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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #2
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures, Volume 2
Tales from the Archie era of TMNT come back to life as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turles Adventures continues! This collection includes issues #5-8 and introduces even more mutants!
124 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 30, 2017
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures, Volume 2, collecting Issues #5-8 of the Archie series, marks a welcome departure from its original source material: the late-80s TV show. Up until this point, readers have been treated to bland retreads of cartoon episodes from the first two seasons. Thankfully, the torch hath been henceforth passed into the capable hands of Dean Clarrain (actually Steve Murphy in disguise) and Ryan Brown, who together decided that the series could be far more compelling, both conceptually and tonally, serving up original stories, sympathetic characters, and riveting arcs, often with a socially-conscious message. Several mainstay villains would later be abandoned—‘cuz let’s face it, how many times can readers be enthralled by the Shredder and Krang’s bumbling attempts at global domination, or Rocksteady and Bebop’s ham-fisted buffoonery?
TMNT Adventures, Volume 2 introduces new allies—Man Ray, Leatherhead, Wingnut and Screwloose (who would later form the Mighty Mutanimals)—and such otherworldly concepts as the disembodied transdimensional cow’s head christened Cudley the Cowlick. Readers also catch a first glimpse of Stump Asteroid and the Intergalactic Wrestling Federation, the Turtles' gaudy wrestling costumes, and the polluted Earth of the grim future. If you’re a bleeding-heart liberal like me, then you won’t be bothered by the series’ recurrent nods to environmentalist themes and animal-rights morals. If you’re not, then brace yourself for some heavy-handed info-dumps warning you about how unchecked pollution will either destroy the Earth or incur Mother Nature's wrath.
“Something Fishy Goes Down”, Volume 2's inaugural issue, is a rather run-of-the-mill escapade with no discernible twists or turns, a stand-alone story with an anodyne plot worthy of the cartoon series. An eccentric aquarium employee with a hard-on for mantas and a limp tumescence for toxic pollution is accidentally exposed to yet another wayward container of the Shredder’s trademark mutagen, transforming him into a large mutant ray. Man Ray aids the Turtles in foiling Shredder’s terrorist plot against Our Lady Liberty. The storyline is solid yet much too convenient for my tastes, and the ineffectual torpedo that merely ricochets off the Shredder’s submarine is enough to put Michael Bay to tears. On the other hand, this issue is more stirring than any of the previous installments, though it's the weakest of the four stories contained in Volume 2. To Clarrain and Brown’s credit, it’s their first foray of the series, and they really do hit their stride with the next tale.
“Of Turtles and Stones and Mary Bones” not only introduces the character of Leatherhead, but sets up an impending story arc that will culminate in a galactic battle several issues down the road. Jess Hartley, a desperate thief from the bayou swipes a mysterious crystal ball from a swamp witch named Mary Bones. As punishment for stealing the Turnstone, the sorceress uses the powerful orb to transform Harley into an alligator-man. Seizing the opportunity, Shredder fools the gullible gator into ambushing the Turtles. Although Leatherhead’s convenient fall into Shredder’s hideout felt overly contrived, his origin story is satisfying enough, particularly when the witch’s true intentions are eventually made clear.
Artist staffer Jim Lawson briefly stands in for Ken Mitchroney to pencil Issue #7, “Intergalactic Wrestling”, though his bloated and angular depictions of the characters stand in stark contrast to Mitchroney’s more whimsical portrayals. Lawson also employs more exaggerated facial expressions and inflated features, which surprisingly works in this case given the story's drastic change in scenery—from the sewers of New York City to the far-out arenas of Stump Asteroid, where the reluctant Turtles are recruited by aliens in the form of money-loving flora to fight in a cosmic wrestling match. Most of these newly introduced characters are gimmicky—and what the heck's up with the body-building man-duck sporting a banana-hammock?! Issue #7 adds substantively to this TMNT universe, distancing itself even further from the cartoon show, and forging its own continuity with characters exclusive to this series.
Volume 2’s final issue, “Wild Things”, is set amidst a torrential downpour as the Turtles, fresh from their return from Stump Asteroid, are accosted by a humanoid bat-creature named Wingnut and an oversized mosquito named Screwloose. Despite the heavy rains, this flying duo seemingly gets their kicks from hurling rocks at Manhattan skylights. The Turtles make quick work of the alien vandals, but Mr. Stump has big plans for the pair. As Screwloose divulges, Wingnut’s alien race was violently brought to extinction during Krang’s invasion of the planet Huanu. Wingnut’s back-story is surprisingly deep, yet regrettably it’s given only a cursory exam when the potential clearly existed for more expansive arcs. Still, within the confines of this issue, it works perfectly as a motivational factor for the two characters and firmly establishes Krang as a more ruthless threat beyond that of a hackneyed supervillain.
