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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Artstyle was cool, sometimes meh.

It's about the ninja turtles brothers who separated due to a huge loss but reunite against a Trump-wanna be and the foot clan. We got a little villain arc, some shady deals and details and New York. Very American to be honest (not surprising).

The aftermatch of losing a very dear person was portrayed through all the brothers, it was realistic and relatable, they did a great job on that!

Also: Leo is badass. (so are his turtle mates)

Just try to read a TNMT comic without playing the theme song on loop in your head!! Except these are not the same turtles we know and love. These turtles have seen very hard times and their family bonds are being tried.

This story finds the brothers in unique circumstances. It’s definitely darker and grittier than what I was expecting, but thought it was really well done. Many different artists, so that may drive people bonkers. Some language, definitely violence.

I recommend for 16+.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

A Special Thanks To IDW PUBLISHING and NetGalley for the ARC.

In this new review, we’re going to be looking at IDW’s relaunch of their iconic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book series, involving Eisner Award-Winning Writer, Jason Aaron, and quite a selection of superstar artists such as Rafael Albuquerque, Joëlle Jones, Cliff Chiang, and Chris Burnham. Please keep in mind, that this review will have limited spoilers, thank you, and enjoy.

The four brothers have left New York to pursue their interests, but unbeknownst to them, forces are lurking in the shadows that will bring them back together for this first arc of a new ongoing series that collects the prelude story “Long Way From Home.” Raphael is in prison. Michelangelo is living in Tokyo, where he became a TV star, Leonardo is traveling the world in search of peace, and Donatello is trapped in a mutant zoo and forced to fight rich men looking for a thrill. And what has been going on in New York while the Turtles are scattered across the globe?

The newly relaunched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ first volume is certainly one of the most enjoyable titles I have had the pleasure of reading, offering a new direction to an iconic franchise. The first four issues collected in this novel walk us through what happened to each brother, and the return of a familiar foe, The Foot Clan. The story that broke my heart the most was what happened with Donatello, being trapped in a Mutant Zoo, and looking so malnourished. The bleak atmosphere, having to fight rich, and insecure men, plus the harsh life he has lived in the fighting pit/”Mutant Zoo” for however long he was trapped in that life.

I have followed Aaron’s work since his time at Marvel and DC, I honestly have to say that I am enjoying his approach to TMNT. It is dark but gritty, reminiscent of the original comic book series by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, but the dynamic between the four brothers still truly shines when they’re together even though they were separated. Despite family complications, their interactions when they were brought back together were one of the best moments of these issues. Aaron’s script was solid and goes to show that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are in safe hands.

As for the artwork, this series has six artists to work with to go with the story that Aaron was trying to tell, and it was magnificent. It compliments the story, giving us a visual look into each turtle’s mindset after the events of the previous series. With the turtles getting back together, the tragic part of reading this is the fact that they have forgotten what it means to be brothers, something they will have to learn once again without the guidance of their father and sensei, Splinter. The action sequences and emotional expressions were well-drawn, and some expressions were often comical to look at but got the point across to help entice the reader’s attention from drifting away. My favorite part of this collected graphic novel was how each artist used their unique style of art accompanied by a of colorists and inkers to portray Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael’s journey back to New York, accompanied by The Foot’s dramatic return and rise to power.

The art is amazing. I like how the story tells 4 different stories about the brothers. Can’t wait to read more

This graphic novel collects issues 1-6 of the new run of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They've each left New York, but find themselves drawn back together by a new threat. This is definitely a darker version of TMNT, but I really liked what I read. These six issues though just felt like a taste of the story, and I definitely want more! Can't wait to see where this goes.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I appreciate IDW for giving me the opportunity to read this GN. I enjoyed it, I will say that the story dragged a bit with a couple of the turtles' individual stories. Donnie was the most entertaining and also was really sad because he thought Splinter was alive the whole time. April coming into the story towards the end was definitely the highlight to this story. Looking forward to the next volume.

Our favourite mutant quartet has broken up, but a new enemy pulls them back together.

It starts with a focus on each individual brother and showing us how they fared after they went their separate ways. As readers, we don't exactly know what happened, but it's pretty clear that whatever went down caused a major rift in their relationships. When they meet up again, tensions run high. I'm completely hooked. The drawing style, combined with the storytelling, pulled me in. This story is dark and grimy. These men have been through it. They're bitter and suffering. Nonetheless, without saying it out loud, they immediately turn to each other and run to eachothers defenses. Sibling relationships can be complex, and I'm very curious to see how they will navigate the emotional divide in their family as the story progresses.

This is a good story full of kick-butt turtle action. It begins with our heroes, slightly-aged teenagers who have been through some conflict, divided and living in different parts of the world. But a new threat in New York City is going to bring them back together again.

Each of the first four issues focuses on one of the Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles, and how their life progressed after the family split up. Then we have some backstory on the villain, and finally the book ends with the return to New York. There are a lot of tensions between the characters, and the story ended up very unresolved, since the intent is for this to be the beginning of a long-running series. There is no satisfying ending here, but the fantastic artwork and character work more than makes up for it. The villain is not as cool as the shredder, but the personalities of the turtles are so nostalgic, so well-written. I hope to continue reading this series in years to come.

This book reminds me why I love Donatello so much. What a fun new entry reuniting the boys! I've had a good time with this one, it's pretty surface level and far from the best stuff that was put out, but not the worst either.

I was looking forward to checking this out, but despite being approved by the publisher, when I attempt to download this title via the NetGalley Shelf app I get an error saying “You Are Not Authorized.” I can only guess that the Foot Clan is up to something funky here, but it’s one more title off my TBR list. Oh well.

I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

This was a tough read...

I suppose it is sadly apropos for a TMNT comic to be just like a pizza cutter. All edge, no point.

In previous volumes the fab four acrimoniously broke up. This new series picks up with where they've been.

Donatello is being held in an mutant abuse ring.
Raphael is doing his most cringeworthy impression of Shawshank Roscharch.
Michelangelo is a sad martial arts film actor in Japan.
Leonardo is soulsearching on the banks of the Ganges.

The Foot Clan are back and trying to kill them, so they are forced together with a corrupt DA making Foot Clan his own fascist lapdogs, the NYPD...and for some reason the Fire Department?

It just felt bitter and tired. Just like the turtles.

Read like something someone with an uncritical appreciation of Frank Miller (derogatory).

Raphael the scab and his declarations of all criminals being scum really took the jam out of my doughnut.

As someone who watched TMNT as a child, reading this was nostalgic and exhilarating. Though I’ve missed a lot of the story, this comic made it easy to jump back in. The story was great and the artwork was phenomenal. I look forward to reading more.

It has been a while, but I'm glad I picked this one up. It's what I had hoped it will be, which these days is stronger praise than it sounds like, and I'm looking forward to see where the series goes.