TALES OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #4 (IDW Publishing)
Issue 4 of Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles starts a 3-issue arc written by first time comic book writer Andrew Joustra. Joustra was the Script Supervisor for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, which this series is a direct tie in for. What kind of adventures can this lifelong Turtles fan bring to this exciting comic series?
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 - Written By Andrew Joustra – Art By Louie Joyce - Letters By Brian Kolek - Edited By Ellen Boener - Published By IDW Publishing
Credit: IDW Publishing
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
STORY OVERVIEW:
The Turtles and April are staking out at the shipyard and getting recon on Bishop and what appears to be some Federal Agents. They soon realize that they are not the only ones that are watching what is going on as they spot a robot near them. This robot turns out to be named Fugitoid and he is being hunted by Bishop and these agents. Come to find out Fugitoid started off his life as a young genius named Zayton Honeycutt. He was recruited by the E.P.F to develop a helmet that he invented that manipulated brain waves. They want to weaponize this technology, well he only wanted to develop it for good things. After they discovered he wanted out of the E.P.F and that he was going to destroy the helmet. So, they tried to stop him and in the ensuing altercation he somehow ended up intwined with his robot S.A.L. Now the E.P.F is after him and will go to any lengths to capture him and his technology.
WRITING:
The first issue of an arc in a major comic series can be daunting, but even more so when it’s your first book ever. Andrew Joustra takes this challenge on head on and comes out with a very compelling first issue. Joustra’s familiarity with the series and its inspiration does help quite a bit. Being a lifelong fan of TMNT and helping to shape the world in which this particular series exists makes Joustra the right person to mold this arc. Introducing an old fan favorite like Fugitoid into this new world is also going to attract a lot of members of the old school fanbase as well. This first issue of the arc sets the table well and explains all that the reader needs to know going into the next issue. Top that off with an old school return villain that appears on the last page, and this issue will surely have the TMNT fans at the shop talking.
ARTWORK:
The artwork in this issue captures the art style of this iteration of TMNT perfectly and gives it the look that fans can instantly identify with. Louie Joyce nails the character and background designs and brings this hip-hop style artwork to the forefront. The art matches the movie and web series perfectly and seamlessly. The colors are brighter and make the artwork pop out of the panel while drawing the readers’ eyes to every little detail. Brian Kolek’s lettering matches the art and blends right in, while still being easily read and followed. This art team nails everything on the page and makes the astatic perfect for the story.
check out my review of teenage mutant ninja turtles #16
Final Thoughts:
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 is a great kickoff to the new arc that will be taking place over the next few issues. Even though Andrew Joustra is a first-time comic writer, his familiarity with the project and story shines through. Couple with that the recognizable art design that is a series staple and you have an issue and arc that has a lot of promise.
Unfortunately, the web series of the same name was canceled. However, if this issue is any indication the comic book story will be able to carry the legacy of this TMNT Universe going forward and approaching the sequel to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem which is slated for a 2027 release with Joustra returning as the script supervisor for that project as well. Grab a copy of this book when you are at the shop this week and enjoy!
FINAL GRADE: 9/10
Let me know your thoughts on Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
