Summary

• Get ready for a dark new era of TMNT with the arrival of the brutal Nightwatcher in IDW Publishing's comic world.
• A mysterious crime-fighter known as Nightwatcher takes on thieves in Mutant Town, protecting residents from harm.
• The new Nightwatcher's identity remains a mystery, leaving fans to speculate on whether it's Raphael, David Merryweather, or someone else.

Warning! Spoilers ahead for the Free Comic Book Day 2024 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles issue!The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are embarking on a new era in IDW Publishing’s comic world, and with that comes a violent new vigilante known as the Nightwatcher. The identity of this mysterious crime-fighter is currently unknown, but in their debut ahead of their new ongoing comic series, Nightwatcher makes it clear that they are not going to let anyone mess with the mutants of New York.

IDW Publishing’s Free Comic Book Day 2024 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles issue features the first appearance of the new Nightwatcher in a story by writer Juni Ba, artist Fero Pe, colorist Luis Antonio Delgado, and letterer Nathan Widick. The short story sees a group of humans disguised as mutants, attempting to rob a bank in the Mutant Town section of New York City. However, they are stopped by a masked vigilante known as the Nightwatcher, who lets them know that the money belongs to the residents of Mutant Town.

The iron-clad Nightwatcher brutally beats the robbers, echoing the rage expressed in the story’s narration at those who take advantage of people different from them.

TMNT Has Reinvented Raphael's Vigilante Persona For A New Era

Released a day before the 40th anniversary of the Turtles’ very first comic release, the FCBD issue serves to whet fans’ appetites for a new era of the TMNT. This next era will include the relaunch of the flagship Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series under writer Jason Aaron, as well as new series focused on Nightwatcher and the Foot Clan. The top story in the special establishes Nightwatcher as a guardian for Mutant Town, “Or, if you’d do them harm, a beast of tremendous rage. A shield. A spear. A furious warrior’s hand. All aimed at your heart.”

The Nightwatcher persona first debuted in the 2007 TMNT animated movie as Raphael’s alternate crime-fighting identity. When Leonardo leaves New York and his brothers, Raph starts patrolling the streets at night as an armored crimefighter called the Nightwatcher. In a prequel comic story titled “Disposable Heroes” by Stephen Murphy and Fernando Pinto, it’s revealed that the original Nightwatcher vigilante was a man named David Merryweather, who befriends Raph after retiring from crimefighting. After David is killed in a break-in, Raph takes up the mantle, though he gives it up by the end of the 2007 movie.

Who Is The Ninja Turtles' New Nightwatcher?

What has not been made clear is whether or not the new Nightwatcher is Raphael, David Merryweather, or some other character. Wearing armor similar to the design from the movie, the vigilante also has a bulky frame and three fingers, hinting that it could be one of the Turtles. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s Raph. The upcoming relaunch of IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series will see the four Turtles separated. If Raph is not present in Mutant Town, it could easily be one of his brothers.

The darkness the Ninja Turtles have faced in their IDW series means this Nightwatcher could be any one of them. Perhaps this is the beginning of Michelangelo’s violent streak that will become more prevalent in his future as the Last Ronin. Leonardo was briefly brainwashed by the Foot Clan and became a devoted follower of Shredder. Meanwhile, Donatello has faced deranged alternate versions of himself in the form of his future self and his robot twin, Metal-Don. Or, since Nightwatcher’s gender isn’t clear, it could be the female Ninja Turtle, Jennika. Maybe it’s not a Turtle at all, but instead a different kind of mutant, or even a human vigilante like Casey Jones pretending to be one.

Fans will have to wait until August for the first full issue of Nightwatcher to learn more about the history and motives of this armored hero. But the FCBD special issue does offer a tease at the lengths they will go to protect the residents of Mutant Town from those who would take advantage of them. Whoever the Nightwatcher is, their anger and brutality is a perfect match for the “grungy and raw” feel that IDW Publishing has promised for the new chapter of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The Free Comic Book Day 2024 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles issue is available now from IDW Publishing. Nightwatcher #1 is expected to be in stores later this year.