Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Reborn, Volume 6 – Game Changers

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2011) #29

by Sophie Campbell (Writer/Illustrator/Colorist), Juni Ba (Writer/Illustrator), Tom Waltz (Writer)

The game is afoot as the Turtles must decide if they can trust an old enemy!

First, the Turtles embark on a secret mission, but a mysterious creature hunts them relentlessly, and they'll have to find a new way to come together to escape their foe—and the pain that haunts them.

In the wake of TMNT: The Armageddon Game—Opening Moves, Oroku Saki, the Shredder, has revealed himself to the Turtles. In order to counter the newest evil machinations of the Pantheon’s trickster god, the Rat King, he seeks an alliance with the sons of his former archenemy, the late Master Splinter. But are the Turtles prepared to join forces with their merciless executioner from a past life? Can Shredder truly be redeemed? No matter the case, the Armageddon Game is fast approaching, and the only place to find the answers to these burning questions is in…Northampton!

Collects the 2022 Annual, issues #131 and 132 of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the 2022 Free Comic Book Day TMNT issue.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

112 pages, Paperback

First published March 21, 2023

About the author

One 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.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

(B+) 79% | Good
Notes: Hardly particular, extracurriculars (field trips and training), more for art, all remnant parts, on mojo/nerve regaining.

*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Annual 2022 ◦ Issues #131-132 and FCBD 2022

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes "filler" is actually the best part of the sandwich- one of my favourite volumes of this latter day Turtles title, in fact, could even be considered as such.

I enjoyed seeing Shredder teach the brothers new mystic techniques, I'm sure we'll see the pay off in the upcoming expanded conflict with the Rat King.

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, what did they do to my girl Aloplex? She's gross now and very out of character I feel after the series worth of growth they've given her; she's practically rabid at this point. :/

The artwork was super ugly in this too and this volume was ridiculously short due to Armageddon Games being set up. But ugly artwork aside, I guess it's ok.

[Seth Grindstaff · Rating 4 out of 5]

IDW's TMNT Reborn Vol. 06 is by far the best in the "Reborn" series so far. This collection collects Annual 2022, #131, #132, and FCBD 2022.

I feared that because only two ongoing issues were included in this collection the stories would not tie in closely to the overall narrative of the series. I was surprised to find that the first three stories are tied together very closely and serve as a major turning point in the series. As much as it is a turning point, I think it is really a turning back to good story telling.

I strongly disliked Reborn Volumes 01-04. I read this volume as a sort of apology to fans and a promise of a return to form. The characters acknowledge that their lives (and for me the entire series) has "gotten awkward recently," that the "mood is tense," that "things have changed" in Juni Ba's excellent issue.

One element that connects the first three stories in this volume is that instead of the turtles fighting an enemy, they are fighting abstract part of themselves such as fear--like Luke's journey into the cave to fight himself on Dagoba in Empire. Each character has moments that develop character and the team has powerful moments as well. The first three stories in this collection are essentially Splinter stories, which might be a reason they resonate so well with me.

The dialogue is much better in this collection. All the characters' dialogue makes sense, which is a major improvement from Campbell's previous issues. The art is also much more to my liking. The main characters are stylized and consistent. My only complaint is with how Campbell still chooses to draw Alopex, which is strange, because Campbell's previous art (such as the Alopex's Micro Series) excelled with animal based characters. I understand why Campbell chose to redesign Shredder's design, but it does not look as cool as the Santolouco's version.

At first, I do not particularly like Shredder's involvement as a protagonist, but that could be because how confusing I found the Shredder in Hell series to be. I do, however, find his role as a protagonist more interesting than his role as the one dimensional villain he was for much of the IDW series. The first 100 issues were Splinter's story. Perhaps the "reborn" arc is supposed to be Shredders?

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the eve of the Armageddon Game, and the only person who can help the Turtles prepare is...the Shredder? Plus, the stage is set with even more players, as a dark group of Turtles rise...

This volume, plus the Opening Moves trade that just came out, include all the prelude issues for the Armageddon Game, which I've been looking forward to for a long time. I love the Pantheon characters, and having them return to the fore is always fun. I also really enjoy when the Turtles lean into the mysticism side of their abilities, so Shredder's two-issue journey explaining some new powers becomes less of an exposition dump and much more compelling.

Also included is the latest Free Comic Book Day issue, which is a retelling of the original TMNT #1, with a twist. I've never read the original, so I don't get the nostalgia factor, but I can appreciate what they're doing. Oh, and then there's the latest Annual, which isn't really Armageddon Game-related, but fills out the pages and is a nice little family story with some lovely Juni Ba artwork.

It feels like the Armageddon Game has been amping up for a while now, and we're so close to the first move. This volume should get you sufficiently hyped.

[Will Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I doubt the authenticity of ninjas using mystic powers in ancient times, this was still a great read. The stories here really accentuated the emotional journeys the Turtles have been on since Splinter’s death and the personal issues they’ve had to overcome to even consider Shredder as a mentor. Speaking of Shredder, I think this volume did a great job showcasing Saki’s ability as a teacher. It’s easy to forget that he wouldn’t have become leader of the Foot Clan if he couldn’t properly train and inspire people. The 2 issue training arc really demonstrated his ability to connect with people and adapt his teaching style to suit the individual and their needs. He’s really good at it, it’s interesting to think about how much good Saki could have done if he hadn’t taken such a dark path earlier in life. Another strong volume in this series!

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a filler volume with only two regular issues as we wait for The Armageddon Game to finally begin. The book begins with a decent story from the 2022 annual by Juni Ba. Then the Turtles leave with Shredder to train for 2 issues. Then a recap of the first issue in the latest Free Comic Book Day issue. The main content is only around 80 pages with about 30 pages of additional covers to fill this thing out.

[Dan Garrison Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those volumes that contains issues from main title, an annual, and a Free Comic-Book Day issue. They’re enjoyable and are moving towards Armageddon Game, but definitely feel like all set up. The TMNT annual has a great callback to TMNT history, and there are a couple solid character moments for Leo in the main title issues.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am posting my full review for Vol 6, 7, and all three Volumes of The Armageddon Game (Main Title, Opening Moves, and The Alliance) on the Volume 7 review. Please see there for my full opinions about this huge crossover.

[iamjacsmusings · Rating 4 out of 5]

The annual issue in this collection might just be one of my favourite Turtles comics I've ever read. The rest is superb too as the stage is set for Armageddon but then I do love me a training montage...

[Andres Pasten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Promete lo que se viene en las TMNT

[brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a huge fan of the Armageddon Game but this was still fun to read

[Larakaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heck yeah mystical ninjitsu stuff!

[KJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

Eager but scared to see what awaits in the Armageddon Game...