Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #38

by louis whiteford on October 01, 2014

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #38
Story- Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow, and Tom Waltz
Script – Tom Waltz
Art – Mateus Santoluco
Colors – Ronda Pattison


Oh god, TMNT really has gone off the rails. It’s got too many toes dipped into too many pools. The Turtles have been walking around, thinking and bickering for a solid year. Instead of giving us some forward momentum from the titular heroes, the creative staff has shifted focus outward. Shredder, Hun and Casey Jones have had some interesting developments, but the rest of the cast is busy promoting a new toy line or something. It feels like there’s been a new character every issue, and not like the early days of the series, when they were trying really, really hard to justify all the weird predicaments.* No explanations beyond the barest are happening in the current Turtle climate. It’s just bam! One page you’re reading the same comic you’ve been enjoying all these issues. The next, there’s a couple of goofy looking mutants to wrap your head around. It’s getting exhausting.

This issue is the worst of the bunch. The new mutants, whom I won’t spoil, are easily the funnest, funniest part of the book. Their designs and personalities are so lighthearted and carefree. It’s a nice contrast with all the grimacing the turtles do. The turtles are pissed. Over what? Over anything. Donatello has abandoned the group because they’re all more concerned with Shredder’s vendetta than Krang’s world domination plans. Leonardo is still upset with Splinter. The main thrust of this issue is another meeting with Slash and Hob, so all the turtles get upset with the two of them. So much angst.

Usually in issues like these, I can at least take solace in a page or two cutaway scene, but this time, that scene was the worst one in the book. Casey Jones is recuperating at the city-house of April O’Neil and her parents; April’s ill father now in perfect health thanks to some ooze. April storms into the house, punches Casey in the face, and tells him to stop fighting ninjas, because there’s no more ooze and she loves him and she’s worried. April’s parents are in the same room! Is this how she was raised? Do they routinely beat sense into people in the O’Neil household? I thought Casey was supposed to be the brash, violent one. It’s putrid and fake and a little bit frightening.

 

Our Score:

5/10

A Look Inside