IDW announce a new mini-series for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles titled Shredder in Hell. Originally published in 1984 as a parody of Daredevil, the Heroes in a Half-shell took a brief hiatus after being sold to Nickelodeon in 2009. They were revived into 2011, by original co-creator Kevin Eastman. Along with Tom Waltz, and Dan Duncan, the origins of the characters were reimagined. Not by taking Bane's Venom in the Batverse, but by now including human-based past-lives that dated back to feudal Japan. Master Splinter, most prominently, was revealed to be the reincarnation of Hamato Yoshi, a warrior who believed his reincarnation was a result of a prayer that he could face his enemies again. Supporting characters such as April O'Neil and Casey Jones were also redesigned to have slightly different, if not quite-so-far-reaching, backstories.
In 2013, Secret History of the Foot Clan, a four-part mini-series was published, detailing the new origins of the nefarious ninja organization. Written and drawn by Mateus Santolouco, the series offered a new action-packed adventure for Leonard, Donatello, Raphael, and Michaelangelo to deal with. All the while expanding on a new backstory and expanded mythology of Splinter and the iconic, villainous Shredder.
Related: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Redesigned The TMNT
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder in Hell, as revealed by IDW, will serve as a direct follow-up. With Santolouco once again returning to pen both the story and the art, the new five-issue series will explore the sinister forces behind the IDW Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle universe. It will also allow fans to see TMNT's greatest villain life never before. Check out the official synopsis and cover art for issue one below:
Shredder in Hell, the latest chapter in IDW’s groundbreaking TMNT saga, sinks into the nightmarish pits of the afterlife, where the infamous leader of the Foot Clan struggles to survive. In the process, Shredder discovers his true purpose… as well as the origins of the great beings responsible for both destruction and creation in his world.
As any fan, or detractor, of the MCU would tell you, villains are infinitely better and more compelling when they have layers. Therefore, it can only be a good thing for TMNT fans that Shredder is getting a little bit more spotlight and opportunity for nuance. It's something that Santolouco clearly agrees with, stating that he is both "humble" and "thankful" to be adding layers to the character. Offering fans a better understanding of his fears and ambitions will serve to make the character feel all the more human. This will not only make him an even stronger force for the TMNT to face, but also a more compelling character for fans to behold.
Five years after the original mini-series, Santolouco is reportedly no longer just coming into his own but working at a masterclass level. According to Group Editor Bobby Curnow, "the art he is producing is unreal, and the story is surprisingly deep and reaches to the core of IDW’s TMNT universe."
Fans will be able to see for themselves, when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder in Hell hits shelves in early 2019.