Warning! This article contains spoilers for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #138Jennika is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ fifth Turtle who has more than earned her spot on the team even before she was mutated, but nothing she’s done in the past has been as jaw-droppingly impressive as when she unleashed her full power.
Unlike the original four Turtles, Jennika was originally a human who was mutated into a Turtle, though it wasn’t like she was just some nobody from the street. Jennika was the chunin of the Foot Clan under the leadership of Master Splinter, and her commitment to her team was unquestionable–as were her ninja skills. Jennika started off as someone whose entire life revolved around being a cold-blooded assassin, but over time she allowed herself to open up to the people around her. Jennika befriended Casey Jones, grew closer with the Turtles, and eventually found herself becoming a legitimate member of the TMNT extended family. Then, tragedy struck, which resulted in her mutation and subsequent initiation into the core TMNT group–thereby officially making Jennika the Fifth Turtle. Now, Jennika has unlocked a new, mystical power alongside her new brothers. This power was taught to them–and only them–by Master Shredder, and Jennika displayed her mastery of this ability in TMNT’s latest comic by literally entering the minds of her enemies, and forcibly reframing their thoughts.
Jennika’s Unique Kuji-Kiri Ability Makes Her a God-Tier TMNT Warrior
In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #138 by Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz, Sophie Campbell, and Fero Pe (which is set within the ongoing Armageddon Game crossover event), the Turtles and all of Mutant Town are being attacked on all fronts. The Utroms–led by the villainous Ch’rell–have launched a strike against all mutants, while the E.P.F. (Earth Protection Force) were doing the same. While the Utroms retreated after Ch’rell was killed by Regina on Burnow Island, the E.P.F. wasn’t giving up anytime soon, and neither were the mutants who were swept up in the heat of battle. So, in order to end the conflict, Jennika used the kuji-kiri technique specific to her and exposed the pointlessness of this war. Jennika essentially entered the minds of everyone on the battlefield and took from them their bloodlust. The humans and mutants who were fighting saw no reason to continue after Jennika was done, and the battle was over moments later.
Jennika’s ability to reframe the mind away from violent desires and rage-filled actions is absolutely god-tier. Jennika could arguably use this technique against any villain, and the hatred in their soul would be turned to peace, resulting in the redemption (or, at the very least, the inaction) of said villain. Here, fans see Jennika doing this to multiple armies during the heat of battle, so it’s safe to say that there aren’t many people–mutant, alien, or otherwise–who could resist Jennika’s peaceful influence.
This issue gives readers the perfect trial-run for Jennika’s powers. So far, fans have seen the other Turtles’ kuji-kiri in action, and now they’ve seen Jennika’s as well–and it didn’t disappoint. While this battle was fierce, it was assuredly nothing compared to what’s coming at the climax of the Armageddon Game, but now, the TMNT know they’re ready for anything. With the addition of Jennika’s jaw-dropping power, which was pushed to its extent in this issue, victory for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the ongoing Armageddon Game is all but assured.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #138 by IDW Publishing is available now.