Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #15 review: The rise of Oroku Karai
By Alex Widen
Karai has met the challenges of the magic sword and is stronger than ever. Yet can she survive a Yakuza assault in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #15?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #15
Writers: Erik Burnham & Sophie Campbell
Artist: Sophie Campbell
Colorist: Brittany Peer
“Prey” Strip: Sophie Campbell
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Oroku Karai, direct descendant of the Shredder, sacrificed much to revive the Foot Clan. She defied her own father to resurrect the clan’s legendary leader from Feudal Japan. Yet the return to their roots proved dissatisfying and dishonorable. After allowing Splinter and the Ninja Turtles to reclaim the Foot Clan, Karai has been adrift without a purpose. Now, thanks to a random encounter with a Yakuza boss, Karai is in possession of an enchanted blade and has found her path in life again!
Image by IDW Publishing
Having been told of the legendary blade “Kira No Ken” by Hayashi Toru, Karai set out after it. Her mutant allies Koya and Bludgeon have been at her side, facing their own problems. The trio have survived a horde of zombies, and now Karai has evaded Ocho, a demonic mole. Yet when given the chance to kill Ocho, she refuses. Instead, Karai recruits Ocho as an ally, which is a far wiser move. With the aid of the demon, the three are able to escape the underground deathtrap permanently.
Image by IDW Publishing
It’s Time to Take on the Mob!
Yet as a result of treachery, Karai and her allies have another problem to deal with. It turns out that while Hayashi Toru wove a fanciful tale about a magical Foot Clan sword, he had no intention of using it to unite the Yakuza. It was merely a diversionary tactic Toru used to save himself and his granddaughter, Natsu. The moment Karai left, Toru immediately employed a gang of killers to follow and ambush them all. The three of them were on the verge of fleeing one trap for another!
Image by IDW Publishing
Fortunately, despite her attitude, Natsu proves to be an honorable woman. It was her poor aim when performing a Yakuza hit which involved Karai in their affairs in the first place. She hadn’t approved of her grandfather’s treachery, and literally betrayed him to warn Karai’s mentor Toshiro of the plot. Therefore, the pair were able to take down the hit men and save all three of them. While Karai settles the score with Natsu, she sets her sights on taking down her grandfather.
Image by IDW Publishing
As much as Hayashi Toru may have known about Karai, nothing could prepare him for dealing with her personally. Rather than eliminate Toru quickly, her revenge is a dish served cold. Toru may have legions of henchmen and hi-tech security, but they prove no match for a couple of ninjas and three ravenous creatures. Ocho joins up with Koya and Bludgeon in their attack on Toru’s mob, and the three operate with a bloody savagery. For the first time in this ordeal, Koya seems like she is calm.
Image by IDW Publishing
Some Demonic Artifacts Have Made These Ladies Deadlier!
Not even a safe room with foot thick steel can protect Hayashi Naru from the wrath being brought down! The blade he dismissed as a fairy tale turned out to be quite real. It not only is able to slice through nearly anything, it is able to possess Karai with an unnatural energy. It was the blade of a god, presumably the patriarch of the Pantheon, the Dragon. The issue parallels both Ocho and Toru being at Karai’s mercy, and while she had some for the former, there is none for the latter.
Image by IDW Publishing
As Karai explains to Toshiro, finding this blade has helped her regain focus. While she has no intention to reclaim the Foot Clan, she finds the Shredder’s zeal to bring order to a chaotic world to be admirable. In practice this means controlling organized crime, and as such Karai arranges a meeting with Toru’s peers within the Yakuza. Her terms are simple; submit or perish. When the mobsters refuse to bow, Karai and her mutants lay down the blade. Is New York next on her path?
Image by IDW Publishing
Furthermore, Karai isn’t the only one reclaiming her identity via the supernatural. Koya has been anguished at the loss of her wings ever since the start of her story. She has fluctuated between anger and depression for much of the story. Within Ocho’s chamber, Koya took one of two magical amulets which was shaped like a bird. In her own back-up strip, the amulet reveals a bird spirit which tests Koya’s predatory might. Koya prevails, and seems able to grow a set of new wings at will.
Image by IDW Publishing
Koya Wants to Dine on Turtle Soup!
In addition, Koya’s own path may complicate her service to Karai. While Karai has no love lost for Splinter and the Ninja Turtles, she has no intention to specifically seek them out. She at least knows them to be honorable. Any quest to reorganize the underworld within New York will involve them sooner or later, especially with Splinter running the Foot Clan and Casey Jones heading the Purple Dragons. Koya, in contrast, specifically obsesses about revenge against Leonardo.
Image by IDW Publishing
Erik Burnham co-writes an excellent script alongside Sophie Campbell, catering to all of her artistic strengths. The scenes with Ocho and other demonic elements play to her flair for the otherworldly. The action sequences between the mutants and the minions, as well as between Toru and Karai, are both brutal and visually amazing. There is a level of suspense as Toru is hunted as prey. So much pipe is laid down for future TMNT stories that this becomes absolutely critical.
Image by IDW Publishing
The Hayashi Clan Rules!
Speaking of Sophie Campbell, she wraps up a four-issue run of utter artistic excellence. From co-writing to drawing the main arc to doing everything with the backup strip, these issues have been a showpiece for her considerable skills. The dynamic between Koya and Bludgeon is great, and Ocho may be one of the most sinister looking monsters Campbell has ever drawn. Yet I’d be lying if I didn’t say that Natsu probably stole much of the arc. She has a great design and a better persona.
Image by IDW Publishing
Finally, Hayashi Toru has a fitting end come to him. Considering how many criminals and gangsters appear in the Ninja Turtles universe, it isn’t easy making one distinct. Yet Toru managed to stand out. Campbell’s design for him, complete with missing pinkies and a forehead scar, tells more about his Yakuza past than words can. He’s obviously paid for dishonor before, yet the lesson never sunk in. While he was clever and intelligent, his own dishonor proved to be his undoing.
Image by IDW Publishing
Jaw Dropping Art Is at the Core of This Exceptional Arc!
The entire arc has been a visual feast for the eyes. Campbell is able to adjust for both mood and tone easily. Much as she excelled at the musical numbers in Jem & the Holograms, she excels in spiritual sequences here. Brittany Peer, another Jem veteran, does some amazing color work on the main strip as well. This is especially vital with Natsu, since her amazing tattoos are a major part of her design. Campbell’s design for Karai is elegant yet deadly, which captures her perfectly.
Image by IDW Publishing
The “Prey” strip is simple yet effective. It wraps up the subplot regarding Koya’s amulet as well as her angst over losing her wings. It also puts Koya’s motivation into focus. As a mutant hawk, being a bird of prey was her entire identity. Without her wings, Koya felt like she was no longer a predator, and thus lost. Now that she has been forced to master this amulet, she’s reclaimed both the wings and her spirit. It should make for a brutal rematch with Leonardo coming down the line!
Image by IDW Publishing
Next: Natsu comes into her own in #14!
In conclusion, this four-issue arc has been among the best TMNT Universe has seen. It certainly seems like it has been the most important in regards to the “main series” since the opening issues. Karai’s return to New York should tie into the Pantheon plot, since she’s using their magical sword. Kitsune had wanted the Shredder to herald her father’s return, yet may end up seeing Karai as a worthy replacement. I am already psyched for more, which is exactly as it should be.