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I loved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as a kid so much and I was so happy to be able to read this one. I absolutely loved it. Thank you so much!!!

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 1: Return to New York is a gritty kick-off to a new series, perfect for fans looking to return to the classic comic book style with ne,w beautiful graphics, a deep emotional storyline, and the jabs of the humor TMNT is known for.

Master Splinter is gone, and our four heroes have gone their separate ways. Raphael is in prison. Michaelangelo is a TV star. Leonardo is on a trek for peace and balance. Donatello is trapped in a mutant zoo where rich men come to fight prisoners for a thrill. When the Foot Soldiers, under the leadership of Karai, begin to seep back into their lives, the turtles must try to shake off the hardships and, for some, literal restraints of their new lives to survive.

Volume one has beautiful art (from a team of six fantastic artists), fan favorites, and a storyline that balances humor and darkness in a way that long-time fans are familiar with and will enjoy. Please note that this is aimed towards a more mature fanbase, so I would recommend making sure that you are comfortable with the content before sharing with young TMNT fans.

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2 1/2 ⭐️

I wanted to start this review by saying I was a massive fan of the original IDW run of TMNT it was a core part of my childhood going to the comic-book shop every week for the latest issue. Despite me not having read an IDW TMNT comic in a good 10 years, this was a perfect reintroduction to the world.

I found the beginning of the collection to be rather slow, it peaked interest for the beginning but towards the middle I found the format of learning about the turtles every movement individually to have become rather repetitive. However the second half of this collection everything had come together and it had the same feel that I remembered from when I was younger.

Overall this collection brought me a ton of nostalgia and I hope to read the next in the series as despite it having a slow start I have much hope for the series, especially after that cliffhanger.

#TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesVol1ReturnToNewYork #NetGalley

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really liked it, stuck with me & would recommend
Being a TMNT novice, I really liked this book and didn't feel lost not knowing all the backstories of everything about everything. I enjoyed how it started with the brothers separate stories and how they find their ways back to each other.

I like the writing and the artwork and have recommended this to other people already.

Thank you to IDW Publishing, NetGalley, and author Jason Aaron, for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Vol. 1: Return to New York is out June 24, 2025.

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Since I was a child in the 90’s I’ve loved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) be it the live action movies, the tv series or comics. I loved consuming media with the half-shell heroes so I was more than excited to see a new comic series starting. The blurb promises this is the perfect starting point for new fans and while that is 100% correct I know that fans new and old will love this one.
I loved the set up, seeing the brothers in separate situations and living very different lives. Each path the turtles find themselves on fit the characters perfectly, I particularly loved Mikey’s one. This first volume offers the perfect start, showcasing each turtle and their personality traits and leaving you hanging and needing volume two right away.
The line work, art and colouring is fantastic and really adds to the story. It’s a nice mix of dark and gritty and the old school TMNT vibes you can expect. I loved the exploration of how they will cope without Splinter, their father, and I loved (and also hated) how poor Donatello is taking the loss of their mentor. There is also a nice balance of text to graphics on the panel, laid out clearly with a nice flow.
This is definitely a must read for TMNT new and old. You will not be disappointed at all. Well, you might be left needing volume two right away but other than that it’s an easy hit!
As always thank you to IDW Publishing for the advanced copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.
#JasonAaron #TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles #ReturnToNewYork #TMNT #Netgalley #IDWPublishing #ARC #ARCReview #BookReview #FreeReview #AdPR #Gifted

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IDW is known for its licensed comic book adaptations of films, television shows, video games, and cartoons, but none bigger than Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. There has been some great stuff to come out of IDW’s TMNT comics over 14 years, fans were especially excited when it was announced last year that Jason Aaron would be writing the main series.

While this isn’t a full-blown reboot, as there are a few references to the previous run by Sophie Campbell, this is meant to be a fresh start for new readers to get into. But instead of opening with the Heroes in a Half-Shell together as a family, each of the first four issues showcase what the Turtles have been doing individually following their departure. No doubt the involvement of Aaron attracted the attention of big-name artists, each of whom get their own issue to draw.

