The original Last Ronin run captivated readers w/ its dark & gritty story of Michelangelo, the last remaining Turtle, fought for revenge in a dystopian future while dealing w/ some serious PTSD over his lost brothers. Now, the long-awaited sequel picks up 15 years later, introducing a new generation of heroes & showing us just how far NYC has fallen.

The oppressive rule of the Foot Clan is gone, but the power vacuum has been filled by rival gangs, each vying for control & plunging the city deeper into chaos. Casey Marie Jones, now a seasoned leader, trains the new generation of turtles: Yi, Odyn, Moja, & Uno. These young turtles have some interesting dynamics, but are not yet to fully developed as individuals by the end of this first issue.

They feel like background characters compared to Casey, who grapples with the weight of the past, the uncertainty of the future, and the difficult position of being a leader on a losing side. There are major cracks in her ranks & we see that April remains her biggest supporter & one of the few who she can show any shred of vulnerability to.

The issue is packed with action and it all looks great visually. The opening sequence plays like a great action movie& the scenes with the new turtles traversing the city is a fun sequence of panels. One of the highlights though are the panels detailing the quick history of the first Last Ronin series which serves as a great recap for readers who may be new to this world.

TMNT The Last Ronin Re-evolution #1 is a satisfying opening chapter that sets the stage for a new saga, though I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t something missing. I applaud the attempt to introduce new characters, but it’s hard to fully capture the magic of TMNT without any of the OG turtles involved. I trust this team so I’m willing to bet we’re in for a great ride when all is said & done. I was just expecting a bit more given how much of an instant classic the Last Ronin was.

Rating: 8/10