Hun Returns to Lead Purple Dragons in New TMNT Issue
The fan-favorite antagonist makes a dramatic comeback in the latest chapter of IDW Publishing's comic series.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Comic Books
Live Poll
Do you enjoy when long-running comic series bring back dead villains?
Hun has returned from the dead in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #23, marking a significant turn of events for the IDW Publishing series. The character has reclaimed his position as the leader of the Purple Dragons street gang in New York City.
Why it matters
Hun's resurrection serves to shift the power dynamics within the series as he seeks to reassert control over the Purple Dragons. As the father of Casey Jones, his return introduces immediate familial and criminal conflict for the central cast.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #23 is the penultimate chapter of The City That Never Dies arc. The comic is written by Gene Luen Yang and illustrated by Fero Peniche.
The players
Hun
He is a central antagonist in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series and the father of Casey Jones.
Casey Jones
He is a long-standing ally of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the son of the gang leader Hun.
IDW Publishing
This company is the primary publisher of the current Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book line.
The details
After dying in the 100th issue of the IDW run, Hun escaped the afterlife to reappear in New York City. He is expected to serve as a primary antagonist in future story arcs, beginning with a planned confrontation against his son, Casey Jones.
Timeline
Hun died in the 100th issue of the IDW run.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #23 is available as of October 27, 2026.
Culture Shift
The return of long-dead characters follows a recurring comic book industry trend of leveraging nostalgia to drive conflict and series interest. This event directly subverts the narrative weight of the 100th issue of the IDW TMNT run by resurrecting a major antagonist.
Readers can expect a shift in the central conflict of the series as Hun resumes his role as a primary antagonist. Collectors and fans should note that this issue serves as the penultimate chapter for the current story arc.
The takeaway
The return of a major antagonist often signals a restructuring of the series' primary conflict hierarchy. Readers should prepare for a significant escalation in tension between Hun and Casey Jones in the upcoming issues.
What happens next
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #24 will feature a direct conflict between Hun and Casey Jones, followed by the launch of the War All the Time arc in issue #25.
Further reading
For more on ongoing storylines, visit the Comic Books section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ScreenRant.
Live Poll
Do you enjoy when long-running comic series bring back dead villains?
