Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #20 (LGY #300!) – The Veil

Comic BooksIDW PublishingReviews
April O'Neil in a yellow top sits between two Ninja Turtles, one with an orange mask and the other with a red mask, on a TMNT #20 cover

Published:

Reading time: 6 min.

Imagine losing a loved one… Then discovering an ancient magic that gives you the ability to bring them back to the present via a portal called “The Veil.” Would you do this no matter the cost? The Turtles have done so, and the cost is a bit more than they anticipated…

Creative Team

“The Veil”
Gene Luen Yang (Writer), Freddie E. Williams II (Artist), Andrew Dalhouse (Colorist), Shawn Lee (Letterer)

“Timeline Cleanse”
Kevin Eastman / Tom Waltz (Writers), Chris Allan / Ben Bates / Dan Duncan / Frank Fosco / Jim Lawson / Eric Talbot (Artists), Luis Antonio Delgado / Ronda Pattison (Colorists)

Nathan Widick (Designer), Jake Thomas (Editor), Tommy Stella (Assistant Editor)

Publisher: IDW Publishing

The Veil

Issue twenty of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) is the beginning of a new storyline from Gene Luen Yang! On top of this new storyline, this issue is also a monumental issue in the forty-year history of TMNT. This is legacy issue number 300! This is a huge milestone for the TMNT franchise! Which makes this issue special as it joins together two stories within one printing.

The Veil
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #20/#300 LGY, Credit IDW Publishing. Cover by Freddie E. Williams & Jeremy Colwell


Let’s start off with the new storyline that was teased within the ending of issue nineteen. Readers of this TMNT run know that during the Ujigami story the Turtles learned that their father, Master Splinter, was brought back to life from the Land of the Dead. But within the events of the Ujigami story, their mother (Shen) is also brought back from the Land of the Dead. While this is amazing and a beautiful reunion for the Turtles, they are unaware of the dangers this is going to bring to the timeline.

While the return of their parents is heartwarming, this also brings more dangers to the Turtles and New York City as a whole. The ancient magic with the ability to bring individuals across The Veil is housed within a dragon head style door knocker. Once the word get’s out about this power, there are mischievous people trying to obtain the artifact. Which brings the action to this issue!

Since Shen has been reunited with her family after crossing The Veil she now has a target on her back as well. Not from anyone within the present, but the two overseers of The Land of the Dead. They pay Shen a visit and pose a threat to Shen regarding the trouble she is causing by being back within the present. The two overseers give Shen a task to complete before she is to report back to The Land of the Dead. This does not go over very well with the Turtles, as you can imagine.

One aspect of this story that hit home for me on a very personal note deals with Casey Jones. TMNT fans know that Casey lost his mother some time ago. He reaches out to the Turtles in hopes of using the artifact to bring back his mother just as they did theirs. Unfortunately, Casey does not get the answer from his extended family that he is wanting. That is until one of the Turtles goes behind the backs of his brothers and grants Casey his wish. What is meant to be a joyous reunion between Casey and his mother does not go as planned…

The reason this portion of this issue hits so hard emotionally for me is because I too have dealt with loss. My mother passed away the day before my high school graduation in 2010. Her passing was sudden and unexpected. While her passing hurt and still does to this day, what hurts more is the fact our last conversation was an argument. While I was able to apologize to her, I was not able to get a response in return from her.

This takes me back to my question within the intro to this article. Would you bring back a loved one if able, no matter the cost? Yes, I would. I would give anything to bring my mother back to me for even a few minutes. Just to see, talk and hold one more time. To take back what I said those many years ago. To hear her tell me she’s proud of the man that I’ve become. No matter the cost…

Time Cleanse

The second half of this issue is a celebration story of this milestone 300th issue of TMNT! This portion of the story takes readers on a wonderful journey through the past forty-years of TMNT comics. It is amazing to see the transition in art styles through the years. Even getting to see some of the cartoon art within this history tale. This also got me to think about the history and progress that TMNT has made within television and movies as well. As a TMNT fan of both comic books and film/television this is very heartwarming to see combined and celebrated within this legacy issue! I look forward to seeing TMNT hit another milestone with issue 400!

The Writing

Gene Luen Yang continues to write phenomenal stories revolving around a family aspect. It is beautiful to see the Turtles reuniting with their parents. So much so that they seem to pick up right where they left off when each of them (the parents) passed away. The dialogue turns very powerful and defensive when their mother (Shen) is threated to return to The Land of the Dead. The tone shift is very powerful and will have readers feeling the emotional distress the Turtles are portraying. This series, even with a new storyline, continues to surprise me. Great work!

The Artwork

Welcome back the TMNT dynamic art duo of Freddie E. Williams II and Andrew Dalhouse! I could look at their TMNT art for days and this issue is no exception. Freddie lays down his amazing pencilwork panel after panel in this issue. Etching in so many crucial details throughout every aspect of the panel whether its characters, building elements or even action movements. Andrew swoops in and provides the correct coloration and shading to give this story the necessary feeling to boost the storytelling. Love this art duo and I wish they will continue to work with one another on TMNT!

