Warning! This article contains spoilers for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #126
The vigilante hero who has always been just as much a member of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ family as the Turtles themselves, Casey Jones, just redeemed his most devastating defeat. In the ongoing continuity of IDW Publishing's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book series, Casey Jones first joined the Turtles when he befriended Raphael after Raph was separated from the rest of his family. Since then, Casey has been by the Turtles’ side through every mission no matter how dangerous. However, Casey recently suffered a massive defeat that resulted in a devastated blow to the Turtles, though immediately following that defeat Casey was able to fully redeem himself.
In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #126 by Sophie Campbell and Pablo Tunica with story consulting from Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are gearing up for their rematch against the Punk Frogs after they infiltrated Mutant Town in the previous issue. The Punk Frogs are on a mission to find whoever has kidnapped one of their friends, and they believe the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are responsible. This leads them to launch a full-on strike against the Turtles, one that starts with Casey Jones.
In the previous issue, the Punk Frogs jump Casey Jones as he is walking out of the Turtle's dojo, managing to take him off guard and beat him to a pulp. This leads Casey to scream for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to help him as they are right inside. When he does this, however, he gives away the Turtles’ location and the Punk Frogs break into the dojo, fight the Turtles, and eventually burn the whole building to the ground. Casey’s failure leads to the Turtles losing their training facility and one of their base locations. After reeling from the defeat, Casey doesn’t sulk but instead springs into action. Casey and the Turtles track down the Punk Frogs in their territory and bring the fight to them, with Casey packing a serious punch during the brutal battle.
Not only does Casey Jones fully redeem himself in this issue, but he also grows as a fighter and a member of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ family. After the initial strike the Frogs launch against Casey and the Turtles, Casey is obviously anxious for revenge once he gets over his loss. However, Raphael doesn’t want Casey to come as Casey isn’t as skilled in stealth as the rest of the Ninja Turtles. Once Casey pleads his case with some backup from the other Turtles, he is able to join them. Casey proves himself as not only skilled in battle, but also excellent at reconnaissance, showing that he is just as good at being stealthy as he is at weapons fighting.
Casey Jones proves himself to be more and more like the Ninja Turtles he fights alongside every day as he grows in both combat and stealth skills. Not only are his abilities getting better, but the fire inside of his spirit has grown stronger since his first introduction. After being brutally beaten by the Punk Frogs and causing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to lose their dojo, Casey Jones has come back stronger and more focused than ever and in doing so he has redeemed his most devastating defeat.