Comics Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin II

Title: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin II – Re-Evolution

Story: Kevin Eastman & Tom Waltz

Script: Kevin Eastman & Tom Waltz

Art: Esau & Isaac Escorza, Ben Bishop & Kevin Eastman

Colors: Luis Antonio Delgado

Lettering: Shawn Lee

Publisher: IDW

This review assumes that one has read The Last Ronin released between 2020 and 2022 and The Last Ronin – The Lost Years released in 2023.

This sequel The Last Ronin II – Re-Evolution was released between 2024 and 2025, also spanning 5 issues.

The story is set in New York City about 15 years after Michaelangelo defeated the Foot Clan as Casey and April continue to raise their teenage turtles: Uno (male), Moja (female), Odyn (male) and Yi (female). Their appearances are sufficiently different to be recognizable without the color-coding, but it may take some time to remember their names despite their very different physical appearances and personalities.

The premise is straightforward. Without the Foot, there are two rival gangs as well as a corrupt government and police force causing trouble. The latter is also compromised in terms of manpower. Casey is one of the leaders of the Resistance and they too are spread thin.

There is, predictably, a new and somewhat mysterious player involved and the plot follows the conflict as it escalates. In this regard, although the story has nothing new and is even somewhat predictable, it is moderately intriguing. Also, the turtles are still growing, physically or otherwise, so there is a little development there.

One of the biggest weaknesses is that there are a few instances in which the history is recounted. Although that may be helpful if one has forgotten the story so far, these are long-winded and clunky and feel forced.

Also, Casey and the turtles meet a reporter, basically this generation’s April. That is fine in itself, except that they reveal too much to her too quickly. This also feels unnatural as they are usually cautious.

The art, as in the previous work, is well-executed with clean linework and solid coloring. The graduations and highlights are nicely done so the objects really jump out of the page.

Readers should be aware that there are many instances in which the layout spans both pages; that is, read the panels across both pages before moving down onto the next row of panels.

Overall, this sequel is not bad even if it is more of the same which, in a way, is supposed to be. There could be more mystery and twists regarding the new villain(s). Also, not sure what the authors’ intentions are to have a group dressed up like crusaders. Visual impact? Maybe. Or perhaps an anti-Christian/religious slant. A bit cheese in either case.

Anyway, the overall pacing is managed well; it is fast enough with enough action to break up the quieter scenes. But it is not cheap and pointless action from start to finish. Set in the near future, there are sci-fi elements like hover cars. Whilst it is appreciated that the sci-fi approach is not abused, the worldbuilding can use more of it.

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