Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael abandoned one another, but came back together in Jason Aaron’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Despite their love for each other, they couldn’t get it together because there was too much anger between them. Thankfully, with the help of their father, Splinter (who helped them despite being dead), April O’Neil, and the citizens of New York, the turtle siblings got their act together and protected the city they love.
WARNING! Spoilers for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Battle Nexus No. 2
After that, you’d assume that everything would go back to normal. They defeated the demons that had plagued them and were a family again. Sadly, that wasn’t the case. During a fight with Bebop and Rocksteady (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Battle Nexus No. 1), it became obvious that they hadn’t gotten their mojo back. Before the fight could conclude, the brothers were transported to the Battle Nexus, where they were forced to fight for the amusement of Savanti Romero.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Battle Nexus No. 2
- Writer: Paul Allor
- Artist: Ben Bishop
- Colorist: Luis Antonio Delgado
In the first round, Leonardo fights the Shredder from the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book. Leonardo is easily defeated (and possibly killed) after rushing into an attack and getting stabbed. That leaves the others furious. Unfortunately, before they could fight back, they were transported to a prison between fights.
While the remaining three brothers are attempting to figure out what’s going on, they meet a mysterious figure who’s been there for a while. He tells them that Savanti Romero has brought in Ninja Turtles from across the multiverse and is pitting them against challengers they can’t defeat for various reasons.
But who is this mysterious person who seems to know everything? That's easy. It’s likely Michelangelo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin.
The first giveaway was how he was dressed, his build, and the green skin under the hood and mask. After looking up what Michelangelo looked like during Last Ronin, it was simple to guess it’s him. But the giveaway was the way he talked. He said things like “gnarly energy” and “holy stromboli”. Plus, as Raphael pointed out, he knew that the turtles were a person short.
Of course, this is all speculation. The person's identity hasn't been revealed. Plus, the original one died at the end of the series. Also, he didn’t speak like a California surfer. He was more morose than the hooded character in question. That being said, there's one possibility that would blow readers' minds. What if this is Michelangelo after his brothers died, except this Mikey is the one from the 1980s cartoon?
The multiverse makes it so that there are infinite possibilities. That means the idea of 1980s Michelangelo turning into the Last Ronin isn’t implausible. And, since he would likely maintain his personality despite the tragedy, his dialect would make sense. It would make for a shocking change to the story that fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles would enjoy. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow for the reveal of the masked mutant.
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