Starting with Joëlle Jones drawing the first issue, we see Raphael is in prison. The second issue, drawn by Rafael Albuquerque, shows Michelangelo living in Tokyo, where he’s become a TV star. Cliff Chiang draws the third issue where Leonardo travels the world in search of peace. As for Donatello, he is trapped in a mutant zoo and forced to fight rich men looking for a thrill, as seen in the Chris Burnham-drawn fourth issue. From an artistic standpoint, all these artists lean hard into their sensibilities, proving that any one of them could have their own TMNT run, which makes it a little frustrating that these issues may be the only times they will be involved in the book.

This is not the first time we have seen the Turtles off living their separate lives and eventually get back together, as that was the premise of Kevin Munroe’s animated TMNT movie from 2007. However, Aaron nails the individual voices of the Turtles with each issue having a great deal of narration. Whilst we all know that Raph is driven by anger and even he knows this, there is some surprising characterization from the likes of Michelangelo, who felt abandoned and thus harbors resentment towards his older brothers.

While the issues showcase a situation that you can see each of the Turtles being in, based on their personalities, even with the realization that they are truly alone, the most shocking character arc goes to Donatello. Donnie is put through the wringer in his issue, from wandering through the woods like a homeless person, to becoming a combatant in an illegal ring where mutants are being forced to play. As his body gets banged up and his mind becomes more disheveled, the only solace Donnie can find is a rat he takes care for, who thinks is their late father Splinter.

With each issue having an action sequence that feature Foot ninjas, it isn’t until the fifth issue where we find out what is really going on with the Foot Clan, which has a change in management. Under the influence of Oroku Karai, we see Hieronymus Hale’s rise of power as a corrupt politician who uses his connections with the Foot Clan to rule New York after living a dark past that is defined by ignorance, tragedy and eventual hatred towards mutants. With Darick Robertson bringing his signature style of grit, you get a gritty, fight sequence involving everyone’s favorite hockey mask-wearing vigilante Casey Jones.

Aaron’s back-to-basics approach is most apparent is the final issue, which sees the four brothers returning to the sewers of the city they grew up in. While that familiarity of seeing them together is delightful for longtime fans, it is very clear that they are not all in sync as there are problems that need to resolve if they are going to stop this new villain hellbent on destroying the Hamato Clan.

It is also here where we see the TMNT debut of Juan Ferreyra, who will be the main artist for subsequent issues of Aaron’s run, and instantly he makes a great first impression. Bringing a lot of detail in his art, he makes each of the Turtles visually distinct from them being all different shades of green, to having different physical details, not just the multi-colored bandanas. What makes his art much more impressive is when he draws the Turtles in action sequences that not only makes great use of ninjas, but also New York as a fun if deadly playground.

Ninja Turtles comics have been great for years, but Jason Aaron taking the mantle is extremely exciting. Aaron and his collaborative artists breathe new life into the Heroes in a Half-Shell, providing plenty of ninja action and teenage angst.

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They're BACK! This summer, the original heroes in a half-shell make a triumphant return to comics! Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael reunite to bring their ninja aptitude and teenage attitude to IDW Publishing in this all-new, action-packed series. Featuring a cast of familiar characters-Master Splinter, April O'Neill, Casey Jones, and more-and true to the spirit of the original comics created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES are bigger and badder than ever, and ready to rock old and new fans alike!

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5 Stars

Not going to lie I picked this one up because my husband is a HUGE TMNT fan and as this was billed as a "great jumping-on point" I figured it was a great opportunity to see what all the hype was about.
I knew that the art was going to be amazing, TMNT has been around too long for anyone to bring anything but their A game to the table. What I didn't expect was the emotional impact that came through scene after scene as we are reintroduced to the turtles.
My only gripe is that "great jumping-on" shout out that its been given. I am no stranger to comics, and particularly super hero properties, having a tonne of backstory/lore. In general this is going to be vital information if you are going to be starting in on an existing property UNLESS its a complete reboot/addition to the multiverse. The issue I had with this entry is that clearly something HUGE happened just before we kick off that fractured their relationship, killed Splinter, and had a new leader take on the Foot Clan and we are given none of that context. I particularly found Donnie's secondary intro later in the volume to be super confusing as he talks about time travel, magic, and messing with metaphysical things. Clearly its fractured his mind in some way, and we as new readers have no idea why.
I did enjoy the story enough that if I get access to volume 2 I will definitely give it a read, and IF my husband can help me locate the right ones, look into the story immediately preceding this one.

