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COMIC REVIEW: TMNT Amazing Adventures: Robotanimals! #1

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

A new evil plan has been concocted by that twisted fly-man scientist, Stinkman… no, Speckman… Stockman! Yeah, that’s it. An evil plan that involves mutagen, robots, and the TMNT’s misfit friends: The Mighty Mutanimals!

COMIC REVIEW: TMNT Amazing Adventures: Robotanimals! #1

(W) Caleb Goellner (A/C) Chad Thomas

My favorite part of the TMNT Amazing Adventures comics is its friendliness towards younger audiences. That may sound like a backhanded compliment, but it is truly difficult to find a comic series that can be enjoyed by kids without talking down to them. As much as I may love the stuff coming out of DC Rebirth, Image Comics, or even IDW’s main TMNT series, I can’t hand those books to a kid. But I can with TMNT Amazing Adventures. Even more importantly, this title can be enjoyed by adults as well, making Caleb Goellner and Chad Thomas’ Robotanimals #1 truly an all ages affair.

The premise of this miniseries is simple enough: a bored Baxter Stockman turns the Mutanimals into brainless cyborgs, and the TMNT are forced to battle their friends. Okay, maybe it isn’t simple, but it is entertaining. Capturing the spirit of the Nickelodeon series, Goellner and Thomas imbue each page with lighthearted fun. They also manage to tap into the chemistry that each team has. The Turtles gel together in battle as a cohesive unit, despite their banter and occasional need for improvisation.

The Mutanimals, conversely, are more erratic due mostly to their different makeup. This carries over as they are transformed into the Robotanimals. Each member, be it Slash or Muckman, has a unique set of skills, and that variety proves troublesome (at least in this issue) for the green quartet.

This issue does suffer the usual trappings of previous TMNT Amazing Adventures stories, mostly in that despite the best efforts of the creative team, it comes across as a watered down version of the cartoon. That is mostly due to the conversion of 3D computer animation to a 2D, hand-drawn rendering. This is not a fault of Thomas, who delivers a bright, colorful, and high-energy effort. It is just an inherent limitation, and the issue succeeds in spite of it.

In addition, the one element that did not ring true at all is the initiative Baxter takes to create the Robotanimals on his own. Once mutated into a fly, this version of the character is not the assertive, confident mad scientist he was before, but instead a pawn for the Turtles’ more serious threats. However, this is merely a minor quibble as without it, there is no story. And TMNT Amazing Adventures: Robotanimals! #1 is a satisfying, fun, and colorful story.

 

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Comic BooksReviews

COMIC REVIEW: TMNT Funko Universe #1

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

What happens when you combine the addictive cuteness of Funko POP! figurines with a nostalgic fondness for the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon? You get a freaking amazing comic that is tons of fun!

Comic Review: TMNT Funko Universe #1

(W) Caleb Goellner (A/CA) Nico Pena

If you like your comic stories to be grim and gritty, high stakes, or with emotionally complex narratives, TMNT Funko Universe #1 is not for you. However, if you have a soul and like fun, lighthearted stories that are truly for “all ages,” then this comic is worth picking up. Writer Caleb Goellner and artist Nico Pena’s one-shot immerses the reader into the world of 1980s and 1990s “Turtlemania” that is as enjoyable as it is self-referential.

First, a tip of the hat is due to Pena, who manages to create bright, expressive, and dynamic visuals while confined to using the likeness of figurines which – despite their popularity – are good for nothing other than sitting on a shelf. Another factor working in his favor is the uniform height of the Funko POP! figurines, which means there is no differentiation between the Turtles, Kraang, Bebop, Rocksteady, and Shredder. Despite these limitations, Pena breathes life into the pages that leans heavily on elements of action and physical comedy. Furthermore, the expressiveness he gives the faces – again despite the limitations of their designs – provides the reader with an emotional hook to connect with these characters.

