REVIEW – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2014 (IDW Publishing)

Publisher: IDW Publishing
Writer: Kevin Eastman & Tom Waltz
Artist: Kevin Eastman & Ronda Pattison
Release Date: 20th August 2014

With the upcoming film which puts a Fox amongst the Turtles, interest in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is hopefully going to be at a street-level high again. I loved the Turtles in my younger days, but would they still hold up creating fun, mischief and neologisms?

Ramping up security in the lair for a coming storm – is that the film critics? – the boys are interrupted by a time-traveller, via a wormhole, called Renet. She assures them they have all met before and persuades them to travel with her to another universe to help in a mighty battle. Dialogue has always been the strength of the Turtles and this gal gives them a run for their money, as she sums up herself: “Pretty, sorta, kinda simple but in a really intense way!”

As soon as they all land in the new universe, it is clear that all is not well as our boys are referred to as “Fresh meat” which is quickly followed by the ominous, “Get them to their cage – only the very best lodgings for your last night in this universe.”

It soon becomes clear that the Dimensional Council (one dimensional as it turns out) are running a blood-sport; Hunger Games meets Gladiator meets Battle Royale. Victims, sorry, participants are culled from all universes and are waged against each other. The victor goes to paradise, the loser to a slavish hell-hole.

I don’t know about in the gladiatorial ring, but the turtles have met their wise-cracking, surfer-dude-dialogue match in Baltizar, another fighter, who speaks with as much nonsensical bravado as they do. There’s even an Ali G-ism at one point.

As it turns out, Renet and Baltizar need the shell-boys to stage a revolution. The needs are clear: get the participants onside, get rid of the Dimensional Council and have a fair games – for sport and fun. Can the boys live up to the challenge?

With crude, bold and colourful dialogue you wouldn’t expect anything less than artwork to match and that’s exactly what you get here. Black, bold lines, fearless shading and bright colours that give way to steely browns and blues as we enter Renet and Baltizar’s world. The change gives the gladiatorial setting a futuristic, cold and grimy feel. Much like the turtles’ lair, only without the green and lime hues of turtle skin.

It’s a fun read but for me, too far from the turtles’ world. Too far from Splinter. And only the boys should speak utter nonsense. It’s what sets them apart.

Rating: 3/5

PREVIEW ARTWORK.

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