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TMNT Dimension X

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Comic Review: TMNT Dimension X #5

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

The finale of the Dimension X miniseries is upon us, and not a moment too soon. Can the fifth and final issue break the miniseries’ tendency to be entertaining but cripplingly predictable? We’ll find out.

Comic Review: TMNT Dimension X #5 (of 5)

(W) Devin Grayson, (A) Craig Rousseau, (C) Leonardo Ito

See that look on Mikey’s face? That’s the look of someone who just read TMNT Dimension X #5. As has been the case throughout this miniseries, a new creative team takes the reins in this issue. Veteran writer Devin Grayson manages to defy expectations by twisting the miniseries’ formula so that the somewhat predictable outcome remains, but the journey is unlike anything delivered in the previous four installments. This is complemented by the delightfully cartoonish art Craig Rousseau and bright colors of Leonardo Ito.

What makes this issue stand out from the others in this miniseries is the nature of the witness. Whereas the others have been individuals with their own quirks, this time it is an entire planet with a shared consciousness among its plant-like lifeforms. Even though Hakk-R arrives first (and a quick battle with the Turtles ensues), he almost immediately departs as he believes there is no way for the entire planet to serve as a witness. Normally, he would be right, but the Turtles’ insistence on gathering evidence leads them on a journey that ultimately explores the ideas of discrimination and individualism vs. collectivism.

Unfortunately, Grayson is unable to fully explore these philosophical ideas given the space constraints of a single-issue that must also wrap up the miniseries itself. These topics are brushed aside as quickly as they are introduced. It’s a real shame, and I would love to see Grayson given an entire miniseries (or story-arc within TMNT Universe) to fully flesh out her ideas.

Instead, this entire issue reads like a creator’s vision colliding head-on with an editorial mandate right up to the abrupt ending. The issue opens in media res, with Hakk-R already on-planted talking with locals. The Turtles arrive shortly after, but their Neutrino escorts remain in orbit and engaged some sort of space-battle, which isn’t really cleared up. Meanwhile, the art from Rousseau and Ito is solid, but readers might get whiplash from how different it is compared to the previous issue.

This fifth and final installment proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that TMNT Dimension X is a frustratingly inconsistent miniseries. If you are a completionist and must read everything TMNT-related, go for it. Otherwise, I cannot in good faith recommend anyone pick this up. With the final tally being 5 issues at $3.99 an issue, you’re better off spending your money elsewhere.

 

 

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Comic BooksReviews

Comic Reviews: TMNT Dimension X #3 and TMNT Dimension X #4

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

Catching up on the last couple weeks, the Turtles shenanigans in Dimension X continue. So buckle up for a double does of reviews as we look at issues #3 and #4 of the Dimension X miniseries!

Comic Review: TMNT Dimension X #3

(W) Aubrey Sitterson, (A) Khary Randolph, (C) John Rauch

Well, here it is. The miniseries’ connecting covers have been alluding to this installment of Dimension X, and it is an absolute blast! The creative team of Sitterson, Randolph, and Rauch deliver a wacky, action-packed installment that has an undercurrent of social commentary. The latest witness for the Turtles’ to round up is the proud owner of an asteriod-turned-wresting stadium. And in true TMNT fashion, things do not go smoothly.

Sitterson’s writing of this issue’s witness – the appropriately named Stump – is frustratingly entertaining. Written as corporate greed incarnate, Stump sold out his planet to Krang for a healthy payday, and refuses to leave with the Turtles because of the money he’ll miss out on. It’s only when he finds out Krang has sent an assassin after him that he decides to leave with the Turtles… if they jump in the ring first. The entire plot is bonkers, and the kind of weird that was expected from the rest of this miniseries.

The artwork by Randolph and Rauch is a great match for the ludicrous plot. Randolph’s artwork is full energy, heightening the chaotic tensions between Stump, Turtles, and the wrestlers. However, it is Rauch’s colors that really stand out. The variety of his palate can at times be overwhelming, but it only adds to the frenetic action. The miniseries as a whole may be hit-or-miss, but TMNT Dimension X #3 a wild ride from start to finish!

SCORE: 8.5

Comic Review: TMNT Dimension X #4

(W) Ryan Ferrier, (A) Chris Johnson, (C) Mark Englert

For the first six or so pages of TMNT Dimension X #4, it appears that this is going to be another “down” issue for the miniseries. And then the witness is revealed: Ace Duck. A character created as an action figure for the 1987 cartoon (despite a 5 second appearance), Ace Duck has developed a cult following over the years, and this issued gives readers their most extended look at him in the franchise’s history.

Ryan Ferrier, Chris Johnson, and Mark Englert overcome a slow start to deliver another solid issued in this miniseries, which has finally found a level of quality and consistency that readers expect from IDW’s TMNT books. Though no fault of his own, Ferrier’s script is largely predictable. Still, he manages to pack in a couple of pleasant surprises. Michelangelo developing a gambling addiction was itself an entertaining thread from start to finish.

