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Special thanks to Amy Jarashow, Russ Spina, Jeff Whitman, and Micol Hiatt for their invaluable assistance.

INTRODUCTION

by Stan Sakai

It was 1984 and I kept seeing these full-page ads in The Comic Buyer’s Guide, a weekly trade publication, for a new series, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It looked goofy and intriguing, and I had planned to pick up a copy at Gary’s Corner Bookstore, my regular Friday stop before having lunch with my cartoonist friends. I never saw it on the stands, though. It had sold through immediately, and so did the second printing. Gary saved me a copy of the third print, and I loved it. I was very impressed with the story, the art, and the storytelling—so much so that I sent a fan letter to Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman, the two guys who created it. I received a letter back and was surprised that they were fans of my own series, Usagi Yojimbo. This was the start of our 40-year (so far) friendship. A few months after starting our correspondence, I sent them a letter with a drawing of our characters. It was just a quick sketch that I did just for the fun of it. I was a bit embarrassed when they printed it in the Donatello one-shot. If I had known they were going to publish it, I would have done a much better drawing. However, it does have the distinction of being the first TMNT/Usagi crossover.

The first time we met in person was at the 1985 San Diego Comic-Con held at the old Convention Center. We hit it off immediately. It was at another San Diego con that Peter invited me to have Usagi appear in the TMNT cartoons and merchandise line. A samurai rabbit and ninja turtles: opposites but they melded well together.

Later they asked if I would bring my series over to their publishing company, Mirage Studios. That relationship began with a miniseries then evolved to the point that I brought over my flagship series, Peter and Kevin were very hands on, and for a while, I was flying cross-country every couple months to visit them and the folks at Mirage. I always looked forward to those trips and to seeing the friends I made there. On one trip, Peter lent me one of his Segways, a very new device back then, and we had fun scooting around town. My kids, Hannah and Matthew, enjoyed that I always came back with a suitcase full of Turtles merchandise! Our publishing relationship ended with the downturn in the industry coupled with damage to their studio that forced Mirage to cut way back on their publishing projects.

We lost touch for a while because we were busy with our individual projects, but whenever we got together it felt as if those intervening years had never passed and we had last seen each other just a week ago. Some friendships are like that.

Now we’re celebrating more than 40 years of our creations. Last Ronin was an amazing story, and this sequel even more so. Tom, Esau, Isaac, Ben, Luis, and Shawn did a great job carrying on your legacy. Congratulations, guys! Of all the people I know, you two truly deserve your success. I am thankful for your kindness and generosity throughout the years, and even more grateful for your friendship.

I did eventually get a copy of the TMNT first printing. It was given to me by Peter, and both he and Kevin signed and sketched in it. What a treasure!

art and colors by ESAU & ISAAC ESCORZA

art by ESAU & ISAAC ESCORZA colors by LUIS ANTONIO DELGADO

art by LUIS ANTONIO DELGADO

art by KEVIN EASTMAN colors by FAHRIZA KAMAPUTRA

art and colors by J. GONZO

art and colors by BEN BISHOP

art by FREDDIE E. WILLIAMS II colors by ANDREW DALHOUSE

art and colors by SANFORD GREENE

art and colors by GAVIN SMITH

art by JOE PRADO colors by FABI MARQUES

art and colors by VINCENZO FEDERICI

More than a decade after the Last Ronin defeated the Foot Clan, New York City finds itself in a state of steady decline. Now, the disparate gangs vie for economic and political control, and the ensuing chaos is taking its toll. It’s clear to Casey Marie that if something isn’t done soon, the city she knows and loves will be lost forever. So, whether they’re ready or not, she and her young pupils must raise a new coalition and lead the charge to keep the peace. Witness the rise of the next generation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as they fight to restore peace to the streets they live below!

Legendary TMNT co-creator

Esau Escorza, Isaac Escorza, and

The Last Ronin, reassembling the acclaimed creative team from the original bestseller!

“A bold new future for the TMNT universe.”

Screen Rant

“Longtime Turtle fans will definitely be in for a treat, while newcomers to the franchise might find their new favorite characters in this second generation of Turtles.” —AIPT