Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2025
From IDW Publishing
A special issue of the mutant heroes here in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2025.
After a year apart and a brutal war fought against D.A. Hale and his Foot Patrol, the four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back together and finally reforming their bonds. But... there are shadows hanging over them from their year apart, and Donnie is still struggling to get back on his feet. Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael will need to pull together, train, and share details of their lost year in order to help their fourth brother get his second wind as they reflect on the past and begin to reforge their brotherly bonds.
From the team of Kenny Porter (Superboy: Man of Tomorrow, DC Mech) and Michael Shelfer (Action Comics, NYX)!
After all the excitement and chaos of the primary TMNT series, it’s refreshing to slow things down and see the four brothers simply catching up. Of course, this being the Turtles, things naturally kick off with a fight—but thankfully, it’s not one of their usual squabbles. They’re working together again this time, taking down a street gang in classic TMNT fashion. It’s a fast, energetic opening that reminds you how well these four move as a unit, even if the cracks between them still show. You can feel the tension bubbling beneath the surface—especially with Leonardo, who’s struggling to find footing after everything that’s happened.
Once the dust settles, the brothers do what they do best: grab a few slices of pizza and hang out. This downtime feels earned. The banter is fun, and there’s a real warmth to how they reconnect. During this bonding moment, they start swapping stories about what they’ve been up to since they all went their separate ways.
Donatello’s story is one we already knew—his path has been rough, full of isolation and loss. Michelangelo’s tale, though, stands out. Set in Japan, it gives him room to breathe and grow, meeting a new mutant and facing some revelations about himself. It’s not a massive transformation, but it shows a more mature Mikey starting to emerge while still keeping that spark of fun and heart that defines him.
Raph’s segment is much more to the point, and it works perfectly for him. Since we’ve already seen many of his adventures in Mutant Nation, his part here is more of a punchy montage—literally. It’s a series of quick, brutal moments that capture exactly who Raphael is. No fuss, no reflection, just fists and attitude. It fits him to a tee.
Then there’s Leonardo. His story is perhaps the most layered and emotionally resonant of the bunch. What begins as a straightforward rescue mission involving a mutant and his still-human brothers quickly becomes more profound. It challenges Leo’s sense of duty, leadership, and identity in a way that clearly hits home—not just for him, but for the team. His segment brings a strong emotional close to the issue, tying everything together and giving the brothers a genuine sense of direction again.
The artwork throughout the issue is excellent—dynamic and fluid during the action scenes, then softer and more intimate when the Turtles have quieter moments. The lighting and colouring are exceptionally well done, with just the right tone to match each scene’s emotion.
Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2025 is a standout issue. After the intensity of the main series, this feels like a necessary pause—a chance for the characters and readers alike to breathe, reflect, and reconnect. It’s packed with great action, emotional beats, and character insight. Most importantly, it sets the Turtles back on the right path, united and ready for whatever comes next.
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