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stephen_arvidson's review
3.0
In this compilation of re-released stories from the early 1990s, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures, Volume 1 collects the first four issues of the 72-issue Archie comic series, a pair of two-part tales adapting Season Two episodes of the classic cartoon series; namely, "Return of the Shredder" and—eat your heart out, Richard Matheson!—"The Incredible Shrinking Turtles."
In an alternate dimension, evil warlord Krang grants Oroku Saki, a.k.a. the Shredder, solitary passage to Earth so that he may exact vengeance upon the half-shelled heroes and their rodent sensei, Splinter. In his first scheme, the archvillain seizes control of a karate dojo and recruits the hard-faced students to commit a series of robberies in full turtle regalia, thereby discrediting the radical reptiles in the eyes of the media. In a further effort to draw out his rivals, the Shredder enlists mad inventor Baxter Stockman to reconfigure a drilling vehicle and abduct Splinter from his underground home. Naturally, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael claim victory over the Shredder, but before they can catch a breath, an extraterrestrial craft swan-dives into Central Park. Before the alien pilot succumbs, he informs the Turtles that a powerful crystal dubbed the Eye of Sarnoth has broken into three fragments now scattered across the city; the first fragment falls into the hands of none other than—you guessed it—the Shredder, and he uses its power to shrink the reptilian quartet to pint-sized heroes.
While this preliminary volume lacks the depth, character growth, action, and robust ongoing storylines for which the later issues of TMNT Adventures would be heralded, the artists behind these early stories succeed in capturing the likeness and spirit of the characters. On the other hand, both the campy dialogue and nondescript landscapes underscore the volume's cartoonish essence. Alas, the plots themselves are riddled with forced comic relief, bizarre coincidences, and maddening contrivances. Yet, the characters often lampshade their situations, thereby relying more on the story’s fundamental nature. In other words, the scriptwriters never intended for the stories to be taken seriously; it is entertainment, pure and unadulterated, and sure to enrapt adolescent readers who aren’t bothered by the shoddy 90’s coloring (since IDW didn’t bother remastering these antiquated issues) or nostalgia-minded thirty-somethings like myself.
In an alternate dimension, evil warlord Krang grants Oroku Saki, a.k.a. the Shredder, solitary passage to Earth so that he may exact vengeance upon the half-shelled heroes and their rodent sensei, Splinter. In his first scheme, the archvillain seizes control of a karate dojo and recruits the hard-faced students to commit a series of robberies in full turtle regalia, thereby discrediting the radical reptiles in the eyes of the media. In a further effort to draw out his rivals, the Shredder enlists mad inventor Baxter Stockman to reconfigure a drilling vehicle and abduct Splinter from his underground home. Naturally, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael claim victory over the Shredder, but before they can catch a breath, an extraterrestrial craft swan-dives into Central Park. Before the alien pilot succumbs, he informs the Turtles that a powerful crystal dubbed the Eye of Sarnoth has broken into three fragments now scattered across the city; the first fragment falls into the hands of none other than—you guessed it—the Shredder, and he uses its power to shrink the reptilian quartet to pint-sized heroes.
While this preliminary volume lacks the depth, character growth, action, and robust ongoing storylines for which the later issues of TMNT Adventures would be heralded, the artists behind these early stories succeed in capturing the likeness and spirit of the characters. On the other hand, both the campy dialogue and nondescript landscapes underscore the volume's cartoonish essence. Alas, the plots themselves are riddled with forced comic relief, bizarre coincidences, and maddening contrivances. Yet, the characters often lampshade their situations, thereby relying more on the story’s fundamental nature. In other words, the scriptwriters never intended for the stories to be taken seriously; it is entertainment, pure and unadulterated, and sure to enrapt adolescent readers who aren’t bothered by the shoddy 90’s coloring (since IDW didn’t bother remastering these antiquated issues) or nostalgia-minded thirty-somethings like myself.
fangsfirst's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
kelleemoye's review
3.0
How much fun!
This rerelease of classic TMNT comics from the 1990s is a perfect introduction to a new generation of readers.
This volume tells the story of Shredder returning from Dimension X to try and defeat the turtles through two stories- The Return of Shredder and The Incredible Shrinking Turtles.
This rerelease of classic TMNT comics from the 1990s is a perfect introduction to a new generation of readers.
This volume tells the story of Shredder returning from Dimension X to try and defeat the turtles through two stories- The Return of Shredder and The Incredible Shrinking Turtles.
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