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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2011) #1
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Volume 1: Change is Constant
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles return to comics in their first IDW adventure! It's a different world for the Turtles. The group is broken as Raphael wanders the streets of NYC in search of food and shelter. His brothers and Master Splinter are on the search, but so far all they can find is trouble — in the form of mutant alley cat Old Hob and his gang of criminals! The very core of the Turtles family is at stake as the new origin of TMNT is revealed! Join Tom Waltz, Dan Duncan, and TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman for the start of a wild ride!
104 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2012
131 people are currently reading
855 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Eastman
1,106 books345 followersKevin B. Eastman is an American comic book artist, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews
September 22, 2024
(A-) 80% | Very Good
Notes: Comfort food, it's deftly stewed, no modern art abstraction: a balanced blend, and in the end, just simple satisfaction.
Notes: Comfort food, it's deftly stewed, no modern art abstraction: a balanced blend, and in the end, just simple satisfaction.
November 20, 2020
Eastman returns to plot the Turtles in a reboot of the series. The origin has been redone. No more were the Turtles and Splinter mutated by the sludge that fell off the same truck that gave Daredevil his powers. That's kind of a shame because it was such a cool and a bit subversive origin. But Waltz and Eastman have written a much tighter origin to bring in all the main TMNT characters. April, Baxter Stockwell, General Krang, Casey and the Foot all appear in the origin story revolving around StockGen. The art is loose. Some of the faces are a bit wonky but the action sequences are great.
August 20, 2019
Change is Constant sort of works as a (belated) entry in the decades-old tradition of a comic book superhero origin story, detailing the beginnings of the anthropomorphic reptile quartet and their rodent mentor. I missed the TMNT popularity express when it first hit big about thirty years ago, but was aware that the team - led by an Obi-Wan Kenobi / Mr. Miyagi-type sage - all had Renaissance artist-inspired names and distinct martial arts weapons, loved pizza, lived down in the sewer, etc.
But this volume was a little bland. It doesn't help that the title characters all look and dress alike (they don't sport the color-coded masks or initials on their belt buckles like they did in the cartoon series or movies), so they seem relatively devoid of personality. It wasn't bad, but it seemed routine.
But this volume was a little bland. It doesn't help that the title characters all look and dress alike (they don't sport the color-coded masks or initials on their belt buckles like they did in the cartoon series or movies), so they seem relatively devoid of personality. It wasn't bad, but it seemed routine.
December 2, 2015
2.5-3 stars
I may be in the minority here but for me this was just 'okay' Artwork was great (once I got used to the look of everything) and the new story line was fun but it was missing a certain 'spark' for me.
I felt involved yet detached from all that was happening. A couple times I had to re-read some pages because I was confused but I got into the swing of it fairly quickly.
I did love seeing Casey and April in there (How can you not love Casey?:-D) but it seemed slightly rushed and out of place somewhat... in a way I can't put my finger on exactly.
I haven't read the originals yet (getting to it soon, I hope.. lack of funds at the moment) so maybe that would have helped? *shrugs*
It's not a bad read but it seemed too short (for me). I did have fun though :)
Will I read the rest? Most likely yes (xmas list, whoo! Haha) but it may be awhile. I am curious to see what will happen next.
If you loved this, *high five * awesome :)
This is just my humble opinion.
Would recommend, happy reading!
COWABUNGA!
(Couldn't resist;-))
I may be in the minority here but for me this was just 'okay' Artwork was great (once I got used to the look of everything) and the new story line was fun but it was missing a certain 'spark' for me.
I felt involved yet detached from all that was happening. A couple times I had to re-read some pages because I was confused but I got into the swing of it fairly quickly.
I did love seeing Casey and April in there (How can you not love Casey?:-D) but it seemed slightly rushed and out of place somewhat... in a way I can't put my finger on exactly.
I haven't read the originals yet (getting to it soon, I hope.. lack of funds at the moment) so maybe that would have helped? *shrugs*
It's not a bad read but it seemed too short (for me). I did have fun though :)
Will I read the rest? Most likely yes (xmas list, whoo! Haha) but it may be awhile. I am curious to see what will happen next.
If you loved this, *high five * awesome :)
This is just my humble opinion.
Would recommend, happy reading!
COWABUNGA!
(Couldn't resist;-))
May 2, 2018
Good fun. I liked how it teased out the answers to all of the obvious questions raised from issue #1 for anyone even remotely familiar with TMNT lore. The art was a little blocky, though, and while the lack of colour-coding of the Turtle's masks was a nice throwback, with the amorphous art style it really detracted from them having much in the way of individual characterization.
I'll keep reading, for sure, since, as the book notes,
I'll keep reading, for sure, since, as the book notes,
April 21, 2019
I read this a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Reading it now, guess what? Same views.
I grew up with Ninja Turtles so they hold a special place in my heard. When Eastman said he was coming back to write I got excited. Fresh new art and new storylines? Sign me up.
This is basically a new universe for the turtles. A updated version for the fans of the 80's comic. It's violent in ways, but not overly done, and it still has the staples you love about the original. A lot of the character's personalities stay intact and the storyline moves at a nice pace. The dialogue is strong, and having characters like Ralph and Cassy meet so soon and become bros is nice. The twist of the turtles not first growing up together is interesting too.
