The Last Ronin is a limited series that was released by IDW Publishing between 2020 and 2022. The book had artistic powerhouses like Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the creators of the TMNT, working on the story. And the art is nothing to sneeze at. Dark tones on minimalist backgrounds make you know something is different even before the story tells you outright. I think many TMNT fans would love this take on the characters, even if they’reunfamiliar with how dark it is.
You’re familiar with the Ninja Turtles more than likely; most people are. But barely anyone knows that they originated from a comic book in the 1980s. The book I’m recommending isn’t like the Saturday morning cartoon turtles though; it’s more like a cheesy Schwarzenegger movie. The Last Ronin. I can’t say much without spoiling, but I can say this: there’s only one hero in a half shell left. And he’s on a mission. The setting is a dystopian New York City, with robotic police officers and synthetic ninjas, or synjas, as they are so called. The main antagonist is a new and improved Shredder, ruler of the Foot Clan and New York City. This book is too captivating to say anything else without spoilers.
You can pick up the book online, either issue by issue or the compiled version on the official IDW Publishing site. Now is the time to read this book, as Eastman and Laird are apparently collaborating with Paramount to release a film based on The Last Ronin. I haven’t been able to find an official rating of the book, but after reading it I would say it’s for mature audiences, PG at least. These turtles have had a storied history, and as someone who grew up watching various iterations of them, this story is impeccable. Even if you’re not a fan of the characters, cartoons, or comics, this story is guaranteed to hit you in the feels, if you have any. If you want similar books, you have a selection of works by Eastman & Laird to choose from, but I would recommend the sequel to this, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: the Last Ronin II–Re-Evolution, or any volume of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection. For local comic book news, you can come check out the Richwoods Comic Book Club. Mondays after school in Room 303. Come in, and you can share comic ideas or create them with us. Hopefully, if you catch my next article, you’ll get more information on Comic Book Club.
