Jason Aaron’s 12 issue plus run on IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles redefined the storied property for the current era. Full of stunning art, including an initial arc art jam before Juan Ferreyra picked up the baton and ran with it, and surprising new status quos for the title characters, it shook things up in a big way. So how do you follow up an iconic run like that? With what looks to be yet another great run, starting with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13.
Written by Gene Luen Yang with art by Freddie E. Williams II, the first issue of this subsequent run on the title seems mostly back to basics — and not in a bad way. After a dozen or so issues of the Turtles being broken apart and fighting, hunted throughout the streets of New York and beyond by an evil mayor, when we pick up in issue #13 they’re not only hanging out and chowing down on pizza again, they’re also very publicly heroes. If you got an unsettled feeling for the past year and change reading the book, great news, you’ll once again love reading a Turtles.
Alongside the resurgent heroism of the Turtles, under the steady pen of Yang there are plenty of new enemies including the very fun (and massive) gang leader, a mutant yak named Papa Beng, and the mysterious, hulking assassin named Ujigami. Williams knows his way around the Turtles from previous crossovers, and ably and clearly draws these action scenes. Mostly, this first issue is a refreshing change of pace: it’s fast, it’s fun, and you’ll have a good time.
For those of this who did enjoy that unsettled feeling, though… Don’t worry, there are plenty of twists and turns here, including at least one jaw-dropper that takes a certain storyline left over from Aaron’s run in shocking directions. Versus Aaron’s approach of throwing the reader off a cliff right at the top, Yang seems to be edging the title towards said cliff… The first issue is a comfort blanket for Turtles fans before things get really wild and weird down the road.
As is, it’s a little early to tell whether this will be another classic run or not; but suffice to say, it’s a solid issue of Turtles that changes things up with a fresh eye for the classic characters, some great art, and (at least for now), a sunnier, more fun outlook than we’ve had for a while. Looks like cowabunga is back on the menu, boys!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13 hits stores on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13 Rating:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13 Official Synopsis:
A new era of TMNT begins! Acclaimed Eisner-winning writer Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Superman Smashes the Klan) takes on writing duties for TMNT! Following the stunning events of TMNT #12, the Turtles face a different New York… one where they are viewed as heroes! The celebration will be short-lived as new threats vie for control. The mutant yak Papa Beng is determined to widen the power base for his gang. Yet little does he know that he and other TMNT villains are being stalked by a powerful new assassin… Ujigami!
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