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I really liked this book, most of the stories were great, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

My main criticism concerns the timeline's pacing; the narrative jumps erratically between past, present, and future events. I also didn't care for the section about Hale.

For the timeline a better outcome could have been achieved by strategically separating one or two sections into different areas within the book, and it would've been fascinating to read instead of being derailed and left hanging.

Luckily at the end it returns to the present and now it seems like its going to continue with a more clear narrative, maybe it will have 1 or 2 more flashback sequences to inform us on what happened to a certain missing character.

About that Hale section? Meh, it didn't really grab me. Felt like padding until Casey and April popped up briefly. Focusing on Casey's backstory instead would've gotten us to the same place, but would have been way more engaging.

Besides two things I didn't like, I'm excited to see where these characters go (except Hale) and what awaits them in this new TMNT.

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This graphic novel is action packed and filled with emotion. Being a fan of teenage mutant ninja turtles, I was not sure what to expect so I went in open minded. Starting out the four bothers are spread out across different parts of the world. Each has to overcome their individual circumstance to reunite. New York City is in danger and the brothers must make it back home. Reading as each bother struggle and show strength, I was engaged until the end. I am excited for vol 2

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Here we go, it’s the lean green ninja team.

I requested a NetGalley Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 1 and did a little dance when my request was approved. As a kid, I had crushes on both Casey Jones and Raphael (sue me), and I was sat for the Michael Bay movies. So, yeah, I’m a TMNT fan.

This volume is the first in a new series and a continuation of the previous comics. The volume features six different artists (Jason Aaron, Joëlle Jones, Rafael Albuquerque, Cliff Chang, Chris Burnham, Darick Robertson, and Juan Ferreyra) and was written by Jason Aaron.

Set after the brothers have gone their separate ways, this series kicks off with a darker tone while keeping the heart and humor expected from the TMNT. With Shredder gone, Karai is the leader of the Foot Clan, and she isn’t backing down. Under the weight of Karai and a new minor villain, the brothers are forced back together—but things aren’t the same.

“There has always been tension between the brothers Hamato. But their differences have never driven them so far apart.”

This volume is fit for all ages, but it seems like Penguin Random House was targeting an older audience this time. It makes sense considering anyone familiar with the comics or movies (ignoring Mutant Mayhem 2023, which was an absolute blast, or Rise of the TMNT 2018-2020) is into or past their 20s (shoutout to anyone who grew up with the 80s cartoon, you’re the real TMNT Veterans here). The tension, stakes, and character arcs have a grim tone unbefitting of the lighthearted pizza-loving standard, though it wasn’t overbearing.

Each of the brothers gets their own chapter early on to let readers (new and old) catch up on what paths they’ve taken. Michaelangelo is a movie star. Leonardo goes on a spiritual journey. Raphael is in prison. Donatello…well, I’ll let you read what happens to him. We get cameos from beloved faces like April O'Neal, Casey Jones, and Bebop and Rocksteady.

All in all, Volume 1 was an exciting introduction to a new arc for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I’m invested in seeing where things go from here, and if the brothers can put their differences aside to defeat Karai.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

Perfect addition to anyone’s classroom library for students who are into this next generation of TMNT.

The graphics are always incredible, and do remind me very much of the newer TMNT movie Turtle Design, they sort of resemble the original character likeness from the OG comics, but have a darker and more serious illustration. Definitely a lot went into the coloring/inking of this GN, because there are some pages that are absolutely visually stunning from the action sequence. I think if someone was a fan of the original TMNT, they would love this book.

I appreciate how the story begins with Donatello somehow imprisoned and trying to escape while the are brothers separated and tells each of their ‘at the moment and leading up’ moments before they all seek the others out to help Donnie. It gets a bit darker from there, while also retaining the infamous TMNT humor every now and then. If you think students reading about an illegal mutant fight club is too graphic, maybe skip out on this, but for my age range and up it should be ok.

As a fan of the OG comic/show/movies, I was really happy with this version. They even include a modernize Bebop and Rocksteady towards the end and their artistic variation in this GN was pretty cool.

