Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [2024] #11- IDW Publishing

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES No. 11, September 2025

There is no doubt that Jason Aaron’s penmanship for Issue Eleven of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” imbues the comic with plenty of pace. But despite this twenty-two page periodical containing a fair amount of adrenalin-fuelled action, it will arguably be hard for many long-term readers not to think that its opening half simply repeats much of what they already knew had occurred. In fact, the vast majority of this book’s courtroom antics simply regurgitates past events from the titular character’s previous battles; “Apologies to the jury, as this footage is quite graphic and disturbing.”

Happily however, this feeling of being somehow slightly ‘cheated’ courtesy of numerous flashbacks and witness testimony, is eventually lifted once District Attorney Hale’s nerve finally breaks and the rotund lawyer makes an ill-advised bolt for the supposed safety of Karai’s inner sanctum. This escape bid finally provides the honest people of New York City with an opportunity to witness first hand just what a cowardly bully Hieronymus really is, as well as show the corrupt politician’s police brutally beating up anyone foolish enough to get in their way.

Furthermore, the sequence generates a much anticipated ‘feel-good’ feeling for the likes of Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael and April O’Neil, as the Big Apple’s population unite behind them as the metropolis’ protectors. Indeed, many a bibliophile can probably hear Chuck Lorre’s instantly recognisable TMNT television theme song starting in the background as the ‘Heroes in a Half-shell’ lose their handcuffs, collect their weapons from the evidence desk, and bound outside the court building to batter the Foot Clan once again.

Convincingly illustrating Hale’s rapid descent into an anger-fuelled madness is Juan Ferreyra, who increasingly pencils the wannabe tyrant’s corpulent face struggling under the weight of all his lies and grisly murders. Such close-ups really help ‘sell’ just how overconfident the portly prosecutor had been when he first arranged the mutants’ show trial, and just how insane the counsellor has come now his grand scheme is unravelling before his reddening eyes. Furthermore, the artist also provides this comic with an absolutely cracking double splash of the Turtles and O’Neil-turned-Casey Jones smashing into a line of undercover ninjas, whilst taking the fight back out onto the streets of “the most populous city in the United States.”

The regular cover art to "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" #11 by Jorge Fornes

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [2024] #10 - IDW Publishing

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES No. 10, July 2025

Whilst District Attorney Hieronymus Hale’s hours long opening speech might not have got a single member of the captivated jury yawning, the same can probably not be said for those bibliophiles perusing Issue Ten of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”. Indeed, apart from a couple of all-too brief moments of action, Jason Aaron’s predominantly sedentary script surely had a fair portion of this comic’s audience switching off in their droves as the titular characters do nothing but bicker with one another, as well as quietly sit through a lengthy show trial; “Anybody know a good lawyer.”

Infuriatingly though, the Alabama-born writer arguably makes things appear even more lethargic by raising his readers’ hopes at the start of this book, that the likes of Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo might finally be coming together again as a team. This somewhat sentimental scene, which depicts the half-shelled heroes embracing one another in a zoo cell, genuinely appears to promise that the quartet are about to make a dramatic come-back after they all “got beat up by the cops.” However, within seconds two of the brothers Hamato are at one another’s throats again, and the entire ‘magical moment’ is replaced by the aforementioned lacklustre court room antics.

So disappointing a decision by the American author really does just leave Raph’s recognition of three Foot Clan members who “killed the warden” as this twenty-two page periodical’s sole source of fast-paced fisticuffs, and even this potentially pulse-pounding punch-up during the trial is reduced to a single splash page. Such a missed opportunity seriously seems to sap any remaining life out of the book’s atmosphere, to the point where even the appearance of a hockey-stick wielding April O'Neil at the publication’s conclusion isn’t likely to generate that loud a cheer by any remaining onlookers.

Instead, this comic’s biggest asset lies with Juan Ferreyra’s layouts. The Argentinian artist clearly has a lot of work to do with Aaron’s soporific script. Yet still manages to pencil some truly memorable visual moments, such as when Raphael flashbacks to his time fighting inmates at the San Quentin State Prison and the Turtles’ group-hug. In addition, the illustrator is also able to imbue the magazine with a few laugh-out-loud moments, with the Judge’s stupefied reaction to Donnie’s extremely short defence statement debatably being the best of the bunch.

The regular cover art to "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" #10 by Jorge Fornes

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [2024] #9 - IDW Publishing

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES No. 9, June 2025

Described by “IDW Publishing” as containing an “already weakened, weary, and a little deranged” Donatello, many fans of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird’s creations may well have felt similarly exhausted by Michelangelo’s blatant contempt for his half-shelled siblings – which rather tediously continues throughout this twenty-two page periodical. Happily however, the incessant in-fighting between the other mutant brothers does come to an end a lot sooner, and resultantly brings a few moments respite from the nunchucks-wielding ninja’s unremitting moaning.

Such relief probably couldn’t have come soon enough for many a reader either, as the brutal bickering genuinely grates upon the nerves the longer it goes on, and for some may well ruin an otherwise exhilarating opening action sequence which depicts two of the central protagonists battling shoulder-to-shoulder against a sizeable army of Foot patrol officers – many of which appear to be armed with flame-throwers; “Fine. Just stay outta my way. I ain’t no guest star on your stupid TV show. I can only deal with one crazy brother at a time.”

In addition, the intriguing notion that Splinter is somehow able to communicate with his students through the decaying carcass of a dead rat, provides Donnie with a wonderfully penned meeting with District Attorney Hale which really strikes home how omnipotent the turtles’ deceased master may well have become. The disagreeable boastful barrister appears to be about to bring a severe beating down upon his helpless, emaciated prisoner. Yet it is the placid prisoner, who quietly tries to reach out to Hale’s remaining humanity over the horrible murder of the man’s parents, which resonates far louder than any threats or actions the loud-mouthed lawyer can utter.

