Warning! Spoilers ahead for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Nightwatcher #1Since Raphael founded his Nightwatcher Persona in 2007 TMNT, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Didn’t want to do much with it, allowing Raphael’s short-lived alter ego to fade into obscurity – until now. A new Nightwatcher has just exploded onto the scene in a spin-off series, and this turtle sibling has already proven to be a better Nightwatcher than Raphael ever was.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Nightwatcher #1 by Juni Ba, Fero Peniche, Luis Antonio Delgado and Nathan Widick brings the titular vigilante to IDW TMNT Cannon, except it’s not Raphael under the mask this time. Jennika, the fifth turtle, has become the new Nightwatcher, Dressed in menacing armor like Raphael was. She aims to protect the residents of Mutant Town, as shown when she saves a mutant child, Corey. The kid later expresses his appreciation for Nightwatcher and what she does for Mutant Town: “I love her. And guess what? … I think she loves us too.”
Although Raphael took the name first, Corey’s words show that Jennika’s Nightwatcher made more of an impact than Raphael. This is all because she took the mantle to fight for others, whereas Raphael only used it for himself.
Who is TMNT’s New Nightwatcher?
Meet Jennica, the fifth Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
Jennika first appeared in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #51 by Tom Waltz and Ken Garing as a human assassin in Shredder’s Foot Clan. She soon became an honorary member of the family after she protected Splinter from an attack by kitsune. Then, in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #95, Jennica is fatally wounded by Oroku Karai, Shredder’s granddaughter. luckily, Leonardo saved her life with a blood transfusion, but the process mutated her into a turtle like he and his brothers. Since becoming one of them, Jennica has fought alongside her fellow Ninja Turtles and demonstrated that she is a reliable ally.
Related
What makes Jennika unique is that she lived most of her life as a human before her mutation. Her past gives her a connection to Mutant Town, a haven for mutants that was created when a mutagen bomb hit New York City and transformed humans caught in the blast. Jennika stepped up as the protector of Mutant Town, as seen in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Jennica II By Brahm Revel. now, Jennika protects mutants in a whole new way – like Nightwatcher. This is not what the cloak was originally intended for, however, as Raphael used it for a much darker purpose.
Raphael first became a night watcher to rebel against Leonardo
TMNT’s iconic sibling rivalry drove Raphael to vigilantism
Raphael introduced the world to Nightwatcher in TMNTA 2007 animated movie that follows the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles after they defeat Shredder and go their separate ways as a team. With defense in New York City, Raphael reinvents himself as Nightwatcher in order to fight crime without the interference of his brothers. His methods are violent and harsh, a stark contrast to Splinter’s more disciplined teachings. Leonardo eventually returns from the training journey he embarked on to reunite the Turtles against an enemy, but Raphael becomes frustrated with following orders and continues to act as Nightwatcher in secret.
When Leonardo catches Nightwatcher beating criminals, he faces off against the vigilante, unaware that it is Raphael. The two engage in a vicious battle, which ends in Raphael being unmasked. Raphael admits to Leonardo that he is tired of being ordered around, which is why he became a Nightwatcher. Ultimately, the brothers make peace with one another to stop a greater threat. At the end of the film, Raphael gives up being the Nightwatcher, and insists that his old self arose from his bitter rivalry with Leonardo.. However, the new Nightwatcher is turning the wasted Raphael persona into something more uplifting.
Unlike Raphael’s, Jennica’s Nightwatcher is a symbol of hope
Nightwatcher gets reinvented in TMNT Lore as Jennica surpasses Raphael
Jennika’s Nightwatcher fights for a very different reason than Raphael’s. Her combat style is as brutal as Raphael’s, but the distinction between the two Ninja Turtles becomes apparent when she saves the mutant boy, Corey. Instead of shrinking away in fear, Corey is happy to be rescued by Nightwatcher. In turn, Jennica treats him with surprising gentleness as she teaches him that strength is about “care and restraint,No violence. The compassionate side was missing in Raphael’s version of the vigilante, emphasize how Nightwatcher now fights for Mutants rather than strictly against criminals.
Jennica took the old self that Rafael used of selfishness and transformed it into one fueled by selflessness.
throughout Nightwatcher #1, Mutants share their thoughts on the new Nightwatcher and what she’s doing for Mutant Town. It’s clear that she sparks hope in mutants, and while some question why she’s doing what she’s doing, there’s no denying that Jennika has inspired her community in a way that Raphael never did.
Jennica took the old self that Rafael used of selfishness and transformed it into one fueled by selflessness. With Raphael’s mantle reclaimed and given a broader purpose, readers can look forward to seeing what Jennica accomplishes as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Franchise is new and improved Nightwatcher.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Nightwatcher #1 is available now from IDW Publishing.