I Got An Advanced Copy of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 1
and my nerd heart is, like, exploding right now
Spoiler-Free Review.
Here we go, it’s the lean green ninja team.1
I requested a NetGalley Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 1 and did a little dance when my request was approved. As a kid, I had crushes on both Casey Jones and Raphael (sue me), and I was sat for the Michael Bay movies. So, yeah, I’m a TMNT fan.
This volume is the first in a new series and a continuation of the previous comics. The volume features six different artists (Jason Aaron, Joëlle Jones, Rafael Albuquerque, Cliff Chang, Chris Burnham, Darick Robertson, and Juan Ferreyra) and was written by Jason Aaron.
Set after the brothers have gone their separate ways, this series kicks off with a darker tone while keeping the heart and humor expected from the TMNT. With Shredder gone, Karai is the leader of the Foot Clan, and she isn’t backing down. Under the weight of Karai and a new minor villain, the brothers are forced back together—but things aren’t the same.
“There has always been tension between the brothers Hamato. But their differences have never driven them so far apart.”
This volume is fit for all ages, but it seems like Penguin Random House was targeting an older audience this time. It makes sense considering anyone familiar with the comics or movies (ignoring Mutant Mayhem 2023, which was an absolute blast, or Rise of the TMNT 2018-2020) is into or past their 20s (shoutout to anyone who grew up with the 80s cartoon, you’re the real TMNT Veterans here). The tension, stakes, and character arcs have a grim tone unbefitting of the lighthearted pizza-loving standard, though it wasn’t overbearing.
Each of the brothers gets their own chapter early on to let readers (new and old) catch up on what paths they’ve taken. Michaelangelo is a movie star. Leonardo goes on a spiritual journey. Raphael is in prison. Donatello…well, I’ll let you read what happens to him. We get cameos from beloved faces like April O'Neal, Casey Jones, and Bebop and Rocksteady.
All in all, Volume 1 was an exciting introduction to a new arc for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I’m invested in seeing where things go from here, and if the brothers can put their differences aside to defeat Karai.
STAR RATING: ☆☆☆☆☆
From the 2012 TMNT Nickelodeon theme song.
Very cool. You mind me asking if you were born in the 80s because most people born in the 80s navigate to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I am born in the 90s and was aware of the show but it isn't in my top list of shows like Rugrats, Hey Arnold, and Doug.