Jason Aaron and Juan Ferreyra ended their twelve-issue run on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on a high note. Now it is Gene Luen Yang and Freddie E. William II time to take the baton and run with the Ninja Turtles world left for them. There are a lot of high expectations that need to be met. That is simply because of how well received both volumes of IDW’s TMNT have been received. We got a chance to check out an early copy of Yang and William’s first issue thanks to IDW Publishing. Find out how it starts with our advanced review of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Gene Luen Yang
Artist: Freddie E. Williams II
Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse
Letterer: Shawn Lee
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #13 SOLICITATION
“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!” – IDW Publishing
HIGHLIGHTS FROM TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #13
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Public Hero Status
Gene Luen Yang and Freddie E. Williams II do not miss a beat continuing where Jason Aaron and Juan Ferreyra left off. This is very much a continuation from where we last saw the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Specifically, when it comes to their new status quo as New York City’s public heroes. By running with this direction Yang and Williams are able to craft a new starting point that has them moving forward. At the same time, they make sure their approach to the current status quo can welcome new readers that may have missed Aaron and Ferreyra’s run.
Magic Factoring Into the Action
A big part of the TMNT’s new status quo being explored is how the mystical side is factoring. Yang and Williams double down on that with the new threats the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are taking on. Williams does a great job at using the use of the mystical side of the franchise’s mythos to mix things up on the action front. It gives a whole new sense to the power behind the action that gets you excited to see what else Williams will do in the future.
April O’Neil the Series Constant
April O’Neil has been effectively reestablished as the key supporting cast member for the series. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13 drives that home with April’s interaction with the Turtles. Their chemistry is so natural that it does not matter how much screen time April gets because it is all effective. Especially as there are clear sub-plots set-up for the important role April will continue to serve moving forward
Previous Hook Ending Impact on Future Direction
The hook ending that Aaron and Ferreyra left their creative run on is followed up on in a big way. Yang and Williams drive home how game changing that surprise ending is having. The way it is followed up on established the immense potential there is in it. There are so many layers to it that we could really see this development go in so many different directions. Especially with how Karai factors into everything going on.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK IN TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #13
Lack of Universe Turtles Design
For as great as Williams’ artwork is it did leave me wishing he wouldn’t have gone with the same bulky design for Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo. It does so much for the series when the character designs for the four Turtles has physical differences. The only thing we get of that from Williams’ design is Donatello’s metal shell. This is something that is very nitpicky and preference thing that does not get in the way of the overall narrative.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13 is fantastic start to Gene Luen Yang and Freddie E. Williams II’s creative run. They do a great job tapping into the potential in the foundation left to them by their predecessors. Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo being public heroes does a lot for what their dynamic is with each other and the world around them. The added big developments that they are not aware of adds another level of intrigue in what will happen in this series moving forward. Everything that happens in TMNT #13 drives home why this continues to be a must-read series.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
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