Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #12
From IDW Publishing
A big end to this arc for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - will things be the same for the brothers in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #12 from IDW Publishing?
After 12 issues of being ripped apart, accused of murder, and tried as villains, the Turtles fight to clear their names and heal their family. Nothing stands between them and freedom — except a threat unlike any they’ve faced!
by Jason Aaron (Author), Juan Ferreyra (Artist)
It’s all been leading up to this moment, and this issue has a lot going on!
From the first few pages, we’re thrown straight into the chaos following Hale’s mutation. The fallout is immediate and intense, with the Turtles doing everything they can to contain the situation before it spirals out of control. This section of the story moves at a breakneck pace, yet it never loses sight of character. Each of the brothers gets their moment to shine—whether it’s through quick thinking, combat skill, or how they interact under pressure. It’s a real showcase of who they are individually and as a team.
Meanwhile, in the shadows, other story threads start to come together—or unravel—depending on your point of view. Karai’s mysterious use of the mystic arts continues behind closed doors, and while her plans don’t unfold quite the way she intends, the results are far from disappointing. In fact, the unexpected outcome adds a compelling new wrinkle to her character and sets up an intriguing path for The Foot Clan moving forward. If the pacing and tone of previous issues are any indication, we’re in for a slow, deliberate build that will pay off beautifully down the line.
The reunification of the brothers is another strong point in this issue. It feels earned and natural, with each Turtle’s unique personality front and centre. They don’t all see eye to eye—because they shouldn’t—and that tension feels authentic. Even when things don’t go as planned, you can sense that something deeper binds them together again. A maturity here balances well with the chaos of the action scenes.
The artwork continues to impress. Thanks to the expressive linework and strong sense of motion, you could easily tell each turtle apart even in pure black and white. But the colours elevate everything—the tones are rich, the lighting dynamic, and it all works together to heighten the emotion and energy of the story. The creative team is firing on all cylinders.
By the end, we’re left with a new status quo and plenty to unpack moving forward. The pieces are shifting, alliances are tested, and the world of the Turtles feels as alive and unpredictable as ever. It’s a satisfying issue that both delivers on what’s come before and lays exciting groundwork for what’s next.
In short, most excellent!
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