The TMNT universe has been moving quite steadily since "City Falls" and "Northampton." I have thoroughly enjoyed the comic even between the excitement of the Shredder-Turtle showdown and the slow-moving plot of getting Leo back to health. I feel like the comic put so much focus on the aftermath of the showdown to be just as entertaining as well, that the lead up to the technodrome is probably lackluster for most. I personally love these ninjas, and the introduction to new characters, the action with Angel, and the Turtles getting back is what makes the comic. So what do we know? We know that Krang is out there holding Fugitoid captive. Fugitoid has helped Krang, under strict orders, to create the technodrome. Donnie and April are concerned that Krang is planning on destroying earth so his race can thrive. It is actually a heartbreaking story that you can read up on with TMNT- Utrom Empire. Anyway, none of the other turtles seem to care. Their main focus is on Shredder. Now it is up to April, Donnie, and Harold (Donnie’s crazy science buddy) to help eliminate this technodrome, untangle Fugitoid’s notes, and discover a way out for the whole world to survive. Lots of work ahead of them.
With this month’s issue, we mostly focus on this storyline. Even though it seems like each character is going through something. But they all need to get their shit together for Donnie. No one realizes this more than Leo. He even confronts Splinter on the subject, but Splinter doesn’t want any part. His heart is broken for what Shredder has done. It is time for him to pay. Splinter is rushing things. They can’t defeat Shredder without unity. Whether Donnie is right or not, his head isn’t in the game either. None of the brothers are. But we don’t focus on the team getting back to one goal just yet.
Instead we get introduced to a new character. Harold has many surprises at his lab, but Metalhead is among the coolest thing. Those of us who watch the Nickelodeon show already know a lot about this invention. Metalhead will sure bring some interesting battle strategies. Harold has other inventions too. The Turtles are going to need all the power they can get when dealing with the Krang. So whether Splinter likes it or not, the battle between these two is coming soon. The brothers need to bring it together and finally listen to Donnie.
Overall, it is easy for me to say how much I love every issue. The action is always entertaining whether between turtle and turtle or ex-Purple Dragon with Metalhead. With so many characters piling up the plot is stacking up to another huge showdown. The showdown is always better when you know the background behind it all. So we may not all be as big of a fan as me, but it makes it more exciting to know the work behind it all. I do wish we would have seen more of Krang for the sake of seeing the villain’s perspective. It is hard to be on Donnie’s side too when we don’t see the bad guy. Plus I love Krang’s story. It has become more complex. And Stockmen is with him as well, and that dude is entertaining as hell. No one can rebuttal that.
Score: 4/5
Writer: Tom Waltz Artist: Mateus Santolouco Publisher: IDW Publishing Price: $3.99 Release Date: 6/4/14 Format: Ongoing, Print/Digital