Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Enemies Old, Enemies New (Comics) | Review

Here's the thing about TMNT Volume 2: it doesn't just continue the story– it transforms everything. After Vol. 1 established the basics, this collection throws readers into revelations that completely reshape what you thought you knew about the Turtles' origin story.

The result feels like watching a master class in how to evolve a beloved franchise without losing what made it special in the first place. What this really means is that casual fans expecting straightforward ninja action might find themselves overwhelmed by the depth and storytelling complexity IDW brings to these characters.

This isn't your Saturday morning cartoon– it's mythology-building at its finest, where every fight scene carries emotional weight and every revelation connects to something larger. The creative team understands modern readers want substance with shell-kicking action.

The core narrative revolves around the Turtles discovering their past lives in feudal Japan, learning they were once sons of Hamato Yoshi murdered by Oroku Saki centuries ago. This reincarnation angle gives every confrontation between the brothers and Shredder personal stakes beyond simple good versus evil dynamics.

The weight of these ancestral memories fundamentally changes how each turtle views their relationships with one another and their sensei. Leo struggles with leadership knowing he once failed to protect his brothers, while Raph's anger stems from centuries-old betrayal.

Meanwhile, Baxter Stockman unveils deadly new strategies for capturing the Turtles just as General Krang arrives in New York City, demanding immediate results from his struggling earth-based operations and creating additional pressure for success.

Stockman's evolving tactics showcase his growing desperation and scientific brilliance, introducing mechanical threats that test the Turtles' adaptability. His experiments become increasingly personal as he learns about their unique physiology, while Krang's alien perspective creates urgency that amplifies every encounter.

The brilliance lies in how these two storylines intersect. While the Turtles grapple with memories of their previous deaths and the implications for their family bond, Krang's impatience creates immediate threats that force them to work as a cohesive unit.

What makes this intersection particularly effective is how emotional revelations enhance action sequences rather than slowing them down. Each battle carries the weight of current survival and ancient vengeance, creating multi-layered conflicts where every punch connects to something deeper than surface-level heroics.

The past informs the present without overwhelming it, creating compelling narrative tension that drives both meaningful character development and engaging plot advancement while maintaining balance between historical revelation and contemporary storytelling.

The volume introduces key supporting characters crucial to later storylines, including deeper exploration of Splinter's connection to Hamato Yoshi. These revelations ripple through subsequent volumes, making this collection essential reading rather than optional back-story.

This volume serves as the bridge between the origin story of Volume 1 and the mythology that unfolds in Volume 3: Shadows of the Past. Readers who jump in here will miss some context but the storytelling is accessible enough that newcomers can follow along while longtime fans appreciate the layered references to TMNT lore.

Dan Duncan and Mateus Santolouco deliver artwork that balances kinetic action with quiet character moments beautifully. The fight choreography feels genuinely martial arts-inspired rather than generic superhero brawling, while emotional beats carry real weight.

The feudal Japan flashbacks use a different artistic approach that distinguishes past from present without feeling jarring. Tom Waltz's writing, guided by Kevin Eastman's story input, strikes the right balance between accessibility and complexity.

The dialogue feels natural for each turtle's personality while advancing multiple plot threads. The pacing allows individual plotlines to develop properly while maintaining forward momentum. Most importantly, the reincarnation concept never feels like a gimmick– it serves the story by deepening relationships and raising stakes.

This collection represents IDW's TMNT continuity hitting its stride perfectly. The creative team demonstrates complete confidence in their ambitious vision while consistently respecting the franchise's core appeal and maintaining what fans love most about these characters.

Action fans get spectacular fight sequences, character-driven readers get meaningful development and mythology enthusiasts get revelations that completely re-contextualize everything they thought they knew about these beloved characters and their history.

The real achievement is making a 30-year-old concept feel fresh and relevant. By grounding fantastical elements in genuine emotion and using past-life connections to strengthen family dynamics rather than complicate, Enemies Old, Enemies New proves that the best franchise revivals transform while honoring what came before.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Enemies Old, Enemies New arc is available in the trade paperback edition from IDW Publishing through online stores. For digital readers, the storyline is accessible on ComiXology, Kindle and IDW's digital catalog.