Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #11 review: Mighty Mutanimals
By Alex Widen
Man Ray and Sally Pride investigate an urban legend to grow the Mutanimals. Will they get more than they bargained for?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #11
Writer: Rich Douek
Artist: Aaron Conley
Colorist: Triona Farrell
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One of the most notable spinoffs to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were the Mighty Mutanimals. Debuting as part of the Archie Comics-licensed TMNT comic, they got a three-issue miniseries in 1991 followed by a nine-issue ongoing series from 1992–1993. A pitch was even produced for a TV animation pilot in 1992 (arguably the end peak of Ninja Turtle mania), which was declined. They’ve returned as part of IDW’s TMNT line, and this issue focuses on three of them!
Sally Pride and Man Ray were both normal animals (a lioness and manta ray) mutated by the Null Group. Both were subjected to horrendous abuses before being rescued by Old Hob and his own “Mutanimals” team. Formed to avenge abuses on mutants by humans, they’ve remained allies of the Turtles, even against other mutants like Bebop and Rocksteady. With Slash under the control of Bishop and Mutagen Man in critical condition, they’re on a recruitment drive. This has led them into the wilds of New Jersey!
Image by IDW Publishing
A Jersey Devil from Jamaica!
Responding to reports of the legendary “Jersey Devil” being sighted recently, both Sally and Ray suspect it’s someone or something like themselves. Before long, they learn they’re not the only ones seeking out the creature. A pack of mercenaries have been hired by Madame Null herself to capture the creature, which escaped from one of her labs. Led by Colonel Fist, the quartet are Waster, Deadaim, and Lynch. They’re not only cyborgs, they utilize mutagen to turn into wolves!
Image by IDW Publishing
As a result of resourcefulness, or just dumb luck, Sally and Ray stumble upon him first. It turns out they were right; the “Jersey Devil” is as much of a mutant as they are. A mutant jackal with dreadlocks, he’s just as stunned to meet fellow mutants. It turns out his name is Dreadmon, and while he has many things in common with them, he’s vastly different. Unlike Sally and Ray, he did not begin life as an innocent animal. In fact, he’s closer to Bebop and Rocksteady in this regard!
Image by IDW Publishing
Dubbed Dreadmon due to his Jamaican father, he actually grew up in the war-torn Congo. His young life was shaped by war, so much so that he became a child soldier. Man Ray notes how it is similar to his life, where he was trained to fight since the beginning. Dreadmon found himself on the streets, starving and poor, when the chance to earn cash arose. It naturally resulted in the mutagen experiment which transformed him. Now, he’s on the run from the Null Group as well.
Image by IDW Publishing
Dreadmon Gets a Choice!
Despite the common foe, Man Ray is initially less welcoming than Sally. He realizes that unlike them, Dreadmon had a choice as to whether or not to become a mutant—even a misinformed one. It’s a prejudice which is similar to that of Old Hob. Hob only considers mutants who began life as animals as “true” or “pure.” He considers human roots a taint, even while employing scientist Lindsey Baker on his team. It seems like some of this zeal has rubbed off a little on Man Ray.
Image by IDW Publishing
Due to their delay, the cyborg wolf pack tracks them down. While Sally and Ray are considered expendable, Dreadmon is the team’s true target. While the four attack the other mutants with high firepower and formidable strength, their offer of alliance to Dreadmon is quick. As a fellow canine, he’s been “bred” to join them. Unlike other mutants, their cybernetics control their mutagen flow, and they can assume human form at will. They even tease of a cure for Dreadmon!
Image by IDW Publishing
While Man Ray was less than welcoming to Dreadmon, he remains Sally Pride’s best friend. It was only through his kindness to her that they both endured their torment. As a result, Sally refuses to abandon Ray to the wolves, despite their superior firepower. This loyalty presumably inspires Dreadmon to ultimately reject their offer to join their pack. Not even Fist offering a chance for regained humanity is enough to convince Dreadmon to kill his fellow mutants, at least with a gun.
Image by IDW Publishing
A Mutanimals Reunion!
