Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles spark outrage over LGBT character who takes over from Raphael
Jennika, a yellow-masked mutant and member of the TMNT universe, made history as the first openly LGBTQ + turtle in the franchise.
Introduced as a human assassin in the IDW Publishing comic series, Jennika, also known as Jenny, was transformed into a turtle following a life-saving blood transfusion from Leonardo.
She is often called 'the fifth Turtle' but, before her transformation, Jennika was a female member of the Foot Clan who became exposed to the same mutagen that created the original ninjas, per Inside the Magic.
The female turtle also took over a pivotal role in the TMNT universe - the vigilante.
Now, she has been given her own side-series - titled Nightwatcher - which was recently released.
In it, Jennika leads the charge as she tries to protect Mutant Town - a part of New York where human-born mutants live in fear - against enemies.
Her sexuality was first revealed in issue #117 of the comic, back in June 2021, but it has now been thrust into the spotlight in the new miniseries.
In the original comic, Jennika's bisexuality is revealed through her growing connection with Sheena Murphy - a female human-born mutant pig from Mutant Town.
Sheena is in a band called After the bomb with other mutant members, according to Fandom.
The two bond over their love of music and their relationship slowly develops into something romantic.
Though the moment is subtle, it marked a significant shift, making Jennika the first turtle in the franchise to be openly queer.
Jennika had previously dated Casey Jones (a human) and Silas (a homeless mutant) in the TMNT world.
Fans have had mixed reviews on the character, with some praising her addition.
'I think she's fine. I don't really like having five turtles, but Jennika isn't too bad,' someone on Reddit wrote, in part.
'I really like how her bisexuality was portrayed as a bisexual myself - acknowledged and decently developed, but it wasn't made a huge deal, which I really appreciate.'
However, another user said they didn't like how she was portrayed and styled.
'I'm not a fan of Jennika as a Ninja Turtle. Especially one that, stylistically, to this point looks just like the other Turtles,' they shared.
'The yellow bandana is too close to Michelangelo's orange, and it creates a little bit of confusion for me there when I'm reading.'
They added: 'I like the Jennika (human) character a lot. And the entire arc leading up to her mutation was fantastic.
'But, a big part of me hopes she eventually returns to her human form. I doubt that's gonna happen. But I'll keep reading to see where her story goes.'
Jennika's character has been largely shaped by Sophie Campbell, the former writer and artist behind the IDW series.
Campbell, a transgender woman, has spoken about her desire to bring authentic representation to the comics through characters of various identities and experiences.
Following her exit after Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Road to 150 in 2024, Marvel Comics and DC Comics writer Jason Aaron took over at IDW, per Inside the Magic.
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