Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant (Comics) Review

Thirty years after their pizza-fueled debut changed comics forever, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles needed something more than nostalgia to stay relevant. Every reboot faces the same impossible challenge– honor what came before while finding fresh ground to explore.

Most fail spectacularly, either playing things too safe or changing too much, but here's what makes IDW's opening salvo different: it understands that evolution beats revolution every single time in comic-book storytelling.

Change is Constant doesn't just restart the TMNT universe– it rebuilds it from the ground up with surgical precision. Co-creator Kevin Eastman returns after more than a decade away, teaming with writer Tom Waltz to craft something that feels familiar and completely new.

This isn't fan service masquerading as storytelling. It's a confident creative team taking the mythology in directions that enhance rather than replace what made these characters work in the first place originally for longtime readers.

The story begins with tragedy in feudal Japan, where ninja master Hamato Yoshi and his four sons fall victim to the Foot Clan's brutal ambitions. Fast forward to modern New York, where Baxter Stockman's bioengineering have created intelligent test subjects including four baby turtles and a rat, all connected by mysterious forces.

When Foot Clan agents break into Stockgen Corporation to steal alien mutagen, they trigger a chain reaction that transforms our heroes into the crime-fighting team fans know and love, with spiritual reincarnation adding emotional weight.

They're not just random animals who happened to get mutated together– they're literally family reunited across lifetimes. The genius move here is how Eastman and Waltz blend mystical elements with street-level action without making either feel forced.

The reincarnation subplot explains why these characters have such strong connections while adding depth to their relationships with classic villains like Shredder. When Oroku Saki appears in modern times, his conflict with the turtles carries centuries of bad blood that makes every single confrontation feel deeply personal.

What sets this origin apart from previous versions is its commitment to showing consequences. The mutation process isn't just a convenient plot device– it's traumatic body horror that leaves our heroes struggling with their new forms and abilities.

Splinter's transformation from human soul to rat body creates genuine pathos, while the turtles grapple with recovered memories of their previous lives and struggle to understand their newfound identities in this strange new world.

The supporting cast gets meaningful development too, particularly April O'Neil, who becomes more than just a reporter who happens to stumble into turtle adventures. Her connection to the Stockgen facility gives her agency in the story, while her growing bond with the turtles feels genuinely earned rather than coincidental or forced.

Even Baxter Stockman emerges as a complex figure whose scientific ambitions create moral gray areas. Eastman and Waltz excel at balancing multiple storylines without losing focus on character development, keeping readers invested in every subplot throughout.

The Foot Clan's modern operations feel like a natural evolution of their ancient methods, while new threats like the alien Kraang add sci-fi elements that complement rather than overshadow the core ninja action sequences throughout the storyline.

Each issue builds toward revelations that re-contextualize everything that came before. The world-building extends beyond just updating familiar elements– it creates a living ecosystem where every piece connects logically.

Corporate conspiracies, ancient vendettas and teenage angst all coexist in ways that feel organic rather than forced. This feels like a universe where anything could happen next but everything follows internal rules that make sense.

The pacing allows each revelation to breathe while maintaining forward momentum that keeps readers engaged. Rather than rushing to iconic moments, the creative team takes time to establish stakes and relationships that make those moments matter when they arrive. This foundation work pays dividends through entire run.

Waltz understands that the best TMNT stories work because readers care about these characters, not just because they want to see cool fight scenes. His handling of the reincarnation concept adds mythic weight without becoming pretentious.

Most importantly, the creative team maintains tonal consistency throughout the arc. The humor feels organic to the characters rather than forced, while dramatic moments earn their emotional impact through proper setup. This version respects both longtime fans and new readers by creating something that works.

Artwork by penciller Dan Duncan (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Enemies Old, Enemies New, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shadows of the Past) strikes the perfect balance between detailed realism and cartoon expressiveness that defines modern TMNT comics.

His turtle designs feel fierce and approachable, avoiding the extremes of either cute mascots or gritty anti-heroes. The action sequences showcase real choreography and weight, making every punch and sword stroke feel impactful without becoming gratuitously violent.

Duncan's panel layouts demonstrate sophisticated storytelling instincts, particularly during flashback sequences that connect past and present events, using visual parallels and transitions that enhance the narrative flow while maintaining reader engagement throughout.

The transitions between feudal Japan and modern New York flow seamlessly, using visual parallels to reinforce thematic connections. His background work creates a lived-in New York that feels authentic rather than generic, grounding fantastic elements.

Kevin Eastman's layout contributions bring veteran expertise to the visual storytelling, ensuring that complex exposition never overwhelms the artwork. The collaborative approach between Eastman and Duncan results in pages that feels cinematic without sacrificing comic-book strengths and strong character depth.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant succeeds because it understands that the best reboots don't just retell familiar stories– they find new ways to explore why those stories matter in the first place for dedicated readers.

The four-issue arc accomplishes the difficult task of reintroducing iconic characters without relying on nostalgia as a crutch. New readers can jump in easily and understand everything they need to know, while longtime fans will appreciate the deeper layers and connections to established TMNT mythology throughout.

This opening storyline launched what would become IDW's longest-running TMNT series, spanning over 100 issues and multiple spin-offs. The success speaks to how well Change is Constant established the tone, characters and world that would sustain years of storytelling.

For readers looking for superhero action with heart, family dynamics that feel authentic and world-building that rewards attention, Change is Constant delivers everything a debut arc should accomplish. It's essential reading for TMNT fans and an excellent entry point for newcomers curious about these characters.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Change is Constant storyline is available in trade paperback at major retailers like Amazon. For digital readers, it can be found on platforms like ComiXology and Kindle, making it easy to dive into the definitive start of IDW's TMNT saga.