Consequently, a final battle between the two groups becomes inevitable. While the three mutants flee the wolves, the foursome are far from defeated. While Man Ray admits he was wrong, Dreadmon refuses their offer. He considers their current mission a cage the pair are making for themselves, as he wants to explore more of America. Considering the nature of their lives, as well as the zeal of the Null Group or Agent Bishop, will an alliance become inevitable as well?
Image by IDW Publishing
Unlike most issues of TMNT Universe, there is no backup strip nor is there a multi-part story. Instead, Rich Douek is given an extra-sized done-in-one tale to tell. Obviously, the objective is to recreate Dreadmon for the IDW universe, as he was one of the Archie Comics creations by Ryan Brown and Dean Clarrain. In addition to that, he also furthers along the Null Group subplot that Paul Allor has established in the opening arc of this series, as well as previous TMNT miniseries.
Image by IDW Publishing
Man Ray and Sally Pride got a lot to do in the recent arc of the main TMNT series, so the timing of this tale is likely no coincidence. It’s another instance of Bobby Curnow’s strong editing of this line! Embellishing the ties between the pair is critical, as the tragedy behind them is always apparent. Despite their tragic origins, neither are overly grim characters. Sally in particular is sassy and optimistic, and she and May Ray exchange quite a few quips. The pair are war-hardened old pals.
Image by IDW Publishing
Seriously, This Issue Has Mutant Cyborg Wolf-Soldiers!
Dreadmon’s origins are different than in the Archie Comics series of the 1990s. There, he was more of a supernatural creature akin to a werewolf, transformed by an artifact. He also spoke in a cartoony accent. Here, Dreadmon’s origins are different, but still allude to the war-torn nature of south Africa. His redesign by Aaron Conley is great. From the tattoos to the wrist trinkets and jewelry, Dreadmon has a distinctive flair and a sense of having lived his own life. That’s all good.
Image by IDW Publishing
The “gang of four” are also allusions to the Archie Comics series. Originally called “Megadeath” (similar to the metal band, likely why it changed), the four cyborgs with the same names actually killed off the Mutanimals in the ’90s. Douek and Conley have remade them as mutant cyborg wolves, which is just awesome. It allows them to be distinctive, which is a formidable feat in a franchise with as many bizarre beings as TMNT has. We likely have not seen the last of these four.
Image by IDW Publishing
Conley’s art for the rest of the issue is good too. Some of his line work is a bit rough at times. There are signs where colorist Triona Farrell has to “fill out” some of the panels. But all of it flows very well. Considering the complexity of the designs, which include characters crafted by Andy Kuhn. As a matter of fact, Conley’s style shares some things in common with that of Kuhn. As such, it is fitting to see it with the Mutanimals here. It’s a wild style for some wild characters!
Image by IDW Publishing
Call It TMNT Adventures 2.0!
It may seem strange for some readers that IDW’s TMNT creative team is set on recreating characters made for the Archie era. More recreations of some of those characters are coming in the next arc of the main TMNT series. I cannot stress how important the Archie Comics’ TMNT Adventures was. It was licensed during the height of Turtle-mania, and while it began with a similar continuity to the cartoon, it quickly went its own way. It offered more mature storytelling.
Image by IDW Publishing
While Mirage Studios was still producing their own TMNT comics, Archie’s was more widespread and well known. More importantly, their volume lasted 72 issues. It remained a record for the longest running single volume of TMNT, as even Mirage relaunched the series several times. Many characters who are considered crucial to canon now either debuted there or were fleshed out there, like Slash. Its legacy is just as valuable to the franchise as the cartoon series or film line.
Image by IDW Publishing
Next: See more of Toad Baron's wild party from #10!
The next issue of TMNT Universe will see a return of Sophie Campbell as well as Karai. It’s been years since either she or Foot mutants Koya and Bludgeon were seen, and it should be a treat. But that doesn’t mean this issue wasn’t a blast. While Sally and Ray were as successful as Hob’s attempt to recruit Leatherhead, it was fun seeing Dreadmon again. It was a mini Mutanimals reunion for longtime readers, albeit with a better ending. It shows the depth of the great IDW cast!