Exclusive Interview: TMNT Writer Jason Aaron Teases Why His Ninja Turtles Relaunch is a Little Darker
Exploring the Visual Themes in TMNT Stories
I don’t know that there’s a particular visual thread, because I think, again, these four issues are four different kinds of stories. I think they all have their own certain grittiness in a way. But the settings are different. What the Turtles are going through is different. Of course, the brothers themselves are very different. These stories are about accentuating, exploring what makes each of them who they are; not in relation to anybody else, but just on their own.
So I think there are four different kinds of stories that will look different and feel different somewhat. But I think the level of sophistication and the tone all still lines up and propels you forward to issue five, which is when we explore this new villain in a big way.
Potential Crossover: TMNT and Thor
It’s a great question. Yeah, I think I could have a lot of fun with doing that crossover. I think that there would be lots of characters. I don’t think it would necessarily be just one. I think if Splinter was still around, I think he certainly would be able to lift the hammer, and I think a flying super rat god of thunder would be pretty awesome.
Jason Aaron’s Dream Gig and Future Projects
I feel like over the course of my career, I’ve always looked at it like I’m not just chasing properties or things I was a fan of as a kid. Thor was not a book. If you’d asked me when I was 14 years old what were my favorite comics, Thor I don’t think would’ve made the list. Not that I didn’t love the [Walt] Simonson stuff. I absolutely did. But I didn’t read that much Thor. So I think as a creator, I’ve always looked at what felt right at that moment in time and what do I feel like I can bring something to, what do I have a connection to, and kind of gone from that.
That said, yeah, there’s certainly a short list of properties that I’ve loved my whole life that I’m always excited to get the chance to work on. Conan was one of those. I’ve been reading Conan — I first read Robert E. Howard’s stories at a very formative time. I’ve always walked around for years just wanting to get a shot at that, but it was still a matter of time of waiting until the time was right. So yeah, there’s a list, and I’ll still keep it to myself for now as to what else is on the list. Well, Uncle Scrooge was on the list, and I’m getting to mark that one off this year also. But yeah, there’s still a couple more names on there.