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Comic Review: TMNT Universe #24 – The High-Ground Theory

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

Mondo Gecko and Michelangelo do their best to stealthily infiltrate the EPF. But you’re dealing with the TMNT Universe’s most silence-challenged characters, things are bound to go wrong.

Comic Review: TMNT Universe #23

(W) Ryan Ferrier & Rich Douek (A) Pablo Tunica & Brahm Revel (C) Patricio Delpeche

I know I’ve made this point several times, but TMNT Universe really needs to be an anthology series where creators can any type of story they wish without needing it to tie into an established canon. There is no better reason for this than in this issue and story arc, if you feel inclined to include last month’s issue #23. Ryan Ferrier and Pablo Tunica have been given the task of giving Mondo Gecko true character development, a practice that works in theory but not so much in execution.

Mondo Gecko works as a character because he is a completely carefree skater-dude. Originally, he was popular because he embodied cool trends of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now, he is enjoyable for becoming a pastiche of a bygone era. Also due to his role as comic relief, he works in small, supporting doses. Much like those yellow bastard Minions, placing Mondo Gecko front and center can produce a story that is middling at best. That’s why this assignment for Ferrier and Tunica was unenviable.

In their journey to develop Mondo’s character, the creative team leans heavily into established tropes from the TMNT franchise and greater fiction. Mondo wants to save Seymour because he doesn’t want to live in a world without him. He also states that being a mutant isn’t great. Both things are out of character, as for decades Mondo has loved who he is and accepted how the world works – good and bad. Instead of being this unique beacon of unbridled joy, the character is now imbued by the same pathos as the other mutants.

There is a backup story by Rich Douek and Buster Moody about Pigeon Pete dreaming of being a pirate. It’s surprisingly mediocre. Pete is the worst, so anything better than “ugh” is a win, and the creative team manages to pull it off. Still, I’d recommend skipping this unless you really enjoy awful characters written marginally okay.

As I’ve stated, I really can’t blame Ferrier or Tunica for the lackluster story. Ferrier does his best to keep the story moving forward with exciting action and the occasional humorous note, while Tunica’s artwork is lively and expressive. However, it cannot save a story concept that screams editorial influence. At $4.99 a pop, TMNT Universe is becoming the book that can easily be dropped.

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Comic BooksReviews

Comic Review: TMNT Universe #23 – MONDO RAMPAGE

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

Mondo Gecko goes full berserk (yes, you read that right) in an effort to save a loved one. Meanwhile, Zodi takes on a nobody.

Comic Review: TMNT Universe #23

(W) Ryan Ferrier & Rich Douek (A) Pablo Tunica & Brahm Revel (C) Patricio Delpeche

You know who we haven’t heard much from recently? The Mighty Mutanimals. Sure, Slash has shown up on occasion as brainwashed zombie pawn of Agent Bishop and the EPF, but the rest of the gang has been notably absent. That changes with the release of TMNT Universe #23. The story by Ryan Ferrier and Pablo Tunica sees the most unlikely of Mutanimals go on a one-mutant rampage to save the life of his friend, no matter the cost.

Mondo Gecko is one of the most popular side-characters in the pantheon of TMNT characters. While his popularity made sense in the early and mid-1990s due to his embodiment of the skateboarder personality, today he comes across as relic of an era long since passed. In many respects, it seems that the fine folks at IDW feel the same way, which is why Mondo often plays the role of comedic relief or unwitting background character. But Ryan Ferrier does something unexpected with him in this issue – he makes the character actually interesting.

What triggers this is the fallout of the Mutanimals’ past adventures, with Seymour slowly rotting away. Seeing his friend suffer as Seymour is utterly destroys Mondo Gecko’s worldview. No longer is everything gnarly, but instead he sees the cruelty and hardships that life has dealt not only to him, but those he holds closest. As a result, he becomes unhinged. Even after bringing Michelangelo into the fold for help, he continues his mission with reckless abandon. This is a welcome development, making Mondo and his Mutanimal friends way more interesting than their current role as benchwarmers.

