Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is in a transitional phase. Jason Aaron and Juan Ferreyra are wrapping up their incredible run, while Gene Luen Yang and Freddie E. Williams II prepare to take over the reins by year’s end. Before that, Kenny Porter and Michael Shelfer deliver their own TMNT story with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2025, and make an excellent case for why they should tell more Turtles tales.
Taking place after the events of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #12, the annual finds the Heroes in a Half-Shell reflecting on their year apart. They end up sharing stories about their exploits: Michelangelo recounts an incident from the TV show he was shooting in Japan, Raphael discusses his road trip across America, and Leonardo recounts his hunt for a recently transformed mutant kidnapped by an anti-mutant cult.
Readers might have noticed that Donatello is the only Turtle who hasn’t gotten their own story. It makes the anthology feel a little incomplete; while Aaron’s run did reveal that Donnie went through his own ordeals following the events of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #150, I would have liked to see a story centered on him – especially since he’s the one who asks his brothers to share their own stories.
IDW
Apart from that one minor quibble, I do think that Porter does a great job of capturing what makes each Turtle their own character. Mikey’s story not only fits his chaotic yet energetic nature, but also shows that, beneath all his jokes and immature behavior, there is someone actually willing to learn from his mistakes. Raph’s story is short, sweet, and absolutely violent, reflecting on his tendency to solve problems with his fists. It also doesn’t hurt that most of his journey was covered in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Nation.
It’s Leo who gets the lion’s share of the focus in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2025, and it’s the best decision Porter could have made. Not only is there a major twist that reframes the whole story, but it’s revealed that the mutant Leo is tracking is one of four brothers – reflecting his deep desire to reunite his family. It all leads to an emotional resolution that once again solidifies why Leo is my favorite Turtle and the family dynamic that should be at the heart of every TMNT tale.
Shelfer also deserves plenty of praise for the incredible illustrations he brings to the table with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2025. His anime-influenced style was briefly glimpsed in Mark Waid’s “Phantoms” storyline in Action Comics, and it turns out to be the perfect fit for the Turtles. The opening sequence has plenty of energetic flair, with the Turtles setting aside their pizza plans to battle a group of gangsters. Nunchucks fly, katanas block crowbars, and a bo staff spins with the force of a helicopter blade.
It isn’t all fighting, since Shelfer also excels at drawing the quieter moments between the Turtles. One scene stands out in particular, where the Turtles sit down and eat pizza. While Mikey excitedly stuffs slices in his mouth and Donnie is pretty serene, Leo sits with his back to his brothers, quietly sharpening his swords. It’s a somber moment, made more melancholy by the fact that Ronda Pattinson casts shadows covering Leo’s face.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2025 is a well-crafted character piece that serves as a perfect bridge between runs. It also makes me want more stories from Porter and Shelfer, since they both get what makes the Turtles tick.
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