Late last month, fans of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series and the comics series spawned from that series received a very special treat courtesy of IDW Publishing. It came March 17 in the form of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures – On The Go: Half-Shell Shenanigans. The 300-page-plus omnibus is a definite must have for so many fans of both franchises. That is due in no small part to the very stories that are presented here. This will be discussed shortly. The writing within the stories makes for more than its share of entertainment, too while the art work puts the finishing touch to the whole. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the anthology. All things considered they make Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures – On The Go: Half-Shell Shenanigans a fun, welcome addition to the library of any TMNT fan.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures – On The Go: Half-Shell Shenanigans (that is one heck of a title, eh?), the recently released omnibus of TMNT: Saturday Morning Adventures comics from IDW Publishing, is a wonderful new collection of comics from this hit series that every one of the series’ fans will enjoy. This is due in no small part to its featured stories. Readers get plenty of standalone stories and even some multi-part stories, but the bigger picture here is the story of the Sword of Eddiku, which opens in the early story, “The Turtle King Part 1.” In this story, one of the Rat King’s rats accidentally causes him to be covered in an unidentified substance from TCRI. As it turns out, the substance allows him to control the Turtles’ minds, leading him to make them steal items from TCRI. It just so happens that in the process of the break-in at TCRI, the group comes face to face with Shredder, who is himself stealing something from the labs, a meteorite that he intends to use to make the noted magical sword. Shredder ends up getting away with the meteorite largely (and ironically) because of the Rat King’s control over the Turtles.
In the two-part arc’s second issue, readers learn the history of the original meteorite that landed in ancient Japan and was itself used to make a sword that could cut through time and space, thus setting the stage for the bigger story that is to come in the omnibus’ pages.
In Series 2, Issue #4 – subtitled “Swapping Pads Part 1,” – the story about the Sword of Eddiku continues as Krang and Shredder try to cut open the meteorite. There is just one problem. Nothing they have on hand works. When Krang tries to get a “zero-matter scalpel” from Dimension X (because it is the only thing that can cut through the meteorite), it ends up in Louisiana in the clutches of one of the Turtles’ other foes, none other than the Cajun alligator, Leatherhead. The Turtles make a trip down to the bayou and join their friends, the Punk Frogs, to stop Leatherhead and get the interdimensional tool. The matter of the scalpel and sword is ignored in this two-part arc’s second half until the end of “Swapping Pads Part 2,” in which Shredder reveals to Krang that he in fact found the scalpel even with the confrontation between the Punk Frogs, the Turtles, and Leatherhead having happened.
The story involving the Sword of Eddiku is not revisited again for a few issues until the series reaches the story, “A Spiritual Duel.” More specifically, this story is one of two tales presented in the TMNT: Saturday Morning Adventures “Halloween Special,” which also includes the Nightmare on Elm Street spoof, “A Very Creepy Sequel.’ That hilarious tale will be discussed later. The second tale, “A Spiritual Dual” finds Shredder holding a séance to contact the spirit of an ancient swordsmith who knows how to turn the meteorite into a magical blade. Things do not go quite as planned, however, as Shredder angers the spirit. As a result, the unnamed spirit wreaks havoc on Shredder and Krang. Exactly what happens will be left for audiences to find out for themselves.
As the anthology continues, yet another later story, “Shreddercon,” furthers this prologue to the “Sword of Eddiku” story arc that fully picks up – again – in Issue #9. In “Shreddercon,” Shredder takes advantage of a new rule in New York that bans people from dressing up as Santa and causing problems by giving people costumes that look a lot like his armor. The mass of “Shredders” allows the real Shredder to get hold of another item that he needs to make the Sword of Eddiku, a handguard for the sword. Unluckily, Shredder’s plan actually works out, allowing him to get exactly what he needed. This is where this multi-issue story arc ends in this omnibus but that is ok. It builds excitement for the bigger story that follows.
Now having noted that bigger story, it is just one of the many stories that will keep readers engaged and entertained in the bigger picture of the collection. As noted, the “Halloween Special” includes one of the anthology’s other noteworthy stories, a spoof of Nightmare on Elm Street, which finds the villainous Creepy Eddy (himself a spoof of Freddy Krueger) kidnapping the Turtles and bringing them back to his nightmare dimension. He tells the Turtles that if they can reach the end of a yellow brick road (yes, a yellow brick road) before midnight on Halloween, they can go free, but if not, they are stuck as his slaves for eternity. The Turtles, of course, reach the road’s end, but there is a catch. The catch is tied into the story’s writing, which will be addressed in the bigger examination of the book’s overall writing.
The Nightmare on Elm Street spoof is not the only spoof that is featured herein. In another issue early on the series spoofs the timeless science-fiction movie, Fantastic Voyage, which finds a group of scientists shrinking down and going into the body of a Russian diplomat to save him. The movie was a Cold War-era tale that offered plenty to appreciate. It has gone on to be spoofed countless times on television, in movies, and even here on the printed page. In the case of this story, the Turtles have to shrink down and go into Splinter’s body to stop some microscopic mousers that have gotten into Splinter’s body. Of course, the Turtles come out on top in the end. It is another fun story that readers of all ages will appreciate.