By far this comic book’s biggest ‘hook’ though is undoubtedly the absolutely adrenalin-fuelled layouts pencilled by Juan Ferreyra. The illustrator provides this publication with some truly mouth-watering fight scenes, such as Michelangelo taking on a trio of pistol-packing Metro Sharks in a subway train. But it is his almost ‘workshop manual’ approach to the turtle’s overt infiltration of the Foot Patrol Precinct Headquarters which really captures the eye, with its incredible attention to all the different floor sections and weaponry that is on hand for its black-clad occupants to utilise.

The regular cover art to "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" #9 by Jorge Fornes

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [2024] #8 - IDW Publishing

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES No. 8, April 2025

Largely focusing upon Leonardo’s misery following his inability to save a colony of soft-bellied reptiles from the Ganges River, this comic’s plot will doubtless cause many a bibliophile to wonder whether Jason Aaron actually intended to pen “the leader and strategist of the turtles” as being quite as disagreeably insufferable as he appears. True, the katanas-wielding warrior does eventually see the error of his ways, and resultantly deeply regrets attacking Donatello on an apartment block’s roof. But for some readers this regret may well come a little too late to ever care for the supposedly “most mature and disciplined” of Splinter’s students again.

Indeed, quite a considerable portion of this twenty-two page periodical appears to go to great lengths to show the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as an easily dislikeable, incessantly argumentative and dysfunctional quartet – with only a clearly emaciated Donnie, who repeatedly hears the voice of their dead master in his head, apparently being the sole sane one. So dark an atmosphere really does make for a depressingly grim reading experience, and without any of the titular characters’ famous wisecracks and humorous exchanges, soon begins to grind upon the senses.

Far less disheartening, and much more intriguing, is April O'Neil’s investigation into the possibility of the Big Apple’s rat population coming together so as to form some sort of gestalt intelligence. Whether or not the vermin are being ushered together by the spirit of Splinter is not revealed. However, the possibility of the dead Sensei returning from his grave in some manner is enticingly dangled in front of the audience – and really seems to gain extra weight when Leonardo realises that the night-time crying he has head coming from Donatello’s corner is actually emanating from the corpse of a long dead sewer rat; “All right, master… I… I’m listening.”

Also far more engrossing than the heroes' endless loop of boisterous bickering are Juan Ferreyra’s layouts, which definitely bring a sizeable amount of much needed energy to this publication’s proceedings. Of particular note has to be the Turtles’ battle against a train load of Foot Clan ninjas on a New York City underground tube, as this adrenalin-fuelled sequence really gives the artist a chance to show off how well he can sketch the deadly, acrobatic skills of Leo, Raphael, and Michelangelo.

The regular cover art to "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" #8 by Jorge Fornes

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [2024] #7 - IDW Publishing

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES No. 7, February 2025

Arguably making this ongoing series’ titular characters even more disagreeable than ever before – at least to one another, Jason Aaron’s script for “this explosive second arc of the all-new era of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” probably wasn’t seen by its audience as the Alabama-born writer turning “the volume up to maximum” as its publisher had hoped. Indeed, if anything this publication’s twenty-two page plot must have proved pretty depressing on account of all the Heroes In A Half-shell getting repeatedly beaten into next week by District Attorney Hale’s baton-wielding goon squad; “Little turtle? Haven’t you gotten the message? We own these rooftops now.”

Of course that doesn’t mean for a moment that Part One of “The Sewers Of Newark” doesn’t contain a captivating dose of martial arts and breath-taking close combat. However, once the four brothers do finally escape the clutches of New York City’s “new Foot-enhanced police force” and relocate to the sewers of New Jersey to eat one of the most rancid-looking, fungi-covered pizzas on the planet, the quartet seemingly do little else except argue with one another. Such rage-fuelled feuding certainly helps keep the deadly warriors apart, thus allowing this comic’s American author to repeatedly have each mutant confront a group of enemies single-handedly. Yet it also starts to wear a little thin on the patience once the likes of Raphael begins furiously berating his siblings for the umpteenth time out of sheer frustration.

Possibly a little more palatable is Donatello’s sub-plot, which depicts the mentally unstable turtle tapping ever deeper into the teachings of his dead father, and rather surprisingly proving himself to be the sanest of the troubled quartet. Whether or not Donnie can actually see and hear the spirit of Master Splinter is a matter for debate. But the shock upon his fellow turtles’ faces when he makes mention of their recent intimate, personal failings as individuals strongly suggests some sort of magical link has in fact been established with the much-lamented Sensei.

New series artist Juan Ferreyra also brings a lot to this book, with some impressive action sequences – most notably those depicting Raphael, Leonardo and Michelangelo taking on a considerable number of Hale’s henchmen during their solo missions. Furthermore, the Argentinian illustrator can really imbue his figures with plenty of personality, such as when a wide-eyed, optimistic Mikey attempts to persuade Donatello to give up his long-deceased sewer rat for a live one.

Writer: Jason Aaron, Artist: Juan Ferreyra, and Letterer: Shawn Lee

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [2024] #6 - IDW Publishing

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES No. 6, January 2025

Pouring the pressure on this series’ titular characters straight from the start, it must have been hard for many readers to imagine what more Jason Aaron could throw at Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo during their journey back to New York City. In fact, considering the lengths the Alabama-born writer goes to in order to show how dysfunctional a unit Splinter’s students have become, it is quite incredible the quartet of warriors don’t eventually succumb to the nefarious Foot Clan’s unrelenting assault waves before his twenty-two page plot comes to an end.

