TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #17 (IDW Publishing)

The Ujigami Saga is coming to a close, and with only one issue left you know the story is ready to explode. Splinter has been captured and the Turtles need to try and save him well also stopping the Shinigami from creating a bridge between the afterlife and our world. Can the Turtles save the day, or will evil prevail?

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #17 - Written By Gene Luen Yang – Art By Freddie Williams II & Fero Pe - Colors By Andrew Dalhouse & Luis Antonio Delgado - Letters By Shawn Lee - Edited By Jake Thomas - Published By IDW Publishing

Credit: IDW Publishing

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

STORY OVERVIEW:

Splinter has been captured by Karai and Shinigami, and the Turtles have come to rescue their father. Unfortunately, this is all apart of Shinigami’s plan as the Turtles’ arrival has Splinter fearing for their lives, and his fear is making the portal to Yomi-No-Kuni bigger. As the battle rages on, Michaelangelo gets knocked through the portal and ends up in Yomi-No-Kuni. As his brothers and Splinter are perplexed where he is, Mikey finds himself reunited with his mother. But the reunion is short lived as the reason Shinigami needed the portal bigger is now making its way towards the portal.

WRITING:

This issue continues this wonderful saga that has been playing out over the last 5 issues. Gene Luen Yang captures the drama and emotions that the Turtles and Splinter are going through. The fear that Splinter shows for the safety of his sons can be felt through the pages and it makes your heart pain. Meanwhile, the desperation that the Turtles are showing as they try and save their father also tugs at the reader’s heart. Yang does a fantastic job of taking the reader on an emotional roller coaster that never lets them on. The action is great, but the real star of this issue is the drama and all of the feelings it makes you feel.

ARTWORK:

The artwork in this issue distinguishes itself through its vivid detail and immersive execution. Freddie Williams II and Fero Pe effectively engage readers with compelling dramatic sequences and nuanced character designs. The visual presentation is further elevated by Andrew Dalhouse and Luis Antonio Delgado, whose selection of a classic color palette complements the narrative seamlessly. Additionally, Shawn Lee’s lettering contributes emotional resonance to the overall composition. The cohesive efforts of the art team result in a highly impressive and refined visual experience.

check out my review of teenage mutant ninja turtles #16

Final Thoughts:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #17 is a near perfect penultimate edition to the Ujigami Saga. This issue sets the table for the finale and really makes you want the finale now instead of waiting. The first arc by this new team has been fantastic and this issue is no different. If you have been reading this series, you are in for a wonderful treat with this issue.

FINAL GRADE: 9.3/10

Let me know your thoughts on TMNT #17 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!