Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #73 review: Milestone in Dimension X
By Alex Widen
For once, the Ninja Turtles are publicly lauded as heroes! Will their trip to Dimension X wind up as their deadliest adventure?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #73
Writers: Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman & Bobby Curnow
Artist: Cory Smith
Colorist: Ronda Pattison
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In a time where mainstream comic books change their numbering every other year, IDW’s TMNT has truly reached a milestone. As mentioned in previous reviews, the longest any single volume of Ninja Turtles had ever lasted was 72 issues. That honor was previously held by Archie Comics’ TMNT Adventures, circa 1988–1995. As of this issue, Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, and editor/co-writer Bobby Curnow have truly made history. It is an honor which is well-deserved for this team!
Image by IDW Publishing
As a result, it wouldn’t do to just have any story arc begin under such an occasion. While no arc in TMNT is ever wasted or is considered “filler,” some certainly are more epic than others. And for the Ninja Turtles, it is hard to get more epic and far out than Dimension X! The alternate dimension has been home to some of their greatest enemies, allies and battles. General Krang of the Utrom Empire is among their greatest, and this subsequent arc follows up on material 50 issues in the making!
There’s Trouble in Dimension X Once Again!
Krang, son of the warlord Quanin, had been the sole survivor of the Utrom race. Many of his kind were either dead or in stasis due to the destruction of their home world Utrominion. In the name of building a new world, Krang conquered planets in two dimensions. In Dimension X, he overthrew the royal family of Planet Neutrino and ruled it with an iron fist. And on Earth, Krang established a bulkhead on Burnow Island for centuries, seeking to turn Earth into a new world!
Image by IDW Publishing
The Ninja Turtles, alongside the Fugitoid, helped overthrow Krang from Planet Neutrino well back in #20. After he was finally defeated for good on Burnow Island, the Neutrinos apprehended him to punish him under the full extent of the law. As alluded to in the Free Comic Book Day issue, that intergalactic trial is set to begin. To this end, the Turtles have been invited back to Dimension X to aid the Fugitoid in protecting witnesses as well as being honored themselves.
Image by IDW Publishing
While the Turtles may have to live in the sewers and are wanted as freaks on Earth, they’re legendary heroes on Planet Neutrino. A gala is held in their honor, with the royal family personally celebrating them. In particular, Michelangelo has a crush on Princess Trib — and the feeling appears to be mutual! In addition, the Turtles are reunited with head Neutrino soldiers, Dask, Zak and Kala. If they sound familiar, they’re the “Hot Rodding Teenagers” from the original 1987 cartoon series!
Image by IDW Publishing
Friends and Foes Alike Gather around Them!
Yet all is not perfect in Dimension X. The Turtles get a shock when they are immediately greeted by their old enemy Leatherhead upon hitting planet Neutrino! It seems like he also was invited to take part in the trial. In this continuity, Leatherhead was an alligator mutated by Krang during his time on Burnow Island and kept a prisoner for scientific experimentation. The result has left him unhinged and nihilistic, and he is eager to make Krang pay for his torment any way he can.
Image by IDW Publishing
While this may be a trial taking place in space, many things are the same as they are in New York City. Prosecuting Krang is no easier than putting a dictator or a mafia boss on trial back on Earth. Even behind bars, Krang has considerable influence and delusions of grandeur. To this end, he’s hired the techno-organic assassin Hakk-R as his right hand (or tentacle). Hakk-R’s mission is to eliminate any and all witnesses for the prosecution as well as add more trouble for our heroes!
Image by IDW Publishing
After the royal ceremony, King Zenter and Queen Gizzla gather the Turtles to discuss strategy with counselor Apap. As the lead prosecutor for the “trial of the century,” he reveals how little physical evidence actually exists of Krang’s acts of genocide. As such, witness testimony is utterly crucial, and for a variety of reasons, most of their witnesses won’t be as forthcoming as Leatherhead. They are scattered across Dimension X and are either too scared to testify or prefer the status quo.