Perhaps somewhat surprisingly however, it is precisely the four brothers’ aggression towards one another which makes this comic’s pulse-pounding pace so successful, with the likes of Raph even having time to slug Mikey straight across the jaw during this book’s sense-shattering shenanigans. Furthermore, the tenderness still shown towards a mentally deranged Donnie during these frustration-filled vents cleverly reminds the audience that despite all their bluster, bull-headedness, and eye-wincing in-fighting, the 'Heroes in a half shell' still care very deeply for each other; “I’m standing in a sewer! You call this being saved?! I was about to have my own action figure, you butt-faced --”

Easily this publication’s biggest hook though has to be the sheer grandeur of District Attorney Hale’s scheme to ‘frame’ the turtles as “a bunch of crazed mutants, wanted for murder, [who are] beating up public servants.” The corrupt lawyer appears to have infiltrated every emergency service department possible with his deadly ninja assassins, and resultantly helps provide this issue with one of its funniest moments when an axe-wielding fireman suddenly attempts to chop an unsuspecting Donatello in two.  

Also making an impressive “debut as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle’s new ongoing artist” is Juan Ferreyra, who quite sensationally imbues all this comic’s considerably-sized cast with plenty of enthralling, animated life. Of particular note has to be the protagonists’ leap across the Big Apple’s night-time skyline so as to evade the Foot Clan’s gas arrows. This entire sequence looks set to literally run on for several more panels, only for the “superstar artist” to suddenly pencil the New York Fire Department humorously hosing down the green-hued fugitives with water from far below.

Script by: Jason Aaron, Art by: Juan Ferreyra, and Letters by: Shawn Lee

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [2024] #5 - IDW Publishing

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES No. 5, December 2024

It's pretty clear from Jason Aaron’s script for Issue Five of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” that District Attorney Hale is going to be a major antagonist of this comic’s central cast – especially when Hieronymus is depicted shooting down Casey Jones with a handgun during a cold-blooded set-up. But debatably few of this book’s bibliophiles will probably have enjoyed an entire twenty-two page publication being dedicated to the villain’s nefarious rise to power; “I won’t be taking any questions at this time. Or ever. Disperse the mob.”

Indeed, the likes of poor Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo are frustratingly relegated to just an all-too fleeting ‘flashback’ cameo, as the book predominantly focuses upon the increasingly insane lawyer’s grief over his murdered parents, and subsequent battle to the top of New York’s justice tree with the aid of Karai and her deadly Foot Clan. Admittedly, many of these sequences are entertaining enough, most notably Hale’s fall under the thrall of Hamato Miwa when his anti-mutant prejudice gets the better of him. However, an entire edition dedicated to the new character is arguably a bit too much, and will doubtless have lead to some within this ongoing series’ audience yearning for more detail as to what is actually happening with the four anthropomorphic turtle brothers.

Likewise, despite the vigilante Jones being ‘pushed’ in the periodical’s publication synopsis, the sports-gear wearing crimefighter doesn’t actually make an appearance until the story is half-way through, and even then for much of the time he is simply held captive by Hale’s no-nonsense personal retinue. This ‘side-lining’ genuinely makes the entire Alabama-born author’s narrative feel like a bit of a ‘filler’, with the writer appearing desperate to have something going on whilst the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are busy reforming and getting ready for their cataclysmic return to the Big Apple.

Perhaps just as disappointing as this comic’s script though are the layouts of “legendary artist” and “co-creator of The Boys” Darick Robertson, whose style just doesn’t seem to suit some of the situations penned for this book. Of particular note has to be the super-cute look of the mutant who supposedly gutted Hieronymus’ mum and dad during “a robbery gone wrong”. The hamster-like creature doesn’t seem likely to say ‘Boo’ to a ghost, yet the audience are asked to believe the long-toothed critter slashed the attorney’s elderly relatives to ribbons in their own home.

The regular cover art to "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" #5 by Javier Fernandez

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [2024] #4 - IDW Publishing

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES No. 4, November 2024

Described by some as “the most rational and logical of the turtles”, Jason Aaron’s version of Donatello in “Grit And A Stick” must surely have disturbed many a Shellhead when it first hit the spinner racks in November 2024. For whilst the teenage mutant ninja is still undeniably willing to put others less fortunate than himself first and foremost, the tech-savvy warrior’s mind has clearly been badly broken by the death of his (adoptive) father Splinter. Indeed, much of this twenty-two page periodical’s plot is about Donnie’s descent into madness, as he battles both physical adversaries, as well as the demons of his past.

Just as enthralling as the humanoid reptile’s determination to stay (slightly) sane though, has to be this comic’s central premise, which sees Kevin Eastman’s utterly exhausted co-creation “trapped in a mutant zoo and forced to fight rich men looking for a thrill.” This perilous predicament could so easily have degenerated into a potentially monotonous, all-action slugfest if penned by a lesser writer. But in the hands of its Alabama-born author, the main protagonist is repeatedly shown to be using his wits to defeat his foes, rather than just battering them into submission with his fists and feet; “For months, I’ve been watching and listening, trying to crack the codes to the cells, the electrified fence, the main gate.”

Likewise, the Harvey Award-winner should have subverted the expectations of many a bibliophile with this book’s finale, courtesy of Donatello’s meticulous escape preparations all being thrown out the window by a sudden, shock attack upon the illegal premises by the Foot Clan. This adrenalin-fuelled assault really ups the ante for the turtle and his fellow animal-based inmates. Yet also seemingly causes the warrior’s psyche to finally snap, as he comes away from the melee tragically believing that a dead rat brained by a throwing star is actually Splinter reincarnated.

