If you've kept up with the Turtles, drifted away over the years, or never took the plunge, this is a great place to start. There is a real story here with plenty of heart and the stakes are enormous. I couldn't have asked for anything more. Not to be missed. Read Full Review

This issue was a lot to take in. With the catastrophic events of the last issue anything that follows was going to be put under a microscope by fans...and rightly so. Sophie Campbell came in and did something that I'm sure that the fandom was not expecting. She took over a beloved story and commanded over it like a battlefield general. We are in good hands. Read Full Review

Ultimately, this issue is focused on re-establishing characters and setting up new storylines, but it never feels like filler with a rapid pace and some great emotional beats along the way. With a fresh feel and an exciting new direction, I have absolutely no doubt that this series is in safe hands with Campbell at the helm, and I absolutely cant wait to see where this story goes next. Read Full Review

An intimate debut that manages to embrace new readers, while still maintaining the essence of what the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are. Read Full Review

An intimate debut that manages to embrace new readers, while still maintaining the essence of what the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are. Read Full Review

If you're looking for an easy jumping-on point for the adventures of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, you're in luck, because Sophie Campbell absolutely crushes it with this new arc. Read Full Review

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #101 is a solid hopping on point and sets up where the series is going for long-time readers. It's easy to catch up and understand where things stand and there's more than enough to get you to want to see what you've missed. Read Full Review

Donnie's narration leads us through the city to check-in with several characters including Alopex who has put down her weapons to open a shelter in Mutant Town and all of the recently mutated who find themselves trapped within the walls. Finding a new purpose, Alopex is one of the only characters that doesn't feel lost (even April seems to be disconnected from the larger world) and Jennika is in desperate search of family and belonging that is decidedly lacking between her fellow Turtles since the death of Splinter. The question is, what exactly will break the Turtles out of their malaise and reunite them once more? Worth a look. Read Full Review

Man, I am really struggling with TMNT #101. There is a ton to love about this issue. Obviously, the art is incredible. From a visual standpoint I do not see how you can't love this issue. It has some stunning details and everything just looks fantastic. The beginning story of the issue is also extremely well done. Campbell does a wonderful job of showing us how the family is dealing, and it was a somber beginning after the craziness that happened in the last issue. Read Full Review

Really good issue.

TMNT #101 shifts the title in a number of ways. Its the first title that I can recall in which Tom Waltz isn't the primary creative force for the series. It's also the first issue since Master Splinter's death.

The book is really solid but I have some potential concerns. The concerns may be unfounded but I figured I'd mention them anyway. Sophie Campell begins her run with this issue. She's a great writer and earned my trust with Macro Series - Leonardo Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3. I reviewed it back in 2018 and it remains one of my favorite TMNT stories. Sophie had a great voice for the turtles there and that extends to this issue.

This comic puts the focus on Jenny for the first time which is good because we really didn't have much time with her during City at War. Jennika feels like a real person and speaks more natural here than she ever has in the main series. She's dealing with some pretty massive changes in her life so its nice to get some insight into where she's at as a character.

My primary concern is that the rest of the guys don't get much face time in this issue. Donny does the opening narration. We quickly touch base with Leo, Mike, and Raph, but they are all notably absent from the second half of the book.

The second concern contains ***Spoilers*** for the issue so proceed with caution.

Following Splinter's death, Leonardo doesn't have any interest in being the leader of Clan Hamato, Raphael has struck out on his own and is helping the new mutants that have appeared in NYC. Mickey has become obsessed with his pet cat and Donny is apparently working on a sci-fi novel. This leaves Jenny possibly taking over as leader of the group for a time.

I'm gonna hold off with judgment because Sophie has earned my trust. I'm not sure fans will be receptive to Jennika getting such a heavy focus. I'll also admit I'm not totally sold at this point.

It's great seeing Sophie on pencils again. My description can't do it justice but Sophie's linework gets to the essence of these characters. You feel for them because of the situation they are in, but you also care because of the emotive qualities within the linework.

I don't want to be too negative, the issue is solid. The Status quo takes a big and logical leap forward. Thousands of new mutants are suddenly on the streets of New York. The turtle's trauma is also handled gracefully despite my concerns. I lost my mom and dad in the span of a year. The losses totally devastated my family. I understand the general malaise that the guys are probably feeling right now.

I have concerns, but the issue continues the tradition of being one of the best series on the shelves and issue #101 sits firmly in the net positive category.

#TMNT #Teenagemutantninjaturtles #SophieCampbell #RondaPattison #Indiecomics #IDWPublishing more

the good

-Sophie Campbell’s art is beautiful as always.
-Sophie is a much better storyteller than Tom Waltz
-better action that the typical IDW TMNT comic. (usually there's none)
-Better character development and characterizations.
-Sophie understands the Turtles and writes them better than Tom Waltz.
-this pleasantly felt more like a Mirage TMNT story (always a good thing)
-i liked how the 4 Turtle brothers were portrayed.
-Michelangelo FINALLY was given his kitty named Klunk (from Mirage).
-i don’t really mind that Klunk is now a white cat instead of an orange tabby.
-Raph the vigilante was cool.
-Leonardo’s horticulture was a nice touch.
-i did like the awareness message about people abandoning pets and loved ones.
-it’s always good to see Pepperoni the dinosaur.

the bad

-the 4 TMNT brothers (as usual) didn’t hold the focus of the comic or story
-still the four Turtle Brothers must take the backseat to “the supporting characters”.
-i always find it distracting when fan-service characters like Mona Lisa get shoved in.
-Mona Lisa is very annoying. her announcing “I’M A GOOD PERSON” was extremely cringe.
-Casey dumping Jenny felt off. especially given the events of the arc that just ended.
-having Casey and Jenny’s breakup told as throwaway exposition was pretty cheap.

hopefully one day IDW's TMNT will actually put it’s main focus on Leo, Mike, Donnie & Raph. just a thought. more