The art is solid but little fishy at times. Biggest issue is all the characters wear the same color headband. Overall though I had a blast. A easy 4 out of 5 for a turtle fan.
I grew up with Ninja Turtles so they hold a special place in my heard. When Eastman said he was coming back to write I got excited. Fresh new art and new storylines? Sign me up.
This is basically a new universe for the turtles. A updated version for the fans of the 80's comic. It's violent in ways, but not overly done, and it still has the staples you love about the original. A lot of the character's personalities stay intact and the storyline moves at a nice pace. The dialogue is strong, and having characters like Ralph and Cassy meet so soon and become bros is nice. The twist of the turtles not first growing up together is interesting too.
The art is solid but little fishy at times. Biggest issue is all the characters wear the same color headband. Overall though I had a blast. A easy 4 out of 5 for a turtle fan.
January 20, 2024
Where to begin? I was born in 1987 and was a 90s kid. At least twice I went as Donatello and Leonardo for Halloween. I watched the cartoons, movies (in theater and on TV), played the video games (arcade, NES, SNES), and had a super cool TMNT t-shirt and pajamas. I fucking LOVED the turtles and so did 99% of my generation. They were martial arts fighting mutants who lived in the sewers of New York City and were thinly veiled marijuana enthusiasts who ate the craziest sorts of pizzas by the truckload. Get my point? That's a hell of a place to be coming from.
This was a re-invention of all that culture mythology dating back thirty years. And that's a pretty big deal. All said and done I really liked what Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz and Dan Duncan did here, with minor discrepancies. Eastman gives a detailed albeit sort of long-winded back story of the turtles as lab experiments who are inadvertently freed. Interestingly enough (or perhaps as an oversight), they don't mutate until they're exposed to what Hob (the cat, odd name by the way) is exposed to, the green goo referred to as Ooze in the movies and probably elsewhere. April O'Neil is now plausibly a lab intern (because she's smart, driven, detail-oriented) and Casey Jones has (perhaps hyperbolically but in keeping with hockey) a full academic ride on a hockey scholarship but is screwing it up with bad grades. Too much head trauma maybe? A detail that didn't make sense was his carrying two baseball bats rather than a hockey stick like in the movies. Kind of lame but not a deal breaker.
Characterization overall seemed fairly consistent. You can't completely reinvent something ingrained into the minds of millions. The turtles were predictably bro/jock-ish and full of teenage angst and cheesy/witty bad guy banter. Splinter was his very patriarchal protective and Japanese self. But therein lies a problem with this reinvention.
As the original story for Splinter goes, he was originally owned by a highly revered samurai/ninja/whatever in Japan and (this is an inconsistency in the movies) learned his master's martial arts moves while in his cage (somehow pre-Ooze, which makes no sense). And that explains why he has Japanese manners, knows martial arts, and somehow (also makes no sense) has a Japanese accent. But as a lab rat presumably from America he shouldn't know any of this. Unless later on in these comics they show him watching Bruce Lee movies or something, which for me couldn't possibly validate his truly definitive character. I know that maybe this stuff (hockey stick, Splinter, the exact details/timing of the mutation) is sort of fanboy picayune shit, but it matters. It comes down to whether the writing and story are believable in this extraordinarily unbelievable universe of giant fighting ninja turtles. Already this story and these characters require a HUGE leap of faith and acceptance, let alone without potentially undermining inconsistencies, like the creation and nature of your characters. But I guess who cares at the end of the day.
I really enjoyed the art. The cover is really choppy/rough and reminds me very much of the NES games. The inside art thankfully is smoother but not so smooth to be ultramodern, which I think they were trying to do in order to say closer to the now vintage feel.
Reinventing something so culturally known was a ballsy move and I think they mostly pulled it off. In the other dozen or so issues they could (and hopefully do) iron out the wrinkles. If so, I'd be very interested and would rate the series higher overall.
This was a re-invention of all that culture mythology dating back thirty years. And that's a pretty big deal. All said and done I really liked what Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz and Dan Duncan did here, with minor discrepancies. Eastman gives a detailed albeit sort of long-winded back story of the turtles as lab experiments who are inadvertently freed. Interestingly enough (or perhaps as an oversight), they don't mutate until they're exposed to what Hob (the cat, odd name by the way) is exposed to, the green goo referred to as Ooze in the movies and probably elsewhere. April O'Neil is now plausibly a lab intern (because she's smart, driven, detail-oriented) and Casey Jones has (perhaps hyperbolically but in keeping with hockey) a full academic ride on a hockey scholarship but is screwing it up with bad grades. Too much head trauma maybe? A detail that didn't make sense was his carrying two baseball bats rather than a hockey stick like in the movies. Kind of lame but not a deal breaker.
Characterization overall seemed fairly consistent. You can't completely reinvent something ingrained into the minds of millions. The turtles were predictably bro/jock-ish and full of teenage angst and cheesy/witty bad guy banter. Splinter was his very patriarchal protective and Japanese self. But therein lies a problem with this reinvention.
