TMNT

• Title: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #41
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz
• Artist: Cory Smith

As Splinter, Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo continue training with Old Hob‘s new army of mutants to go to war against the Shredder and the Foot Clan, Donatello continues his attempt to form a shaky peace with his father’s enemy realizing that the imminent threat of the Krang is a far bigger danger than continuing old blood feuds.

Teased for months, we finally get multiple images of the Technodrome in action as the Krang’s battle station nears completion which will likely set off some action-heavy issues in the months to come and possibly cause some serious fall-out between Donnie and his brothers over the Turtle’s choice of new friends.

Rounding out Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #41 the issue also offers glimpses into Casey and April‘s current life away from their friends while Baxter Stockman and Professor Honeycutt come to their own understanding about the Technodrome and the looming destruction of all mankind. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

• Title: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #40
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz
• Artist: Mateus Santolouco

Pitting three of the four Turtles, Angel, Alopex, Slash, and Old Hob‘s new mutant band up against Rocksteady and Bebop, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #40 demonstrates just how formidable a pair the two mutants are as the group is at best only to fight Rocksteady and Bebop to a standstill (even after dropping a building on their heads).

Those waiting for a full-on action issue won’t be disappointed, although the far less action-packed subplot between Casey and April’s father grows the relationship between the two characters but mostly gets in the way of more awesome action. The extended fight sequence is great, and Donatello‘s own actions at the end of the issue foreshadow unusual days to come, but I’m most happy with the return of Alopex who has apparently found her home in the city with Angel. The panels between the arctic fox and Raphael are ridiculously cute and I’m hoping we’ll see far more of her in the future (along with a toy!). Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

• Title: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #39
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz
• Artist: Mateus Santolouco

Old Hob‘s would-be mutant army gets its first test when Pigeon Pete accidentally leads Rocksteady and Bebop right to them. Of course, it doesn’t take long for all hell to break loose. Realizing the danger her former enemies are in, Alopex steps out of the shadows and enlists the help of Angel and her high-tech suit. Donatello it seems has other plans.

More concerned with the events in Dimension X and the construction of the Technodrome nearing completion, Donatello leaves the group to enlist the help of Harold and work towards stopping the Krang invasion of Earth which he sees as a far greater threat that the Shredder‘s vendetta against Splinter and his family. I don’t expect this split to last all that long but it does open Donnie up for his own storylines while opening a spot on the team for my favorite new character of the series. Yeah, I’m pretty happy Alopex is back in action once more (now would somebody get busy making me a figure?). Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]