While this issue’s location is a sadly generic albeit futuristic metropolis, it offers enough variety for Englert’s colors to make this issue stand out from the others in this miniseries. Ditto for Chris Johnson’s art, which bares a striking similarity to that of main series’ artist Corey Smith’s, so much so that this could be considered TMNT #73.5.

SCORE: 7.0

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Delivery or Pickup: 8/16/2017 and 8/23/2017

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

The next couple weeks see a bit of a dry spell for turtley releases, so we’re combining the next two installments of “Delivery or Pickup” into one posting. The fact that I’m going on vacation for the next couple weeks has absolutely nothing to do with this (lol jk of course it does).

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Dimension X #3

Aubrey Sitterson (w) • Khary Randolf (a) • Nick Pitarra (cvr)

Journey to Stump Asteroid, where the biggest no-hold barred brawls in Dimension X can be found! The newest warriors to enter the ring? The TMNT!

FC | 32 pages | $3.99

Bullet points:
Variant cover by Kevin Eastman!

On Sale: August 16, 2017

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Dimension X #4

Ryan Ferrier (w) • Chris Johnson (a) • Nick Pitarra (cvr)

The TMNT land on a planet of criminals and lowlifes. In these surroundings one heroic pilot is on the lamb from the most powerful crime boss on the planet. A pilot named Ace Duck!

FC | 32 pages | $3.99
On Sale: August 23, 2017
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Comic Review: TMNT Dimension X #2

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

Dimension X is definitely a weird place. The Turtles’ continue their trans-dimensional community service efforts as they track down another witness for “The Trial of Krang”.

Comic Review: TMNT Dimension X #2

(W) Ulises Farinas & Erick Freitas (A) Michael Dialynas

In case you missed it, I was not a fan of TMNT Dimension X #1. Truth be told, I was not looking forward to reading this issue after such a disappointing opening. However, it looks as though the creative team has righted the ship, as the second issue is a marked improvement over the first. The writing is crisper, and the art is much smoother.

With the series formula firmly established, readers know exactly what they are getting into here. Farinas and Freitas deliver a relatively self-contained story that fits within the larger “Trial of Krang” arc in the main ongoing title. Like issue #1, this comic sees the Turtles venture off to a new locale within Dimension X to track down a potential witness to testify against the disgraced Utrom general. However, unlike the previous issue, the writers take the time to flesh out and develop this new witness, enabling readers to have an emotional investment in both the character and the narrative as a whole. While this comes at the cost of under-utilizing the miniseries’ chief protagonist, the internal struggle that the witness endures (as well as the well executed narrative twist) makes up for it in spades.

As alluded to earlier, the artwork is much easier on the eyes. Michael Dialynas, who provides the art and colors, captures a side of Dimension X that is rarely discussed – if ever – across the spectrum of TMNT media: its potential for beauty. Much of this issue contains grand, sweeping landscapes and a figurative kaleidoscope of colors for the reader to feast upon. Albeit far from perfect, it provides the reader plenty of stimulation from start to finish. The character renders are also improved. The Turtles themselves do not look like they jumped out of the cinematic abortion known as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, but instead they are more or less consistent with there depictions throughout the IDW-verse.

If you wrote off TMNT Dimension X after the first issue, you might want to give this a skim while you’re at your local comic shop this week. Much of the problems that the first issue had have been resolved. While the story itself is still rather light and formulaic, the execution and artwork are greatly improved. This series may still end up being a cash grab, but it’s starting to show signs that it might be worth the money.

 

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Delivery or Pickup 8/9/2017: O is for Oversized

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

A weekly miniseries continues, the universe picks up steam, and a beautiful oversized reprint is what IDW has in store for Turtle fans this week.

TMNT Universe #13

Writer: Burnham, Erik
Artist: Campbell, Sophie
Cover Artist: Williams II, Freddie

‘Karai’s Path,’ part 2 of 4. As Karai becomes embroiled in the Tokyo underworld, an ancient sword may show her the true path forward

Format: COMIC
Price: $4.99
UPC: 82771401136401311

Note: Variant cover by Sophie Campbell

TMNT Dimension X #2

Writer: Farinas, Ulises
Artist: Dialynas, Michael
Cover Artist: Pitarra, Nick

In a world of giant flying fish monsters only one creature is strong enough to survive-Anemon! Will the Turtles be able to defeat him and bring him to testify at the Trial of Krang?

Format: COMIC
Price: $3.99
UPC: 82771401344300211

Note: Variant cover by Michael Dialynas

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Artisan Edition

Writer: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
Artist: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird

This book reproduces all the original art to the first issue of one of the most important comic book phenomenons of the last 35 years — The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Scanned directly from the original art, mimicking the experience of the original hand drawn page, and also collecting all the layouts (also hand drawn) by the creators of what has been called this generation’s Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.Rounding out the volume is an extensive gallery of other TMNT images, also scanned directly from the original art.

Format: HC • BW • 144 pages • 8” x 12”
Price: $50.00
ISBN: 978-1-63140-897-7

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