SHREDDER #9 (IDW Publishing)

The best spinoff in comics today is back with another action-packed issue! Shredder is making his move on Kenji, after killing his father and a good portion of the Yakuza leadership. However, Kenji is ready and waiting for Shredder, as he plans on making him the new host of his alien pets. If this isn’t enough, the E.P.F is closing in on Oroku Saki as well, making his next move that much harder.

Shredder #9 - Written By Dan Watters – Art By Sid Kotian - Colors By Marco Lesko - Letters By Darran Robinson - Edited By Jake Thomas -Published By IDW Publishing

Credit: IDW Publishing

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

STORY OVERVIEW:

Director Braunze of the E.P.F is under fire from the powers that be for not bringing Oroku Saki to justice already. He informs them that they have a solid lead on the Shredder and they will make their move in Tokyo. Meanwhile in Tokyo, Shredder and Hoshimi are plotting on how to bring down Kenji and save the Dog Star Clan’s leader Yoshi Chen. Yoshi is being used as an incubator for the aliens that Kenji has found and weaponized. We then find out how Kenji found the Vreen and a little more detail on how they operate as parasites. This all leads to Shredders assault on Kenji’s fortress where he must shred his way through the Vreen to get to Kenji. But this is what Kenji wants, as Yoshi is becoming too weak the more the Vreen feed. This means they need a new stronger host, and the Shredder fits that bill.

WRITING:

This issue once again outdoes what has come before and hits the reader with another fantastic issue in Shredder’s solo journey. Dan Watters continues to craft a brutal, stylish, and dangerous corner of the TMNT universe, one that feels familiar enough to connect to the larger mythology but distinct enough to stand on its own. What makes the writing work so well is that Watters never treats Shredder as a simple force of violence. Yes, he is terrifying in a fight, and yes, the book absolutely delivers on the carnage readers expect from him, but this issue also reminds us that Oroku Saki is just as dangerous because of how carefully he thinks. He is constantly reading the room, anticipating his enemies, and turning impossible situations into opportunities.

That intelligence is on full display throughout the issue, especially as Shredder works to stay ahead of both Kenji and the E.P.F. at the same time. Watters gives the story a strong sense of momentum by making every side feel dangerous in a different way. Kenji is not just waiting to be taken down; he has his own plan, his own resources, and a horrifying advantage with the Vreen. The reveal of how he found them, as well as the explanation of how these parasitic aliens operate, adds a disturbing layer of body-horror to the story and raises the stakes in a big way. It also makes Kenji feel like a much more serious threat because his plan is not built only around power, but around survival, control, and manipulation.

The pacing is also excellent, as Watters balances exposition, strategy, and action without letting any one element slow the issue down. The quieter moments give readers enough information to understand the threat, while the action scenes hit with the kind of impact and intensity that make the book feel unpredictable. Each sequence builds anticipation for the next confrontation, creating the sense that Shredder is walking deeper into a trap even as he appears to be in control. That push and pull is what makes the issue so engaging. Watters has built a near-perfect spinoff world here, one that mirrors the resurgence of the main TMNT line while still giving Shredder a darker, sharper, and more vicious spotlight of his own.

ARTWORK:

The artwork in this issue captures the violence, brutality, and horror of the story perfectly. Sid Kotian does an excellent job of presenting Shredder as a larger-than-life presence every time he appears on the page. There is weight behind the way he moves, stands, and attacks, making him feel like a disciplined warrior and an unstoppable monster at the same time. Kotian’s version of Shredder looks impressive and intimidating without ever feeling overly polished or clean. The sharp angles of the armor, the aggressive body language, and the way he dominates the panel all help sell the idea that Oroku Saki is someone every character should fear.

The fight scenes are especially strong because Kotian makes the violence feel chaotic while still keeping the action easy to follow. Every slash, strike, and burst of gore has impact, but the page never becomes confusing. The brutality shows the animalistic side of Shredder, yet Kotian also takes time to show his control and cunning through smaller details in his posture and reactions. He is not just cutting through enemies blindly; he is analyzing the threat in front of him and adapting as the battle unfolds. That balance between savagery and precision is a huge part of what makes the action so satisfying.

The Vreen are another standout visual element. Their biomechanical design gives off a strong H.R. Giger-like influence, but the issue avoids making them feel like simple copies of that style. They have a slick, unnatural, and parasitic quality that makes them uncomfortable to look at, which fits perfectly with the way they are used in the story. The combination of alien anatomy, organic horror, and mechanical texture makes them feel like a threat that does not belong in Shredder’s world, and that contrast makes their presence even more disturbing.

Speaking of visuals, the color choices by Marco Lesko add a tremendous amount of energy to the artwork. The colors make the action pop without taking away from the darker tone of the book, giving the issue a look that is vivid, stylish, and dangerous all at once. Lesko helps every panel jump off the page, whether it is a violent action beat, a horror-heavy moment with the Vreen, or a quieter scene built around tension. Together, Kotian and Lesko give readers a front-row seat to the chaos while making sure the issue still feels polished, atmospheric, and visually memorable.

Check Out My Review of Shredder #8

Final Thoughts:

Shredder #9 is another kickass addition to this series which is full of them. There may not be a better spinoff series in comics today than TMNT: Shredder! The action is on point, the drama is on point, and most importantly the cohesion of the story is on point and taking us on one hell of a ride. This issue is my Pick of the Week, and the series is one of my favorite titles on my Pull List! If you have not been reading this series, get on board now and don’t miss another issue.

FINAL GRADE: 9.8/10

Let me know your thoughts on Shredder #9 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!