Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1: Return to New York Review - "I Like Turtles"
"I Like Turtles" — An iconic phrase that honestly captures the sentiment of millions of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans over the past four decades. Now, it’s time for a new ongoing series that promises to be a wild ride.
Jason Aaron is at the helm of this bold new chapter for everyone’s favorite pizza-loving ninja turtles. Coming off a hot streak with Absolute Superman and Bug Wars, Aaron now delivers another standout with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1: Return to New York, collecting issues #1–6 and the "Long Way From Home" prelude.
For context: I’ve never been deeply into TMNT. I didn’t grow up watching the original cartoon or reading the classic comics. I’ve dabbled in the 2015 IDW run by Kevin Eastman (which I very much enjoyed) and saw the 2023 animated movie, but that’s about it. So, this review comes from the perspective of someone relatively new to the franchise.
Minor Spoilers Ahead
I genuinely enjoyed this book. It’s slow-paced and primarily focused on setting the stage for what’s to come—but in the best way. Each of the first five issues is essentially dedicated to one of the Turtles. Wait—five issues, four Turtles? That’s because issue #5 centers on the villain, fleshing out his motivations and backstory. Personally, I really appreciate comics that take their time. If this series gets the long run it deserves, all this groundwork will pay off tremendously. It was refreshing to see each issue take a deep dive into one character—something often glossed over in modern comic storytelling.
Even as someone not steeped in TMNT lore, I expected sewer-bound ninja action. And while there is a bit of that, this story spans the globe—Japan, New York, the Ganges River, even a prison. The settings are diverse, and each issue feels self-contained while contributing to a larger narrative.
The Turtles have gone their separate ways. Raphael is in jail. Michelangelo is a TV superstar. Leonardo is on a personal journey, trying to reconnect with his past. And Donatello—he’s time-traveled and is now broken. The premise is compelling and surprisingly emotional. Issue #4, which focuses on Donatello, is absolutely heartbreaking—and easily my favorite of the bunch.
This book dives deep into some heavy themes: isolation, depression, family, loneliness. Each Turtle is dealing with something in the wake of their family breaking apart—and you really feel it. These aren’t just action heroes; they’re characters working through emotional scars. There are powerful allegories here too—reflections on fear of difference, division, and fractured unity that echo some of the anxieties in modern-day America.
Now let’s talk about the art—because there’s a lot of it. Each issue has a different artist:
- Joëlle Jones on issue #1
- Rafael Albuquerque on #2
- Cliff Chiang on #3
- Chris Burnham on #4
- Darick Robertson and Norm Rapmund on #5
- Juan Ferreyra on #6
That’s a stacked roster of talent, and they all bring their A-game. Despite the rotating artists, the visual storytelling remains consistently strong and beautifully distinct. Each issue looks and feels unique, while still contributing to a cohesive tone.
With strong storytelling and stunning art, this book has it all. I didn’t find it difficult to jump in, even with my limited knowledge of the franchise. Longtime TMNT fans will no doubt spot Easter eggs and lore references that went over my head, but even for newcomers, it’s an engaging, emotionally grounded starting point. It’s definitely a slower read focused on setup, but it’s a fantastic journey watching the Turtles begin their long road back to each other.
I’ll certainly be back for Volume 2. In the meantime, I highly recommend checking this one out.
Check out my video review here!
You can find Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1: Return to New York at your local comic shop.