Tag Archives: tmnt

Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 30th Anniversary Special

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20140524-163532-59732501.jpgWhile I’m back from a review hiatus, I’ve continued on my ‘ode-to-turtles’ in this third review of a TMNT-related comic. It is a fitting continuation seeing that this month is the Turtle’s 30th anniversary, having been conceived, written, and drawn by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird in a small New Hampshire studio this month three decades ago. I can only imagine the initial concept, and just how utterly unpredictable it was knowing what a global franchise it is now. “Reptiles, trained in martial arts? Yep. With a rat for a father? Yep. Sounds good, let’s do it.”

Though the franchise itself has been through an ownership roller coaster, Eastman sold his shares to Laird and Mirage Studios, Laird and Mirage sold it to Nickelodeon, and Nickelodeon licensed the comics to IDW Publishing, the property itself has remained relatively untainted and wildly popular (alien origins in this summer’s blockbuster aside). In a special glossy trade, IDW does the anniversary justice by bringing back a wide variety of writers and artists to showcase the Turtle’s evolution from early Mirage Studios through Archie Adventure Series, Image, Mirage Publishing, and finally IDW.

Reprints of the initial advertisements, first press releases, and debut comic con pamphlets of the TMNT origins are worth the $7.99 price tag alone. But once you make your way through the book, you’ll be even more satisfied by witnessing the full gamut of writing and illustration from Eastman and Laird’s gritty beginnings to Jim Lawson‘s abstract drawings to Dan Duncan‘s more recent refined artistry. Dean Clarrain and Chris Allan‘s eco-friendly TMNT Adventures story is one of my favorite pieces from this special, not because it has the best writing or art, but because it reminded me of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I grew up with in both TV and print.

For the casual fan, the NickToons kid, the everyday comic reader, or the diehard loyalist…this is a must buy/read/save. It misses perfection being too short in length, but still delivers on all other accounts. Thirty years in and Turtle Power! has yet to let up.

Story: Various Art: Various Editing: Bobby Curnow
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Pathfinder #8, TMNT New Animated Adventures #1

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Pathfinder #8

Cover PfinderThere are three ways a comic can turn out when it’s based on a fantasy RPG like Pathfinder (a better example would be the Dungeons & Dragons material from IDW): (1) utterly crap, (2) epic like Tolkien, or (3) sound like a real group playing the RPG, narrating characters, and having fun. Pathfinder #8 is the last of those three—whew, no crap here, but definitely some fun and good art!

Writer Jim Zub populates the comic with characters of competing intentions but one ultimate goal, including the brash fighter, knowledge seeking wizard, cautious rogue, headstrong (and ugly) dwarf, and provides comic relief as any good DM would in the form of a goblin named Hurble. As a side note, the characters used herein are the example characters from Pathfinder player guide. It truly is a real life adventuring party slapped onto the comic book page.

The script of the battle sequences sounds like a group of gamers trying to figure out how to fight the bad guys, discussing which weapons work and which spells fail against the undead enemies. This type of writing is a feat, while not necessarily complex in composition, the style requires awareness of how to play RPGs, and Pathfinder in particular, meaning that Zub is a master of two crafts. In my opinion, this style makes the comic all the better, especially since I’ve played Pathfinder and other TRPGs and can appreciate the quickness with which these adventurers complete their task.

Jake Bilbao provides great illustration which takes the fun, rambunctiousness of the script into the realm of epic adventures, lending the quality of Pathfinder illustrations from the guides to this comic. Bilbao is new to me, but his detailed pencil work is well-suited to the mystical landscape of Varisia, and I can only hope to see his work elsewhere (he’d sure improve IDW’s Forgotten Realms comics, I must admit, despite the fact that I adore Forgotten Realms and am not a great fan of the Pathfinder rules).

This really is a comic that caters to the Pathfinder players, but it is not a closed book to those uninitiated. Rather, it’s like watching the new Star Trek movie and getting all the references because you know the original shows, versus watching the same movie and still finding it enjoyable. It’s a stepping stone to the game. And, if you’re a Pathfinder yourself, you might find that stats and history of the dragon Scarhorn in the back-up a useful addition to any campaign.

Pathfinder is probably the best book on Dynamite Entertainment’s roster, a breath of fresh air after books like Dejah Thoris and Warlord of Mars, which have long disappointed me (though I’m truly looking forward to Simone’s Red Sonja).

Story: Jim Zub  Art: Jake Bilbao
Story: 7  Art: 8  Overall: 8  Recommendation: Read

TMNT New Animated Adventures #1

Kenny Byerly presents this new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series from TMNT-New-Animated-01_Cover-RegularIDW Publishing, TMNT New Animated Adventures #1, illustrated by Dario Brizuela, a short standalone adventure. I’ve never read or watched any TMNT but I felt right at home!

Byerly writes a fun, playful TMNT story about breaking into a military complex to steal some junk, and April is the focus of the story. It’s well-paced, moves swiftly and never gets boring. It’s a fast-paced fun adventure that could easily be a lot of great fun on TV but still plays out well in the comics medium.

The art by Brizuela is complex and shows the pen of a detail and accomplished artist, and only looks like the children’s cartoony ‘animated’ adventure it’s meant to be because of the figure shapes of characters. Brizuela has done work on a number of animated adventures books, and shows his real mettle in TMNT New Animated Adventures #1. All things considered, the art in this book is a cross between Kim Possible and classic Spider-Man, but it’s not something I can really jive to.

I’m not a TMNT fan, so it’d be unfair for me to judge the comic harshly, but overall I thought it was a fun adventure, something that fans of the ‘animated’ comics or TMNT would have a good time reading. Also, I think this is a good bridge comic for getting kids into comics, so it has to be applauded for that effort. Just as DC and Marvel are reaching out with these ‘kids’ comics, it seems IDW has jumped on the bandwagon—a smart and successful move.

Story: Kenny Byerly  Art: Dario Brizuela
Story: 6.5  Art: 7  Overall: 7  Recommendation: Read

Dynamite and IDW provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review

IDW Presents Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2012

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[TMNT Annual 2012 Image] IDW Publishing and Nickelodeon have announced the launch of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2012, a 48-page jam packed story written by co-writers Tom Waltz and Kevin Eastman, and drawn by co-creator Eastman. It’s been nearly 20 years since Eastman has created a full TMNT story, but fans will have a lot to look forward to in this annual.

Eastman said:

After nearly 20 years I find myself once again fully engrossed in the wonderful mythos of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and having the absolute best time in my life! The intense creative energy flying around between IDW and Nickelodeon is when this idea was inspired and born, so with this incredible team, I’m back on the drawing board–hanging with the boys, knocking out a full blown epic–and it is AWESOME!

Releasing in October this year, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2012 follows the adventure of Raphael and Casey as they find themselves in the middle of a criminal escapade gone wrong. Rival clans jockey for power in the NYC criminal underworld, and the Ninja Turtles are drawn into the chaos. Expect the unexpected in this exciting, all-new tale that sets up a crucial future TMNT storyline. Readers are encouraged to ask their retailers about the special variant “Eastman Layout” edition.

IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics launched in August 2011 with great success, resulting in multiple printings of the first five ongoing issues. Last month, TMNT comics launched digitally, and are now featured in IDW Comics and comiXology Mobile Apps for Android, iPhone, Kindle Fire, and more. There is no doubt that the Turtles have made a huge comeback, and IDW and Nickelodeon are catering to the fans by providing even more Ninja Turtle action!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2012 ($7.99, 48 pages, full color) will be available in October. Diamond order code AUG12 0321.

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