Also awesomely adding to this publication’s sense-shattering success has to Chris Burnham’s brilliant pencilling, which genuinely manages to impart just how tired and worn out poor Donnie is following his “last trip through time”. Emaciated and haggard, this particular ninja appears to be nearing the end of his road. However, the Connecticut-born illustrator still somehow manages to show a desire to fight injustice blazing away behind the character’s eyes - especially when he realises everyone else’s survival rests upon his bent shoulders.

The regular cover art to "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" #4 by Rafael Albuqerque

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [2024] #3 - IDW Publishing

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES No. 3, October 2024

Despite Jason Aaron’s skilfully penning an absorbing tale about a flesh-eating turtle colony on the banks of the Ganges, this twenty-two page periodical’s predominantly peaceful plot is debatably a bit slow for its opening two-thirds. In fact, its early storyline is so soothing, even failing to heat up once the reptiles’ existence is directly threatened by some poachers, that its low-key tone will probably fool most of the media franchise's fans into thinking that little action will actually be taking place within its covers; “I lose track of how many days I kneel. And the turtles never once acknowledge me. Until they do.”

Cue the deadly Foot Clan, and suddenly all semblance of tranquillity is immediately replaced by Leonardo battling his numerous black-clad arch-foes yet again. Admittedly, this particular fracas disappointingly isn’t actually shown in the comic book, with artist Cliff Chiang seemingly preferring to pencil its aftermath as opposed to a complicated sequence of rapid martial art moves. But such pacing is merely the quiet before the storm, as the Alabama-born writer disconcertingly throws his readers back to Tokyo where two of the pizza-eating mutant’s brothers are fighting for their lives against even more mask-wearing assassins.

This subsequent high-octane sequence is arguably the publication’s highlight, with Michelangelo and Raphael rather humorously taking angry pot-shots at one another during the intense, sense-shattering scrap. Indeed, in many ways this issue of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” is worth the cover price alone, simply to read the two veteran close combatants banter as they both protect and berate one another simultaneously.

Just as successful as the “legendary” comics scribe’s script though, are “fan-favourite” artist Chiang’s layouts. Whether the American illustrator is simply pencilling a pack of snap-happy shelled turtles scuttling across the shore, Leonardo standing alone surrounded by a veritable army of fanatical killers in the night-time jungle, or a room filled full of sword-wielding scum who plan on hacking its occupants to pieces, there’s an incredible amount of physical dynamism on show. Furthermore, the formerly assistant editor at “DC Comics” does a terrific job with his colour palette, making a strong contrast between the events taking place in India during the strongly-lit day and purple-hued night.

The regular cover art to "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" #3 by Rafael Albuqerque 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [2024] #2 - IDW Publishing

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES No. 2, September 2024

Apparently the thirteenth best-selling comic of September 2024, at least according to “Icv2.com”, Jason Aaron’s script for Issue Two of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” surely thrilled fans of the ninja-fighting media franchise with its marvellous mix of tongue-in-cheek humour, suddenly all-too serious shenanigans, and plenty of utterly enthralling action. Indeed, considering just how big a cheer many a bibliophile must have made when Michelangelo finally shakes off his celebrity funk to fend-off a deadly squad of black-clad assassins, this twenty-two page periodical probably deserved to be even higher up the online trade magazine’s chart; “Go! Go! Extreme green ninja teen! Party dude supreme! You are the pizza master!”

Helping this book’s enjoyable assault upon the senses is the American author’s decision not to dwell too long upon Mikey’s high life as a big television star, and instead just swiftly establish the character’s increasing disillusionment with fame. Such succinctness, courtesy of a montage or two, genuinely sets the scene for the subsequent brutal battering the lone fighter faces, without bogging the audience down with any dialogue-heavy, dreary discussions about how the turtle misses his brothers, and yearns to be wielding something much more formidable than foam rubber nunchakus.

Furthermore, the Alabama-born writer quite neatly explains just how so lethal a combatant can nowadays be easily ambushed by having “everyone’s favourite” jokester’s regular convenience store pizza poisoned. Combined with his lack of recent combat experience, this plot device is pretty convincing when it comes to the wisecracking warrior initially getting his clock well and truly cleaned. However, once the martial artist begins to feel better, and desperately grabs a pair of diamond-encrusted hand-weapons, the fight most readers would have been anticipating is most definitely on.

Noticeably providing Michelangelo with a palpable longing for his former heroes in a half-shell is Rafael Albuquerque, who wonderfully pencils the ‘aging actor’ slowly realising that he is fighting for his very life. In addition, there’s a genuine ‘thud’ behind all the punches, kicks and strikes taking place within Mikey’s Tokyo apartment, which are so convincing that letterer Shawn Lee clearly felt that he didn’t need to add any SFX to these pulse-pounding panels.

The regular cover art to "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" #2 by Rafael Albuquerque

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [2024] #1 - IDW Publishing

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES No. 1, July 2024

Billed by “IDW Publishing” as both a “new series premiere” and “new jumping-on point”, Jason Aaron’s script for Issue One of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” probably caught many a fan of the media franchise by surprise in July 2024, due to it focusing solely upon the perilous predicament of Raphael as opposed to all four of the “anthropomorphic turtle brothers.” Happily however, this insight still proves incredibly enthralling, as the Alabama-born author pens a fascinating solo tale involving “everyone’s favourite brawler” deep behind the iron bars of San Quentin State Prison; “At night, the cells go quiet. Unless you’ve got the senses of  shadow warrior.”

