Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 [Advance Review]
After a strong opening arc that reintroduced readers to the beloved quartet of mutant ninja turtles, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 shifts focus to introduce its first major antagonist, Hieronymus Hale. Written by Jason Aaron with art by Darick Robertson, this issue takes a step back from the heroes’ journey to explore Hale’s backstory and establish the stakes of the looming conflict. While it delivers a gritty and ambitious character study, the slower pace and lack of momentum compared to previous issues leave it feeling slightly underwhelming.
District Attorney Hieronymus Hale is a man consumed by bitterness and ambition, operating in a world steeped in corruption. His partnership with Karai and the Foot Clan suggests a dangerous alignment of political power and criminal enterprise, and this issue works to deepen his motivations. Through flashbacks and inner monologues, Aaron paints Hale as a man who has transformed his traumatic past into a weapon. As a child ignored and overlooked by his peers, Hale grew into a figure of calculated ruthlessness, using his pain to claw his way to power. While Aaron stops short of making Hale sympathetic, the additional context provides a clearer picture of how he came to align himself with Karai and her deadly ninja forces.
The writing is strongest in its exploration of Hale’s psyche. Jason Aaron brings his signature touch to the character’s inner conflict, blending personal trauma with larger themes of prejudice and societal injustice. Hale’s dialogue is sharp and deliberate, whether he’s deflecting accusations in a courtroom or privately grappling with his resentment. Aaron’s nuanced storytelling blurs the lines between victim and villain, asking readers to consider how Hale’s experiences have shaped his choices. Yet, despite the rich psychological exploration, Hale lacks the charisma or menace needed to truly carry the narrative. His presence, while complex, doesn’t quite command the attention or investment needed to make him a standout antagonist.
What holds TMNT #5 back is its narrative pacing. After four issues of high-octane action and emotionally charged reunions, this installment feels like a breather—a necessary one, perhaps, but less engaging as a result. The tension between Hale and the turtles remains largely theoretical for now, with little direct interaction to raise the stakes. As a result, the issue feels more like a setup for future conflicts than a compelling story in its own right.
On the artistic front, Darick Robertson delivers a stellar performance that elevates the material. His dense, textured linework captures the gritty tone of the narrative, immersing readers in a world that feels raw and lived-in. Robertson excels at visualizing motion and combat, as seen in the chaotic ninja clashes and kinetic energy of every sword swing. The dynamic panel layouts enhance the frenetic pace of these sequences, while his attention to detail grounds the quieter moments.
Robertson’s ability to convey emotion through facial expressions is particularly noteworthy. Hale’s twisted grin exudes menace, while more subdued expressions reveal the weight of his inner turmoil. These visual cues add depth to the character, complementing Aaron’s writing and making Hale’s tragic backstory all the more visceral. Additionally, Robertson’s use of shadow and lighting builds atmosphere, with darker tones dominating tense moments and sharp contrasts emphasizing key scenes of violence or revelation.
The coloring by Tony Aviña further enhances the mood. The muted palette, punctuated by bold reds and blacks, underscores the themes of vengeance and oppression. Aviña’s colors add depth to Robertson’s linework, making the gritty cityscapes and intense action sequences pop. Meanwhile, Shawn Lee’s lettering is clean and precise, guiding the reader’s eye without detracting from the art. The subtle variations in font and balloon placement help differentiate characters’ voices, adding another layer of clarity to the storytelling.
Despite the impressive creative synergy between Aaron and Robertson, the issue ultimately feels like a step down from its predecessors. Hieronymus Hale’s backstory is well-crafted and thematically rich, but the character doesn’t quite command the same level of engagement as the turtles themselves. As the first major antagonist introduced in this new run, Hale’s impact falls short of the high expectations set by the series’ earlier issues.
That said, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 succeeds in laying the groundwork for future conflicts. The tension between the heroes and Hale is palpable, even if it hasn’t fully erupted yet, and the alliance between Hale and the Foot Clan promises exciting developments down the line. While this issue may lack the emotional intensity and narrative momentum of the previous installments, it serves as an intriguing character study and a bridge to what comes next.
Ultimately, this issue is a reminder of the creative risks inherent in serialized storytelling. Not every chapter can be a nonstop thrill ride; sometimes, the story needs room to breathe and develop its villains. While Hale may not have captured my full attention, the groundwork laid here leaves plenty of room for the turtles to rise to the occasion in the issues to come. With the creative team of Aaron, Robertson, Aviña, and Lee continuing to deliver strong work, I remain optimistic about where the series is headed.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 is a solid, if slower-paced, installment that deepens the narrative while falling short of its predecessors’ high bar. Hale’s introduction adds complexity to the story, but the issue lacks the emotional weight and dynamism that defined earlier chapters. Here’s hoping issue #6 brings the series back to its thrilling best.
