FIRST LOOK: TALES OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: COASTAL CHAOS #1 (IDW Publishing)
Surfs Up! As IDW Publishing returns to the world of Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with this new installment in the series Coastal Chaos! The Turtles are at the Jersey Shore on vacation, so you know that means sun, surfing, and shark? But this is not a normal shark encounter as it seems like this shark may be a mutant. Now the heroes in a half shell must get to the bottom of this even if it takes up their whole summer vacation. Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Coastal Chaos #1 hits the LCS shelves on September 9th, 2026. However, ahead of the Final Order Cutoff date of August 3rd, IDW Publishing gave us a copy for a SPOILER FREE First Look!
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Coastal Chaos #1 - Written By Andrew Joustra – Art By Louie Joyce - Letters By Jeff Eckleberry - Edited By Ellen Boener - Published By IDW Publishing
Credit: IDW Publishing
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
STORY OVERVIEW:
The Turtles are on summer vacation and that means soaking in some rays and enjoying the beach. Well as much as they can enjoy the Jersey Shore that is. Well some of the group has a friendly game of volleyball going on, Mondo is teaching Mikey how to surf. One of Mikey’s biggest concerns is of course those dreaded Jersey Shore sharks. But Mondo puts him at ease so they can enjoy their surfing experience. Unfortunately for Mikey there is a shark and it’s no ordinary shark either. After describing the shark he saw to his brothers and the gang, they decide this shark may be a mutant like them. Now the Turtles must put their summer vacation on hold to get to the bottom of what is actually going on at the shore.
WRITING:
This first issue of this new run for Tales of the TMNT sets a fun and adventurous tone for what’s to come. Andrew Joustra really excels in bringing this version and world of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to life. This part of the franchise is known for being a little more fun and laid back, and Joustra nails that feeling completely. The family dynamic of the Turtles and friends come through the story and off the page. This positive reinforcement of what friendship and family is all about sends a wonderful message to younger readers. The fun nature of the way the story is portrayed makes for a super entertaining and enjoyable read. But don’t get it twisted, the actual meat and potatoes of the story are still very familiar to the Turtle brand. Even though Joustra delivers a family friendly version of the Turtles, he also brings the intrigue and threat that we’ve become accustomed to in the TMNT Universe. Joustra sets the table for where this story will go and this will surely draw readers in.
ARTWORK:
The artwork in this first issue captures the style of this part of the universe perfectly. Louie Joyce has mastered the art style that was popularized for the masses in Mutant Mayhem and the Tales of the TMNT show on Paramount +. This hip-hop infused style of art is very catchy and draws the readers’ eye to every panel. The character designs feel familiar to the main line Turtles universe but are enough of their own that they feel fresh. The color selection is vibrant and matches the art style perfectly, giving a kind of graffiti quality to the artwork itself. The art style may not necessarily be for everyone, but for those of us that like a fresh look and take or who just grew up in the hip-hop generation, this artwork will always hit the spot.
check out my review of tALES OF THE TMNT #6
Final Thoughts:
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Coastal Chaos #1 is a great kickoff to this new chapter in this awesome part of the greater TMNT Universe. The story is easy to follow and leaves enough mystery to be revealed that it is sure to intrigue any reader of any age. The artwork is vibrant and fresh. This series has been a pleasant surprise, and this next chapter appears to be no different. The true icing on the cake is it is a book that can be enjoyed by fans of all ages and even something a family can enjoy together. Make sure to get to your local comic shop before Monday August 3rd, 2026, and order your copy so you won’t miss out when the issue drops on September 9th. Guess there is only one thing left to say…Cowabunga!
FINAL GRADE: 9.4/10
Let me know your thoughts on Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Coastal Chaos #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
