TMNT Needs to Give Shredder a Spinoff ASAP And We Know Why

The Shredder is the most iconic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles villain, yet he hasn't received the solo stories he deserves despite his infamy. He's played a villainous role in countless TMNT comics, but he hasn't been the star of nearly as many. With so many spin-offs occurring throughout IDW Publishing's TMNT continuity, it's about time Shredder starred in his own comic to explore his side of the story.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have faced off against many villains in the decades since their 1984 debut, from the Krang to the Rat King. Their true nemesis, though is Oroku Saki - better known as the Shredder. Surprisingly enough, this rivalry didn't always exist in the fashion it does today, as the ninja turtles killed Shredder in their very first outing.

Despite this initial setback, Shredder was later popularized by TMNT's animated iterations - particularly the '90s cartoon - and made his return to comics as a long-term foe for the ninja turtles. Shredder still has untapped potential worth exploring, and a spin-off could accomplish exactly that.

Though he's battled the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles countless times over the years, Shredder's history hasn't been expanded upon as much as one might presume. This lack of solo ventures is a shame, since there's so much mystery surrounding how Oroku Saki became the fearsome ruler of the Foot Clan that he is in modern-day TMNT tales. Within IDW Publishing's continuity, Oroku Saki originally hails from feudal Japan as a reincarnation of Dragon Warrior Takeshi Tatsuo, the Foot Clan's founder, and a high-ranking ninja within the clan. With that being said, readers still don't know the full story of how Saki climbed the ranks.

A Shredder spin-off could include an in-depth exploration of his roots within the Foot Clan, revealing the story of how Oroku Saki took over the Foot Clan with the goddess Kitsune's influence. Although the story of his rise to power has been shared through glimpses and one-shots, there's much more that can be depicted with a proper focus on Saki's early life. A series like this could fit the original comic's gritty tone, much like the main TMNT series presently does. Of course, Shredder's Foot Clan backstory isn't the only narrative thread worth pulling on, as there's another with similar possibilities: his dynamic with Hamato Yoshi.

Shredder's Rivalry With Splinter Could Inspire a Comic Series

The TMNT's Mentor Can Play an Integral Role in Shredder's Spin-Off

IDW Publishing overhauled TMNT lore by offering a unique take on the bad blood between Oroku Saki and Hamato Yoshi - who later becomes Master Splinter, the turtles' sensei. The two were friends in their youth prior to Kitsune contacting Saki, with both being trained as members of the Foot Clan. However, friction developed between them when Yoshi fell for Tang Shen and was thus distracted from his duties to the clan. As Saki murdered his way to the top of the hierarchy, he eventually targeted Yoshi and his loved ones for disagreeing with his methods, ordering their deaths.

Long after their execution in feudal Japan, Hamato Yoshi and his four sons were reincarnated as Splinter and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Even in the current era, the Shredder's hatred for Yoshi continues to burn, so a spin-off could delve into the reasoning behind his persistent disdain for his childhood friend. Rather than fixating on Saki's original life story, his spin-off could unveil his perspective on the Foot Clan's expansion in New York and the revenge he seeks against Splinter. There are countless angles that a Shredder-centric story could be approached from, and IDW's TMNT universe would be the ideal avenue to do so.

TMNT's Current Era Is Full of Inventive New Spin-Off Comics

This past year, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series unlocked its full potential as a franchise that spans across multiple different comics, all tackling different sections of this rich world. Jason Aaron and Juan Ferreyra's relaunch of the core series focuses on the four beloved turtles, whereas spin-offs branch out to fixate on characters who may not get as much attention in typical stories. Juni Ba and Fero Peniche's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Nightwatcher, for instance, centers on fellow turtle Jennika as she becomes a vigilante to protect Mutant Town's inhabitants.

The turtles aren't the only characters receiving extra love in this era of IDW's TMNT; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Nation is an anthology series that exposes the reader to various corners of this universe that tend to be overlooked. Erik Burnham and Mateus Santolouco dive into the Foot Clan in the "Casey Jones: Agent of the Foot Clan" story, chronicling the group's situation under the rule of Shredder's granddaughter, Karai. If the Foot Clan is eligible for a spin-off with Karai in charge, then it's long overdue for a spin-off that puts Shredder in charge to see the light of day.

Shredder Needs More Focus as the TMNT's Primary Antagonist

Despite Being Their Biggest Threat, He's Faded From the Spotlight

Interestingly enough, Shredder has led his own spin-off before in the IDW continuity, though it didn't last long. 2019's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder in Hell by Mateus Santolouco sends Shredder to the underworld in the wake of his death, and he embarks on a wild journey in the vein of The Divine Comedy to separate himself from the Dragon destiny he's been forced into. As awesome as this premise and the execution is, a single 5-issue miniseries isn't nearly enough to satisfy fans of a character as prominent within TMNT canon as the Shredder.

The Shredder's history is overflowing with potential for a spin-off, and it would be a missed opportunity to not take advantage of the stories the character brings to the table. With the Foot Clan facing massive upheavals in TMNT's ongoing series, now is a better time than ever to turn back the clock to earlier stories of Oroku Saki shaping the clan into a mighty legion. The Shredder's status as a fan-favorite villain means he's the perfect candidate to tell a story from his point of view within this vast universe. Therefore, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' greatest villain deserves a spin-off now more than ever.