Warning: Contains Spoilers for TMNT: Mutant Nation #4Fan-favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles antagonist Madame Null has returned in a new TMNT comic book story, which further solidifies her as one of the most prominent of the franchise's rogues' gallery. Though Ninja Turtles lore has largely been dominated by arch-foe Shredder over the decades, villains like Null should not be forgotten, as they pose a grave danger to the heroes.

TMNT: Mutant Nation #4 – written by Tom Waltz, with art by Vincenzo Federici – brings the epic "Amush at Area 51" storyline to a close. After previously blackmailing hothead Raphael to act as a diversion, the TMNT robot Metalhead infiltrates Area 51 in order to procure the advanced technology and other secrets kept within. Unfortunately, Metalhead underestimates the security protocols of the Earth Protection Force, and is forced to retreat deeper within the base.

It is there that he came upon a prisoner that readers haven't seen since the conclusion of the Armageddon Game event: Madame Null.

Madame Null Is Back, As The Ninja Turtles Discover Her During Their Raid on Area 51

TMNT: Mutant Nation #4, "Ambush at Area 51" – Written By Tom Waltz; Art By Vincenzo Federici; Color By Ronda Pattison; Lettering By Rus Wooton

Since IDW acquired the TMNT license, the publisher has introduced reimagined versions of old characters in this new continuity. In the case of Madame, the character is based on the villain Null from the Archie Comics continuity of TMNT. Though Madame Null is quite different from the Archie version, the most obvious being that the original was male, both share many similarities, including a demonic appearance and a ruthless business drive. Likewise, while the origin of Null in the Archie Comics was left ambiguous, IDW's Madame has been established as an extradimensional being hailing from Planet Hirobyl in Dimension Z.

Recognizing an opportunity, Madame Null persuades Metalhead to free her from captivity in exchange for offering him "access to knowledge far more cutting-edge than anything you can procure on this primitive planet."

During the events of the aforementioned Armageddon Game, Madame Null opted for an unholy alliance with other TMNT baddies, including Baster Stockman, Krang, and the Rat King. Needless to say, she ended up on the losing side. Since then, she hasn't been seen nor heard of until TMNT: Mutant Nation. Recognizing an opportunity, Madame Null persuades Metalhead to free her from captivity in exchange for offering him "access to knowledge far more cutting-edge than anything you can procure on this primitive planet." The robot accepts, and the two make their escape from Area 51 with ship in tow.

Madame Null & Metalhead's Meeting Ends With More Questions Than Answers, Suggesting She'll Be Back

Prognosticating Null's Ninja Turtle Comics Future

Right now in the pages of the relaunched main ongoing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, writer Jason Aaron has set up a new status quo with the Heroes in the Half Shell returning to New York City as fugitives on the run. Though not disregarding the previous decade of IDW's TMNT continuity, Aaron is telling a very specific story that is more grounded and street level. Whether this changes down the line, or this specific plot point of Metalhead and Madame Null's partnership will be picked up by Aaron or another creative team, remains to be determined.

It's worth noting, Shredder, having become an ally of the Turtles, was also last seen at the end of Armageddon Game residing on Planet Hirobyl in Dimension Z in order to keep watch over Madame Null's cousin Noi Tai Dar; if Metalhead indeed somehow makes his way to Madame Null's home world, then a confrontation with Shredder is inevitable. In this way, Madame Null has been set up for a dramatic confrontation which could establish her as the new top villain in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles lore.

TMNT: Mutant Nation #4 is available now from IDW Publishing.