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Comic Review: TMNT Vol. 1 – Return to New York (Jason Aaron’s Gritty Turtle Reboot)
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Chris Burnham (Alpha and Issue #4), Joelle Jones (Issue #1), Rafael Albuguerque (Issue #2), Cliff Chiang (Issue #3), Darick Robertson (Issue #5) and Jaun Ferreyra (Issue #6)
Letters by Shawn Lee (1-6) and Nathan Widick (Alpha)
Colors by Brian Reber (Alpha and Issue #4), Ronda Pattison (Issue #1), Marcelo Maiolo (Issue #2), Cliff Chiang (Issue #3), Tony Avina (Issue #5), Juan Ferreyra (Issue #6)
Additional Inks by Norm Rapmund (Issue #5)
Published by IDW Comics.
Expected Release Date: June 24, 2025


This is the first comic review I’ve done in a while, and honestly, it feels like coming home. I actually started this blog as a comic review site (check out my Popscars #1 review), and diving back in with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Return to New York feels like a perfect return to form.

COWABUNGA — this collection rules.

As a lifelong TMNT fan—and now a parent introducing my 3-year-old son to my old toys and cartoons—this hit all the right nostalgia notes, but also delivered something much deeper. It’s not the lighthearted Saturday morning cartoon version of the turtles. This is darker. Heavier. And honestly? Kind of perfect for the millennial audience who grew up with the turtles and are now figuring out adulthood.

Jason Aaron, who I admittedly haven’t read much from before, absolutely kills it here. The emotional weight, the character depth, the pacing—he nails it. Each turtle has a distinct arc that reflects grief, growth, and identity. And the lineup of artists is absolutely stacked. My only real complaint? The shifting art styles can be a little jarring in a collected format. I’ll get into that below.

Quick Thoughts (TL;DR)
After the death of Master Splinter, the four turtles have gone their separate ways—each dealing with grief and identity in different ways: vengeance, stardom, escapism, or solitude.
Each issue focuses on one turtle, then pulls them back together as they face a new villain—Hieronymus Hale—and a darker, anti-mutant political landscape.
If you’re into character-driven stories, emotional arcs, or just love the turtles, this one is worth grabbing. I’m officially hooked.

Issue-by-Issue Breakdown
Alpha Issue

We start with my personal favorite, Donatello, who’s trapped in a mutant prison—fighting for sport. It sets the tone right away: gritty, emotional, and full of questions. It’s short, but it comes out swinging, and sets the pace for what to come.

Issue 1 – Raphael

Raph is locked up too, but voluntarily—trying to clean things up from the inside of prison. Classic Raph move. It shows how far the brothers have drifted, but with the ending, this sets up a possible reunion, with some classic villains.

Issue 2 – Michelangelo

This one blew me away. Mikey’s now a famous TV star, but fame doesn’t mean fulfillment. Aaron gives him some real depth here, and it bumped Mikey way up my turtle rankings making the party dude, maybe not always having a good time. Heavy, relatable stuff.

Issue 3 – Leonardo

Leo’s story is quiet but powerful. He’s trying to find peace—even if that peace means giving up. Cliff Chiang’s art here is [chef’s kiss] and might be my favorite of the series. IDW, give us a Chiang-led Turtle book, please.

Issue 4 – Donnie, Continued

Donnie gets more focus here, still struggling with grief and identity. He’s saving new friends, but clearly still lost, and really missing his father. This issue also acts as the turtles’ homecoming—and setup for the big conflict ahead.

Issue 5 – New Villain Alert

Hieronymus Hale is introduced, and wow—this hits hard. The political undertones and his backstory feel uncomfortably real, but Aaron does a great job giving him a complex origin, even if he’s absolutely vile. It’s crazy how even in how disgusting this person is, we still are feeling some sympathy for them. We also get a Casey Jones appearance…though not the one I was hoping for.

Issue 6 – The Cliffhanger

The team’s reunited, the threat is clear, and New York has changed. The new anti-mutant movement is the final twist, setting up a high-stakes future arc. This was the perfect cliffhanger ending to the first volume, that makes me want to dive into the next volume as soon as possible.