Arguably the biggest of this twenty-two page book’s ‘hooks’ has to be the mystery surrounding just why Raph is locked up in the first place. It’s clear that the character has been residing at the correctional facility for some time before “Inmate” begins, and resultantly he has gotten to know the ‘lay of the land’ reasonably well. Furthermore, “the most aggressive of the turtle brothers” is clearly capable of fighting his way to freedom whenever he wants, so just what the Warden’s hold over him is that prevents the mutant from doing so is equally as prevalent in the audience's mind.

Indeed, perhaps the glue that holds this entire publication together lies in the strange relationship between the turtle and Starnes. The prison official is clearly using Raphael’s skills to keep his penitentiary running smoothly - as seen when the super-hero absolutely pummels three potential escapees in the sewers one night. But the open hostility and aggression on display whenever the pair converse also strongly suggests that the vigilante has actually committed some unlawful indiscretion in the past which has provided the Warden with both plenty of leverage, and a locked safe full of paperwork.

Definitely providing this tome with a surreal sense of realism is Joelle Jones, whose pencils provide all the action sequences with plenty of bone-breaking energy and much-appreciated gratuitous violence. Of particular interest is the American illustrator’s willingness to depict the central protagonist being occasionally bested during his fights, such as a shank shattering upon his shell or a blade marginally catching his flesh – something which adds a welcome layer of vulnerability to the battles and keeps the reader heavily invested in the combat’s final outcome.

The regular cover art to "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" #1 by Rafael Albuquerque

Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft Caravan Of Curses #1 - IDW Publishing [Part Two]

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: RAVENLOFT CARAVAN OF CURSES No. 1, April 2024

Whilst similar-sized tomes to this “Dungeons & Dragons” anthology might well sag somewhat in the middle, such an accusation surely cannot be levelled against Amy Chase and Casey Gilly’s genuinely gross story to begin this book’s second half. In fact, it’s apparent obsession with a man-eating goddess and her self-harming cult of wannabe mothers probably walks a very fine line between completely captivating its readers’ attention, and causing many to simply put the comic down in disgust; “You must understand that to a child of Viktal, an outsider is no different from wild game.”

Foremost of these disturbing plot threads is that all the women must apparently pluck out one of their eyes if they want to become pregnant, or, in the case of Hesta Sinclove, consider sacrificing a close friend’s baby in order to have one of her own. Coupled with luring strangers to the village so the hapless visitors can be feasted upon, as well as the expectant protagonist developing a craving for bowls of blood, and this yarn is certainly not one for the squeamish, or a bibliophile anticipating having any sympathy whatsoever for the curse’s victim.

By far this comic’s least ghoulish tale is its finale, which somewhat unexpectedly attempts to tie together some of the loose threads left unanswered in its preceding gore-fest whilst simultaneously bringing the crone’s own adventure to a surprisingly sickly-sweet close. Indeed, it’s arguably not until the halfling mass-murderer Wilkis Nettlekettle makes an appearance some seven pages in, that the co-authors’ penmanship thankfully stops waxing lyrical about a carnival worker’s life tending goats, and finally settles down to telling “a new nightmare”.

Intriguingly however, it would seem that the owner of a blade which causes his own body to be cut whenever it is used to even just slice cheese, is an entirely appropriate punishment for its evil owner. And yet that doesn’t initially seem to stop Shortcrust’s owner from ridding the fiendish fellow of his jeopardising jinx so she can trick him into accepting an even worse fate than bleeding to death. This subsequent, shocking transference of ownership of the Caravan of Curses rather neatly brings the anthology to an end, albeit many within the audience may well be left wondering what crime the now rejuvenated Zhyl committed to have “seen all these years of evil” herself.

The regular cover art of "DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: RAVENLOFT CARAVAN OF CURSES" #1 by Sarah Stern

Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft Caravan Of Curses #1 - IDW Publishing [Part One]

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: RAVENLOFT CARAVAN OF CURSES No. 1, April 2024

Described by “IDW Publishing” as “an oversized one-shot containing four terrifically terrifying short stories”, this hefty anthology certainly seems to start off well enough, courtesy of a truly torrid tale by Amy Chase and Casey Gilly which is initially set within Tenebrarum Woods. Indeed, if the cackling crone and her decidedly disconcerting maggot baby don’t instantly raise the heckles upon the back of its audience’s necks, then the quite literal buckets of blood which soon follow after the “gang of misfits” encounter the blue-hued Yvelda Bonnefoy, surely will.

Fortunately however, such a grotesque curse as having to pour and drink numerous teacups over brimming with ruddy-coloured gore, hasn’t simply been penned just for its sickening impact upon any perusing bibliophile. But is surprisingly central to an intriguing storyline of royal court politics that depicts a malicious mother-in-law determined to ruin her son’s marriage when he falls for a woman supposedly far beneath him on the social ladder; “The true purpose of the gift is removing any threats to your security and station. I care not for that little opportunist’s feelings.”

Far more flowery word-wise, and ultimately rather disappointing when it comes to the tale’s somewhat uncertain ending, is this comic’s look at an arrogant Elven actor who initially appears to have become the prey of a werewolf-turned-understudy. This deadly threat to Aster’s future becomes increasingly bleak when it appears that the thespian’s foe has deliberately infected him with a deftly placed scratch upon his right shoulder, and many a reader’s heart will surely beat a little faster when his boyfriend finds himself confronted by a pack of potential hungry lycanthropes in the claustrophobic darkness of the understage.

