Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Suffer a Major Tragedy

*You saw the title, right? There's obviously spoilers in here. Leave now if you haven't read it yet or want to avoid spoilers.*

IDW's been doing a terrific job with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. For over 40 issues, the creative team has made the heroes in a half shell overcome all different kinds of obstacles. They've had injuries and emotional struggles, but in the end, they've always managed to stay together and watch over each other. In the latest issue, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #44, the seemingly impossible happened and the team suffered a major loss.

Seriously, this is your last chance to leave!

Okay, if you're still here, we assume that means you already read it or you simply want to know who died (or is at least veeeeeeery close to being dead). Unfortunately, Bebop and Rocksteady viciously beat Donatello and then smashed a hammer through his shell. Yup, the two goons may not be smart or skilled, but they're powerhouses.

Basically, the Ninja Turtles and Shredder had a temporary alliance as they brought the fight to General Krang. The alien was going to take over the planet, so stopping him required an elaborate attack. The heroes in a half shell of course had a bigger plan in the works and they wanted to use the Foot simply as a distraction for Krang. They hoped the two villainous sides would take each other out. Two TMNT villains with one stone, right? But seeing as Oroku Saki isn't a fool, he ordered Bebop and Rocksteady to hang back with Donatello. That way, if the Ninja Turtles betrayed him (which they did), Bebop and Rocksteady would attack Donnie. It wasn't an easy decision to make, but we're talking about the fate of the world. Metalhead attempted to save the purple-masked turtle, but the two villains were just too powerful and they mercilessly assaulted Donatello. Here's the final page by Cory Smith and Ronda Pattison.

It's okay if you need a tissue. Obviously, there's a lot to discuss. What does this mean for the team? How could Donnie return? Will Bebop and Rocksteady pay for this? Thankfully, we had the opportunity to send the creative team some questions about the big development and more! We'll probably have that interview posted this weekend, so be sure to check back then.

I was sure it would be Donnie and I don't even read the series (yet).

After all he is the least developed of the Turtles.

The scene reminded me of a slightly less graphic version of Negan taking out Glenn in Walking Dead. Even down to his sledge having a name like Negan's bat.

It was a tremendously emotional scene, but I have a hard time believing that it will stick. It's hard to imagine the TMNT minus Donnie. I am really looking forward to see how they progress the story from here.

I do hope that this is a permanent development though. Not because I ever wanted Donnie to be dead, but it will have a huge impact on the story and take it places that no one could have ever expected it would go.

This is one of the books that I refuse to read solicitations on as to not have future issues spoiled, but it's hard not to look ahead for clues right now.

Poor Donnie :( He got his butt handed to him. Donatello is my favorite turtle, so I took this issue pretty hard. I'm really hoping this death doesn't stick.

B-b-but....I don't even care for TMNT and I still like Donatello.

He's always been my least favorite turtle, even though his expertise with gadgets has probably generated toy sales with items like the shellshocker.

Anyway, this won't last since he is one of the primary colors of personality.

Well, you know what this could mean...

Cyber-Don

Donnie will be back. In the IDW mythos Shredder, Splinter, and the Turtles are all reincarnations of past selves so they'll likely use this as a chance to explore the spirit world and how reincarnation happens.

Can't wait for the interview to be posted, I think Donnie will definitely be back in one form or another

I would think in indie comics characters pretty much stay dead.

Bruh...

They............. killed a turtle...........:((

Donny is my favorite turtle. I haven't even read this comic, and it's hit me hard. :(

Raf's expression says it all.... and borrowing a line from TMNT: secret's of the Ooze. "There is only one thing next. Revenge!" I am a Donnie fan... ever since the Jim Hensen TMNT movie from the 1990s. This just made me want to go too my local Toys R Us to buy the movie Donnie now... I want Donnie to come back! :)

....

I really want Splinter to kung fu chop Bebop and Rocksteady.

Raph is gonna go Kill Bill here.

Spoiler from beyond this issue. Don't say I didn't warn you!

About a month or so ago (maybe more), Diamond accidentally leaked the wrong pages of the Free Comic Book Day issue of the series. According to Splinter's narration, Don's soul is "trapped in a machine" whilst he cares for his body. It's entirely likely they've put him in Metalhead or one of Harold's computers or something.

Oh wow, a 'shocking' death. *snore*

WHAT THE ACTUAL FU£K. I don't follow the seris andy I in no a very bug turtel fan but when I heard about this I thought for sure it was either Raph or Leo. Dame right in the feels.

Sounds incredibly stupid

While I do not think this will be a long-term change as they never actually say he "died", it was surprisingly brutal, Rocksteady wanting his "turn", the way they had the shell crack, the blood, and the "didja expect it to look like that under there".

Glad it wasn't Batgirl!

Damn. Even though I know it won't last, this still tugs at my heartstrings. <:'(

I call this piece... "Every comic fan's reaction to a major character death"

Looking at Raph's clenched fists, somebody is gonna die or at least get viciously beaten into the ground. R.I.P Donnie.

Donatello took heroes in a half shell to a whole new meaning

Is it to soon?

@abramdaawesome: Yes, too soon :..(.. Look at all those tears

i don't even read this series, but i was a big fan when i was kid... sucks to hear about this...

This reminds me of the Jeff Ross joke on Paul Walker's death lol.

Donnie was my favorite Turtle since the original cartoon. Sad :(

@reverendhunt: Didnt even need a spoiler to guess that. I wouldn't mind him seeing him in Metalheads body TEMPORARILY, they need more firepower to match a lot of the mutants. Truth be told before this issue they've been very lucky with their encounters between Bebop &amp; Rocksteady, they don't stand a chance unless they have help or prep on their side.

Just read the issue. I wish Shredder wasn't being a jobber. And it sucks Donny "died", but it opens some interesting ways to tell a story.

Everyone's reaction was exactly as I'd expect them to be.

I think I'm going to kill IDW! He was literally my favorite Turtle and one of my favorite characters in general ):

Donnie......

Beata

I don't really like major character deaths... I can understand why writers do it, but it's hard to see a character you really like bite the dust.

Donatello has always been my favorite turtle. This is saddening news for me. I have been reading this series in trade and this is seriously something that might make me stop.

Nope. One shot him into DC and dump him in a Laz pit, Not havin' it. S'go.

I hope this isn't permanent.. Because I love all the turtles equally.. I will be picking this up in collected form

Nooooooooo, why couldn't it be Casey instead!

Because the next miniseries is going to be April and Casey.

@xwraith: Laaaaaaaaaame~ We miss out on Rocksteady smashing him like a watermelon for that? :P

@ostyo:

@xwraith: Casey Jones Tomato Sauce. Sounds like a legit thing actually.

@ostyo: Oh gawd...

@xwraith: Put it on Mikey's pizza. :P