With 40 years of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics it’s hard to believe creative teams can continue to turn out spectacular stories based around these characters, but somehow they keep getting better and better. TMNT #1, written by Jason Aaron, illustrated by Joelle Jones and colored by Ronda Pattison, has the makings of the best Turtles story in TMNT history.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have all left New York to pursue their own interests, but there are forces gathering that will pull them back together-whether the bad guys like it or not. First up: Raphael! But why is everyone’s favorite brawler in prison?! When a surprise attack behind bars puts Raph’s position in jeopardy, he needs to figure out how to get out of jail and warn his brothers that trouble is coming.

While this first issue of the new series does not feature all of our Turtles, we do get a sense of where the creative team is heading and it’s going to be a doozy. We can feel the forces that are working to gather our team back together for an epic battle. In this issue, we follow Raphael in prison as he finds himself in a precarious position that leads to him wanting to find his brothers.

With TMNT: The Last Ronin mixed with original Turtles comic vibes, Jason Aaron has written a more gritty story that has high stakes. Aaron’s writing shines in this debut issue really capturing the unique personality of Ralph while also weaving an engaging story that kept the pages turning. Jason brings his signature writing style to the world of the Turtles, creating a perfect blend of humor, heart and high-stakes action.

Aaron’s writing is wonderfully paired with artwork from Joelle Jones and Ronda Pattison. The illustrations and colors are gritty, detailed and capture the essence of Raph while in a prison setting. Each page is unique from the last from simple pages with conversation to full on ass-kickin’ action that jumps off the page. Jones somehow makes the still images in the comic feel like a motion picture with ease. The coloring from Pattison gives the dark and damp prison life while also immersing us in the action.

While the prior 150-issue run of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was outstanding, this new series has the potential to surpass its predecessor and become one of the best TMNT storylines in history. With an experienced creative team with a love for the Turtles at the helm and a fresh take on our beloved characters Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 sets a strong foundation for what promises to be an exciting journey ahead.

We don’t say this often as comics are subjective, but Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 is truly a must-read comic for new and old fans of the Turtles. Jason Aaron, Joelle Jones and Ronda Pattison have created an immersive premiere issue with outstanding writing, dynamic illustrations, and wonderful colors. As huge fans of The Last Ronin and the older TMNT comics, this new series sets up to be just what I wanted in TMNT series.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 hits local comic shops on July 24, 2024 from IDW Publishing. Our friends at Galactic Comics and Collectibles have a store exclusive illustrated by Bob Tkacik available for pre-order with an option for a signed/sketched version as well.