#Tmnt turtles in time comic book palette series#

The last volume, 'Northampton', felt like a much-needed pause for breath in the series, but this book feels like the series spinning its wheels for no purpose. That wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact that this series has gone to great lengths to get us invested in the Turtles Versus Foot Clan narrative, which then takes a huge backseat here. It feels simply like old superhero comics in which the main character would face a different enemy or challenge in every issue with very little connective tissue. This book is every bit the jumble of short side adventures that the title would suggest. As they prepare to strike back at Shredder, each of them must face challenges of their own, including malfunctioning robots, Hun's gang, Hob's mysterious plans and the emergence of the Rat King. Returning to New York, the Turtles, Splinter, Casey and April find the city a much more dangerous place. But they look like the 80s action figures that are still at my parents' house, right down to the details in the outfits, which really helps me to tap into the emotional capital reserves I have for these characters.

Or for Bebop and Rocksteady to be clad in black leather. After the Michael Bay versions and the new Rise of the TMNT, both of which feel alien to me, I wouldn't have been surprised to see Fugitoid and Metalhead look like something from Boston Dynamics. Something I've been appreciating right along: The creators seem to have no interest in tampering significantly with the looks of these characters (with the exception of Krang, whose robot body is more imposing here than the bikini-briefed thing from the cartoon). However, after a fateful meeting between the two villains that calls to mind the partnership of Hitler and Mussolini, we can assume that in future volumes our heroes may need to face both at once. The Turtles and Splinter have a lot of discussion about which villain to tackle first, Krang or Shredder. I would prefer less Hun (a snooze) and more Old Hob (always fun). Even, as one character mentions late in the volume, the chessboard is being set up.Ī lot happens but there's not much through-line with any of it, which at this point is fine. Turtles has really hit its stride now.Īfter the aftermath of City Fall in Volume 8, this volume feels like the first episode of a new season - the chef is assembling ingredients, the painter is filling up a palette. I've raved about him already, and I will continue to do so - guy's brilliant at what he does.īig fan of this volume. These are the kinds of stories that you can only tell this far into the series, and there are still some surprises to be found as well - the Rat King reveal especially took me aback.Īnd of course, Matteus Santolouco on art doesn't hurt at all. These are all single issue stories bar some light foreshadowing as cliffhangers, but they're all really damn good on their own too. Casey tackles his father head on with some story stuff that's been building for a long time now, Donnie and Angel visit Harold and discover Metalhead, Mikey and Raph meet with Old Hob to find a new Mutanimal in the mix, and then Leo and Splinter run afoul of the Rat King. These four issues focus on each of the Turtles in their attempt to try and find out how badly the Foot's rule has affected New York. This volume of TMNT proves that you don't need to be the big event story to be really fucking good. The book is really solid and anyone with a passing interest in the turtles should really enjoy themselves. It's not as mind-blowingly gorgeous as Sophie Campbell was in the last volume, but Santoluoco still does a good job and brings interesting elements to the design of new characters. It's this type of adventure, issue-to-issue stuff, that really gives you a chance to see what's at the heart of the book. Kraang is still out there with the technodrome and Shredder is still trying his best to rule the city.

They're clearly building up again to something even more. They also introduce some really fun elements here, like Metalhead, Nobody, and Pigeon Pete. The turtles all have some pretty good interactions. Anyway, the moments with April and Casey are the worst. The more I read, the more i realize how hard it is to write believable dialogue. There aren't big boss fights or anything, but there are more character moments and development to really make you care. Returning to New York after the wonderfully executed Northampton arc, we see the turtles and their crew getting back up to speed with the situation. The book continues to show that City Fall, despite all of the hype, was just the beginning.

Tmnt turtles in time comic book palette