"I always knew it was going to be a bittersweet sort of ending." Sophie Campbell on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' epic 150th issue

ComicsIDW Comics"I always knew it was going to be a bittersweet sort of ending." Sophie Campbell on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' epic 150th issueWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. ComicsIDW Comics"I always knew it was going to be a bittersweet sort of ending." Sophie Campbell on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' epic 150th issueWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: IDW) 2024 is a massive year for theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It’s the 40th anniversary of the Heroes in a Half Shell and publisher IDW is going all out in celebrating their adventures with arange of new comicsand asequelto the hit Last Ronin series just the beginning of the treats in store. Alas, this year also marks the end of long-standing TMNT writer Sophie Campbell’s time on the core Turtles comic. Campbell has been involved with IDW’s Turtles range for many years, initially as an artist - she designed the fifth turtle Jennika - and then later as a writer. Since 2020’s TMNT #101 she has been the regular writer of the monthly series. But all good things come to an end and while Campbell will still be involved with the Turtles line, this month’s epic, double-sized #150 marks the conclusion of her run on the comic. In an exclusive interview with Newsarama, Campbell looks back at the last few years and teases the “bittersweet” final chapter of her run. A selection of preview pages from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #150.(Image credit: IDW) Newsarama: Sophie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #150 is a massive issue for both the comic and for yourself. How does it feel reaching this milestone? Sophie Campbell:It’s pretty amazing! I finished working on the issue over a month ago and it feels like it hasn’t fully sunk in yet that my time on the series is over. I’m sure I’ll have a clearer head about it once #150 is actually released and my run is officially concluded. Can you tease a little of what fans can look forward to in the issue? Lots of Donatello stuff! We finally see his “kids” who have been teased for a while, we get to see some stuff touching on the Hamatos' reincarnation again, and we’ll head back to Northampton one last time. Comic deals, prizes and latest news Get the best comic news, insights, opinions, analysis and more! Image1of6(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW) Image1of6(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW) Image1of6 (Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW)(Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) (Image credit: IDW) How did you decide where to leave all the characters at the end of your run? The ending was a bit different in my original outline for the story, the details shook out differently as often happens, but I always knew it was going to be a bittersweet sort of ending that leaves the characters in an ambiguous place rather than something triumphant. What are some of the challenges that come with ending a chapter of an ongoing comic like TMNT while also leaving it open ended enough for what’s coming next? That part was tough! I knew I couldn’t tie everything up because the story would have to continue without me, but I tried to wrap up as many of the storylines and themes I’d been working with for the past few years, and touch on some of the more important supporting characters I’d introduced. There are definitely things I wish I could have done and characters I could have spent more time with but that’s how it always goes. (Image credit: IDW) The TMNT are multi-generational characters, with parents and kids sharing their love of these characters and stories. What do you think has made these characters so enduring? Probably the fact that it’s such a weird “wait, what?” sort of concept, and that the Turtles themselves aren’t human and are outsiders, I think there’s something appealing about that. I know you’ve been a fan of TMNT for a long time. What has it been like being able to work on this title and with the creators of the characters? It’s truly been a dream come true. It hasn’t always been smooth and there’s always things I wish I would’ve done or had done differently, but it’s still amazing that I got the opportunity. It’s still kind of hard for me to believe that I was able to write as much as I did, never in a million years did I think I’d be writing TMNT for 50+ issues, or that I’d be working with Kevin Eastman, one of my heroes. It’s been a labor of love for me. Travel back to the start of Sophie Campbell’s run as writer on the TMNT comic withthis archive interview from 2019. 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review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”