Media Release -- IDW Publishing will launch a second ongoing comic series based on Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. IDW has been home to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics since 2011 and the high demand for this iconic brand has now paved the way for a sister series entitled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe this August.

The creative team for the first arc will include writer Paul Allor (Tet, G.I. Joe) joined by artist Damian Couceiro (Sons of Anarchy) on a story centered around a dangerous new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles foe — the U.S. government! A back-up story will run alongside it from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman and comics legend Bill Sienkiewicz. Freddie E Williams II, fresh off the bestselling Batman/TMNT crossover mini-series with DC Comics, will supply regular cover art, with guest artists providing sought-after variants.

This new spin-off sets itself apart from the ongoing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series by spotlighting characters and storylines that are pivotal to the vast IDW TMNT universe, while also showcasing fan-favorite creators alongside emerging talent.

"The story of IDW's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is now too large to confine to just one ongoing series!" says TMNT editor Bobby Curnow. "With Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe, we'll be able to fully explore all of the exciting characters and plots that the world of the Turtles has to offer. This series will also be the perfect venue for some of the best creators in the industry to tell Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles stories in their own unique voice."

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe will explore tales along the entire continuity of the current ongoing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, which recently hit 56 issues and counting. This will mark the first time two ongoing Turtles comics will run in tandem since IDW got involved with the property.

Look out for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe this August at your local comic shop.

About IDW
IDW is a fully integrated media company which includes publishing, games, entertainment, and the San Diego Comic Art Gallery. All divisions of IDW are owned by IDW Media Holdings, Inc. (IDWM) which provides a wide range of entertainment products worldwide.

IDW Publishing's renowned line includes some of the most popular comic books, graphic novels, and trade paperbacks in the industry: Transformers, G.I. Joe, My Little Pony, Star Trek, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The X-Files, Ghostbusters, multiple monthly Disney titles, and many more licensed titles. At the core of IDW is its commitment to creator-owned comics, beginning with the company's first comic series – 30 Days of Night. Other notable and award-winning titles include Locke & Key, Wormwood, Little Nemo in Slumberland, Ragnarök, V-Wars, and Archangel by bestselling sci-fi author William Gibson.

IDW Publishing is also home to the acclaimed imprints; Top Shelf, The Library of American Comics, Yoe! Books, and the award-winning IDW Artist's Edition line.

IDW Entertainment launched in November 2013 to develop, finance and produce television properties based both on IDW Publishing properties and 3rd party content. The division is currently airing Wynonna Earp on Syfy and in production on Douglas Adam's Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, with writer/executive producer Max Landis (Chronicle) for BBC America, and Brooklyn Animal Control for USA Network starring Stephen Graham (Boardwalk Empire). IDW Entertainment has a slate of development that includes the vampire thriller, V Wars, by New York Times best-seller Jonathan Maberry with writer/executive producer Tim Schlattmann (Dexter, Smallville); political conspiracy series, Cobb, with writer/executive producer Thania St. John (Chicago Fire, Covert Affairs); and supernatural action series, Pantheon, with co-creator Michael Chiklis (The Shield).

IDW also has a theatrical project in development at Sony, Zombies vs. Robots with Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes.

About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 36th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 20 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).