Open Order Covers

  • TMNT 300th Issue Special cover: four ninja turtles stacked atop each other with swords and weapons ready for battle, colorful comic art.
    Frank Miller Variant
  • April O'Neil stands center among the four turtles, ready for action in a comic-book cover for the 300th issue special.
    J. Scott Campbell Variant
  • Comic book cover: four Ninja Turtles in colored masks wielding swords leap in front of a glowing city skyline; titled 'TMNT 300th Issue Special' with bold 'TURTLES' lettering.
    Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird Variant
  • TMNT 300th issue special cover: a blonde queen in blue armor seated by a sewer, turtles in the background on the right.
    Michael Dooney Variant

Incentive Covers

  • Four humanoid turtles in masks wielding swords battle across a city rooftop with tall buildings in the background.
    Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird – Black & White Virgin Variant 1:25
  • Comic book cover: '300th Issue Special' TMNT with the word 'TURTLES' across the top; four Ninja Turtles in colored masks and armor stand ready with weapons in front of a large green dragon-like monster on a red background.
    Stan Sakai Variant 1:50
  • Comic book cover featuring four Ninja Turtles in dynamic combat poses with swords against a green background and bold TMNT title text.
    Guiseppe Camuncoli Variant 1:100
  • April O'Neil stands in a ruined room with the four Ninja Turtles, swords drawn, ready to fight in a comic-style scene.
    J. Scott Campbell Virgin Variant 1:200
  • Line drawing of five Ninja Turtles stacked on top of each other, wearing masks and wielding various weapons (long swords and bladed staffs).
    Frank Miller – Black & White Virgin Variant 1:300
  • Comic-style scene: four ninjas in red masks wielding swords, fighting on a rooftop above a city skyline.
    Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird – Signed CGC Graded Variant 1:1,000

Retailer Exclusive Covers

  • TMNT 300th issue special cover showing the four ninja turtles and allies in dynamic poses on a comic cover.
    Anthony Apodaca – Sweetdeevs / Supply Co. Variant
  • Group of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with allies in a dynamic team pose, wielding weapons and ready for action.
    Anthony Apodaca – Sweetdeevs / Supply Co. Virgin Variant
  • Four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles leap from a sewer opening with weapons drawn into a dark tunnel.
    Billy Martin – IDW Webstore Foil Virgin Variant
  • TMNT 300th Issue Special comic cover showing the four green mutant turtles in action poses with weapons (swords and staff) and colored masks.
    Chuma Hill – Bird City Comics / Fury Comix Variant
  • Three Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles wearing colored masks and wielding weapons, in a combat-ready group pose.
    Chuma Hill – Bird City Comics / Fury Comix Virgin Variant
  • Four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in combat stances, each with colored masks and weapons, set against a neon pink space backdrop.
    Bjorn Barends – Big Time Collectibles / Unknown Comics – Pink Virgin Variant
  • Three Ninja Turtles in colorful masks fight in a blazing, debris-filled battle scene, each wielding weapons and leaping forward.
    Bjorn Barends – Big Time Collectibles / Unknown Comics – Yellow Virgin Variant
  • TMNT 300th Issue Special cover: four turtles with April O’Neil in a sewer lair, playing games with pizza nearby.
    Gus Mauk – 8 Zero 2 Comics Variant
  • Group portrait of four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and a red-haired woman (April O'Neil) sitting on a couch in a dim lair, watching a TV and playing a video game together with pizza and drinks nearby.
    Gus Mauk – 8 Zero 2 Comics Virgin Variant

Event Exclusive / Blind Bag Covers

  • Cross-section of a multi-level Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles lair inside a brick tower, filled with gadgets, ladders, and pipes, with a city street above and a yellow bus on top.
    Chuck U – SDCC 2026 Variant
  • Four green Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in bandanas fight with swords and nunchuks on a city street at night, neon sign glowing beside them.
    Freddie E. Williams II – Blind Bag Virgin Variant
  • Four green Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles wearing colored masks are stacked in a towering pose, each wielding their signature weapons in a graffiti mural background.
    Frank Miller – Blind Bag Virgin Variant
  • Four green Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in dynamic battle poses with their weapons against a yellow sky background.
    Ito – Blind Bag Virgin Variant
  • TMNT 300th issue special cover showing action-packed panels with the four turtles and a bold 'TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES' title above.
    Juan Ferreyra – Blind Bag Variant
  • Comic cover: the four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles battle in a neon-lit city street with swords drawn, cars around, dramatic skyline behind them.
    Mateus Santolouco – Blind Bag Variant
  • A fantasy princess in a blue outfit and crown sits on a brick ledge beside a sewer, holding a glowing staff while green creatures emerge from the water in a stone tunnel.
    Michale Dooney – Blind Bag Virgin Variant

Final Thoughts

This issue takes you on an emotional ride! Sure there is plenty of action within these pages. All while tugging at your heart strings with the current situation revolving around Shen. Losing a loved one and having the chance to bring them back is going to hit home with many readers I suspect. You do not want to miss out on this start of a new storyline for this series of TMNT. Go get your copy today!

Overall Grade: 10/10

Links

Comic Book Reviews & Entertainment News: Nerd Initiative
Previous TMNT Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #19 – Family Fun Day!
Travis’ NI Portfolio: TravisComicHaven – Nerd Initiative
Travis’ Personal Content: Travis’ Comic Haven

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TravisComicHaven
TravisComicHavenhttps://nerdinitiative.com/author/traviscomichaven/
My name is Travis; I operate Travis' Comic Haven on all social media platforms. I am a lover of comics! While I am a monumental Batman fan, I do enjoy other characters as well. Since starting at Nerd Initiative, I have covered Amazing Spider-Man, TMNT, Battle Beast, Power Rangers and everything Star Wars! I really enjoy covering comic books and offering my viewpoints on the new books coming out. I also enjoy this community and getting the opportunity to engage with numerous comic book writers and artists! Check out my other articles here with Nerd Initiative and follow me on social media! God Bless!

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