Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Resurrects Master Splinter as New Villain

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13!

Splinter, the mentor and father figure of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, is not only back from the dead, but he’s also now a villain. This shocking development takes place in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13, marking a new era for the Heroes in a Half-Shell that also welcomes a new creative team.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13 is written by Gene Luen Yang, with art by Freddie E. Williams II. The issue introduces readers to a new villain called Ujigami. Writer Jason Aaron and artist Juan Ferreyra ended their TMNT run by resurrecting Splinter, but a happy reunion is put on the back burner when the mysterious Ujigami attacks the Turtles’ enemies.

This is one of the biggest transformations that has happened to Splinter in his 42 years of existence. To make matters worse, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles aren’t even aware that Splinter is alive, or that he’s masquerading as a vigilante named Ujigami. This presents several unanswered questions that the Turtles will have to solve.

Splinter Is Back In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles As Ujigami, A New Villain With Mysterious Powers

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13, Written By Gene Luen Yang; Art By Freddie Williams II; Available Now From IDW Publishing

Splinter died back in 2019, in the landmark 100th issue of IDW Publishing’s previous volume of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. However, his presence loomed large throughout the relaunched series, with Donatello carrying a dead rat on his shoulder that he believed to be Splinter. One of Jason Aaron’s last acts before departing TMNT was to bring Splinter back.

While fans may have expected a slow burn before Splinter and the Turtles were reunited, they definitely didn’t expect the swerve of Splinter being an adversary. You can argue that Splinter’s Ujigami isn’t a villain in the same vein as Shredder, but he’s not doing heroic deeds. Instead, he assassinates Xiang Fei Tong, the leader of the Ghost Boys gang.

What Splinter’s Villainous Transformation Means For The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The Turtles Will Have To Pull Splinter Back From The Dark Side

This new story arc in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sets up an inevitable confrontation between a father and his sons. So far, the Turtles don’t know that Ujigami is Splinter, but that will only last for so long. Donatello is already starting to piece the clues together after Ujigami refers to himself as their “truest friend.”

Another twist is that TMNT presents Splinter as more than just the old, feeble mentor. His resurrection has granted Splinter new abilities, though his memory is foggy at the moment. Perhaps there will be a way for Splinter to keep this new fighting spirit if and when the Turtles are able to help him.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13 is available now from IDW Publishing.