Everyone knows the four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but a new cover art shows why fans should know more about the fifth Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, Jennika. This golden masked female turtle isn’t a sibling to Mikey, Raph, Leo, and Donny, but she’s a powerful ally with powerful weapons.
In the preview of the upcoming cover of IDW Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #138 Created by Sophie Campbell and Fero Peniche, Jennika and her weapons are on full display. The first of these beautiful variation covers was created by Campbell and TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, and the second by Taurine Clarke. Both embody the ferocity, strength, and potential of the “sisters” of House Splinter.
The striking artwork showcases not only her weapon of choice — similar to the steel claws Shredder himself wears — but also her magical powers gained through training with nine cherries or nine cuts.
Jenika earns her place in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Jennika made her debut on IDW Publishing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #31 Created by Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow and Tom Waltz. Jenny, as she’s often called, was born human and a fugitive who grew up on the streets, picking up petty robberies to survive. Eventually, this life brought her to the True Race, where she trained as an assassin. Anger and belief that kindness is weakness make her an excellent soldier under Shredder, but when the teenage mutant Ninja Turtle’s Master Splinter takes over the clan after Shredder’s death, Her way of making peace and forgiving her new leader has been questioned. In the end, the turtle’s father humbled the girl and subdued her. Jenny became one of his most loyal students and guardians.
Unfortunately, this loyalty comes at a cost, and she is betrayed and stabbed. Janeka is mortally wounded, and to save her life, the turtles and their allies use the mutagenic liquid to try to heal her. The slime vial broke in a gunfight and Leonardo had to give her some blood. The surgery cured her, but Jenny was permanently transformed into the fifth generation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Since Master Splinter’s death, she has declared herself to be the guardian of her four younger brothers, a job that requires all her skill and patience. Jennika has been trained by the True Race to wield steel claws, as well as single swords. She also learns to wield a power known as Zai, which allows her to perform illusions and use her talents as a musician to create new compositions.
While she’s never appeared in any cartoons or movies, the fifth turtle sister is a welcome and wonderful addition to the already-familiar Heroes in the Half Shell lineup. Janeka has proven time and time again to be a worthy heir to the legacy of Sprint and her fellow Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #138 Available March 22 from IDW Publishing.