As the original story for Splinter goes, he was originally owned by a highly revered samurai/ninja/whatever in Japan and (this is an inconsistency in the movies) learned his master's martial arts moves while in his cage (somehow pre-Ooze, which makes no sense). And that explains why he has Japanese manners, knows martial arts, and somehow (also makes no sense) has a Japanese accent. But as a lab rat presumably from America he shouldn't know any of this. Unless later on in these comics they show him watching Bruce Lee movies or something, which for me couldn't possibly validate his truly definitive character. I know that maybe this stuff (hockey stick, Splinter, the exact details/timing of the mutation) is sort of fanboy picayune shit, but it matters. It comes down to whether the writing and story are believable in this extraordinarily unbelievable universe of giant fighting ninja turtles. Already this story and these characters require a HUGE leap of faith and acceptance, let alone without potentially undermining inconsistencies, like the creation and nature of your characters. But I guess who cares at the end of the day.
I really enjoyed the art. The cover is really choppy/rough and reminds me very much of the NES games. The inside art thankfully is smoother but not so smooth to be ultramodern, which I think they were trying to do in order to say closer to the now vintage feel.
Reinventing something so culturally known was a ballsy move and I think they mostly pulled it off. In the other dozen or so issues they could (and hopefully do) iron out the wrinkles. If so, I'd be very interested and would rate the series higher overall.
December 19, 2024
7.4/10
New origin, same old fun turtles.
I'm glad that although we get a new introduction to all the characters, the identity of who everyone is, stays the same. There is a similar tone to the original series. I guess having Eastman on board helps with that. Although i liked the story, the art style wasn't really to my taste.
New origin, same old fun turtles.
I'm glad that although we get a new introduction to all the characters, the identity of who everyone is, stays the same. There is a similar tone to the original series. I guess having Eastman on board helps with that. Although i liked the story, the art style wasn't really to my taste.
May 13, 2022
This was just good. I wasn’t blown away by it and I still prefer the first two Mirage volumes, but it’s a fun update on the turtle's origins. Some new faces are added, but this mostly just feels like a clean amalgamation of all the different turtle's origins over the years. Loved what they did with Raphael as well, especially since he’s my favorite turtle.
Tom Waltz and Kevin Eastman have a pretty strong start to a run that I have pretty high hopes for. My only complaint is the art wasn’t my favorite. It was serviceable and admittedly got the job done, but I think I would’ve preferred someone like Sophie Campbell on this run as the full-time artist.
I wonder how this reads for someone who has never touched a TMNT book before.
Tom Waltz and Kevin Eastman have a pretty strong start to a run that I have pretty high hopes for. My only complaint is the art wasn’t my favorite. It was serviceable and admittedly got the job done, but I think I would’ve preferred someone like Sophie Campbell on this run as the full-time artist.
I wonder how this reads for someone who has never touched a TMNT book before.
May 2, 2020
I figured it was finally time for me to read some TMNT. Didn't realize this isn't the original version. Oh well.... They are indeed mutant ninja turtles. Their age hasn't really come into it yet.
February 3, 2021
2016 - Modernizace želvího originu podobná marveláckému ultimátnímu vesmíru. Zatím fajn. (4*)
--
2021 - Hodnocení bez růžových brýlí nostalgie. Eastman poxté restartuje Želvy - jsou tu drobné změny (April je vědkyně), ale čtenář vlastně dostává stále to samé. Jádro příběhu je až příliš předvídatelné a novej záporák se moc nepovedl. Pro tip: když padouch prohraje hned v úvodu knihy, moc děsivě pak nepůsobí. Výtvarno je místy divný, ale stylizace mi docela sedí. 3*
--
2021 - Hodnocení bez růžových brýlí nostalgie. Eastman poxté restartuje Želvy - jsou tu drobné změny (April je vědkyně), ale čtenář vlastně dostává stále to samé. Jádro příběhu je až příliš předvídatelné a novej záporák se moc nepovedl. Pro tip: když padouch prohraje hned v úvodu knihy, moc děsivě pak nepůsobí. Výtvarno je místy divný, ale stylizace mi docela sedí. 3*
February 25, 2012
"Change is Constant" is the first TPB compilation of the new ongoing TMNT comic book series published by IDW. This collection of issues 1-4 is a quick read, but with the individual issues by themselves feeling a bit short for those following the monthly releases, this is a nicely bookended bit of story.
This is the Ninja Turtles as they've never been told before. To those comfortable in the shell (pun intended, hah!) of the familiar stories told before, the instinct may be to dismiss it without giving it a fair chance. I urge you not to do this, because for those of us who have read and re-read and embraced the many worlds of the Ninja Turtles for 20+ years, this is a refreshing change that has been needed for quite some time.
The truth is, is that the comic book adventures of the TMNT before IDW took up the reigns (that would be before Nickelodeon bought the TMNT rights from Peter Laird, but that is a tangent I need not go on right here and now) had become rather stale and the characters had seemed to have lost all purpose and motivation. Not without an exception here and there, but in general this is how it was.
Now, Tom Waltz, together with TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, is taking many of the familiar elements from the collective history of the TMNT and is weaving them together into a story that is completely different from any other Turtles story told before. And it gets even crazier after this volume. Yeah, there are some nits that can be picked, and for some it feels too much like one past TMNT universe or too far from another. But for me, I'm tossing out any preconceptions of what I think the book should be. I remember how much I loved discovering a new TMNT book on the shelf back in the 90s (be it from Mirage Studios or from Archie), and the excitement that came with reading the next adventure. I feel closer to that now than I have in the last 10 years, so I'm just going to enjoy whatever comes our way.