What ties everything together is the Turtles themselves. Goellner nails their characterizations, from Mikey’s surfer-dude playfulness down to Raphael’s fourth-wall-breaking sarcasm. As for the story itself, it’s silly and low stakes, but it has a lot of heart thanks to Caleb Goellner’s writing. The plan devised by Kraang and Shredder is delightfully goofy. Though I’m not sure they still put physical prizes inside cereal boxes, the idea of using said prizes for mind-control is exactly what I’d expect from these classic cartoon villains. And when the incompetence of the Foot Soldier factory workers leads to a prizeless cereal box (and Mikey’s subsequent disappointment), the adventure begins.

It’s not just the silly story that’s enjoyable, but also the many meta-references that Goellner throws in for Turtle fans. Whether its a reference to the game Turtles in Time, a nod to Fred Wolf, or awareness of “getting dragged into a subplot,” there is a lot of fan service that does not distract from the main story. Though the price tag may be pushing it a bit (really IDW? $4.99? Have you learned nothing from Marvel’s recent struggles?), TMNT Funko Universe is a worthy addition to anyone’s comic collection. Sharply written and beautifully drawn, this is truly a comic for nearly everyone.

 

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Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Amazing Adventures #13

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

“The Drip” begins in the latest issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Adventures. Donnie’s attempt to return Splinter to his human form doesn’t go as planned. In the backup feature, the Turtles dabble with the idea of coming out of their shells…

TMNT: Amazing Adventures #13 Review

There is an old saying that every comic is someone’s first. And while most publishers focus their efforts on the core comic market (18-40 year old men), they fail in luring in new readers at a younger age. While the cost of comics is certainly a factor, there also happens to be a dearth of material that is equally appealing and suitable for younger readers. TMNT: Amazing Adventures manages to strike that balance. In issue #13, readers are treated to the start of a new arc that captures the look and feel of the current Nickelodeon show – complete with zany antics.

The main feature by Matthew K. Manning and Chad Thomas has an entry point that is familiar to both younger and older fans of the franchise: Donatello is working on a means to return Splinter to his human form. Its a noble cause which enables readers to quickly invest themselves in the story’s outcome.  Manning writes Donnie as dedicated and overworked to the point of fatigue, which instantly sells the character’s devotion to both his work and his father figure.

This sequence also lends itself well to Thomas’ skills as a storyteller. If the pages were void of any dialogue, readers would still be able to comprehend the plot because of the dynamic and expressive nature of his art. The expressiveness of the art is crucial in the execution of an integral TMNT characteristic: humor. There are some well placed bits of physical comedy throughout the story that land well because of pacing as dictated by Thomas’ layouts.

Sadly, the pacing as a whole is uneven. As strong as it is in the early pages, Manning and Thomas falter towards the conclusion. The fantastic comedic timing and methodical pace evaporates, resulting in a sloppy, rushed sprint to the cliffhanger. As an adult, I had to re-read the final pages several times to fully comprehend it – I can only imagine how difficult it might be for a child to fully grasp the ending. Its an unfortunate end after a promising start that can hopefully be rectified in the next issue.

Contrarily, the backup feature by Caleb Goellner and Buster Moody is a delight from start to finish. Moody’s linework is darker and less refined than that of Thomas. As a result, the artwork has an aesthetic that marries the look from the television series with the original comics by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. The script by Goellner strikes the right balance of sincerity and goofiness to endear itself to all readers, as the Turtles attempt to start up a garage band. Not only do the Turtles don their outfits from the infamous Coming Out of Their Shells Tour, but they manage to draw the ire of Shredder by simply annoying him with their loud rock music. Shredder is essentially the cranky old man who is mad at the neighborhood kids, and it is extremely satisfying.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Amazing Adventures #13 suffers from an uneven opening chapter to “The Drip.” However, the backup feature is a raucous, campy, and all-around satisfying adventure that emphasizes the “teenage” part of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” Its a side that comic readers don’t get to see very often, and when it is exploited it is a refreshing experience.

What did you think of TMNT: Amazing Adventures #13?

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