Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #105: The Gang’s All Here!

The gang is all here! The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back in full swing and ready to start a new chapter in one is turning out to be a great book. It seems like it has been an eternity since we have a light-hearted TMNT book, and I say that with the utmost respect and admiration for Sophie Campbell. She has taken TMNT to a supreme new level of entertainment. With the death of Splinter, the family being broken apart, and Mutant Town trying not to implode on itself there have been some heavy and emotional stories being told so far.

Everyone needs time to blow off some steam before a gasket blows and none are more deserving than Leo, Mikey, Raph, Donny, Jenny, and their friends. Sophie has closed out her first arc as the sole writer for the book and what an arc it was. In true Campbell fashion, we are off and running with solid storytelling that has more teeth than a school of sharks. Sophie Campbell has an uncanny ability to take a story with intoxicating layers that have addictive characters that pull you in and refuse to let go. Issue 105 is a beautiful example of why Sophie Campbell is perfect for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

We’ve had some time to fully digest #104 and fully appreciate the story that the issue told. Not only did the family get back together, we saw a breakthrough in newfound feelings for one another and a deep-seated admiration for what the mean to each other. As we move into 105 we see them follow through with their plan and open up and dojo in honor of their father and will teach the spirit and love of Hamato Yoshi, we see an absolutely touching moment between Alopex and Raph, we see Jenny take a young mutant under her wing who is having a rough time in her training. Jenny then passes down the heartfelt knowledge that was bestowed on her by Master Splinter.

Coming to an end of this review, I want to end with giving Ronda Pattison the absolute respect she deserves as a colorist in today’s industry. I have been reading comics for over 30 years, I have been reading TMNT books for almost that long, and I can honestly say that if she is not on your list of top colorists than you are simply not doing comics right. She is a name I look for on a book and will automatically pick it up. She is a master of her craft!