Pablo Tunica has developed a style all of his own, and his expressive character work is on full display here. Readers can sense the anguish Mondo is grappling with throughout the issue, as well as the empathy on display from Michelangelo, Hob, and the others. Unfortunately, this issue also features perhaps his sloppiest linework to date. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve never been a biggest fan of Tunica’s work, and for the most part this issue exemplifies why. Images – be it character, objects, or backgrounds – are just unpleasant to look at. As well written as the story is, the artwork is a major detractor that takes away from the issue’s overall enjoyment.

The back-up feature from Rich Douek and artist Brahm Revel is a refreshing palette cleanser. It’s a tightly plotted short story with great artwork. The tale sees Nobody thwarting an attempted robbery by mutated scorpion Zodi. That’s really all that happens, but Douek’s writing has the two trading effective and entertaining quips until one of them is subdued. Ditto for Revel’s artwork, which uses minimal colors and an emphasis on motion to make their battle kinetic and thrilling.

TMNT Universe #23, taken as a whole, is a solid issue. The story itself is an attention grabber, but held back by the subpar artwork. Chances are, this will continue into the next issue. However, the issue saw a strong close thanks to a great little back-up story. In all, this was a microcosm of the comics industry: some good, some bad, and a small amount of really good.

 

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COMIC REVIEW: TMNT Universe #11

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

Time for a side-adventure with a couple of Mutanimals! Man Ray and Sally Pride journey to New Jersey to investigate rumors of a mysterious monster – the legendary Jersey Devil! Or at least that’s what we’re lead to believe…

Comic Review: TMNT Universe #11

(W) Rich Douek, (A) Aaron Conley, (C) Triona Farrell, (Cvr) Freddie Williams II

A series like TMNT Universe affords creators and readers alike to spend some time with characters who would normally be kept out of the spotlight while pushing the overall story forward, and that’s exactly what we get here. To be completely honest, my opinion of Man Ray and Sally Pride was nonexistent before this issue. They are background characters to a group of side-players, and with the focus of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the titular foursome, characters like Man and Sally can slip through the cracks unnoticed. However, TMNT Universe #11 remedies that problem, allowing readers to fully connect with these two. As it turns out, they’re awesome!

Rich Douek has a relatively small portfolio, mostly contributing to IDW’s Gutter Magic. However, that does not make him any less capable of delivering a satisfying, done-in-one issue. The premise is simple enough: Man Ray and Sally Pride take a drive across the river into New Jersey in hopes of recruiting their latest Mutanimal, and things go horribly wrong. This type of story is one that TMNT fans both new and old will recognize, as it has been used frequently over the franchise’s 30+ year history. However, the use of these ancillary and new characters gives it a sheen of freshness.

It turns out the infamous Jersey Devil does not exist. Instead, it’s Dreadmon, a human-turned-mutant from Africa that now lives off the land in the Garden State. And he’s kind of a dick. He talks down to Man and Sally because they aren’t of human origin, rebukes their help, and in the aftermath of the trouble the three go through, decides it’s best to keep “living off the land.” Because of this, it is easy to dismiss this on a base level, but that would mean a failure to recognize the elements Douek and artist Aaron Conley introduce into the IDW-verse, specifically controlled mutations. Furthermore, Douek’s script is full of great dialogue as he nails the chemistry between the two leads, as well as making the antagonists characters the reader can truly root against.

Sally, Man, and Dreadmon go up against a trio of mutant mercenaries, and it’s revealed that they are actually humans that can induce temporary, controlled mutations using special comic book technology. This is a game-changer for the universe, as it opens up the possibility of any human character undergoing mutation, if only for an issue or two. Perhaps more importantly, this issue introduces yet another powerful organization for our heroes to potentially take on.

Conley is joined by colorist Triona Farrell, and together they produce a competently structured and good looking book. Conley’s art is far from perfect. There are occasional inconsistencies, and backgrounds are mostly sparse. However, when the art is not rushed, it is wonderfully detailed, expressive, and lively. Ditto for Farrell’s colors, which do an admirable job filling in for regular TMNT colorist Ronda Pattison.

TMNT Universe #11 is a solid issue to throw into your weekly pull. As a single-issue story, anyone – TMNT fan or not – can pick it up, read it, and find enjoyment in it. However, don’t expect it to knock your socks off. It’s not bad, but not great either.

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