Cowabunga Is Back in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13 (And It’s About Time) (Review)

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans have been through a lot recently! A previous story arc by Jason Aaron and Juan Ferreyra saw the Turtles facing serious accusations, a murder trial, and a showdown with the mayor of New York. That story has now ended, and a new creative team is taking over. This week’s issue #13 marks the beginning of a fresh era with Eisner Award-winning writer Gene Luen Yang and artist Freddie E. Williams II. While the Turtles are returning to their classic roots, this new run is already packed with surprises, exciting action, and a fun energy that will appeal to both longtime fans and new readers. In short, the Turtles are back to their old, awesome selves – cowabunga!

The latest issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (#13) finds the brothers working together as heroes, enjoying a newfound acceptance from the city. While they still miss Splinter, they’re quickly thrown into a new case following the death of a Triad leader. This investigation leads them to Papa Beng, the new and formidable mutant yak in charge, and an enigmatic assassin named Ujigami, who offers his help but remains a mystery.

Rating: 5 out of 5

PROS CONS
Interesting new threat Could maybe use more “cowabunga” mentions
Great pacing
Easy entry point for new readers

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13 Is a Perfect Follow Up to Aaron and Ferreyra’s Run

A key characteristic of Aaron and Ferreyra’s previous run – and something some fans noted – was its often unsettling and intense tone, which was intentional; Aaron typically started stories by immediately immersing readers in a challenging situation. Yang’s approach is different. While this issue begins with a dramatic death and introduces a new character, it feels less like a shocking twist and more like a deliberate setup for what’s to come. The issue excels at establishing the story’s foundation and getting things moving, clearly showing where the Turtles are and what they’re facing. This allows both returning readers to easily pick up where the last run left off and new readers to quickly understand the current situation without needing to know a lot of backstory.

The book doesn’t linger on setup, instead skillfully building towards a surprising twist that hints at a fast-paced and impactful story to come. The pacing is deliberate, creating a sense of intrigue and keeping things feeling new and engaging. It offers enough mystery to make readers eager for the next issue. Visually, the artwork is excellent. Characters like Papa Beng and Ujigami are well-designed – Ujigami is particularly striking, being both intimidating and strangely serene. The action is also very well done, making the entire issue a pleasure to read and look at.

Although the first issue of any new comic series only offers a glimpse of what’s ahead, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13 feels like a strong foundation for the story. The Turtles seem to have learned from their past, while still maintaining the qualities that make them beloved characters. It’s an enjoyable comic that should appeal to both longtime fans and new readers, making it a great place to start reading.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13 is on sale now from IDW.

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2025-12-10 18:11