TMNT Universe #1 Review: Dealing With Shell Shock and Scorpions

IDW Publishing officially kicks off their second monthly TMNT comic book! What new enemies and allies will the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles face?

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #1

Main Story:

Writer: Paul Allor

Artist: Damian Coucerio

Colorist: Ronda Pattison

“Inside Out” Strip:

Writers: Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman & Bobby Curnow

Artists: Kevin Eastman & Bill Sienkiewicz

Colorist: Tomi Varga

More from Comics

• X-Men: 6 reasons why Marvel’s mutants are the best superhero team
• Harley Quinn renewed for a fifth season on Max (and it’s well-deserved)
• Marvel Comics announces seven important X-Men comic books
• The X-Men were betrayed by Captain America in Uncanny Avengers
• Spider-Man: Miles and Peter team-up for their first ongoing series

If this new ongoing series represents anything, it represents the strength of IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line. Their main TMNT comic book has been running strong with the same writing and coloring team for over five years now. Yet ever since it began, IDW has also published a reoccurring series of mini-series running alongside of it. These typically lasted 4-8 issues at a rate of 1-2 a year. Now, IDW Publishing is biting the bullet and simply making a second TMNT series.

The main story is handled by Paul Allor, who has written most of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mini series so far. They include Utrom Empire, Turtles In Time and Mutanimals, as well as a few individual one shots. It takes place between issues 50-61 of the main TMNT series and helps expand upon the series’ widening cast. A second unrelated strip features a union of old talents.

The Ninja Turtles have taken over the Foot Clan following Shredder’s final defeat, which caused Michelangelo to quit the group. However, he’s teamed up with his brothers on occasion since, and this is one of them. April O’Neil has tracked down her old boss (and reoccurring antagonist) Baxtor Stockman at a new lab. She hopes to convince Baxtor to join forces with them against the larger threat of the immortals. Unfortunately, they are soon under siege from two converged fronts.

So Many Villains, Not Enough Shuriken!

The TMNT may seek to protect April, but there’s nobody to protect them. A mutant scorpion woman soon sneaks into the lab to commit espionage for Null from Mutanimals. And the Earth Protection Force, assembled by the aggressive Agent Bishop, has teamed up with the NYPD to stop the mutants. Seeing neither friend or foe among them, Bishop seeks to capture them all no matter the cost. The Turtles soon find themselves trapped and vastly outnumbered.

Couceiro’s artwork is amazing and Allor finds the perfect balance between drama and comedy. A bit where Donatello and Michelangelo bicker about who has the better weapon plays out well. Despite the sheer number of characters being expended or introduced, the story never feels cluttered. The Scorpion quickly asserts herself as a dangerous warrior with a hint of sass to her. April finally reveals to Stockman how much she knows about things, much to her own peril.

Raphael’s subplot seems sudden, but is actually a bit of a masterstroke. Often reduced to being “the angry one”, the truth of the matter is Raphael’s defining trait is being emotional. It isn’t just anger; he wears all of his emotions on his shell and feels them passionately. And here, the constant danger the TMNT live through on a daily basis is taking its toll on Raph. It is wearing him down into a pit of despair as it seems their deaths are inevitable no matter what they do.

IDW’s Ninja Turtles Always Find Harmony Between Nostalgia and Creativity

Agent Bishop is another immigrant from the 2003 era cartoon show which once aired on 4Kids TV. He was introduced in the main series but gets more time to effect the plot here. Bishop was always someone who sought the overall protection of humanity from aliens or mutants, by any means necessary. He’s a walking example of how good intentions can sometimes lead to horrific events. The action, comedy, and tension all balance each other out for a riveting read.

In fact, it is so good that the start of a strip featuring two legendary artists almost seems like a downer. It’s only four pages and establishes Leonardo tailing a spare Foot Ninja, only to be ambushed. He faces some bizarre enemies including one with four arms, and a hulking brute. Leo seems extra chatty here and the story seems to be more a vehicle for the artists than anything else. Eastman and Sienkiewicz (New Mutants) work quite well together visually.

TMNT Universe is off to a great start. IDW Publishing’s main Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has seemed like an underrated classic in a sea of mediocre comics out there. IDW has been careful not to branch out too fast and too soon, but the timing seems right. Fans of this already great comic book series now have an extra chance to read about some of their favorite characters. TMNT has often been too big for just one comic, and this is one universe fans should be eager to visit.