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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Reborn
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Reborn, Volume 5 – Mystic Sister
Turtles vs. frogs! Will Mutant Town crumble when a territorial new group, the Punk Frogs, challenges the boys for control?
New characters and new threats emerge as the Turtles struggle to maintain a hold on the city! First, the Turtles celebrate the holidays but feel the absence of Master Splinter. With tensions climbing in the neighborhood, can they find their way back to the spirit of the season before disaster strikes? Then, a mysterious new figure arises. Who is Dr. Jasper Barlow and what will some of our heroes do when he makes them an offer they may find hard to refuse... and reveals his most prized creation: VENUS?!
Plus, the Triceratons are back! A tense situation goes from bad to worse as they face off against the Utroms. Collects issues #124–130 of IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
New characters and new threats emerge as the Turtles struggle to maintain a hold on the city! First, the Turtles celebrate the holidays but feel the absence of Master Splinter. With tensions climbing in the neighborhood, can they find their way back to the spirit of the season before disaster strikes? Then, a mysterious new figure arises. Who is Dr. Jasper Barlow and what will some of our heroes do when he makes them an offer they may find hard to refuse... and reveals his most prized creation: VENUS?!
Plus, the Triceratons are back! A tense situation goes from bad to worse as they face off against the Utroms. Collects issues #124–130 of IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
160 pages, Paperback
First published November 8, 2022
11 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Campbell
275 books235 followersOne of the most exciting and talented creators working in comics today, Sophie Campbell has made her mark on IDW books such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Jem and the Holograms.
A graduate of the Savannah College of Art & Design, Campbell began her career writing and drawing independent comics primarily focused on the lives of young women from all walks of life, including Wet Moon, Shadoweyes, and the Abandoned. She further proved her versatility as an artist when she began drawing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for IDW, where her kinetic action sequences and distinctive character art were a hit with fans and critics alike.
Campbell was brought on as the first artist on the IDW continuing series Jem and the Holograms, where she was responsible for the modern redesign of the characters and establishing the unique look of the comic. Her work on Jem with writer Kelly Thompson was so well received that the two were profiled by the New Yorker in 2015.
Campbell continues to work on several projects for IDW, as well as her own creator-owned independent comics.
A graduate of the Savannah College of Art & Design, Campbell began her career writing and drawing independent comics primarily focused on the lives of young women from all walks of life, including Wet Moon, Shadoweyes, and the Abandoned. She further proved her versatility as an artist when she began drawing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for IDW, where her kinetic action sequences and distinctive character art were a hit with fans and critics alike.
Campbell was brought on as the first artist on the IDW continuing series Jem and the Holograms, where she was responsible for the modern redesign of the characters and establishing the unique look of the comic. Her work on Jem with writer Kelly Thompson was so well received that the two were profiled by the New Yorker in 2015.
Campbell continues to work on several projects for IDW, as well as her own creator-owned independent comics.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 4, 2025
(A-) 80% | Very Good
Notes: Prior-iteration lore integration, horrific, foreboding, destroys status quo, quite Doctor Moreau, quite Krypton exploding.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issue #124 ◦ Issues #125-127 ◦ Issues #128-130
Notes: Prior-iteration lore integration, horrific, foreboding, destroys status quo, quite Doctor Moreau, quite Krypton exploding.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issue #124 ◦ Issues #125-127 ◦ Issues #128-130
November 30, 2022
The (very nearly) wordless issue to kick off the volume was, thankfully, the weakest of the bunch and the introduction of the colourful crew of "Punk [-Ass] Frogs" definitely introduces a few wildcards into the Mutant Town deck.
This continuation of the Turtles run has achieved the previously unthinkable, it would seem, in getting me to care about characters outside the core Turtles + April and Casey, well done!
This continuation of the Turtles run has achieved the previously unthinkable, it would seem, in getting me to care about characters outside the core Turtles + April and Casey, well done!
November 5, 2022
The name 'Venus De Milo' strikes fear into the hearts of most TMNT fans, usually for good reason. So the idea of bringing her into the TMNT comics didn't exactly fill most people with glee. I'll be honest though, I've never watched The Next Mutation (outside of the Turtles' appearance in Power Rangers In Space), so I went into this with a little more optimism than most, I expect.
Venus' introduction to the story feels organic, and she's differentiated from the Turtles in lots of different ways through her connections to the Astral Plane and the fact that she might not even be a turtle at all. It's a nice way to fold her in without making her a threat to what makes the Turtles special (which probably says a lot about why people were so resistant to Jennika at first).
