Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #10 review: Nobody stops the Party
By Alex Widen
Seems like a party can be a trap if you can’t leave! Yet can Alopex and Nobody figure out how to escape the Toad Baron?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #10
Writers: Sophie Campbell & Bobby Curnow
Artist: Pablo Tunica
Back-Up Strip: Sophie Campbell
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In 1986, the Beastie Boys famously sung, “You gotta fight for your right to party.” Yet Nobody and Alopex may have to fight for their right to flee a party! The armored Angel and her fox mutant pal have been trapped in another realm by Toad Baron. He’s yet another member of the immortal Pantheon who have been manipulating the cast of TMNT since before most were born. This gets hot and heavy in this issue—which features Sophie Campbell as writer and/or artist in both tales!
Image by IDW Publishing
Nobody and Alopex thought they were able to relax in Northampton, away from the Foot or mutant brawls. Yet they quickly found themselves in the lily pond of the Toad Baron. After initially getting high on some tasty treats and dancing a while, the Baron informed them that his parties are eternal. In addition to not wanting to remain trapped forever, the pair also have to contend with the rest of the Pantheon. They’re Toad Baron’s siblings, who include their enemy Kitsune!
Image by IDW Publishing
Hope Warts Don’t Spread at This Party!
As a result of this, Nobody and Alopex try to figure out some method of escaping the party. Yet they find that absolutely none of Toad Baron’s guests from across time and space would even consider it. Since there seem to be no entrances or exits beyond Toad Baron’s control, the pair quickly figure that their only method of escape is through him. However, Toad Baron can poison people at a whim, so fighting him directly is impossible. Is there any way out of this shindig?
Image by IDW Publishing
Nobody and Alopex share a heart to heart, including their motivations and dark pasts. Not only do the two share friends and a flair for combat, but juggling tragedy as well. Since they can’t fight Toad Baron himself, they’ll start a fight within the party itself. Yet how do you start a fight with a legion of hopelessly stoned and/or drugged out guests? Make a fight look like a fun party game! A brief sparring session soon becomes the party’s version of Twister. Everyone wants to get a taste!
Image by IDW Publishing
Initially, Toad Baron tries to play along. He humors his guests with a batch of weapons to go along with his treats. He even tries to tempt the two heroines with more “delights”. Yet when all this fails and Nobody helps provoke destruction, Toad Baron reveals his true form. He all but goes berserk, assuming a giant size and shouting at everyone. He finally comes to the conclusion that Nobody and Alopex wanted to see them as bad guests worthy of expulsion. But could all of this backfire?
Image by IDW Publishing
There Are Always Layers upon Layers to TMNT Tales!
Sophie Campbell and Bobby Curnow have put together a unique two issue tale here which serves three fronts. First of all, it further develops Nobody and Alopex, allowing them to interact without the Turtles around. We see why they have been pals for so long and why they click so well. Each of them sees inspiration in the other, even if their demeanor may seem opposite to each other. Their relationship as mutual best friends is a beautiful thing to see, especially between two ladies.
Image by IDW Publishing
Secondly, it sought to introduce the Toad Baron, the latest in the Pantheon membership. He’s not as benevolent as Aka, yet not as malicious as Rat King or Kitsune. He genuinely sees his role as being the ultimate host to the universe’s best party. His major malfunction is taking it to an extreme, where he doesn’t allow guests to leave of their own free will. Fortunately for him, most of his guests have been there so long that it seems like they’re genuinely happy there.
Image by IDW Publishing
And thirdly, it was to lay in a subplot for a future arc of the main TMNT series. As such, this secondary title remains crucial reading for those following the continuity of the main series. It seems like Nobody and Alopex may double back to Toad Baron’s party as spies. An opportunity to see the Pantheon together is a rare chance to gather intelligence on their plans. It continues Curnow’s tradition of laying in a long pipe for future stories, rather than springing from the blue.
Image by IDW Publishing
The Toad Baron Won’t Be Forgotten!
As an artist herself, Campbell is able to co-write a story that caters to her artist. In the case of Pablo Tunica, the Toad Baron arc has been a showcase for his skills. I imagine they’ll serve as his portfolio for future work for years to come—and if not, they should! He pencils, inks, and colors a fabulous set of scenes with more mutants and fantastic elements than what many artists see in years. From goths to aristocrats to Studio Ghibli to mutants to Tony Bennett (seriously), it has it all!
Image by IDW Publishing
Naturally, the Toad Baron himself proves massively expressive. While Tunica gets the full range of emotions from Angel and Alopex, the ever-changing sizes and mood swings of the Toad Baron get even more extreme here. He reminds me a little of the Queen of Hearts from Disney’s Alice In Wonderland, who could go from visually calm to crazed in a split second. His facial expressions and body size get especially wild in the last scene. It is hard to imagine any artist doing it better.
Image by IDW Publishing
An Utterly Tubular Showcase of Campbell’s Talents!
Yet if it’s visual delights you’re after, then the backup strip is for you. Sophie Campbell not only writes it, but pencils, inks, colors, and letters it too! It focuses on Pepperoni, a little pink dinosaur who became a pet of the Ninja Turtles after 2014’s TMNT: Turtles in Time mini series. Having made her for a fan comic first, Pepperoni is dear to Campbell’s heart. The strip focuses on what little Pepperoni dreams about that the Turtles (and Alopex) can only take a guess at.
Image by IDW Publishing
It seems like when Pepperoni dreams, she isn’t chasing things or eating leaves. She actually wishes she was a bigger mutant herself and could fight alongside the Turtles! It is a very sweet and simple four-page strip, with one page being something of a cool pin-up group pose. The main draw is more of Campbell’s incredible art, which is usually what the backup strips of this series focus on. Despite the first backup from Kevin Eastman and Bill Sienkiewicz, this may be the tops!
Image by IDW Publishing
Next: See Nobody and Alopex first meet the Toad Baron in #9!
While Sophie Campbell may have helped found IDW’s Jem and the Holograms series, her passion and talent for the Ninja Turtles is without question. Her fan comic even offers a better look at a female Turtle than what Saban came up with! The conclusion of the Toad Baron story was a romp which also helped establish Nobody and Alopex as critical additions to the core cast. The backup strip is the cherry on top! Much like a good party, this issue is an utter delight from cover to cover.