Image by IDW Publishing
A Mingling of Genres Makes for a Great Read!
Unfortunately, Apap is immediately assassinated by Hakk-R, who has infiltrated the royal palace! This results in another battle against the Ninja Turtles as well as against Leatherhead and the Neutrino soldiers. While Hakk-R is quickly outnumbered and overwhelmed, the damage is done. Now the Fugitoid is forced to act as lead prosecutor for the trial, and more pressure is put on the Turtles to gather and protect the witnesses. Can they rely on Leatherhead to keep his word?
Image by IDW Publishing
As with any issue by Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman and Bobby Curnow, there are a lot of moving pieces here. The extended cast of any TMNT series often gets large, and IDW’s is no exception. Not even a secondary series seems like it is enough to contain them all! One of the greatest things about a quality TMNT series is its expansive world. Some stories can be urban crime stories, while others can be set in other dimensions or be outer space operas. This is a bit of both!
Image by IDW Publishing
A story about a mob boss or a super villain able to influence things from behind bars is an old crime drama plot. The twist this time around is it takes place in space (or Dimension X) involving an intergalactic warlord! It not only gives the Turtles something familiar to chew on, it also proves some things are universal. With a prosecutor having to protect witnesses and gather evidence, and a hit man being hired, it’s a perfect blending of various genres into a cohesive whole.
Making the Neutrinos Cool Is No Easy Feat!
To be blunt, the Neutrinos in the 1987 animated series were among some of the most annoying characters. They barely showed up, and their few appearances were more than enough. For this series, Waltz and company kept the backstory of the Neutrinos being Krang’s conquest victims, while changing everything else. They’re a race of elf aliens whose culture is mixed between advanced technology and ancient regal splendor. Their planet also hosts other races.
Image by IDW Publishing
While their spaceship may resemble a “hot rod”, Dask, Zak and Kala are soldiers for the royal family. They don’t talk in catch phrases. And while Zak does have some “greaser” style lingo, for the most part, they’re serious characters. Princess Trib reminds me a lot of Zelda from the famous Nintendo franchise, due to her hair color and fondness for pink dresses. This is hardly a bad thing and adds variety to the series. I never thought I’d see the Neutrinos handled well, but they have!
Image by IDW Publishing
More great work is done with Krang. While he may be one of the Turtles’ oldest enemies from the 1987 cartoon, he was often a whiner there. In the 2003 animated series, he was replaced by the far nastier Ch’Rell, who also held the mantle of the Shredder. In this comic series, Krang is every bit a Dimension X warlord, yet his motivations are never simply pure evil. As Krang explains, his actions were motivated by his desire to save his people and replace Utrominion at all costs.
Image by IDW Publishing
The Brain without a Heart Makes His Return to the Series!
In fact, I always saw this incarnation of Krang as more of an evil colonist. If you look at how people from “the developed world” often treated and thought of the “savages” or “natives” of new lands they explored, their philosophy wasn’t far removed from Krang’s. He merely saw Earth as a natural resource for the superior Utroms. He used it as a launchpad as well as a place to develop biological weapons, such as “rock soldiers,” with the often unwilling assistance of Baxtor Stockman.
Image by IDW Publishing
In many ways, the centuries long machinations of Krang, Kitsune (of the Pantheon) and the Foot Clan led to the mutation of the Turtles and others. It was in researching genetic weapons for Krang that Stockman realized the ooze he used to keep the Utroms alive could be used to heal, enhance or mutate beings. Kitsune’s dealings with Krang during Feudal Japan led to the Shredder’s creation. The Foot’s meddling in Stockman’s lab led to the mutations of the Turtles, Splinter and Hob!