She's also only a smaller part of a much bigger story - we also get the first appearance of Doctor Barlow, who's a super freaky little weirdo, and the Punk Frogs, plus some more movement towards the Armageddon Game by way of the Triceratons and the Utroms. Oh, and we get a completely silent Christmas issue as well for added measure because why not.
Pablo Tunica handles the artwork for most of this volume, with Ken Garing on the Christmas one, and a helping hand from Tony Gregori near the end. Tunica impressed me during his TMNT: Universe story with the Toad Baron, so it's nice to see him here, especially on a story involving frogs which seems oddly appropriate.
Another great entry in this always impressive TMNT run - don't let your Venus prejudices put you off.
Venus' introduction to the story feels organic, and she's differentiated from the Turtles in lots of different ways through her connections to the Astral Plane and the fact that she might not even be a turtle at all. It's a nice way to fold her in without making her a threat to what makes the Turtles special (which probably says a lot about why people were so resistant to Jennika at first).
She's also only a smaller part of a much bigger story - we also get the first appearance of Doctor Barlow, who's a super freaky little weirdo, and the Punk Frogs, plus some more movement towards the Armageddon Game by way of the Triceratons and the Utroms. Oh, and we get a completely silent Christmas issue as well for added measure because why not.
Pablo Tunica handles the artwork for most of this volume, with Ken Garing on the Christmas one, and a helping hand from Tony Gregori near the end. Tunica impressed me during his TMNT: Universe story with the Toad Baron, so it's nice to see him here, especially on a story involving frogs which seems oddly appropriate.
Another great entry in this always impressive TMNT run - don't let your Venus prejudices put you off.
January 17, 2024
That cover is something else.... definitely raises some questions about what is happening... and finding out what, was awesome...
Highlights:
- More behind the scenes with Oroku Saki. He is assisting their search for the weasels. He finds them with Hob, who is basically their Dad, and he informs the Turtles with an anonymous note.
- There is an entire plotline regarding the Triceratons and Utroms. Commander Zom of the Triceratons is pregnant, which shouldn't be possible. Ch'rell of the Utroms has some of the same evil leadership that Krang had and wants to use the Triceraton clone bodies to hold the Utroms. The only Utrom that stands with the Triceratons is Ma'riell.
- We meet Dr Jasper Barlow, a surgeon with the appearance of a rat who is promising mutants plastic surgery to restore their humanity, but is instead experimenting on them.
- The Turtles get attacked by the Punk Frogs, a band of frogs much like the Turtles, who are looking for one of their own, Carmen. Obviously they have no clue, but the rivalry is established.
- Seri, daughter of Zom, is born and the Utroms pick that point to attack, killing Zom. Ma'riell takes the newborn and places her into an accelerator in the remains of the Technodrome, aging her up to 18, and helping her escape. She eventually crash lands and is taken in by the Turtles.
- Barlow captures Sheena, Alopex, and Donatello. Donnie is able to make a psychic connection with Venus, a Frankenstein creature being built by Barlow, and she helps contact Leo through the Astral Plane. Venus is actually Carmen of the Punk Frogs, and the rescue helps create peace between the two groups.
- Barlow escapes and returns to his unknown master. (Is it Rat King?)
- Venus goes off on her own, rather than live with the Turtles or Frogs.
- Oroku Saki makes his presence known to Leo and asks to meet with the other Turtles.
Things are firing up to something huge (The Armageddon Game?) and I can't wait to read more.
Strong recommend. TMNT by IDW is pretty much a must read, especially if you enjoy the fandom.
Highlights:
- More behind the scenes with Oroku Saki. He is assisting their search for the weasels. He finds them with Hob, who is basically their Dad, and he informs the Turtles with an anonymous note.
- There is an entire plotline regarding the Triceratons and Utroms. Commander Zom of the Triceratons is pregnant, which shouldn't be possible. Ch'rell of the Utroms has some of the same evil leadership that Krang had and wants to use the Triceraton clone bodies to hold the Utroms. The only Utrom that stands with the Triceratons is Ma'riell.
- We meet Dr Jasper Barlow, a surgeon with the appearance of a rat who is promising mutants plastic surgery to restore their humanity, but is instead experimenting on them.
- The Turtles get attacked by the Punk Frogs, a band of frogs much like the Turtles, who are looking for one of their own, Carmen. Obviously they have no clue, but the rivalry is established.
- Seri, daughter of Zom, is born and the Utroms pick that point to attack, killing Zom. Ma'riell takes the newborn and places her into an accelerator in the remains of the Technodrome, aging her up to 18, and helping her escape. She eventually crash lands and is taken in by the Turtles.
