Full spoilers ahead for The Last Ronin #5

By Kris Markl — When the first issue of The Last Ronin released in October of 2020, it took the comic book (and collecting) world by storm. It seemed to be an amalgamation of all the wildest dreams of large portions of the TMNT fandom: a return to the dark and gritty storytelling from the original Mirage title, the continuation of the dynamic writing duo of Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz, and a flash-forward so far into the future that uncharted territory was guaranteed to be explored. A slow trickle of issue releases only furthered the hype and anticipation surrounding the series.

The final issue of the five-issue miniseries has finally arrived and it does not disappoint. The issue opens with Michelangelo - the last remaining turtle and member of the Hamato Clan - arguing with the ghosts of his three brothers as to what the next plan of attack against the sinister Oroku Hiroto should be. Grappling with his own survivor’s remorse as much as he is with the burden of exacting revenge against his family’s murderer, Mikey is relieved when the familial apparitions at last disperse - giving him a moment of clarity before departing.

The greatest developmental result of this series - Casey Marie Jones - is front and center at the heart of this story as well. She effortlessly fills the role of revolutionary leader and protagonist for the future as she confronts her mother April about her mutant powers, helps her save the city from flooding, and carries on the mantle (so to speak) from Michelangelo. The story’s ending is perfectly left open-ended with a great potential for a future creative team to revisit a compelling new character.

As for Michelangelo, his story is perfectly bookended from the first issue with another direct assault in Hiroto’s tower, which is this time successful. Due to the developments of the issues in between, principally the disabling of Baxter Stockman’s network, Mikey has exactly what he needs to confront his family’s murderer head-on at last. The final conflict does not disappoint, as it spills out into three different and distinct locations - including a bout in the sewers - before Hiroto ultimately meets his end as a result of his own hubris via a super suit malfunction. While a final killing blow from Michelangelo may have been more satisfying for some, it can also be seen as apropos to see just how far Hiroto had fallen.

At first glance, one might say that the events that take place in the final issue of “The Last Ronin” (and, in part, the series as a whole) are easy to forecast. However, upon further examination it should be seen as a strength. In a medium where long and winding arcs and inventory/filler issues are in heavy usage, this issue and series pull absolutely no punches. From its inception, it tells you the clear thesis and it proceeds to carry it out in great detail.

The creative team on this book deserves an immense amount of praise. Eastman and Waltz had a clear vision for the story that they wanted to tell and executed it to perfection.The art by Eastman, Ben Bishop, and Issac and Esau Escorza is an expressive and emotional blend of traditional Japanese style with a futuristic cyberpunk flair. The colors by Samuel Plata, Luis Antonio Delgado and Ronda Pattison are moody and make you feel the art in a personal way. The scenes with the brothers arguing in particular truly came to life.

“The Last Ronin” is a series that was highly-anticipated from its initial announcement and has not disappointed in the least. One would certainly hope that the success and acclaim for this title would not only bring more readers to the amazing ongoing title at IDW but further embolden the publisher to take more chances on similar stories for our favorite reptilian martial artists.

Overall: The Last Ronin #5 is a finale that absolutely delivers on the hype that has surrounded this series from its start. This is one of the best TMNT comics ever made. 10/10

REVIEW: The Last Ronin #5

The Last Ronin #5
Story By: Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, and Tom Waltz
Script By: Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz
Layouts: Kevin Eastman
Inks: Esau, Isaac Escorza, Ben Bishop, and Kevin Eastman
Color Assistance: Samuel Plata
Colors: Luis Antonio Delgado and Ronda Pattinson
Letters: Shawn Lee
Publisher: IDW Publishing
The jaw-dropping finale to the biggest TMNT story ever is here! One final showdown between mutant and Foot Clan will determine the fate of NYC. Will the Ronin be able to find some measure of peace or is he fated to meet the same end as his brothers? Don't miss one of the most epic battles in TMNT history and the conclusion to the comic book event of the year!
Price: $8.99
Buy It Here: Digital / Physical

Order The Last Ronin:

The Last Ronin Hardcover (set for release on July 5, 2022)

Read Kris Markl’s TMNT comics column, Shell(f) Space!

Kris is an educator by day and a podcaster by nights and weekends. He co-hosts a weekly nerd/pop culture podcast called The Nerd Byword and can also be heard as a contributor of mutant-centric madness on the glorious podcast X of Words, hosted by the one and only Ashley Alleyne.