IDW‘s revamped Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been excellent so far, from the writing by Jason Aaron to the uniformly top-tier art by Joëlle Jones (for issue #1) and Rafael Albuquerque (for issue #2). But nothing will prepare you for the powerful, dark turn the title takes in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3, written once again by Aaron, with art by Cliff Chiang.
In the issue, the focus turns to Leonardo. And it does something I don’t think any TMNT title has ever done before — or at least, I’ve never seen it before. Leonardo, get this, hangs out with turtles. Real, non-mutated turtles. It’s a smart, not-so-subtle way to compare what the Teenage Mutant variation is versus the animalistic, working-on-instinct nature of the turtles Leo meets on the banks of the Ganges.
But it also — and mild spoiler warning, and trigger warning here — leads to a moody, unconventional take on the Turtles as Leonardo contemplates taking his own life.
Cliff Chiang, once again, is the perfect complement to this story. Chiang takes a rougher approach to his inking than usual, which works for the unsteady place Leonardo is finding himself in. But as Leo gains a new sense of self, Chiang’s line work also becomes smoother, leading to a fight scene on the beach that breaks new ground when it comes to the panel structure. This is no surprise for anyone who has seen his work before… Chiang is just one of the best artists working today.
As with previous issues, Aaron is perfectly channeling the best of the original Eastman/Laird era of Turtles in this issue. In fact, this is probably the closest to the spirit of that original run we’ve seen so far. Those issues got very dark and serious at times, as they were essentially taking the joke — Frank Miller’s Daredevil, but with turtles — seriously.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of fun to be had, too. Yes, Aaron is tackling some serious issues as Leonardo searches for some sort of meaning after he and his brothers break up. At the same time, the action is killer, the jokes are fun, and it leads to a crescendo to the end of the issue that feels like we’re close to getting the big-budget Turtles movie we’ve thus far never really gotten… But in comics, where the Turtles belong.
Even if you missed the first two issues — and if so, go and get them, they’re great — Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3 is the perfect jumping-on point. Cowabunga, dude.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3 hits stores on October 23, 2024, from IDW Publishing.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3 Rating:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3 Official Synopsis:
Leonardo is traveling the world in search of peace. All the adventures—good and bad—he’s had with his brothers have taken their toll, and he is seeking a new way to exist, leaving the life of New York far behind. On the banks of the Ganges, he has found a turtle colony that shows him a simpler way to be, but even these turtles have their foes. Leo can fend off the poachers easily, protecting his temporary home, but what will he do when a deadlier enemy comes searching for him?
Continuing this new run of stories by legendary comics scribe Jason Aaron (The Mighty Thor, Batman: Off-World), each of these first four issues focus on one Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. In the Leonardo issue, Jason is matched with fan-favorite artist Cliff Chiang (Paper Girls, Catwoman: Lonely City), whose unique style is a perfect match for this unique TMNT story!