Family can be complicated, especially if you’re a group of four mutated ninja turtles with a giant rat as a father. In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #16, writer Gene Luen Yang continues to explore the intricacies of family dynamics, while artists Freddie E. Williams II and Fero Pe inject the action with a cinematic flair. Lines have been drawn, and the Hamato clan may never be the same.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Battle Their Father
Raphael is between a rock and a hard place. Master Splinter is attacking his best friend, Casey Jones, because of an ominous vision. Casey will be the one to kill Raphael. This creates an immediate problem. Last issue Raphael was Splinter’s biggest defender, arguing that if their Master had decided killing the bad guys is okay, then that’s the path they should follow. That conviction changes now that the target is someone Raphael is close to. Luen Yang cleverly uses this cognitive dissonance to earn genuine growth from the normally stubborn turtle.
Seeing the brothers come together to defend Casey and oppose Splinter is a massive moment. We know we’re in for something special when they strike a battle pose on page six and warn Splinter they don’t want to fight him. Williams II and Pe give their fight the respect it deserves, filling each panel with dynamic poses, devastating strikes, and fluid motion trails that let us know Splinter hasn’t lost a step. Letterer Shawn Lee labels each blow with a gut-wrenching sound effect, as each HWOK and WHUMP reinforces the brutality.
How Far Is Splinter Willing To Go?
Luen Yang shows how far Splinter has drifted from his moral code when he hypnotizes his sons with the Shinigami’s hypno stones. They were willing to go to war to oppose his actions, but instead of considering their opinions, he took them off the table. It’s a cold move from the usually warm ninja master, and won’t be soon forgiven.
Splinter’s unquenchable thirst to prevent the future leads him into a trap as he hunts for the leader of the Foot Clan, Oroku Karai, and the Shinigami. He’s captured, and the villains want to use his fear to open a portal to Yomi-No-Kuni, the land of the dead. Shinigami’s face contorts into a wicked grin as she rips the terror out of the ninja master. Colorists Andrew Dalhouse and Luis Antonio Delgado flood the page with supernatural greens as Splinter emits a pained scream. His only hope is his sons, but it remains to be seen if he can turn back from his current path.
Are Splinter or The Turtles Right? Luen Yang Gives No Easy Answers
The fun thing about this arc is how tough it is to pick a side. Both the turtle brothers and Splinter have valid reasons for their actions. Splinter is a dedicated father who would do anything for his sons. That includes compromising morals and killing if necessary. He trained the turtles to be the opposite though. They learned to act with honor, and killing someone because of a potential future doesn’t line up with their code. It puts them at odds with the man who taught them those lessons, but they stick to their guns. That’s what heroes do.
Verdict?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #16 shows how complicated a family can really be. The turtles reckon with the hypocrisy of their master, while Splinter sacrifices everything for his son’s safety. Luen Yang ratchets the emotions up, while Dalhouse and Delgado’s vivid colors enhance Williams II and Pe’s dynamic action. The Turtles’ confrontation with Splinter is a disaster waiting to unfold. It’s impossible to look away.
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‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ #16 Fractures the Hamato Clan
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #16 shows how complicated a family can really be. The turtles reckon with the hypocrisy of their master, while Splinter sacrifices everything for his son’s safety. Luen Yang ratchets the emotions up, while Dalhouse and Delgado’s vivid colors enhance Williams II and Pe’s dynamic action. The Turtles’ confrontation with Splinter is a disaster waiting to unfold. It’s impossible to look away.
