Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #12 brings Jason Aaron and Juan Ferreyra’s creative run on the series to a close. Aaron and Ferreyra have done a great job at giving a fresh start that continues the creative direction for IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It has been a delicate balance that has led to setting up this run to have a game changing conclusion. We got the chance to check out an early copy of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #12. Find out how it turned out with our review.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Juan Ferreyra
Letterer: Shawn Lee
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #12 SOLICITATION
“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!” – IDW Publishing
HIGHLIGHTS OF TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #12
TMNT Monstrous Final Showdown with Hale
As a culmination for their creative run Jason Aaron and Juan Ferreyra went all out with a big battle to kick off their end. The fight was one that was very rewarding as we saw the Ninja Turtles fighting like the tight family unit we know them to be. It is made extra rewarding because Hale was built up as an extremely dislikable antagonist. His monster form was just a physical manifestation of who he was. The fight showed that, which made all the team combos the Ninja Turtles pulled to be even more hype.
Family is Ninja Turtles Greatest Strength
When all was said and done we got Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo back as a tight family unit. Sure, there will be disagreements that they will have in the future. That is never not going to happen. But Aaron drives home that at the end of the day they are family and will be sticking with one another. It makes the ending with New York City celebrating the Ninja Turtles as there heroes a cooler moment because they can enjoy it as a family. Which all makes the ending of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #12 more impactful with what it could mean for them.
April O’Neil Must Continue Being a Constant
Aaron drove home why April O’Neil is a standout character for the franchise. When she is given time to shine she can match the star power of Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo. That hasn’t always been the case as the cast of IDW’s TMNT series has grown larger. Seeing April show her progression as being able to fight alongside the Ninja Turtles shows she shouldn’t be kept in the background. With things still looking to get chaotic April will be even more important to helping ground this series.
Karai Growing Stronger Than Ever
We didn’t get much of Karai in these twelve issues but her impact was undoubtedly felt the entire time. By the time we physically saw her in the previous issue we knew she was planning big things. Those big things are showcased in this final issue of Aaron and Ferreyra’s run. Her dive into the mystic arts make her feel even more dangerous than before. If what she pulled off at the end of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #12 is any indication than there will be a bigger crisis to come with Karai at the center.
Juan Ferreyra Big Event-Level Artwork
Juan Ferreyra artwork made this conclusion even more memorable. He does a great job at giving a different look to the action and talking head scenes. With the action we see the artwork take a unique look that worked to get over the choreography. Everything moved smoothly from panel to panel. The integration of special spread pages added to the way the action was choreographed. The more dialogue heavy scenes having a more typical TMNT looked helped to what these scenes meant to the pacing of these scenes.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK IN TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #12
Nothing!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Jason Aaron and Juan Ferreyra held nothing back with how they ended their creative run with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #12. The action was kick ass with Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo showing the strength of fighting as a family. The rewarding action made the developments it led to create even greater interest for what is to come with this series.
Story Rating: 10 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9.5 Night Girls out of 10
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