIIand he’ll be reassembling the team with artist Freddie E. Williams II and colorist Jeremy Colwell on board for what will certainly be an epic climax. “The story for volume three is a blast, and I am having the time of my life illustrating it,” said Williams II. Kevin Eastman one of the co-creators of the TMNT will also be returning to for Part III.
Eastman provided some of the variants covers the first time around (and will be providing alternate cover art for volume III), but this time Williams II and Eastman will be collaborating more intimately (much like they did in 2017’s Kamandi Challenge) in a significantly pivotal point in the new story. “I’m having a huge and exciting personal crossover of my own,” added Williams II, “with one of my all-time heroes and favorite artists: Kevin Eastman!”
Even after a pair of grudge matches that had our heroes first take on the nefarious Foot Clan in Gotham followed up by a bought against the notorious Bane in New York City, Tynion IV is preparing one of his “biggest, craziest ideas ever!” – one that brings all three volumes full circle and pays great homage to both the Batman’s 80thanniversary and the TMNT’s 35thcelebration. “I am so incredibly proud of the series,” Eastman added, fans should, “buckle up!”
Also announced this week Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Home Entertainment, DC Entertainment, and Nickelodeon will be bringing an all-new animated movie into the spotlight! Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be arriving later this spring and will be based on the first volume of the books, also by Tynion IV and Williams II. The feature will be available on 4K, Blu-ray and Digital formats.
Check out the cover art to the first issue of Vol III of BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III.