Dan Duncan's art is overall solid, although his style may take some time to adjust to. You can definitely see the progression as he starts out a little unsure of how to approach the characters and fine tunes himself along the way. This has continued even more so beyond these first four issues, and the characters are all now much sharper in appearance. (To be fair, you should consider how Eastman and Laird drew the Turtles in Vol. 1 #1 to how they were drawing them in Vol. 1 #10/11.)
I would also like to tip my hat to Ronda Pattison for her fantastic colors. Did you know that she's the first woman to ever have an artistic hand in a TMNT comic book? Seriously. It took over 25 years for it to happen. And one of these days we'll get a woman to draw them, too.
As is said in this book, "Change is the only constant." And as it is in life, so it also is in Ninja Turtles. Things change, but this is a good change.
(Plug: If you want to keep up with news about the TMNT comics and other things, I run a website dedicated to just that. It's called Ninja Pizza, and you can check it out at NinjaPizza.net.)
This is the Ninja Turtles as they've never been told before. To those comfortable in the shell (pun intended, hah!) of the familiar stories told before, the instinct may be to dismiss it without giving it a fair chance. I urge you not to do this, because for those of us who have read and re-read and embraced the many worlds of the Ninja Turtles for 20+ years, this is a refreshing change that has been needed for quite some time.
The truth is, is that the comic book adventures of the TMNT before IDW took up the reigns (that would be before Nickelodeon bought the TMNT rights from Peter Laird, but that is a tangent I need not go on right here and now) had become rather stale and the characters had seemed to have lost all purpose and motivation. Not without an exception here and there, but in general this is how it was.
Now, Tom Waltz, together with TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, is taking many of the familiar elements from the collective history of the TMNT and is weaving them together into a story that is completely different from any other Turtles story told before. And it gets even crazier after this volume. Yeah, there are some nits that can be picked, and for some it feels too much like one past TMNT universe or too far from another. But for me, I'm tossing out any preconceptions of what I think the book should be. I remember how much I loved discovering a new TMNT book on the shelf back in the 90s (be it from Mirage Studios or from Archie), and the excitement that came with reading the next adventure. I feel closer to that now than I have in the last 10 years, so I'm just going to enjoy whatever comes our way.
Dan Duncan's art is overall solid, although his style may take some time to adjust to. You can definitely see the progression as he starts out a little unsure of how to approach the characters and fine tunes himself along the way. This has continued even more so beyond these first four issues, and the characters are all now much sharper in appearance. (To be fair, you should consider how Eastman and Laird drew the Turtles in Vol. 1 #1 to how they were drawing them in Vol. 1 #10/11.)
I would also like to tip my hat to Ronda Pattison for her fantastic colors. Did you know that she's the first woman to ever have an artistic hand in a TMNT comic book? Seriously. It took over 25 years for it to happen. And one of these days we'll get a woman to draw them, too.
As is said in this book, "Change is the only constant." And as it is in life, so it also is in Ninja Turtles. Things change, but this is a good change.
(Plug: If you want to keep up with news about the TMNT comics and other things, I run a website dedicated to just that. It's called Ninja Pizza, and you can check it out at NinjaPizza.net.)
January 20, 2012
I suppose one of the reasons why I picked up this volume of the reboot Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series is for the nostalgia factor. I can still hum the tune and sing the lyrics to the 80s TV series theme song (don't laugh, it's catchy. The series was pretty cool, including the fact that Uncle Phil - James Avery - from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air did the voice of Shredder). And I've seen all of the live action movies of the 90s. Take of that what you will, but suffice to say the franchise was a staple of my childhood.
In any case, "Change is Constant" is the first in a series of comics designed to tell the Turtles' and Splinter's story from the very beginning. The comic flips between the present day (during a tense confrontation) and some months before the Turtles' conversion when they were subjects in a research lab. A very curious April O'Neal is introduced during the flashback, and gives the turtles their respective names and picks their personalities up right off the bat. The cast of characters is small, probably not enough information to give much insight about them yet, but enough to give an idea of a potential conflict and momentum towards something greater. The comic ends on a harrowing moment that sets up for the next comic, but I have to say I was kind of disappointed it wasn't a bit longer read. I enjoyed it very much and liked the structuring of the story. The art style mimics more gritty adaptations of the Turtles franchise, and I liked the character design and coloring of the comic. I think it'll be appealing for those who are collectors of the franchise and a good intro for those of a younger generation just getting to know the Turtles.
Overall score: 3.5/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher IDW Publishing.
In any case, "Change is Constant" is the first in a series of comics designed to tell the Turtles' and Splinter's story from the very beginning. The comic flips between the present day (during a tense confrontation) and some months before the Turtles' conversion when they were subjects in a research lab. A very curious April O'Neal is introduced during the flashback, and gives the turtles their respective names and picks their personalities up right off the bat. The cast of characters is small, probably not enough information to give much insight about them yet, but enough to give an idea of a potential conflict and momentum towards something greater. The comic ends on a harrowing moment that sets up for the next comic, but I have to say I was kind of disappointed it wasn't a bit longer read. I enjoyed it very much and liked the structuring of the story. The art style mimics more gritty adaptations of the Turtles franchise, and I liked the character design and coloring of the comic. I think it'll be appealing for those who are collectors of the franchise and a good intro for those of a younger generation just getting to know the Turtles.
Overall score: 3.5/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher IDW Publishing.
December 22, 2020
My friends and I have conducted two interviews with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman and you can watch them here https://youtu.be/gt5B_RxPeqY and here https://youtu.be/ZQ_xgNqtq4g
This is really cool!
IDW rebooted TMNT, and while it’s clearly a different continuity than the Mirage series, it does a great job of capturing the spirit and aesthetic of OG Turtles.
One thing I’ve always loved about the Turtles, and what separates them from most other heroes, is the focus on the sibling dynamic. I took a psych class once that outlined the four types of siblings, and I remember thinking “holy shit... that’s the turtles!
In addition to the fun, silly ninja awesomeness of this series, there are also some truly touching character moments. The art crackles and pops, definitely evoking that Eastman/Laird feel.
I’m excited to see where this IDW series goes!
This is really cool!
IDW rebooted TMNT, and while it’s clearly a different continuity than the Mirage series, it does a great job of capturing the spirit and aesthetic of OG Turtles.
One thing I’ve always loved about the Turtles, and what separates them from most other heroes, is the focus on the sibling dynamic. I took a psych class once that outlined the four types of siblings, and I remember thinking “holy shit... that’s the turtles!
In addition to the fun, silly ninja awesomeness of this series, there are also some truly touching character moments. The art crackles and pops, definitely evoking that Eastman/Laird feel.
I’m excited to see where this IDW series goes!
August 12, 2018
Read this with a little hesitation. I was a massive fan of these guys when younger. I felt like it was a rehash of alot of my childhood vhs stories. The artwork was pretty subpar as compared to other novels.
April 1, 2021
I was obsessed with TMNT cartoon o the last 80s thru the 90s. I was preapred to hate an origin story remake but this wasn't so bad. I did not like the artwork though!!
January 16, 2024
This book was awesome!!! I did make the slight mistake of reading this with my 3rd grade son and there is some choice language, but the kid in me was so happy while reading this!
September 5, 2013
It's been a long time since I've been in the TMNT universe. Honestly, I'd forgotten all about them, after a childhood spent reading the sourcebooks from the original role-playing game and religiously following the cowabunga-dude-turtle-power 80s cartoon. Suddenly, inexplicably, my 2-year-old son acquired a turtle obsession. Every game of pretend eventually involves swinging swords at bad guys. Ninja turtles have become de facto members of pirate crews, pop bands, and magical pony towns. He will randomly insist that I refer to him as Leonardo, and fates preserve me if I forget. So, naturally, I am compelled to dive back into the heroes in a half shell with him.
This is a reboot of the series, beginning with a pared-down version of the origin story. Splinter trains his sons relentlessly in the art of ninjitsu, hiding underground and only sending them topside to search for Raphael, the missing brother they barely remember. Flash back to when these anthropomorphic animals were denizens of a shady private lab, subject to mutagenic experiments at the behest of a mysterious patron named General Krang. As the story jumps back and forth between the past and the present, the group fights an old enemy and a new one in order to reunite and become whole once more.
This was the perfect reintroduction for me. The red masks and gritty violence is a great callback to the comic's roots, while the reimagined introductions of April O'Neil, Casey Jones, and Baxter Stockman kicked my nostalgia gland into overdrive. My favorite part of the book, though, is a new story element: Old Hob, the tomcat-turned-thug that assaults the turtles before and after their mutation.
The IDW comic strikes the right balance between lighthearted and grim. It doesn't take itself too seriously, but the camp of the cartoons is nowhere in sight, for the moment. The characters are earnest, and some the scenes are indeed quite serious (those involving Jones in particular). The art is gritty and rough-edged, but perfect for the story. Better gritty than overly produced, as we've had quite enough of the latter.
This is a great comic book. I am endlessly impressed at how timeless an absurd notion like mutated terrapin martial artists has proven to be.
This is a reboot of the series, beginning with a pared-down version of the origin story. Splinter trains his sons relentlessly in the art of ninjitsu, hiding underground and only sending them topside to search for Raphael, the missing brother they barely remember. Flash back to when these anthropomorphic animals were denizens of a shady private lab, subject to mutagenic experiments at the behest of a mysterious patron named General Krang. As the story jumps back and forth between the past and the present, the group fights an old enemy and a new one in order to reunite and become whole once more.
This was the perfect reintroduction for me. The red masks and gritty violence is a great callback to the comic's roots, while the reimagined introductions of April O'Neil, Casey Jones, and Baxter Stockman kicked my nostalgia gland into overdrive. My favorite part of the book, though, is a new story element: Old Hob, the tomcat-turned-thug that assaults the turtles before and after their mutation.
The IDW comic strikes the right balance between lighthearted and grim. It doesn't take itself too seriously, but the camp of the cartoons is nowhere in sight, for the moment. The characters are earnest, and some the scenes are indeed quite serious (those involving Jones in particular). The art is gritty and rough-edged, but perfect for the story. Better gritty than overly produced, as we've had quite enough of the latter.
This is a great comic book. I am endlessly impressed at how timeless an absurd notion like mutated terrapin martial artists has proven to be.
April 14, 2020
I'm only passingly familiar with the Turtles. I was never massively into them when they were in their heyday, but I'd heard that the IDW comics were a great place to start, so here I am.
This first volume collects the first four issues of the IDW ongoing, and it's fairly straight forward in its storytelling. In the present, the Turtles and Splinter search for the missing Raphael, while in flashbacks we learn how they came to be the mutants (still a little lost on the ninja) that they are now.
As the story progresses, familiar characters like April O'Neill, Baxter Stockman, Casey Jones, and Krang all show up in some way or another, interweaving themselves into the canon right from the beginning which is pretty clever. There's also a new (?) villain named Old Hob, a mutated alley cat, who causes problems as well.
I was taken aback to find that this story starts right at the beginning. It's odd in this modern age of comics to not start in media res and go all the way back further in. It's still the early days for the Turtles, and they're making mistakes, exposing themselves, and have no idea what they're getting themselves into. I kinda dig it.
The art isn't entirely my cup of tea. Dan Duncan's pencils feel super loose, and the Turtles are always misshapen anyway because they're literally mutated turtles, but they sometimes become caricatures of themselves. I also found it hard to remember who was who, since they've all got red bandanas at this point and I'm not as familiar with which weapon is whose just yet.
I definitely felt engaged by this first volume; there's just a lot more work to do to call me a huge Turtles fan for now. That said, I've got another 20 odd trades of this series and the adjacent mini-series and companions to read, so there's plenty of time.
This first volume collects the first four issues of the IDW ongoing, and it's fairly straight forward in its storytelling. In the present, the Turtles and Splinter search for the missing Raphael, while in flashbacks we learn how they came to be the mutants (still a little lost on the ninja) that they are now.
As the story progresses, familiar characters like April O'Neill, Baxter Stockman, Casey Jones, and Krang all show up in some way or another, interweaving themselves into the canon right from the beginning which is pretty clever. There's also a new (?) villain named Old Hob, a mutated alley cat, who causes problems as well.
I was taken aback to find that this story starts right at the beginning. It's odd in this modern age of comics to not start in media res and go all the way back further in. It's still the early days for the Turtles, and they're making mistakes, exposing themselves, and have no idea what they're getting themselves into. I kinda dig it.
The art isn't entirely my cup of tea. Dan Duncan's pencils feel super loose, and the Turtles are always misshapen anyway because they're literally mutated turtles, but they sometimes become caricatures of themselves. I also found it hard to remember who was who, since they've all got red bandanas at this point and I'm not as familiar with which weapon is whose just yet.
I definitely felt engaged by this first volume; there's just a lot more work to do to call me a huge Turtles fan for now. That said, I've got another 20 odd trades of this series and the adjacent mini-series and companions to read, so there's plenty of time.
August 29, 2014
The Ninja Turtles have been around for quite awhile now. They have totally become a part of American history and pop culture. What is most amazing is how each new cartoon series. movie, or comic book has enhance and updated the origin for each generation. This volume is the beginning of some new tales and it is really good. Tom Waltz has really added some interesting ideas to this mythos but has kept the core about what makes the turtles such a great idea. The book is all about family. Raphael here is lost and his brothers have been searching for him but along the way he befriends a boy who has a bad example of fatherhood in his life. I like where the story is headed. This is great series to jump into for those curious to see what Ninja Turtle mania is all about.
November 29, 2012
This is really better than any Ninja Turtle comic has the right to be. My only real complaint is that I had a very hard time telling the turtles apart and that April O'Neil is just dropped halfway through the book. But overall a fun action/adventure story that will appeal to both old school Turtle fans and new readers.
September 6, 2012
Not bad, but I wish when dealing with established characters, they would just skip the origin stories and go straight to the action.
[edit September 2012] Bumping this up a star since I've been really enjoying the series
[edit September 2012] Bumping this up a star since I've been really enjoying the series
May 13, 2022
this was so conforting to read and the story was so put together
February 15, 2012
Originally Reviewed at:Mother/Gamer/Writer
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Controllers
Review Source: NetGalley
Reviewer:Me
First I should start off with a disclaimer; I am a COLOSSAL, Ninja Turtle fan! I had action figures galore, piled up high in my room every night trying to take down the Foot Clan. Every time a new version of the turtles came out, I had to have them. Talk about being spoiled as a child, I wanted nothing else but Ninja Turtles for about five years straight. So with that being said, I hope my review is not biased based on my previous (and still totally fan-girly) love for the green heroes.
Change Is Constant, after you page through the first 10 pages of nothing but cover art, is a reboot of the original series telling the origin story of the fighting Turtles and Splinter. In this installment, the story goes back and forth between present day and the days before the Turtles were transformed. This comic is very short, however readers are given various clues as to what will take place in the next few issues. Making an appearance in the story are a very young, April O’Neal and Casey, prominent figures in the Ninja Turtle series. According to the new origin story, April is the one to actually give Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and Leonardo their names. And Casey is a young man whose family life is anything but pleasant.
I must admit I was extremely excited to read this graphic novel. I wanted more than anything to be WOWED by this story. But instead what I was given was a ho-hum comic that left me less than satisfied. I expected more, especially from a reboot of a series of this caliber. There needed to be more, and I believe readers should be satisfied if they are going to spend their money on a new series when the old was exceptional. I was not too fond of the art style. The Turtles were drawn with a more edgy look. They were not the beefy green machines I was use to and I am not quite sure how to feel about it. The colors used were bland, and that has me thinking that maybe if it was more vibrant I would have at least fallen in love with the drawings.
Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 1: Change Is Constant is an okay read. It’s not the old Ninja Turtles we as fans are use to, but it will still give you the “ah” feeling from seeing our favorite characters. Do I think readers should jump up and buy it? For a whopping 12 bucks, probably not. On the other hand, I do think that if you miss the magnetic Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and Leonardo then wait until the price comes down.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Controllers
Review Source: NetGalley
Reviewer:Me
First I should start off with a disclaimer; I am a COLOSSAL, Ninja Turtle fan! I had action figures galore, piled up high in my room every night trying to take down the Foot Clan. Every time a new version of the turtles came out, I had to have them. Talk about being spoiled as a child, I wanted nothing else but Ninja Turtles for about five years straight. So with that being said, I hope my review is not biased based on my previous (and still totally fan-girly) love for the green heroes.
Change Is Constant, after you page through the first 10 pages of nothing but cover art, is a reboot of the original series telling the origin story of the fighting Turtles and Splinter. In this installment, the story goes back and forth between present day and the days before the Turtles were transformed. This comic is very short, however readers are given various clues as to what will take place in the next few issues. Making an appearance in the story are a very young, April O’Neal and Casey, prominent figures in the Ninja Turtle series. According to the new origin story, April is the one to actually give Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and Leonardo their names. And Casey is a young man whose family life is anything but pleasant.
I must admit I was extremely excited to read this graphic novel. I wanted more than anything to be WOWED by this story. But instead what I was given was a ho-hum comic that left me less than satisfied. I expected more, especially from a reboot of a series of this caliber. There needed to be more, and I believe readers should be satisfied if they are going to spend their money on a new series when the old was exceptional. I was not too fond of the art style. The Turtles were drawn with a more edgy look. They were not the beefy green machines I was use to and I am not quite sure how to feel about it. The colors used were bland, and that has me thinking that maybe if it was more vibrant I would have at least fallen in love with the drawings.
Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 1: Change Is Constant is an okay read. It’s not the old Ninja Turtles we as fans are use to, but it will still give you the “ah” feeling from seeing our favorite characters. Do I think readers should jump up and buy it? For a whopping 12 bucks, probably not. On the other hand, I do think that if you miss the magnetic Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and Leonardo then wait until the price comes down.
June 5, 2015
I've read the first six volumes plus some micro series and the Secret History of the Footclan to date and it seems pretty clear that this is a very accomplished comic and one that almost achieves the impossible. The old Mirage Turtles comics are great but come across as juvenile as they are with the Turtles jumping adventures and dimensions at the drop of a hat. It's brimming with crazy ideas but doesn't know how to string them all together. Subsequently the turtles as a franchise has never really known if it's for kids or satirically minded adults or somewhere inbetween. As a result the modern era sees three iterations of the Turtles, the Nickelodeon CGI show aimed at kids with a comedic bent (very fun indeed), the Michael Bay movies which I presume are just bloody awful and these IDW comics which are aimed at older teens and twenty-somethings, sometimes dark, sometimes violent, sometimes funny and more than a little irreverent.
There are lots of things that make these comics stand out from the often gorgeous artstyle (mileage varies, mind), the subtle reworkings of old characters + backstory, the introduction of some great new ones and the diversity of the scenarios which range from hunting for a lost Raphael, Michelangelo getting into a bank heist, Casey Jones dealing with his drunk father, Splinter battling Shredder (and boy does the Foot Clan GN give us some backstory on that one!) or the whole gang hopping dimensions to fight the Krang - and that just scratches the surface of what happens in these 30 odd issue. But what makes them *really* stand out is the planning and interconnectedness of the whole thing and the panache in which it all moves from one scenario to another. One always feels exactly where one ought to be and it's satisfying seeing the Krang, Stockman, Shredder and Turtle Origin stories all tie up in a neat bundle over those issues (and the mini issues too, for once, enrich rather than detract from the flow). This is a comic that someone has really thought about on a month to month and year-to-year basis, so whilst it's still very much a frivolous fun lark with genetically modified turtles, pink aliens from another dimension and ninjas, it's a frivolous fun tale that really means business.
A lot of people have stated that this run of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is one of the greatest things on the comic stands right now. It's maybe not deep or thoughtful enough to be that, but it is legitimately great and it's become a page-turner for me. I'm loving each and every issue.
There are lots of things that make these comics stand out from the often gorgeous artstyle (mileage varies, mind), the subtle reworkings of old characters + backstory, the introduction of some great new ones and the diversity of the scenarios which range from hunting for a lost Raphael, Michelangelo getting into a bank heist, Casey Jones dealing with his drunk father, Splinter battling Shredder (and boy does the Foot Clan GN give us some backstory on that one!) or the whole gang hopping dimensions to fight the Krang - and that just scratches the surface of what happens in these 30 odd issue. But what makes them *really* stand out is the planning and interconnectedness of the whole thing and the panache in which it all moves from one scenario to another. One always feels exactly where one ought to be and it's satisfying seeing the Krang, Stockman, Shredder and Turtle Origin stories all tie up in a neat bundle over those issues (and the mini issues too, for once, enrich rather than detract from the flow). This is a comic that someone has really thought about on a month to month and year-to-year basis, so whilst it's still very much a frivolous fun lark with genetically modified turtles, pink aliens from another dimension and ninjas, it's a frivolous fun tale that really means business.
A lot of people have stated that this run of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is one of the greatest things on the comic stands right now. It's maybe not deep or thoughtful enough to be that, but it is legitimately great and it's become a page-turner for me. I'm loving each and every issue.