Somewhat frustratingly though, the possibility of a man-wolf or four massacring anyone is eventually shown by the Vistana witch as being an infuriating red-herring, after she swiftly deduces the true cause of the now rapidly aging artist’s dire predicament. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the performer appears eager for the hag to rid him of his unsightly, wrinkly flesh. Yet in doing so it arguably becomes unclear as to whether he will for at least a short time re-tread the boards with both vigour and youth, or rather unconvincingly has agreed to suicidally die there and then with simply an ageless countenance for the worms to marvel at.

The regular cover art of "DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: RAVENLOFT CARAVAN OF CURSES" #1 by Sarah Stern

Dungeons & Dragons: Fortune Finder #5 - IDW Publishing

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: FORTUNE FINDER No. 5, March 2024

Whilst some within this twenty-page-periodical’s audience might find Jim Zub’s ability to tie his mini-series’ central plot to a comic he penned way back in June 2018 quite clever. The revelation that Finder’s “true nature” actually stems from a momentary chance encounter with the mage Delina may well prove a bit too contrived for those readers anticipating an origin story much more enigmatic or precocious from the “Dungeons & Dragons fan favourite” author. In fact, the notion that all the gruesome deaths, hapless mind-swaps and head-scratching chaos contained within this mini-series are simply as a result of the Moon Elf’s fast-declining magical powers inadvertently leaking into a Modron and altering its basic programming is debatably underwhelming at best.

What does arguably work though, is the Canadian writer’s wonderfully enthralling flashback sequence of unit F1R’s “tour of the great wheel of the planes to refresh [the] information archives and take inventory of reality.” This lengthy quest genuinely appears capable of capturing many a bibliophile’s imagination, as the rotund walking sphere witnesses dragons fighting against one another in the sky, learns some basic spells, and encounters a giant, multi-tentacled plant monster – which disappointingly signifies the increasingly sentient automaton’s sad demise.

Indeed, it’s probably a pity that the Eisner Award-nominee didn’t use this approach to his storytelling straight from the start, rather than trying to confusingly combine the mystery surrounding Finder’s origin with a disconcerting headlong descent into the recently released “Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse” role-playing sourcebook instead. Such a stance may well have made far more sense to those who were bamboozled by this tale's persistent body-exchanging premise, and allowed them to supportively share the wide-eyed construct’s wonder at the much larger world it was journeying into; “I didn’t just record data like the others. I was actually curious. Curious and eager to see and do as many new things as possible."

Impressively managing to give the central Modron a life of its own though, has to be Jose Jaro, whose ability to transform one of many identical machines into so endearing a central character with just a few pencilled lines here and there is positively breath-taking. The frustration, excitement, fear, and pain of F1R’s escapades are so plain to see on the inquisitive adventurer's face, that few purchasing this publication will be able to stop themselves giving a little jump for joy when it concludes with the reassembled ‘immortal’ back in the city of Sigil, and once again teaming-up with Notitia Never-Lost.

The regular cover art to "DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: FORTUNE FINDER" #5 by Max Dunbar

Dungeons & Dragons: Fortune Finder #4 - IDW Publishing

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: FORTUNE FINDER No. 4, February 2024

For a brief while there’s probably plenty of fun to be had with Jim Zub’s storyline for “Lawful Uph-Evil”, regardless of whether the reader be a devoted disciple of Dave Arneson’s tabletop role-playing game or not. Indeed, Finder’s journey through the chaotic cogs, winding wheels, and spiralling sprockets of Mechanus should still ensnare even the most uninformed of bibliophiles, courtesy of the pink-hued succubus’ desperate attempt to escape the diabolical clutches of Missy Maddyknack, and her subsequent heartwarming meeting with the well-mannered, tinker orc Crundlespike.

Frustratingly however, these intriguing exploits are soon replaced with a tremendously tiresome court room trial, which sees the colourfully-costumed ‘crystal shard’ attempt to reason with the mechanical logic of the Modrons. Admittedly, the computer-like behaviour of this particular race of robotic immortals is arguably quite endearing at first, especially when they march about their kingdom like human-sized, wind-up soldiers. But by the time the aforementioned Maddyknack has inexplicably returned as the titular character’s dubiously-qualified defence counsel, it debatably appears that even this mini-series’ Canadian author has somewhat lost the will to pen anything moderately understandable; “Council, your insipid, incoherent, and insulting display is a mockery of our esteemed judicial process!”

In fact, what follows Finder’s predictable capture appears to have been written simply so the lead protagonist can once again demonstrate their propensity for both dying quite horribly, and then being reborn in a completely different physical guise. This sequence sadly smacks of the author badly needing to find something long-winded to help pad out the twenty-page-periodical’s plot, and simultaneously cause the creation of a cliff-hanger conclusion which sees the “agent of chaos” sensationally transformed into a winged Modron.

Nobly assisting Zub in his endeavour to pack Mechanus with all manner of gearwheels and bone-grinding machinery are Jose Jaro’s layouts. The “Filipino American” designer appears particularly adept at greatly expanding upon any modicum of action found within this book’s script, such as when Finder takes a seriously long tumble through numerous giant gears, or Maddyknack does her best to keep the two trespassers out of the ultimate law’s sight. Furthermore, the illustrator is evidently a ‘dab hand’ when elongating a reasonably straightforward conversation, as seen when the “plane hopping” adventurer just asks the fortress of disciplined enlightenment’s guardians for help and spends an unnecessarily long ten-panelled piece to do so.

