TMNT Saturday Morning Adventures II #38 — Dan Schoening Brings the Nostalgia Home
Dan Schoening and Erik Burnham serve up a double trouble in TMNT Saturday Morning Adventures II #38, where Casey Jones faces a Purple Dragons-Shredder alliance while bizarre feathered menaces target April O'Neil.
There is a specific kind of joy that comes from reading something that feels like a warm hug from your childhood, and Dan Schoening’s artwork in TMNT Saturday Morning Adventures II #38 delivers that feeling in spades. His line work has this incredible, breezy clarity that makes every panel easy to read while still being packed with personality. It’s the perfect vessel for Erik Burnham’s writing, which thrives on the lighter, more whimsical side of the TMNT universe. If you’ve ever wanted to hang out with the turtles on a lazy afternoon, this is the comic to do it in.
The issue kicks off with a bit of street-level drama that really tests Casey Jones. His old nemesis, Hun, has made a move that throws the whole balance of power in New York off its axis by teaming up with the Shredder. But Hun isn’t just relying on old grudges; he’s picked up some new tricks that make him a serious threat. Casey, ever the resilient defender of the streets, knows he can’t handle this evolution alone, so he calls in the big guns—the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles themselves. It’s a classic setup that lets the turtles shine in their element.
Meanwhile, April O’Neil isn’t getting a moment to breathe. Just as the guys are dealing with the ninja threat, a trio of... unusual characters, described as foul fowl with their own agenda, materialize in Manhattan specifically to cause trouble for April. It’s a chaotic, fast-paced narrative that jumps between the turtled heroes and their human allies, keeping the energy high and the stakes fun. The dual threats mean there’s plenty of action and comedy to go around.
What makes this issue stand out is the synergy between Burnham’s script and Schoening’s art. Schoening has a knack for capturing the expressive faces and dynamic poses that define the Saturday Morning cartoon vibe, but he grounds it with enough visual wit to keep it fresh. You get that nostalgic bounce in your step as you flip through, but the story itself is tight and engaging. It’s a book that respects its history without being trapped by it.
Keep an eye on the cover art here, because Schoening’s style is so distinctive that it’s becoming a signature for this run. It’s the kind of comic you’ll pick up for one issue and find yourself coming back for the consistency. It’s a wonderful reminder of why the TMNT franchise has endured for so long—great characters, great friends, and a whole lot of fun.