TMNT Reviews - Shredder #10 and The Last Ronin: Training Day
From IDW Publishing
Two Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle-related comics out this week, with Shredder #10 and The Last Ronin: Training Day from IDW Publishing.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder #10
Shredder looks to cement his grip over the Dog Star Clan with extreme prejudice. But the Earth Protection Force is closing in on Shredhead... and this time its agents aren’t looking to take any prisoners.
Author: Dan Watters
Artist: Mateus Santolouco
After freeing the Dog Star Clan from the alien parasite’s control, Shredder discovers that the creature has now taken up residence within him. Rather than simply whispering in his mind, the parasite has become a genuine physical presence, allowing Shredder to enter a strange shared consciousness where he begins to understand more about the aliens, their motives, and the way they operate. These sequences add an interesting layer to the story, showing that this is more than just another enemy to defeat and giving the issue a slightly more philosophical edge.
While Shredder is trapped within this trance-like state, the Dog Star Clan are left to decide what should be done with him. Their initial instinct is understandable. Before everything that has happened, Shredder was already an enemy, and now he is carrying the very parasite that enslaved them. Their distrust feels completely justified, especially with the memories of their recent ordeal still fresh in their minds. It creates a tense atmosphere, with Shredder’s allies forced to protect someone who, from the Clan’s perspective, represents two very different but equally dangerous threats.
As always, though, Shredder is several steps ahead. Even while his body appears vulnerable, he is working towards his own objective, and the issue delivers several moments that perfectly capture why he remains such a compelling character. He is calculating, determined, and never loses sight of the bigger picture. Watching his plan gradually unfold is satisfying, and the story does an excellent job of moving his character forward while naturally feeding into the ongoing events of the main Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. Rather than feeling like an isolated side story, this issue strengthens the wider narrative and rewards readers who are following both titles.
The artwork deserves plenty of praise as well. The contrast between the physical world and the surreal mindscape is handled brilliantly, with the scenes inside Shredder’s consciousness feeling alien, mysterious, and visually striking. The interactions between Shredder and the parasite are brought to life through imaginative layouts and expressive artwork that make these quieter conversations just as engaging as the action sequences elsewhere in the issue.
By the time the story reaches its conclusion, it leaves plenty to look forward to. The ending not only opens up intriguing possibilities for the wider TMNT universe but also sets Shredder on a new path, giving him an internal battle that could prove every bit as dangerous as the enemies waiting for him on the outside. It is a satisfying chapter that balances character development, world-building, and strong connections to the ongoing TMNT storyline, leaving me eager to see where things head next.
Get Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder #10 at Forbidden Planet:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin: Training Day
The training mission you didn’t see!
Michelangelo only has a short time to get young Casey Marie Jones prepared for battle against Oroku Hiroto. How can the Last Ronin distill a lifetime’s worth of training and knowledge into one day? Read the epic tale of action and legacy too big to fit into the pages of the original book, written and drawn by the original Last Ronin team!
Author: Kevin Eastman
Artist: Escorza Brothers
It’s always a pleasure to return to the world of *The Last Ronin*, and this one-shot proves there are still plenty of stories left to tell within its bleak but compelling future. Rather than pushing the timeline forward, *Training Day* fills in an important gap by showing Casey Marie Jones during her early days of ninja training. It answers questions that have lingered ever since the original series, giving us a better understanding of how she developed the skills and mindset needed to become the protector we know.
In many ways, it reminded me of one of those long-standing questions surrounding The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi—just how much training actually took place between the films? Casey has clearly become a capable fighter by the time we meet her later in the series, but this issue finally lets us experience the journey instead of simply accepting the end result. It makes her growth feel more earned and adds another layer to her character.
The real strength of the story lies in the relationship between Casey and Michelangelo. Casey’s personality shines throughout, as she is eager to learn but also impatient, stubborn, and determined to do things her own way. That naturally puts her at odds with Mikey’s teaching methods. He’s trying to pass on everything he knows, but teaching doesn’t come naturally to him. Having spent so much of his life as the student rather than the mentor, he finds himself learning just as much from Casey as she does from him. Their interactions are full of warmth, humour, and the occasional frustration, making their bond feel genuine and believable.
What I particularly enjoyed was how the issue acknowledges The Last Ronin: The Lost Years. There are some nice callbacks that reward readers who have followed the wider story without making them essential to enjoying this one-shot. Everything fits neatly into the established timeline and helps strengthen the continuity of the series.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a TMNT story without some action, and there’s plenty to enjoy here. The street battles deliver the fast-paced martial arts action you’d expect, with energetic choreography and plenty of classic Turtle-style combat. The action never overwhelms the quieter character moments, though, instead serving to reinforce the lessons Casey is learning throughout her training.
The flashbacks and dream sequences were another highlight for me. They provide emotional context while breaking up the present-day story, and I really appreciated the change in art style used for these scenes. The visual differences make it immediately clear when we’re looking into memories or dreams, while also giving those moments a slightly more reflective and emotional feel.
Overall, The Last Ronin: Training Day is a thoroughly enjoyable one-shot that captures everything that has made this corner of the TMNT universe so successful. It has plenty of heart, strong character development, satisfying action, and meaningful connections to the wider Last Ronin story. More than anything, it serves as an effective bridge between the events of the past and the future we already know, making Casey’s journey feel even richer and leaving me happy to spend more time in this world.