The regular cover art to "DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: FORTUNE FINDER" #4 by Max Dunbar

Dungeons & Dragons: Fortune Finder #3 - IDW Publishing

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: FORTUNE FINDER No. 3, January 2024

Despite debatably still befuddling many within this mini-series’ audience with yet another ‘deep-dive’ into the “new Dungeons & Dragons sourcebook Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse”, Jim Zub’s narrative for “Dead To Rights” probably still pleased a fair few fans of Gary Gygax’s fantasy tabletop role-playing game on account of the beguiling duo of Bran and Gris. In fact, the unstoppable investigators are by far the most entertaining element of this twenty-page periodical’s plot, and doubtless caused many a reader to wonder why the Canadian author hadn’t simply focused his storytelling around their tongue-in-cheek exploits to track down a mystic murderer, rather than rely upon something seemingly straight out of an episode or two of the 1989 science fiction television programme “Quantum Leap”.

Furthermore, the two hunters provide the Animex Honorary Award-winner with plenty of opportunities to tell a genuinely intriguing tale packed full of murder, mystery, and humorous altercations without him having to resort to the persistent amnesiac, Finder, once again aimlessly pottering around the “floating city in the centre of the Outlands” in a desperate effort to regain their lost memory once more. This penmanship should genuinely draw in even the most disinterested of bibliophiles, as the amateur detectives bribe, barter and utilise every lucky break in the book, to track down the magical energy which they fear will soon tear “the fabric of reality itself”, and become inadvertently embroiled in Maddyknack the Hag’s desperate desire to own an enigmatic shard of power.

Helping to add plenty of exasperation to Bran’s face whenever he's dealing with the political red tape of Sigil and its corrupt officials, as well as imbue the mortician with all the ponderous, sloth-like movement one might expect of a creature inhabiting the partially-shelled body of a Tortle, is Jose Jaro. The artist appears equally as adapt at portraying emotion as he is at sketching the action-packed antics of this comic’s quite considerable cast once they all simultaneously realise just who the latest physical incarnation of the living crystal is. Whilst, alongside colorist Adam Guzowski, they also do a good job in depicting all the previously slain shard personalities, as the blue-hued spirits run as one towards the next hapless being selected to be their host; “Wait a sec, I’m juggling? That must mean I’m a … Juggler. Trying to keep it all in the air so nothing bad will happen.”

The regular cover art to "DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: FORTUNE FINDER" #3 by Max Dunbar

Star Trek: The Motion Picture - Echoes #5 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE No. 5, September 2023

Despite the odd member of this science-fiction franchise’s fanbase possibly being somewhat critical as to how simply James Tiberius Kirk solves all the competing conundrums facing him and his crew by its conclusion, Marc Guggenheim’s script for this “finale of Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Echoes” definitely should still have thoroughly entertained them. Indeed, the sheer scope of the American author’s storyline alone is utterly breath-taking, as he conveys the reader on a non-stop merry-go-round through a state-of-art Romulan vessel, towards the start of a galactic war between the Federation and Star Empire, and into a frantic phaser-fight on the planet Gallus Three which appears certain to wipe out its entire population.

Intriguingly however, the “co-showrunner on Arrow” doesn’t stop there either, as he somehow manages to cram in an incredible number of characterful moments for the vast majority of the U.S.S. Enterprise’s Bridge Crew too - including a haunting penultimate panel which depicts the Constitution-Class starship’s Admiral anticipating losing “the life of someone close to you” as per Nicholas Meyer’s 1982 movie “The Wrath Of Khan”. These touches genuinely help instil the sense of both melodrama and dark humour to the twenty-two-page periodical’s plot which was so typical of the Sixties original television series, and in the case of the writer’s superb handling of Mister Spock and Leonard McCoy’s banter with one another, is arguably well worth this book’s cover price alone.  

True, the narrative does occasionally appear a little unlikely, such as when the Enterprise’s commanding officer willingly permits Lieutenant Uhura to blatantly disregard his direct orders and assist her disagreeable, alternative version to escape Starfleet custody in Akris’ spacecraft. But Guggenheim debatably throws several spectacular curveballs throughout this publication, so it’s probably not too surprising that perhaps the odd one falls a little short of where he was hoping it would land; “That’s the convenient thing about having a captain who puts his conscience before rules and regulations. He doesn’t mind so much when his officers do the same.”

Just as successful as this comic’s prodigious penmanship are Oleg Chudakov’s layouts, which add plenty of pulse-pounding pace to both the script’s space battles and frequent punch-ups. Of particular note is the artist’s ability to imbue Kirk with a vicious left hook. Whilst Sulu’s tense firefight against a phalanx of Centurion guards for ownership of “the devastating Nightbringer weapon” surely had many a bibliophile involuntarily ducking for cover as they witnessed the exchange of deadly energy bolts.

Writer: Marc Guggenheim, Artist: Oleg Chudakov, and Colorist: DC Alonso

Star Trek: The Motion Picture - Echoes #4 - IDW Publishing

STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE No. 4, August 2023

Whilst some readers may well argue that Marc Guggenheim’s storyline for Issue Four of “Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Echoes” lacks much in the way of dynamic, action-packed excitement. The New Yorker definitely fills his twenty-two-page plot with plenty of political intrigue and tension, as James T. Kirk desperately attempts to swot up on his Romulan equipment so as to secretly transport himself to the undisclosed location of the planet-destroying Nightbringer weapon. 

Foremost of these diplomatic dilemmas undoubtedly stems from this comic’s strained opening between the Federation’s blue-skinned Madame President, Admiral Mohamed, and the duplicitous Ambassador Nanclus – who rather enjoyably bears more than a passing resemblance to the Romulan character's Silver Screen actor Darryl Henriques. This well-written scene really helps establish just how close to a full-scale war the two opposing empires are, and adds loads of weight to Commander Spock’s subsequent decisions, when the Vulcan is forced to contemplate the consequences of Sulu stealing “Akris’ purloined ship” and whether Pavel Chekov’s “dire medical state” is worth risking a galactic conflict over.

