TMNT

• Title: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #14
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz
• Artist: Andy Kuhn

The fate of Casey‘s father! The secrets of the Utroms! The first appearance of the Technodrome! All that and The Shredder picks his new second-in-command… so why am I not happier with the latest issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

There’s a ton of story here as General Krang explains the history of his race, and his home planet of Utrominion in Dimension X. And, much to Karai‘s dismay, The Shredder announces he’s chosen his new protege – Leonardo.

We also get a philosophical discussion between Splinter and Raphael as to what fate should befall the abusive father of Casey Jones. It’s an important issue, and deserves the time the issue spends on it, but the writing does feel preachy at times when dealing with such a hot-button topic as child abuse.

My real problem with the issue is the art of Andy Kuhn which I like even less than I did in last month’s issue. It’s a big departure from the art of Dan Duncan without being any closer to the original look of the characters by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #14Read More »

• Title: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz
• Artist: Andy Kuhn

I’ve been very happy with the IDW’s new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which makes this month’s issue all that more perplexing. The biggest difference is Andy Kuhn, and his far rougher style, stepping in for artist Dan Duncan who, until now, had done the art for every issue of the series. Although I prefer the art from the original Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird run I had grown accustomed to Duncan’s style. The difference in the book’s look is striking, and not in a good way.

Also problematic is how much exposition and plot summarization of the comic up until this point is passed off as attempts at natural dialogue. I assume the idea was to use the issue to help get readers up to speed who reading the title for the first time, but the effect doesn’t do the actual story any favors.

The main story points have to do with the Turtles killing time after saving Splinter while The Shredder (who is drawn for the first time with pupils instead of zombie eyes) finds only disapproval with his granddaughter Karai. There’s also the return of the subplot of Casey Jones and his abusive father. For fans.

[IDW, $3.99]