A Crossover That Feels Completely Natural
TMNT x Godzilla #1 wastes no time throwing readers into a crossover that feels big, confident, and far more natural than it has any right to be. Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash) writes with a clear affection for both franchises, and that enthusiasm shapes every scene. He captures the humor and personality that define the Turtles while also giving the story the sense of scale and myth that comes with the King of Monsters. Even without diving into heavy plot details, it becomes clear early on that this team is aiming for a crossover with real stakes rather than a surface-level novelty book.
What helps this issue stand out is how Seeley refuses to rely on shallow references or easy nostalgia. Instead, he treats both universes as living worlds with history, culture, and emotional weight. The dialogue feels true to the Turtles, sharp with humor and brotherly energy, but it never undercuts the seriousness of the kaiju threat. Likewise, the Godzilla moments are treated with reverence, almost mythic in tone, but they never overshadow the TMNT cast. It is a delicate balance to walk, and Seeley makes it look effortless.
He also avoids the common pitfall of front-loading a crossover with exposition. There is plenty of worldbuilding in this issue, but it is delivered organically through action, character interactions, and visuals. Even readers unfamiliar with one franchise or the other will find themselves pulled in without feeling lost. The book feels accessible while still rewarding longtime fans, which is exactly what a crossover like this should accomplish.
Plot Synopsis: Spoilers Ahead!
We open on a Japanese beach, where Splinter’s master, Hamato Yoshi, and Shredder, Oroku Saki, clash over their opposing visions for the Foot Clan. Their philosophies are completely at odds, but for now they must put aside their feud and confront the real threat standing before them: Godzilla!
The story then jumps to New York City, where the Turtles are already in the middle of another battle with their longtime enemies, Bebop and Rocksteady, who are once again working for Shredder and Krang. The Turtles defeat them with ease and recover a briefcase belonging to a Japanese Professor. They bring her back to the sewer for safety, only to learn that enormous monsters have begun attacking Tokyo, and no one knows the cause.
Looking for answers, the Turtles turn to Splinter. He explains that the Foot Clan was originally formed to defend Japan from kaiju, although even their oldest techniques failed when Godzilla first appeared. Armed with this knowledge, the Turtles decide they must travel to Japan, with April joining them in her classic yellow jumpsuit.
Meanwhile, Shredder and Krang have already journeyed to Japan inside the Technodrome. Their mission is to collect Godzilla’s blood and use it to create a far more powerful mutagen known as Kaijutagen, and I can only imagine what they’re planning.
In the end, just as the Turtles prepare to leave New York, another colossal threat arrives. Godzilla’s greatest foe descends upon the city: King Ghidorah!
A Seamless Blend of Mythologies
One of the strongest accomplishments of this debut is how naturally it fuses the TMNT and Godzilla mythos. Nothing feels stitched together. Instead, the pieces interlock smoothly, making the crossover feel like something that could genuinely exist within either world. Humor, tension, action, and spectacle all find their place, and the creative team never loses sight of what makes each franchise resonate with fans.
A lot of crossover comics struggle to balance tones, but this one never does. The Turtles bring their charm, humor, and impulsiveness, while Godzilla brings dread, ancient history, and sheer destructive force. These tones theoretically should clash, but instead they complement each other. The Turtles ground the story emotionally; Godzilla elevates it mythologically. The Foot Clan’s expanded origins tie the entire concept together and give the event a sense of purpose beyond “these characters meet because it’s fun.”
By the time the issue reaches its final pages, it becomes clear that this is not simply a TMNT story guest-starring Godzilla, nor a Godzilla story with some ninjas in it. It is something new, something that takes the strongest qualities of each franchise and merges them into a single narrative that already shows enormous potential.
Fero Pe’s Art Sets the Tone
Artist Fero Pe, known for his work on several TMNT titles, brings a striking visual identity to the issue. The early pages lean into an ancient Japanese tone that instantly enriches the mythology and adds texture to the opening scenes. His linework balances expressive character with massive, imposing scale, giving the quieter moments depth and the larger sequences real weight. Pe’s paneling enhances the pacing, keeping the story moving while still offering plenty to take in.
Pe’s art truly shines when depicting size differences. Godzilla feels impossibly large without ever losing definition or readability. The Turtles retain their expressiveness and personality, even in the middle of frantic battles. Bebop and Rocksteady look as hulking and chaotic as ever. And most importantly, the kaiju sequences feel appropriately awe-inspiring. Pe understands that Godzilla should not just be big, but heavy, and that weight comes through in the way buildings, waves, and even lighting react to him.
The coloring, done by Luis Antonio Delgado, also deserves recognition. The palette shifts seamlessly between ancient, smoky flashback atmospheres and the bright, neon-inflected grit of New York City. These contrasts help reinforce the book’s dual identity as both a TMNT story and a Godzilla story. Nothing feels visually out of place, which is impressive given how different the aesthetics of each franchise can be. The result is a book that feels cohesive and cinematic, with every page giving readers something exciting to look at.
Final Thoughts and Rating
This first issue delivers exactly what a crossover like this needs: strong character work, clear respect for both franchises, and spectacle that feels earned rather than gratuitous. TMNT fans get humor and kinetic energy. Godzilla fans get scale, mythology, and looming danger. The combination works so well that it feels like these characters have always belonged in the same universe.
With its confident writing, gorgeous art, and a cliffhanger that promises even bigger things to come, TMNT x Godzilla #1 sets a high bar for the rest of the series.
Rating: 8.5/10
A confident, exciting start with great art, smart pacing, and a clear understanding of what fans want. Not perfect, but absolutely promising and a blast to read.