Furthermore, it provides the American author with plenty of opportunity to demonstrate just how very well he can handle the science officer’s close relationship with Leonard McCoy. The pair’s banter within this comic is so good that many within its audience should easily be able to hear the voices of actors Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley in their ears, as well as see the character’s facial responses to their verbal sparring and witty repartee in Oleg Chudakov’s pencilling; “Wait. You were messing with me just then weren’t you? I really hate you sometimes.”

Lastly, but by no means least, is Guggenheim’s ability to also give some spotlight to the rest of the U.S.S. Enterprise’s main crew, most notably that of Montgomery Scott and Nurse Christine Chapel. The Chief Engineer’s role within Spock’s plan to locate a pre-warp civilisation upon which the Romulan’s can test their newly-acquired Doomsday weapon is pivotal to this publication’s plot, and additionally provides the Scotsman with an opportunity to exhibit his own biting waggishness once he realises the pointy-eared alien “deemed it an acceptable risk” that he’d be clobbered unconscious by the determined General Uhura so she could escape the Constitution-class vessel in her recently repaired spacecraft.

Writer: Marc Guggenheim, Artist: Oleg Chudakov, and Colorist: DC Alonso

Dungeons & Dragons: Fortune Finder #2 - IDW Publishing

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: FORTUNE FINDER No. 2, December 2023

In many ways something of a hard reboot of this mini-series, Jim Zub’s storyline for Issue Two of “Dungeons & Dragons: Fortune Finder” will probably still baffle and bewilder many a bibliophile with its early soup-based shenanigans and tongue-in-cheek theatrics. True, the overall adventure does start to make a little progress once the central character suddenly teleports to Dungeonland. But any excitement garnered from the comic’s revelation that the gnome girl is actually the highly sought after Shard is sadly soon dispelled, courtesy of the short-statured server's horrific death upon the horns of a stampeding bull; “Watch out for… the Cow.”

What the “Dungeons & Dragons fan favourite” author does do well though, is imbue this latest incarnation of Finder with plenty of brazen bravado, which leads to a few genuine loud-out-loud moments. Perhaps the best of these is Maddyknack’s green-skinned seeker spitting out his wine when he spots the small humanoid spying upon his business meeting from an overhead chandelier. Although the goblin magic user’s stoicism at being blasted to pieces by some explosive glyphs during the one time he’s not surrounded by healing clerics is perhaps just as waggishly penned.

The Canadian writer is also rather good at introducing the audience to “Sigil’s most famous casino” without delving too deeply into the “new Dungeons & Dragons sourcebook” which apparently “inspired” this comic. Rather than just wax lyrical about all the different deities and denizens who frequent the gambling den, as if the twenty-page periodical was a mere textbook, the reader is instead introduced to the frantic, almost chaotic gaming house via its army of catering staff – who buzz about the place’s patrons carrying all sorts of exotic dishes and drinks.

Helping to add the odd guffaw to this publication’s proceedings is Jose Jaro, who for the large part does a solid job of pencilling the fast-paced antics of young Finder. However, the illustrator does arguably appear to somewhat struggle with some of the larger panels he’s asked to populate, such as a double-splash page welcoming the audience to Fortune’s Wheel, which contains large areas of blank walls, ceilings, and floor space – despite supposedly being an incredibly popular saloon.

The regular cover art to "DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: FORTUNE FINDER" #2 by Max Dunbar

Dungeons & Dragons: Fortune Finder #1 - IDW Publishing

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: FORTUNE FINDER No. 1, November 2023

Despite bounding along at a ‘fair to middling’ pace, Jim Zub’s narrative for Issue One of “Dungeons & Dragons: Fortune Finder” will probably only appeal to those bibliophiles who share his evident in-depth knowledge of the Concordant Domain of the Outlands, or at least recently purchased “the new adventure book, sourcebook and monster manual themed around Planescape” by “Wizards Of The Coast”. Indeed, by the time Nottia Never-Lost, “the sharpest tout in all of Sigil”, has briefed this comic’s central protagonist as to the dangers of even looking at the Lady of Pain, everyone else’s head will arguably be spinning around in a confused mess of mortals, demi-gods, and deities as badly as the “amnesiac hero” is himself.

Such a deluge of different divinities, denizens, devils, and numerous locations, all of which can apparently be reached simply by walking through an unguarded gateway, is genuinely suffocating, and disappointingly drowns out what had been a rather promising start set inside the decidedly dangerous tavern, the Hooded Lantern. This ‘opening’ is most assuredly the highlight of the book, as “Finder” is intriguingly depicted being held at the mercy of several seriously mean marauders, who want to know his business before they slit the pointy-eared adventurer’s throat. However, just as soon as the young Elf narrowly escapes his incarceration, little excitement follows, besides a literal killer of a cliff-hanger where Maddyknack's murderous goblin minion decides to pluck some mysterious shard off of the witless wanderer's corpse.

In fact, the vast majority of this comic appears to have been penned just to introduce its audience to “the strange city and how it connects to outer planes like The Abyss, The Nine Hells and Mechanica”, as well as perhaps a little cynically, encourage the odd customer to buy into the role-playing game upon which its based. Of course, this isn’t a new sales ploy by any means. But perhaps on this occasion the “fan favourite” author’s story might have been better served by him providing some background to the City of Sigil in a more piece-meal fashion as the plot progresses, rather than off-loading a twenty-five-panel flurry of gobbledegook proficiently pencilled by artist Jose Jaro; “It’s at the centre of the ring on top of the ring inside the ring, separate yet central, hence all the doors. Don’t overthink it.”

The regular cover art to "DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: FORTUNE FINDER" #1 by Max Dunbar