TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #18 (IDW Publishing)

The finale of the Ujigami Saga is finally upon us! Can our Heroes in a Half-Shell figure out a way to save themselves, the world, and their father? Even if they can save everyone and everything, will this be the end of their afterlife problems or just the beginning?

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #18 - 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 now in the form of a giant skeleton rat is trying to take out Shinigami and Karai on the Empire State Building. Well this is going on, Shen and the Turtles are trying to get a game plan together to rejoin the young Yoshi with his older Splinter self to regain some control. Leo devises a plan where he will go after this doorknocker that Karai has to try and reopen the portal to Yomi-No-Kuni and save Michaelangelo. Well he’s doing that Shen and Raph will try and merge the two parts of Splinter/Yoshi which will free Donnie from his father’s rib cage. This plan must work if there is any hope for our heroes to save the day.

WRITING:

The final issue of the six-part Ujigami Saga brings the story to a climatic finish. Gene Luen Yang takes us on a bumpy yet adventurous ride in this conclusion. With so many moving parts it would be easy for this issue to become confusing, but Yang keeps every aspect under control and easy to follow. The peril our heroes find themselves in keeps the reader in complete suspense and makes them feel like anything can happen. The atmosphere of suspense is only surpassed by the drama that is playing out with the family. Yang captures the heart of not just this saga/story, but also the very essence of what a TMNT tale is at its very core. This saga will go down as one of the greats in the history of this beloved and storied franchise.

ARTWORK:

This issue’s art stands out for its rich detail and immersive storytelling. Freddie Williams II and Fero Pe deliver dynamic set pieces and expressive character work that pull you into the drama. Andrew Dalhouse and Luis Antonio Delgado enhance it all with a classic palette that suits the tone perfectly, while Shawn Lee’s lettering adds an extra layer of emotion. Together, the team creates a polished, memorable visual experience.

check out my review of teenage mutant ninja turtles #17

Final Thoughts:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #18 is a fitting and exciting end to this saga, that also serves as a direct jumping off point to what is on the horizon for the series. The action and heart felt drama make for a great read that will have fans of the franchise rejoicing. The story captures the essence of the series and gives us a tremendous finale to this saga. For those of us who have been following along with this saga, the payoff is worth the wait and will bring a smile to your face. If you are not reading Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, grab a copy of the Trade when it hits the shelves and get into it so you don’t miss out on great stories like this one.

FINAL GRADE: 9.5/10

Let me know your thoughts on TMNT #18 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!