Ask Mr. Ninja is the second comic in the thirty-fifth issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Appearing in Ask Mr. Ninja[]
Major characters[]
Minor characters[]
Locations[]
Objects and vehicles[]
- Jetpack
- Mr. Ninja comic book
- Smoke pellets
Synopsis[]
Leonardo is sprawled out on the couch in the house on the O'Neil Farm. His knee is still on the mend, so he settles down to read the “Mr. Ninja” comics that April O'Neil got for him. He’s barely started reading when he pronounces the comic to be awful.
Out in the barn, Donatello is telling Michelangelo and Casey Jones about some new plan of his. Leo interrupts, shouting that he needs Don’s help. The trio immediately think something’s happened to him and Don asks if it’s his injury. Leo says it’s worse than that and that they are being slandered, presenting the comic. Don is astounded and Leo tells him that they comic got ninjas all wrong.
Leo is determined to help them fix their comic and asks to borrow Don’s computer. Mikey freaks and tells Leo he can’t start correcting people because that’s how you attract trolls. He goes on to explain his version of internet trolls, which ends up with Leo living under a bridge. Leo assures his younger brother that he’s only going to send a letter, not post on a public discussion board. Mikey is satisfied with that answer and goes off to feed the chickens.
Taking the laptop back into the house, Leo proceeds to write his letter. He points out that it is filled with misconceptions about ninjas and that as a fan, he wants to help them make the comic as realistic as possible. The first point he makes is about the jetpack the lead character uses and that’s it’s too loud, which draws people’s attention.
Next he talks about the bad guys. In his mind, Leo pictures all of his enemies wearing clown-like suits and bright colors and writes that bad guys just don’t do that. Then he says that ninjas don’t tend to just rush into an attack. Being sneaky is important and Mr. Ninja should use smoke pellets and the shadows.
The last thing Leo points out is that Mr. Ninja always fights alone, which is crazy. Mr. Ninja should totally have a team, which would give him someone to watch his back and to also show the reader how great he really is.
He ends by saying he thinks these tips will help to make a much better comic and truer to life, as you never know when a real ninja may pick up the comic. Leo signs off with his name and then clicks ‘send’.
A few weeks later Leo is wondering if the editor got his letter. He decides to check and goes into the barn to use Don’s computer. Leo does have a response waiting, but the editor only thanks him and tells him that ninjas aren’t real.
Leo is incensed by that and storms out of the barn, grumbling as he passes Don, who is headed in. Don asks if he heard back from the comic book company, but doesn’t get an answer. Then he walks over to his desk – and discovers that the very angry Leonardo has smashed the laptop is several pieces.