As a child of the 80s, I remembered the first time I became aware of who the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were. I can recall, one of my friends at school, was talking how cool they were, and how the show was not only funny but had ninjas and mutants and was set in New York. At this time, the only cartoon that pretty much me , my friends and my cousins could talk about was Ghostbusters and SilverHawks, and could not see any other cartoon taking my attention away from those two. I was never as wrong about anything up to that point, as I immediately got immersed in this cartoon, and became a disciple soon after.

I eventually watched every single episode of the original series and watched all the movies, and yes even the Michael Bay, which left much to be desired. I eventually wanted more than what the TV show gave, and got into the original comics that inspired the TV series in the first place. I found out what most comic book fans find out about their heroes, which their stories are better told in panels. I found Eastman’s and Laird’s stories to not only be engrossing but much funnier, and have much more of an adult sensibility that the cartoons did not have.

The comics’ journey to this point has been an interesting one, as the folks are not only staying faithful to the mythology but are expanding its canon by leaps and bounds. Most of the stories center the fearsome foursome, on their many journeys and battles with Shredder and his Foot Soldiers. I always wondered how the story would play out with any of the supporting characters like Splinter, or Casey or especially April. This miniseries by Mariko Tamaki and Irene Koh, is another entry into the canon, and definitely not a filler story, as this is a story which finds Casey and April go on a journey to find the Pantheon, which is the genesis to how the Turtles and Splinter became who they are but also some of Shredder’s soldiers Like Bebop and Rocksteady. By story’s end, the reader has not only found out more about the TMNT’s mythology but also about Casey and April.

Overall, a solids miniseries, which has definitely renewed my interest in these characters in so many ways, even had me digging for some of my old comics. The story by Tamaki, shows how much of a master storyteller she is, as she definitely proves that she is a fan of the source material. The art by Koh, is suspenseful and beautiful, and shows these characters in lights and shades which has never been shown before. Altogether, a magnificently told and drawn story that should not only make fans of the TMNT and their universe but also of these excellent creators.

Story: Mariko Tamaki Artist: Irene Koh
Story:  9 Art: 9 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review