Final Thoughts
This book has me hyped for what’s next. It’s not a simple reboot—it’s a reimagining with serious depth, adult themes, and strong character arcs. The art is killer, even if switching styles issue-to-issue was occasionally jarring when binge-reading. If I had been reading this monthly, I don’t think I would’ve noticed it as much.

Between the emotional writing and the star-studded lineup of artists (Joëlle Jones and Cliff Chiang are two of my favorites), Return to New York is a must-read for TMNT fans—old and new.

So if you’re into:

Deep character studies of the turtles
Big action and political stakes
A fresh start to the TMNT universe
You’re going to love this!

Have you read Return to New York yet? Are you keeping up with the TMNT monthly issues? Let me know what you think—and if you’ve got a favorite turtle or moment from this series!

Format: Digital
Platform: Netgalley Reader App
Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab S4

June 16, 2025
— Book Review, Indie Comics
· comic book review, Comic Review, Donatello, graphic novel, IDW Comics, Jason Aaron, Leonardo, Michelangelo, NetGalley, Ninja Turtles, Raphael, Return to New York, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, TMNT

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TMNT Vol. 1: Return to New York by Jason Aaron is a gritty, emotional, and compelling relaunch that captures both the heart and the edge of the Turtles. Aaron brings a raw, grounded energy to the brothers—each one feels distinct, vulnerable, and shaped by loss. The dynamic between them is central, and it really works.

The art is bold and chaotic in the best way—visually striking and full of momentum. The action is intense, but there’s also a lot of emotional weight driving it, which gives the book real depth beyond the surface-level brawls.

As a first volume, it sets the tone perfectly: darker, more personal, and loaded with promise. I’m definitely in for more. A solid 4-star start to what could become a great run.

Thanks to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for the ARC!

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This was a great dive back into the world of TMNT for me, I have not read any of the comics before but I think this did a great job of catching us up to where each character is and setting up the story for what this arc will become. I like that the tone of this is a bit darker than I was expecting but it worked so well for the storyline. The art styles featured were also so good and even though they were a tad different from issue to issue it wasn't a jarring difference. The Donnie storyline was so sad though but probably my favorite, though it does feature some backstory that I have not read it still was powerful. Will be looking forward to future volumes!

I received an eARC thanks to Netgalley and IDW Publishing. All opinions are my own.

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Arc received via Netgalley

It was a quick read, not mind-blowing but decent. The plotlines are mature and different than what I'm used to with the brothers but I'm not really complaining.

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Many, many thanks to NetGalley & IDW Publishing for allowing me to read this volume in exchange for an honest review!!

Well, here it is: this comic is AWESOME!! Jason Aaron's storytelling is deep and moody. The artwork, provided by a veritable cavalcade (😉) of talented artists, is excellent throughout. Like many kids who grew up in the late '80s and early '90s, I loved the Ninja Turtles. For a decade there, they were ubiquitous. However, I haven't read any of the contemporary TMNT comics before now. I requested permission to read this one because the description said it was a great jumping-on point, which it ABSOLUTELY is. This first volume of this new TMNT series captured my attention and imagination from the first page. I didn't want it to end (which it did, & on a cliffhanger 😱)!!

So, well played, IDW! Now I'm invested in finding out what happens next!

Thanks, again!

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I have a lot of thoughts about this, and not many are great...

First and foremost, the art... It was fine, but it just made me miss Sophie Campbell's run of TMNT.

The characterization wasn't super accurate in my opinion. It felt kind of predictable in a bad way.

As for the plot, it was way too dark and gritty for me. It just seemed over the top and unnecessary... In my opinion, at it's roots, TMNT is about family. This didn't have that. It's supposed to be fun, not needlessly edgy.

Don't even get me started on Leo going to India to "find enlightenment"...

I guess if you like dark and gritty you might like this, but it's definitely not for me.

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3.5 it was a quick and fun read, I think there are better TMNT comics out there tho.
I really liked the art but it was a bit all over the place.

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This was very fun ! I'd never read a TMNT comic before, so this was my first introduction into their 'world' per se. I am looking forward to what comics next and really enjoy Jason Aaron's work, having read lots of other comics by him before in the past.

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