The volume’s key setback for me, though, is the self-containing formula in which new characters are introduced at the onset of each issue but then conveniently tossed aside at the conclusion, thus typecasting these stories as one-offs. But where Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures, Volume 2 lacks in functionality it makes up for in gnarly world-building that largely succeeds in distinguishing this series from that of the cartoon. At a glance, the stories are juvenile and the characterizations superficial—perfect for younger audiences—but a deeper analysis reveals some underlying themes and hidden details that adult readers are likely to appreciate.
TMNT Adventures, Volume 2 introduces new allies—Man Ray, Leatherhead, Wingnut and Screwloose (who would later form the Mighty Mutanimals)—and such otherworldly concepts as the disembodied transdimensional cow’s head christened Cudley the Cowlick. Readers also catch a first glimpse of Stump Asteroid and the Intergalactic Wrestling Federation, the Turtles' gaudy wrestling costumes, and the polluted Earth of the grim future. If you’re a bleeding-heart liberal like me, then you won’t be bothered by the series’ recurrent nods to environmentalist themes and animal-rights morals. If you’re not, then brace yourself for some heavy-handed info-dumps warning you about how unchecked pollution will either destroy the Earth or incur Mother Nature's wrath.
“Something Fishy Goes Down”, Volume 2's inaugural issue, is a rather run-of-the-mill escapade with no discernible twists or turns, a stand-alone story with an anodyne plot worthy of the cartoon series. An eccentric aquarium employee with a hard-on for mantas and a limp tumescence for toxic pollution is accidentally exposed to yet another wayward container of the Shredder’s trademark mutagen, transforming him into a large mutant ray. Man Ray aids the Turtles in foiling Shredder’s terrorist plot against Our Lady Liberty. The storyline is solid yet much too convenient for my tastes, and the ineffectual torpedo that merely ricochets off the Shredder’s submarine is enough to put Michael Bay to tears. On the other hand, this issue is more stirring than any of the previous installments, though it's the weakest of the four stories contained in Volume 2. To Clarrain and Brown’s credit, it’s their first foray of the series, and they really do hit their stride with the next tale.
“Of Turtles and Stones and Mary Bones” not only introduces the character of Leatherhead, but sets up an impending story arc that will culminate in a galactic battle several issues down the road. Jess Hartley, a desperate thief from the bayou swipes a mysterious crystal ball from a swamp witch named Mary Bones. As punishment for stealing the Turnstone, the sorceress uses the powerful orb to transform Harley into an alligator-man. Seizing the opportunity, Shredder fools the gullible gator into ambushing the Turtles. Although Leatherhead’s convenient fall into Shredder’s hideout felt overly contrived, his origin story is satisfying enough, particularly when the witch’s true intentions are eventually made clear.
Artist staffer Jim Lawson briefly stands in for Ken Mitchroney to pencil Issue #7, “Intergalactic Wrestling”, though his bloated and angular depictions of the characters stand in stark contrast to Mitchroney’s more whimsical portrayals. Lawson also employs more exaggerated facial expressions and inflated features, which surprisingly works in this case given the story's drastic change in scenery—from the sewers of New York City to the far-out arenas of Stump Asteroid, where the reluctant Turtles are recruited by aliens in the form of money-loving flora to fight in a cosmic wrestling match. Most of these newly introduced characters are gimmicky—and what the heck's up with the body-building man-duck sporting a banana-hammock?! Issue #7 adds substantively to this TMNT universe, distancing itself even further from the cartoon show, and forging its own continuity with characters exclusive to this series.
Volume 2’s final issue, “Wild Things”, is set amidst a torrential downpour as the Turtles, fresh from their return from Stump Asteroid, are accosted by a humanoid bat-creature named Wingnut and an oversized mosquito named Screwloose. Despite the heavy rains, this flying duo seemingly gets their kicks from hurling rocks at Manhattan skylights. The Turtles make quick work of the alien vandals, but Mr. Stump has big plans for the pair. As Screwloose divulges, Wingnut’s alien race was violently brought to extinction during Krang’s invasion of the planet Huanu. Wingnut’s back-story is surprisingly deep, yet regrettably it’s given only a cursory exam when the potential clearly existed for more expansive arcs. Still, within the confines of this issue, it works perfectly as a motivational factor for the two characters and firmly establishes Krang as a more ruthless threat beyond that of a hackneyed supervillain.
The volume’s key setback for me, though, is the self-containing formula in which new characters are introduced at the onset of each issue but then conveniently tossed aside at the conclusion, thus typecasting these stories as one-offs. But where Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures, Volume 2 lacks in functionality it makes up for in gnarly world-building that largely succeeds in distinguishing this series from that of the cartoon. At a glance, the stories are juvenile and the characterizations superficial—perfect for younger audiences—but a deeper analysis reveals some underlying themes and hidden details that adult readers are likely to appreciate.
February 1, 2019
Tons of nostalgic fun!
September 10, 2022
This second volume was more fun than the first one, even as it cemented the TMNT Adventures pattern of pretty much introducing a new mutated character in every issue/story arc just as the show sort of did.
