In this spoiler-free review of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9, after Donatello’s arrest, the remaining brothers struggle to find a way. Could help come from beyond the grave?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9
Written by: Jason Aaron
Art: Juan Ferreyra
Main Cover: Jorge Fornés
Variant Covers: Kevin Eastman, Juan Ferreyra, Khary Randolph, Andy Suriano, Stephen Byrne, Caspar Wijngaard
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: June 11, 2025
This review is free of spoilers
Since the Turtles made their return in Jason Aaron’s run, they’ve each dealt with their own personal demons. For his part, Donatello found peace in the form of a dead rat that he swore was Splinter speaking to him. The rodent would be with him each issue after. In issue #8, we found that Leonardo would himself begin to hear the voice from beyond the grave and would take on the job of protecting the dead rat after Donny turned himself in to District Attorney Hale.
While TMNT #8 focused on Donny and Leo, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9 focuses on Michelangelo and Raphael. Leo now appears in the role Donny previously played. Much like the previous issues since they reunited, Aaron does a great job of having the brothers battle themselves in addition to the Foot Clan. As one would imagine, Mikey and Raphael would travel separate paths.
But in the end, they would find themselves meeting at the same place. It is a great story of conflict and self-reflection. However, what’s truly astonishing is the job Jason Aaron does in showing just how vital Splinter is to everything the Turtles, not just to this story itself, but also their mythos. This is especially the case as the issue comes to an end.
Much like his work on the other issues of this arc, Juan Ferreyra’s work in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9 is really top notch. I say that as someone who wasn’t truly impressed with his contributions to Joshua Williamson’s Batman and Robin run. Here, however, his style of art truly works with the story Jason Aaron is telling. While full of action, the story is dark (and takes place primarily at night). Ferreyra’s pencils and colors fits in well for that.
Final Thoughts
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #9 truly brings home what the Turtles have dealt with up to this point. And while things might not have ended as you would hope, you know what comes next is bound to be special.
