TMNT

• Title: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #30
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz
• Artist: Ross Campbell

The Turtles exile in Northampton at the family farm of April‘s parents continues as both Leonardo and Splinter attempt to work through their recent struggles and failures. Both receive visions of Hamato Yoshi’s wife and Leonardo’s mother helping to soothe their pain and trying to bring her family back together once more.

As Michelangelo struggles to put recent events down in writing and Donatello struggles without having the necessary equipment or research to do much of anything, Raphael continues to be distrustful of Alopex and the arctic fox’s actions concerning his recently brainwashed brother.

The low-key issue is very much presented as the calm before the storm. Alopex finds at least temporary acceptance with the Turtles, Leonardo begins interacting with his family, and even Raphael lets his guard down a bit. However, it is all to be short-lived as Karai‘s agents have found the Turtles which should lead into a much more action-packed issue next month. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

• Title: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures #7
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Smith
• Artist: Chad Thomas

It’s a date night (of sorts) for the Turtles. Donatello and April spend some time alone together trying some of the city’s various food choices, Michelangelo convinces Raphael to dress up to see the latest kung fu action flick in a theater, and Leonardo spends some rooftop flirting with Karai who he attempts to convince they could be friends.

Eventually all three stories merge as Donnie and April are attacked by the Purple Dragons and Dogpound and lead the small army to the theater where the battle interrupts Mikey and Raph’s movie night. Eventually the fight even spills back out into the open ending Leo’s opportunity to win over the Shredder’s daughter just as he was appearing to make some progress.

The ridiculousness of Mikey and Raphael in women’s clothing doesn’t go unnoticed by both friends and enemies, and Donnie’s attempts to shrug off any romantic aspects of his night with April seem only partially successful. And I always enjoy the combination of Leo and Karai, which is one of the TV show’s most interesting pairings. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

• Title: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #29
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz
• Artist: Mateus Santolouco

Beaten, battered, and broken, the Turtles exile from New York City begins with a trip to April‘s family farm in Northampton. The journey not only allows the Turtles time to rest and lick their wounds, and for Leonardo to come to terms with Shredder‘s brainwashing, but also for April to spend some time with her parents (which may also hold some important answers for the Turtles as well).

Splinter, the Turtles, Casey, and April aren’t the only ones who make the trip north as a former Foot lieutenant decides to stowaway with them. With Leonardo’s mind still far from right I’m going to be very interested to see what Alopex‘s true motives are and whether the arctic fox becomes a friend and ally to the Turtles.

From Leonardo and Raphael‘s continued squabbling, and Leo’s refusal to accept Splinter’s commands, it’s obvious there’s much healing to be done over the next few months but the tale April’s parents have to tell may give the Turtles yet another reason for returning home sooner than planned. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]