I didn't realize that Cudley was introduced this early in the series, although it's hard to explain how a floating cow head is able to transport individuals across the universe. But this is all perfectly in line with how crazy these comics got, but as inspired by characters from the original comics but also doing their best to keep pace with both the animated series and the toy line supporting the show.
It's not the deepest writing, but you could also feel how the team was trying to craft some sort of continuity with how the characters were being introduced.
I didn't realize that Cudley was introduced this early in the series, although it's hard to explain how a floating cow head is able to transport individuals across the universe. But this is all perfectly in line with how crazy these comics got, but as inspired by characters from the original comics but also doing their best to keep pace with both the animated series and the toy line supporting the show.
It's not the deepest writing, but you could also feel how the team was trying to craft some sort of continuity with how the characters were being introduced.
October 24, 2023
More interesting than volume 1 because the books are by this point doing their own thing separate from the cartoon (although the writing is still pretty so-so). Lots of new mutants and aliens are introduced and the turtles travel to another world.
You can also forget most of the stuff from volume 1 because a lot of that is out the window (where did the shrinking gem that Shredder took go? How/when did Rocksteady and Beebop leave Dimension X?).
You can also forget most of the stuff from volume 1 because a lot of that is out the window (where did the shrinking gem that Shredder took go? How/when did Rocksteady and Beebop leave Dimension X?).
November 17, 2019
Great fun!
These early Archie issues aren't as strong as later ones, but they sure are fun. Well worth a look for fans.
These early Archie issues aren't as strong as later ones, but they sure are fun. Well worth a look for fans.
November 19, 2020
Cartoony to the max, but pretty fun if you have any affection for the original animated versions of these characters.
March 2, 2022
World traveling cow.
August 16, 2023
Fun origin of several classic mutant villians.
September 17, 2014
I always try to leave nostalgia out of reviewing products, but I couldn’t help myself this time.
I grew up with the Turtles cartoon, but recently I’ve been reading both the Mirage and IDW comics. After that, I can’t look at the cheesy ‘80/’90s the same again. The Nickelodeon blows that one out of the water, and I’m left with a sour taste in my mouth that’s stained by nostalgia.
The Archie Adventures series is pretty much the old cartoon in comic book form. You get the same zany Turtles with the same zany baddies. However, I couldn’t help but smile throughout this collection.
It’s the same nonsensical Turtles you’d fine in the old cartoon, except it was a wonder seeing all the different mutant enemies here. Sure, most of them are ripped straight from the show and original Mirage comics, yet I enjoyed reading this trade paperback from start to finish.
A joy to read for all ages, I must admit.
I grew up with the Turtles cartoon, but recently I’ve been reading both the Mirage and IDW comics. After that, I can’t look at the cheesy ‘80/’90s the same again. The Nickelodeon blows that one out of the water, and I’m left with a sour taste in my mouth that’s stained by nostalgia.
The Archie Adventures series is pretty much the old cartoon in comic book form. You get the same zany Turtles with the same zany baddies. However, I couldn’t help but smile throughout this collection.
It’s the same nonsensical Turtles you’d fine in the old cartoon, except it was a wonder seeing all the different mutant enemies here. Sure, most of them are ripped straight from the show and original Mirage comics, yet I enjoyed reading this trade paperback from start to finish.
A joy to read for all ages, I must admit.
July 15, 2013
I'll mention something here that I forgot to mention in my review of volume 1: the format and the price of these volumes are a bit hard to swallow. Each collection is $20 for 4 issues. That's hard to lay down when many of the stories are easily forgotten and when they only take you a few minutes to read. On top of that, the paper used is a non-glossy paper that feels a lot like regular comic book paper. This means that occasionally the ink from one page bleeds on to adjacent pages. I read my local library's copies of this series and almost every book had pages that bled onto others around it. Who wants to pay $20 for a book with messed up ink?
Paper and price aside, I still enjoyed this series a lot. See my reviews of the other volumes for thoughts on the actual stories and art.
Paper and price aside, I still enjoyed this series a lot. See my reviews of the other volumes for thoughts on the actual stories and art.
February 26, 2015
"This is a great collection, and plants the seeds of many great things to come. Essential reading."
Read Full Review at TheBookCloset
Read Full Review at TheBookCloset
May 24, 2014
Man, this collection in particular pushed the nostalgia button HARD. Also, totally didn't realize when I was a kid that this comic went from zero to batshit so quickly - the Turtles have a fight in the sewer with Bebop, Rocksteady, and Leatherhead in issue five, in issue six they're transported across space and time by a giant floating cow head to compete in an intergalactic wrestling match.
January 3, 2019
The Archie series begins in earnest with this volume. While the comic is still clearly aimed at kids, there's an offbeat tone to the stories that was absent from the first four cartoon-based issues. There are also the beginnings of more serious subject matter, including a slightly crankier Raphael, references to global warming, and the first hints that Krang isn't a joke. The comic still has some growing to do at this point, but it's a promising start. (B)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews