Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #14 review: Natsu finds her path
By Alex Widen
The path of Karai winds in many directions! As she leads her mutant allies thru a gauntlet, Natsu must find her own route in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #14!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #14
Writers: Erik Burnham & Sophie Campbell
Artist: Sophie Campbell
Colorist: Brittany Peer
“Prey” Strip: Sophie Campbell
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
Sophie Campbell continues along her tear as co-writer, artist, and back-up strip creator on this run of TMNT Universe! “Karai’s Path” reaches its penultimate chapter in its tale about purpose, honor, legends, and destiny. Yet it isn’t just Karai, Koya, or Bludgeon who are benefiting from this tale! New character Hayashi Natsu is also at the center or her own journey of discovery since becoming intertwined with Karai. Specifically, she learns more about her grandfather Toru than ever before!
Image by IDW Publishing
Natsu earned the wrath of Karai after accidentally clipping her during a drive-by hit she was performing for her Yakuza boss of a grandfather. Hayashi Toru seemingly made a deal to spare Natsu’s life while putting Karai onto the path of an ancient Foot Clan sword. Yet Natsu quickly learns it was all a ruse to either send Karai to her death, or set her up for an ambush. Having been responsible for the affair, Natsu sees her grandfather as dishonorable for the first time in her life!
Image by IDW Publishing
It’s Ninjas vs. Zombies!
Unfortunately, Karai has more pressing matters than being ambushed by mobsters. She and the mutants Koya and Bludgeon have entered an ancient Foot Clan chamber and are beset by zombies. Fortunately, Karai is familiar with them due to her research. Called the “Ashi No Himitsu,” they’re the first of many tests who seek to provoke, yet cannot ever strike the first blow. As such, so long as Karai and her friends keep their tempers to themselves, they can travel in peace.
Image by IDW Publishing
Yet this is easier said than done. The spirits of the dead are ancient, and patient. First they try to goad Karai with mentions of the Shredder — who she both resurrected then betrayed due to his dishonor. The fact that Karai lost the very Foot Clan she sought to rebuild is thrown in her face. Bludgeon is harassed for his blindness much the same, yet he’s also able to withstand the temptation. This leaves only Koya, whose struggles mightily with losing her wings to Leonardo.
Image by IDW Publishing
Koya does her best to suppress her own anger and frustration with the Ninja Turtles, yet it isn’t an act she can put up with for long. Her inevitable rage forces the three of them to flee into the second chamber. Within it is the sword which Karai has been promised, as well as three strange looking amulets. Much as with the previous chamber, there is a challenge to overcome as well. Ocho, a demonic mole guardian, emerges to defend the blade against any who seek to claim it.
Image by IDW Publishing
Meet Ocho, the Mole Demon!
Karai seeks to face Ocho on her own, much to the bemusement of Koya and Bludgeon. The massive mole proves immune to both katana blades and uppercuts to the jaw. It seems like Karai will need some help from the mutants after all! All the while, Koya is transfixed by one of the amulets. The three of them bare symbols which are surprisingly similar to the animals within the chamber itself. In fact, this is the very amulet which Koya has in the “Prey” backup strip later on!
Image by IDW Publishing
Meanwhile, Natsu sets out on her own journey towards the home of the woman who wanted to kill her! While she doesn’t find Karai there, Natsu finds herself at the sword tip of her mentor Toshiro. Fortunately, Natsu’s genuine convictions quickly convince him of her truthfulness. This doesn’t mean that Natsu is off the hook, though! Toshiro insists that she come along for whatever rescue is planned, meaning next issue’s finale should have loads of drama as well as ninja action!
Image by IDW Publishing
Until this issue, it was a little ambiguous as to when Sophie Campbell’s “Prey” backup strip takes place. Thankfully, the appearance of the amulet and Ocho has made it clear that it takes place shortly after “Karai’s Path.” The amulet has clearly begun to corrupt Koya, making her more aggressive in her zeal to regain her wings and vent her rage as a predator. When Bludgeon proves unable to get Koya to cool down, Ocho reappears ready to fight Koya and keep her rage burning!
Image by IDW Publishing
There’s Nobody like Natsu!