Image by IDW Publishing
If you consider just how many mutants were created in Stockman’s lab (including Slash) as well as by his rival Null (several Mutanimals), then Krang is directly at the head of many a plot pyramid here! His quest to replace Utrominion not only led to endless destruction and war across two dimensions, it led to the spread of mutants on earth. Therefore, in more ways than the obvious, Krang is among the most vital villains of the entire comic book run aside from Shredder himself.
Image by IDW Publishing
Can Leatherhead Ever Be Trustworthy?
Of course, Krang also has delusions of grandeur. While he may believe that his actions were selfless for the Utroms, they were also naturally part of his own personal lust for power. His father Quanin was a warlord, and Krang merely became more competent at the family profession. None of this excuses or even justifies Krang’s actions, but providing him a strong motivation makes him a far more compelling villain. This is easily the best incarnation of Krang put to panel!
Image by IDW Publishing
In addition, Waltz, Eastman and Burnow are fans of having enemies become allies of circumstance. The last issue saw Stockman in this role, and the arc before that saw the Turtles uniting with Old Hob. It makes sense to reuse this formula since it adds tension to any story, while also signifying that life is full of shades of grey as opposed to pure “black” or “white.” Leatherhead is a chaotic mutant who attacks nearly anyone he meets, yet here he is an ally. At least for now!
Image by IDW Publishing
As displayed in TMNT Universe #5, Leatherhead has difficulty allying with anyone for long. He considers his kind abominations, so he’s usually against fellow mutants. He also lashes out against any who pervert nature, whether those who abuse animals or Krang and the Utroms. Leatherhead commonly uses his advanced intellect to ease those who assume he is a beast due to his appearance. Yet in the end, Leatherhead tends to betray people with beastly savagery anyway.
Image by IDW Publishing
More Nods to TMNT Adventures Await!
This adventure also gives the Turtles themselves a good chance to come out of their shells. They don’t have to hide below ground or stick to the shadows. On Planet Neutrino, they’re royal guests and national heroes! Donatello gets to interact with more advanced technology. Leonardo gets to practice his diplomacy and leadership interacting with King Zenter. Raphael gets to meet some new creatures to fight. And Mikey’s mutual crush on Princess Trib is utterly adorable to behold!
Image by IDW Publishing
While IDW’s TMNT officially breaks a record set by TMNT Adventures in 1995, the creative team continues to display their respect for that series here. More characters from that run continue to be reinvented by Waltz and company. The biggest addition is Maligna, insect queen of the vicious Malignoid Swarm. She was one of the greatest villains of TMNT Adventures, responsible for one of their final arcs. Ace Duck and Stump, more characters from that run, are also alluded to!
Image by IDW Publishing
A Truly Record Breaking Run in More Ways Than One!
An arc taking place in space is ideal for the artwork of Cory Smith! While the original “Krang War” arc was drawn by Ben Bates, Smith has tended to take over for most storylines that involved Krang ever since. Aided by the legendary colors of Ronda Pattison, Planet Neutrino and all of its citizens and imagery are wonders to behold. It’s a lovely mixture of advanced technology and far-out creatures with some trappings of medieval imagery. It isn’t far removed from Star Wars stuff!
Image by IDW Publishing
Smith’s design for Apap is interesting, although he doesn’t get to live very long. He’s more at home with Hakk-R, a villain he got to co-create in the FCBD issue. Hakk-R is a very cold and cunning customer, and Smith’s unique design does most of the job of selling him as a worthy opponent. So far, he’s proven more than capable of taking on the Turtles and their allies. While he’s been forced to retreat twice, he’s succeeded in every mission that Krang has hired him to perform.
Image by IDW Publishing
Next: The Turtles crash the Pantheon party in #72!
In conclusion, this issue is multiple things on multiple levels. On the surface, it is a testament to the dedication of Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow and Ronda Pattison to have collaborated together on 73 issues (and counting) of TMNT. Yet it also continues along with the quality storytelling and exceptional artwork which have allowed this run to flourish for over 6 years. Throughout that time, TMNT remains among the best serialized franchise comics around!