- Barlow captures Sheena, Alopex, and Donatello. Donnie is able to make a psychic connection with Venus, a Frankenstein creature being built by Barlow, and she helps contact Leo through the Astral Plane. Venus is actually Carmen of the Punk Frogs, and the rescue helps create peace between the two groups.
- Barlow escapes and returns to his unknown master. (Is it Rat King?)
- Venus goes off on her own, rather than live with the Turtles or Frogs.
- Oroku Saki makes his presence known to Leo and asks to meet with the other Turtles.
Things are firing up to something huge (The Armageddon Game?) and I can't wait to read more.
Strong recommend. TMNT by IDW is pretty much a must read, especially if you enjoy the fandom.
August 10, 2022
Por fin un volumen con una historia al nivel de la etapa previa, aunque no se como continuará con lo de Armaggedon Game.
January 15, 2026
3.5 stars. I read this library copy of TMNT Reborn Vol 5 in order to sample Sophie Campbell's TMNT writing. So, I read this slim graphic novel out of context with its wider storyline, and without knowing much about this iteration of the Turtles. And, gratefully, I found the book accessible, in an all-ages way. Excellent!, my type of book.
Campbell's writing here is as good as her Supergirl and Jem and the Holograms books that I've read and like. And, things happen!, it's not just spinning wheels like on Marvel books. The Turtles' dojo burns down, they battle some mutant frogs before reconciling with them, a new kind-of-Turtle, Venus, emerges, and things happen to each of the Turtles. There is much windier story threads going on and I'm intrigued by it, and not turned off by its complexity mid-story.
The art by Ken Garing is good, evocative of Campbell's own. All in all, I like this book pleasantly enough, and am intrigued to read more from this storyline and writer.
Campbell's writing here is as good as her Supergirl and Jem and the Holograms books that I've read and like. And, things happen!, it's not just spinning wheels like on Marvel books. The Turtles' dojo burns down, they battle some mutant frogs before reconciling with them, a new kind-of-Turtle, Venus, emerges, and things happen to each of the Turtles. There is much windier story threads going on and I'm intrigued by it, and not turned off by its complexity mid-story.
The art by Ken Garing is good, evocative of Campbell's own. All in all, I like this book pleasantly enough, and am intrigued to read more from this storyline and writer.
November 22, 2022
First up is a kind of pointless silent Christmas issue. Seemed like a waste of time. Then Pablo Tunica illustrates most of the Punk Frogs story. The Punk Frogs look just like the Turtles for some reason even though they are very different amphibians. They think the Turtles kidnapped their friend who becomes Venus de Milo later on. Dr. Burlow is also introduced. He's a mouse scientist experimenting on mutants trying to return their humanity through auspicious means. Meanwhile, things are falling apart on Burnow Island as the treaty between the Triceratons and the Utroms breaks down.
This was just OK. Pablo Tunica's art was too cartoony, especially anytime he had to draw humans. He didn't really have a good ability to draw mutants that looked like the animals they came from either, particularly the Punk Frogs and Alapex.
This was just OK. Pablo Tunica's art was too cartoony, especially anytime he had to draw humans. He didn't really have a good ability to draw mutants that looked like the animals they came from either, particularly the Punk Frogs and Alapex.
November 14, 2022
The script is continuously great, I'm loving Sophie Campbell's run, but the ART is so mixed here. Some issues are fine, but others look absolutely terrible to the point where you wonder how the person in question got a job as an artist.
And yes, the doctor in these issues is an amazing addition. Holy crap, I never thought I'd see TMNT Meets Leatherface, but here we are.
And yes, the doctor in these issues is an amazing addition. Holy crap, I never thought I'd see TMNT Meets Leatherface, but here we are.
May 23, 2023
The pacing feels a bit off at times (something I've encountered before in Sophie Campbell's work) but this is still a very entertaining collection full of strong character moments and intriguing developments.
September 12, 2022
I found the Punk Frogs and Venus de Milo worthy characters. The doctor was also insane and kept things interesting.
October 17, 2023
Wasn't expecting the Doctor Moreau vibes but it's perfect for the Halloween season
January 25, 2024
I’m not a fan of the illustrator change personally I preferred Campbells work in the other volumes and I don’t like Tunica’s style but VENUS IS BACK!! therefore this volume is amazing.
May 27, 2024
I had said I wanted a tone change, and boy did I get it. This was a toe dip into the horror genre but what a fun and twisted story we got. Aloplex was a bit out of character in my opinion but otherwise a decent change of pace here.
November 16, 2024
This volume has a few too many moving plot parts for any one to read wholly successful.
The art seems to diminsh in quality as the volume continues too.
The art seems to diminsh in quality as the volume continues too.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews