The long-awaited crossover is here!
Godzilla is no stranger to jumping into other universes, with this year alone having faced off against the Avengers, the Justice League, and just about everyone you can think of. In the comic world, there’s not too many properties left over for Godzilla to face off against… well, except for one of the biggest indie titles of all time: the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Announced at San Diego Comic-Con this summer, the story sees Big G as an entity that has always existed in the world of TMNT, and now, has finally awoken to destroy some cities. Can Leo, Donnie, Mikey, and Raph figure out a way to stop Godzilla before it’s too late? Buckle up and get in the turtle van, because it’s time to kick some shell!
As an initial concept, having Godzilla meet the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sounds like the wildest concept around. The Big G and the Heroes in a Half Shell are both nostalgic icons that have had different unique incarnations across decades of media, with each one having a different tone and style that suits the generation it’s built for. There’s some common tropes (mutations, environmentalism, etc.) but truthfully, I didn’t quite see a Turtles x Godzilla combo working aside from just being another crazy crossover akin to Bambi Meets Godzilla or Godzilla vs. Charles Barkley. As someone with pretty miniscule familiarity with the TMNT franchise (I watched the 2003 version frequently in my youth and briefly brushed upon the 80s cartoon), but has maximum exposure to the Godzilla franchise, I was curious to see how the comic would hold up on my end.
Godzilla TM & ©Toho Co., Ltd.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ©Nickelodeon
Please note: There will not be a spoiler warning for this review, as it’s an advance one, so please feel free to read on, as we won’t reveal any of the book’s secrets lurking within.
I’m pleased to say that this book knocks it out of the park. Right away, I was immediately astonished at writer Tim Seeley’s ability to balance tones with ease, flipping between taking the kaiju seriously as a legitimate threat with mythological status and the fun, quippy banter between the four brothers as they take down foes with their usual flair. It’s worth noting that Tim Seeley is also writing the ongoing Godzilla run in the Kai-Sei world, yet this issue feels like something completely different, not at all feeling repetitive or like it’s treading the same ground as Seeley’s other Godzilla work. Fans of TMNT will feel right at home, with this book pulling straight from the OG animated series, with the opening introduction to the beloved turtles feeling like it was ripped straight from your television screen. It’s the perfect comic to sit down and read on a Saturday morning after finishing your cereal, and it definitely evokes that kind of nostalgia on every page.
I also appreciated the way Godzilla and co. were organically blended into the world of the Ninja Turtles. The publicly available solicitation breaks it down nicely – the original Foot Clan was invented to take down kaiju, but has since been twisted into something evil by Shredder. That’s as far as I’ll go here, but it was great to have an in-universe explanation for the crossover, rather than just “Godzilla gets teleported to the world of (insert franchise we’re crossing over with) and shenanigans ensure.” That’s something really small that goes a long way, and shows that there’s great care going into this crossover. The exposition is given by Splinter, so it’s easy to digest for newcomers to either franchise, but doesn’t feel spoon fed to you.
Godzilla TM & ©Toho Co., Ltd.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ©Nickelodeon
Artist Fero Pe has recently been crushing it on Godzilla: Here There Be Aliens, showing a great eye for illustrating kaiju, and his work is no different here. Gigantic creatures like Godzilla fit into the vibrant, colorful world of the Ninja Turtles and their mutated foes surprisingly well. It’s hard to really dissect without spoiling, but Fero Pe’s big spread with Splinter and a few Toho creatures you see in the previews online is one of the best splash pages in a Godzilla comic to date, and it’s in a Ninja Turtles crossover, nonetheless. That mythological, painted style is blended with a very flashy, cartoon-esque vibe, making the King of the Monsters feel right at home in this whimsical, surfer-lingo-heavy world.
Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Godzilla is a turtle-tastic time! Long-time fans of Godzilla and TMNT will have a blast here, with fun secrets lurking within the book. Keep your eyes peeled for some bonus background references, fun easter eggs, and more throughout! It’s excellently written, beautifully illustrated, and carefully crafted – showing a great amount of love and admiration for both franchises. There’s secrets within this book that will reward longtime and dedicated fans of both franchises that we won’t reveal here, but if you’re new to either, you won’t be lost at all. It’s one of the most accessible crossovers to date, and just about everyone will have fun with this book. It oozes joy and style, whilst also giving great care to not treat the kaiju like a second thought or a joke. In my humble opinion, it’s one of the best Godzilla crossovers ever. Readers won’t want to miss this exciting and energetic crossover!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Godzilla #1 releases November 12th, 2025. The final cutoff date for orders is October 6th, so be sure to get yours in at your local comic shop!
Overall Score: 9/10
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Godzilla proves to be one of the best Godzilla crossovers to date, providing a fun, energetic, and nostalgic ride for veteran fans and newcomers alike.
