A Staten Island Story Most Foul
Originating from a single individual releasing pet turkeys in 1999, Staten Island, a borough of New York City, now hosts hundreds of these wild birds.
The longstanding conflict between Staten Island’s residents and its population of wild turkeys shows no signs of abating. Originating from a single individual releasing pet turkeys in 1999, Staten Island, a borough of New York City, now hosts hundreds of these wild birds. Capable of reaching heights of 3 feet and speeds up to 25mph, they’ve become notorious for obstructing traffic and occasionally aggressing pedestrians. The situation has escalated beyond mere annoyance, leading to legal disputes. A 2022 video of a resident screaming at the turkeys went viral. Additionally, there have been numerous complaints about the turkeys causing damage to vehicles and littering areas with droppings.
One resident decided to use the turkeys as inspiration for a new self-published comic book. Midland Beach Turkey Ninjas is a one-shot, 12-page comic that focuses on the turkey’s plan to control this NYC borough and beyond. Written by Patrick Hickey Jr. with art by Joshua Adams, the Legacy Comix’s solicitation reads, “you’ve seen them on the news. You’ve read about them on the internet, but now you’ll be allowed into the flock for the first time! Told from the point of view of Deathclaw, the eldest of all Staten Island Turkeys, you’ll learn about their plan to take over Midland Beach and beyond!”
The origins of the 12-page comic book, began when Hickey and his family moved to Midland Beach seeking suburban tranquility, only to be met with wild birds. Hickey tells the New York Post, “The first time we drove over the bridge...there they were — easily two dozen turkeys, perched on power lines and in nearby trees. I’ve never seen anything like it before. A few days later, I see 40 marching down my block. . . . They literally control this neighborhood.” We imagine for most comic shops this is a special order item, so if interested, talk to your local shop owner about getting a copy.