July 31, 2022
Oh the nostalgia im feeling
April 14, 2014
I was actually pretty apprehensive about picking this up. I knew the tv series from when I was a kid and I knew the movies were out there, but had never really been a huge fan of the franchise. After seeing how gorgeous the book is with City Fall and Northampton in the later volumes, I had to give this a try. I'm so glad I did.
This is everything I could have wanted in an origin story and then some. Pieces are put into play and at first it's just "ok, this is TMNT so that's supposed to be here," until 2 issues later you find out the villain of the day actually is fighting them for a reason and has a connection to the story. It's an interesting opening act and I liked how certain characters were brought in. I'm not sure how traditional all of that was, but I enjoyed it.
I almost had to take off a star for an editor and a writer and who knows how many other people letting it slip that someone said "then" instead of "than" in an early issue. Your job is writing, don't mess up the basics. But the book was too enjoyable to actually dock anything for that. My only other hesitation with the score came from Casey and his vigilantism. The way he introduces it would have fallen at the end of an issue and totally gave the impression he was about to torture someone as a psychopath. Luckily, the trade format lets you immediately keep going, but it was just a weird way to approach the situation. Also, there's a joke that somewhat addresses this in the following issue so maybe Eastman and the others were aware of it.
Finally, the art is actually pretty good. It's not the same gorgeous style that later issues have, but it's still very clean and well-executed. I was actually quite impressed with various character designs and elements. One thing I loved was that each turtle is a unique shade of green. They apparently always started with the same color bandana so the different shades force you to recognize them based on more than their "uniform" color right off the bat. They have identities and postures and looks that are all unique.
Bottom line, this has a lot of talent behind it and is an excellent entry point for this title. Get on board early.
This is everything I could have wanted in an origin story and then some. Pieces are put into play and at first it's just "ok, this is TMNT so that's supposed to be here," until 2 issues later you find out the villain of the day actually is fighting them for a reason and has a connection to the story. It's an interesting opening act and I liked how certain characters were brought in. I'm not sure how traditional all of that was, but I enjoyed it.
I almost had to take off a star for an editor and a writer and who knows how many other people letting it slip that someone said "then" instead of "than" in an early issue. Your job is writing, don't mess up the basics. But the book was too enjoyable to actually dock anything for that. My only other hesitation with the score came from Casey and his vigilantism. The way he introduces it would have fallen at the end of an issue and totally gave the impression he was about to torture someone as a psychopath. Luckily, the trade format lets you immediately keep going, but it was just a weird way to approach the situation. Also, there's a joke that somewhat addresses this in the following issue so maybe Eastman and the others were aware of it.
Finally, the art is actually pretty good. It's not the same gorgeous style that later issues have, but it's still very clean and well-executed. I was actually quite impressed with various character designs and elements. One thing I loved was that each turtle is a unique shade of green. They apparently always started with the same color bandana so the different shades force you to recognize them based on more than their "uniform" color right off the bat. They have identities and postures and looks that are all unique.
Bottom line, this has a lot of talent behind it and is an excellent entry point for this title. Get on board early.
March 29, 2012
Wow! I think I spent most of my time reading this with my mouth half open in awe of the amazingness of this series.
I fell in love with the darker side of the turtles in this volume. I laughed at the references to the old cartoon being called lame. Because lets face it they were kind of lame.
This trade starts at the beginning of the relaunch of the series. We learn about their origins of the turtles and splinter. Also get introduced to April and Casey.
The plot starts up 15 months after the accident that released them and mutated them. They are searching for their brother who they were separated from after the accident. With multiple flashbacks of sorts to the accident and lead up to it all in between their search.
I can't wait to read the next trade in this series!
I fell in love with the darker side of the turtles in this volume. I laughed at the references to the old cartoon being called lame. Because lets face it they were kind of lame.
This trade starts at the beginning of the relaunch of the series. We learn about their origins of the turtles and splinter. Also get introduced to April and Casey.
The plot starts up 15 months after the accident that released them and mutated them. They are searching for their brother who they were separated from after the accident. With multiple flashbacks of sorts to the accident and lead up to it all in between their search.
I can't wait to read the next trade in this series!
August 20, 2019
I love IDW's updated version of some of these classic franchises. This one in particular is lining up to be fantastic. With both a fresh take on the origin story and a quick introduction to some familiar classic characters, this book was a fun and startlingly quick read.
The artwork was absolutely stunning. My hats off in particular to the inker. The pencils were beautiful, and the colors couldn't have been better chosen. But the inking was absolutely stunning, with thick outlines that make the colors pop.
Fantastic read and I look forward to more. READ THIS!
The artwork was absolutely stunning. My hats off in particular to the inker. The pencils were beautiful, and the colors couldn't have been better chosen. But the inking was absolutely stunning, with thick outlines that make the colors pop.
Fantastic read and I look forward to more. READ THIS!
July 23, 2016
Love the characters and the concept. I just had trouble following the logic of this particular volume, and how it integrated with the movie premises and with the television show premises.
I think there was some absolutely fantastic artistic representations of Splinter, the Turtles, and Old Hob, both in their time as creatures and in their time anthropomorphized.
I think there was some absolutely fantastic artistic representations of Splinter, the Turtles, and Old Hob, both in their time as creatures and in their time anthropomorphized.
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