Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #122

There is a clear delineation with Ninja Turtles right now, the core book is for all ages and The Last Ronin serves the harder edge stuff. But even within that both books have had some issues better than others and issue 122 of TMNT is just weak all around. The Jennika mini-series showed us just how great a mainstream Ninja Turtles book could be if done with attention to characterization and amazing art. This book unfortunately does not hold up to that standard.

This issue expands on the power structure within Mutant town following the removal of Hob. Sophie Campbell continues to write a strong overall plot but does not give us enough reason to truly care about all the characters. Hob’s capture has left behind supplies and a power vacuum. As they assign various jobs, April announces she has decided to become a reporter. Leo does not think the Splinter Clan should be involved with the new Justice System but Raphael agrees to run the Law and Order to atone for his mistakes.

As Halloween festivities start up we do get to see the Turtles and their friends in some mildly amusing costumes but the action picks up as some of the smaller weasels who are mutanimal loyalists free Hob. Raph and the Turtles pursue him. Hob pulls a gun and Raph ignores Leo’s advice to back down. This leads to Raph just barely getting shot as Hob escapes to join Lindsey.

Hob decides to give up on running the town and instead focus on their synthetic mutagen and using them on animal sanctuaries. This story arc has potential but between the house style art, dull colors and lack of character depth it’s entirely bland in its execution.

Writing: 2 of 5 stars
Art: 2.3 of 5 stars
Colors. 2.5 of 5 stars

Overall: 2.3 of 5 stars

Writer: Sophie Campbell
Art: Jodi Nishjima
Colors: Ronda Pattison
Publisher: IDW Publishing

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.