Erik Burnham and Sophie Campbell produce another amazing installment of what has quickly become one of the best arcs of this series. While the main story revolving around Karai and her allies is terrific, I must say that Natsu is quickly becoming one of my favorite new characters. A lot of this is thanks to Campbell’s amazing design which gives Natsu a lot of personality. Her body is covered in tattoos and she’s quite burly, and mixes both bravado juxtaposed with a sense of honor.
Image by IDW Publishing
Natsu’s grandfather Toru also proves to be a cunning villain. In the earlier issues, he’s presented as a more patient and tolerant figured compared to the hot-tempered Natsu. Yet in this issue, we see that all of this was an act. All Toru was trying to do was humor Karai until his bodyguards showed up, before capitalizing on Karai’s own listlessness to entrap her. It may be dishonorable in a traditional sense, yet it makes Toru stand out from the legions of dumb, angry mobsters in comics.
Image by IDW Publishing
Campbell and Burnham also create another new character in Ocho, a demonic mole. She ties into the broader plot involving the Pantheon from TMNT, as she was magically transformed by Kitsune between 1311-1312 (the Ocho era of Japan). She continues the great tradition of ladies within this incarnation of TMNT who aren’t designed to fit cliches of femininity or designed with “the male gaze” in mind. Ocho is a massive, vicious combatant able to fend off both Karai and Koya easily.
Image by IDW Publishing
The Secret History of the Foot Clan!
While Ocho is a brilliant play on Japanese history and folklore, the Ninja Turtles franchise does have some history with moles. In 1991, the character of Dirtbag appeared in the fifth season of the original animated series as well as gaining his own action figure. He subsequently appeared in several video games on the Nintendo and Game Boy. While Ocho certainly has a different gender than Dirtbag, she also has a different origin as well. Ocho is a mystical being rather than a mutant.
Image by IDW Publishing
The main story regarding Karai, Koya, and Bludgeon is exciting and fascinating. The quest for the sword of Takeshi Tatsuo ties back to a previous mini-series, TMNT: Secret Legend of the Foot Clan, by Burnham and Mateus Santolouco. He is the founder of the Foot Clan who dabbled in the supernatural before being killed by Oroku Maji. Maji’s son Saki would later become the Shredder. Karai was fascinated with the ancient history of the Foot Clan and this quest ties into that.
Image by IDW Publishing
One fascinating thing about Karai is how she defines her meaning by associations with the past. She was dissatisfied with her father running the Foot Clan in the modern day as white-collar criminals. Instead, she sought to bring back the trappings from Feudal Japan such as ninjas and traditional dress. She went so far as to literally resurrect their warlord of a leader from that era, in part because Karai was the direct descendant of the Shredder (who she would call “grandfather”).
Image by IDW Publishing
Campbell’s Art Is Utterly Jaw Dropping from Panel to Panel!
Koya and Bludgeon also have an interesting relationship. Each of them has lost a part of themselves in battle with the Turtles, and are dealing with that loss in different ways. Bludgeon lost his sight, and is coping by redefining his other senses (including a manifestation of a hammerhead shark’s sense of awareness in water). Koya, on the other hand, has lost her wings and much of her identity. She has been lashing out with anger at her loss of identity.
Image by IDW Publishing
Koya’s own recovery is a major theme of “Prey.” Campbell’s artwork for both stories is utterly amazing, and since she’s co-writing the series, the plot caters to her strengths. The battle between Karai and Ocho, as well as the scenes with the zombies, are examples of this. Natsu’s scenes are a pleasure. And while “Prey” may be brief, it is very fast paced and full of both mood and vicious action. With both an excellent plot and wonderful art, this arc has been a surefire hit.
Image by IDW Publishing
Next: Karai chooses the path of the sword in #13!
Following “Karai’s Path” has led to the exploration of a lot of characters, both old and new. Bludgeon and Koya have a fascinating co-dependent relationship in which they buck each other up and compliment each other. Karai continues on her path to find her own purpose in life, yet exploring the past has put her in the middle of a trap this time around. In chasing legendary relics from the past, she finds herself in very modern danger. The finale of this arc should be a highlight of this series!