Chris Cooper reviews the fourth and final issue of IDW’s latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mini-series, Turtles in Time…
“The Turtles’ time-travelling adventure comes to its epic conclusion in the not-too-distant future! The Turtles are shocked to discover a Manhattan greatly changed from the home they know. Surprising enemies and allies await them, in addition to grave decisions. Will they be able to make it back home AND save the future?”
I’ve been a big fan of Turtles in Time. Issue 1 was a vibrant adventure in prehistoric times where Raphael met the cutest little dinosaur. We were then taken to Feudal Japan to see the human child version of Leonardo give turtle Leonardo the stink eye. The third issue then saw Michaelangelo become captain of a pirate ship to take on a technologically advanced ship supplied by none other than Krang. Throughout their adventure time traveller Renet has been popping in and out as her faulty sceptre prevents her from rescuing them.
So we’ve had three issues which concentrate more on three of the turtles. You know where the final issue goes. To my least favourite turtle Donatello. A conversation with Ross Campbell made it clear to me that bar being clever, Donnie rarely has a defining characteristic. Is he a comedy duo with Mikey? A genius who can build things far beyond what you should be able to in a sewer with scraps?
Issue 4 makes one thing clear at least. Donatello is a thinker; which I think is a pretty important aspect to nail. Maybe he isn’t as clearly defined as his brothers but throughout the series he’s been the one to question their origins so for him to also question why they do what they do makes complete sense. To everyone it’s clear as day; it’s the right thing to do. But a meeting with a character from Donatello’s future brings it all into sharp focus. What if the Shredder-lead future is all the TMNT and their allies are working towards? Are they doing the right thing or have they already made the decisions that lead to this outcome?
This isn’t a particularly action filled issue, sidestepping any need to go big for the final issue. When there are hits though they are sold well through Dan Duncan’s artwork. As the first artist to work on the IDW series I was looking forward to seeing his work again. This time his turtles have a leaner, longer appearance but it still looks good. I particularly enjoyed the expressions, especially a Mikey with a face full of food attempting to listen to something.
Paul Allor has crafted a more thoughtful issue that I’ll admit on first pass left me a little let down. But second time around I realised that I was given enough information and enough closure for the story that I didn’t need everything spoon-fed or for there to be a big fight. It ties in perfectly with issue 37 of the main series and adds to the background we now have with Renet from the 2014 annual to leave us in a really strong place moving forwards.
Chris Cooper is a Flickering Myth Staff Writer, and owner of the blog Super Duper Stuff. Follow him on Twitter @SDCCooper or visit the blog’s Facebook page.
Originally published September 18, 2014. Updated November 7, 2019.
