The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have all left New York to pursue their own interests, but there are forces gathering that will pull them back together-whether the bad guys like it or not. First up: Raphael! But why is everyone’s favorite brawler in prison?! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 kicks off a new era for the classic franchise with a start that’s very… Tango & Cash.

Written by Jason Aaron, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 is a solid start to the series that delivers something that feels different. I’m not a Turtles expert and haven’t read everything of theirs, but Aaron delivers a first issue that gives us something new and interesting. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 focuses in on Raphael who’s behind bars for reasons unknown. That mystery is teased a bit, though not fully explained, as the story plays out and the danger becomes clearer.

Good guys behind bars isn’t anything new, and a warden “in on it,” isn’t anything new either. The issue reminds me of the Stallone and Russell film Tango & Cash which had their cop characters framed and put behind bars where they went up against prisoners that wanted to kill them, crooked guards, and dispensed justice within the walls. While theres’ absolutely differences between the stories, the DNA feels like it’s shared enough that it’s hard to not see a passing resemblance between the two. Still, Aaron delivers a debut that’s entertaining and fun and most importantly wants you to come back for more.

The mystery is solid slowly being teased out as we get Raph’s thoughts about being behind bars. Other than one minor abrupt cut, the story is smooth and intriguing, sucking in the reader into a mystery that also feels familiar.

The art by Joëlle Jones elevates the issue. With color by Ronda Pattison and lettering by Shawn Lee the comic’s visuals are dynamic and striking, standing out. While I have questions about Raph’s prison uniform, the comic looks great with confining panels and visuals emphasizing Raphael’s situation and limited freedom. There’s a muted sense of colors that creates a drab look that fits perfectly for the prison setting. The visuals are near flawless with page layouts that pop and will have you linger exploring the visual storytelling and flow.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 is a hell of a debut. While I enjoy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, this first issue has me excited to read the second and see where this all goes. The team has nailed a certain sense of style and voice that feels fresh and new and most importantly has us excited to see what’s next.

Story: Jason Aaron Art: Joëlle Jones
Color: Ronda Pattison Letterer: Shawn Lee
Story: 9.0 Art: 10 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle