Splinter's Shocking New Form - TMNT's Mentor Returns to Official Lore 6 Years After His Death

Warning! Spoilers for IDW's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7 ahead!

Master Splinter is making a major comeback at a pivotal moment in IDW Publishing's new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesongoing series – having been dead for years now, the brothers' beloved mentor has just returned from beyond the grave in a shocking new form, as the new era of Turtles canon continues to throw unexpected curveballs at longtime fans of the franchise.

As first revealed by IGN on X, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7 – written by Jason Aaron, with art by Juan Ferreyra – will include a moment in which all four Turtles, currently operating separately from one another, will be counseled by the spirit of their former teacher and adoptive father.

Notably, the early issues of the relaunched Ninja Turtles series have featured Donatello teasing Splinter's return, but now fans have official confirmation that the character is back, albeit in ghostly, rather than earthly form.

Gone, But Not Forgotten: Splinter's Memory Lives On As He Appears To The Turtles In Spirit Form

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7 – Written By Jason Aaron; Art By Juan Ferreyra; Lettering By Shawn Lee; Available Now From IDW Publishing

Master Splinter has died in more than one Ninja Turtles story, across different mediums, but his death in IDW's milestone Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #100 hit different, offering up the most definitive and heartbreaking account of the character's demise. Further, IDW has stuck by its decision to kill off Splinter – even now, as the character makes a postmortem appearance in Ninja Turtles #7, as essentially the franchise's very own version of a "Force Ghost," coming to his sons to offer wisdom and support when they need it most.

Splinter's appearance in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles suggests a turning point in the franchise's the latest arc, teasing the eventual reunification of the classic Ninja Turtles line-up.

The start of the latest volume of Ninja Turtleshas been lauded across the board, from its creative direction to its artistic style, starting with the decision to split up the brothers and send them on their own distinct journeys at the start of the comic's inaugural arc. A reunion is the inevitable payoff to this creative decision, but the story has been a slow burn so far. Splinter's appearance in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles suggests a turning point in the franchise's the latest arc, teasing the eventual reunification of the classic Ninja Turtles line-up.

Master Splinter's Comeback Isn't A Comic Book Resurrection – It's Something More Meaningful

The Ninja Turtles Spiritual Advisor

Fans of any longrunning comic book series know that the temptation to kill off major characters for dramatic effect always looms large – yet it is nothing compared to the subsequent desire to bring those characters back for an equally impactful resurrection moment. While most readers would realistically admit they expect Splinter to made a full-bodied return to Ninja Turtles canon at some point, the appearance of ghost-Splinter is a solid alternative, which will allow the character to have an influence in the story without fully undoing his stand-out death.

The original TMNT standing behind the modern version of Raphael.

Sorry to Ruin Your Childhood, But the OG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Were Darker Than You Realize

Those who grew up with the TMNT will be shocked to learn that the turtles were hardened assassins with an affinity for violence in the classic comics.

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In a sense, Splinter's role as a spiritual advisor to the Turtles is a natural evolution of his character, one that honors his classic role in the franchise while acknowledging that to have him guiding the Turtles' actions in perpetuity was a form of narrative stasis the story couldn't afford. Instead, Jason Aaron's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles relaunch has taken the idea of the Splinter-less Turtles, adrift without his guidance, to its logical conclusion – and brought him back into the story in a new form at exactly the right time.

Source: IGN on X

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7 is available now from IDW Publishing.