As if the noted spoofs are not enough, the whole thing opens with a wildly funny spoof of Nintendo’s video games after Donatello reveals he has made a video game program, complete with the Turtles’ foes, to help them better train. However, when the Turtles put on helmets that take them into the program during a thunderstorm, the brothers end up being “zapped” into the game and the only way to get out is to capture a flag. Along the way, writer Erik Burnham spoofs famous Nintendo properties, such as Mario Kart, Donkey Kong, and even the Street Fighter franchise. The story’s end even includes a spoof of Super Mario Brothers 3. The very premise of the Turtles getting stuck in the game as a result of a power surge is nothing new. This plot element has been used so many times in other science-fictions stories, on screen and on the printed page. What Burnham has does here, however, still gives that familiar element a fresh take, which in turn makes it enjoyable in its own right.
In yet one more example of how much the stories featured here have to offer in regard to engagement and entertainment, the story, “Super Casey,” makes for its own enjoyment. Also written by Burnham, this standalone tale finds, interestingly, an electric shock turning the Turtles’ friend, Casey Jones, into a super powered vigilante. TCRI is at the center of this tale, too, go figure. While Casey starts out being well-meaning in his crime fighting, he loses his way until April points out that he has become as bad as the criminals he is trying to stop because he has gone over the top in his crime fighting. The whole will be left for readers to check out for themselves. Casey ends up losing his powers in the end as he realizes the error of his ways and returns to normal. The whole is its own fun, engaging and entertaining tale, further showing Burnham’s talents as this series’ lead writer. When all of the stories examined here are considered alongside the rest of the collection’s featured tales, the whole therein makes the book’s overall story presentation more than enough reason to own this presentation.
Adding to the enjoyment ensured through the stories is the writing therein. Established fans of this series will appreciate the familiar blend of edge, comedy and constant fourth wall breaking that takes place from one story to the next. As a matter of fact, that fourth wall breaking results in a hilarious spoof of a very early episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation as the Turtles have to face off against Mr. Ogg, who comes after the Turtles for doing exactly that, breaking the fourth wall. When Mr. Ogg first shows up, it is very much in the vein of Star Trek: TNG villain “Q” doing so to the crew of the Enterprise in that series’ very first season. Not to backtrack, but that and what happens as a result makes for yet another wonderful story. That Burnham has Mr. Ogg taking the Turtles to task over this all because he was “bored” is in itself hilarious. He is basically doing it for his own amusement, in other words.
On a slightly different note, the early story, “For Those About To Rock” exhibits Burnham’s talents in another way. This story, which finds Krang’s longtime ally from Dimension X — General Traag — being accidentally shot by one of TCRI scientist (and friend to the Turtles) Prof. McGuffin’s inventions. It causes Traag to develop a sense of empathy, which leads him to realize in the long run that maybe he does not necessarily have to be evil after all. The story is an allegory of sorts. It is Burnham delivering that familiar message of individuality to his younger readers. He delivers the message in a surprisingly funny fashion as he has Traag going out and enjoying a concert after being shot by McGuffin’s ray. When the singer on stage sings about being who one is, who one is meant to be, that it is possible to put one’s past persona behind them and start over, the impact of those words and who Traag has become leads him to become his own individual, realizing that maybe being evil was not who he is meant to be. The finale is touching and is certain to put a smile on any reader’s face. It is yet another wonderful example of Burnham’s writing talents. Between the story itself and how Burnham executed it, delivering that wonderfully welcome message of putting the past behind us, being ourselves, someone, something new, the writing here works so well on so many levels.
Going back to the earlier noted story, “A Very Creepy Sequel,” the writing here is actually tied somewhat indirectly to that of “A Far-Out Encounter of the Ogg Kind.” That is because in the latter’s story, Ogg puts the Turtles on trial for breaking the fourth wall too many times. In “A Very Creepy Sequel,” Creepy Eddy actually loses out to the Turtles after Creepy Eddy’s lawyer, Phil (hey, go figure) forces him to let the Turtles go after Creepy Eddy used too many puns. According to Eddy early on, Phil said Eddy cannot use too many bad puns and jokes because of “something about a trademark.” That in itself is a breaking of the fourth wall as it is itself a bad joke about not wanting to violate copyrights, etc. from other major franchises. That something so simple could help free the Turtles is itself laugh-inspiring just as Mr. Ogg’s trial against the Turtles was. When this item and the other writing items examined are considered alongside the rest of the book’s wonderful writing, the whole therein makes this aspect of the stories just as entertaining and engaging as the stories themselves.
Putting the final touch to the whole of this omnibus is its artistic (visual) presentation. The art is so important to note because of the varied stylistic approaches taken throughout the stories. Tim Lattie’s artwork in the collection’s first five stories is distinctly different from that of his fellow artists who lent their talents to other featured issues. His work is more “cartoony” than that of his fellow artists. The general character designs are familiar, but there is something to the touch that he brings that really makes everything stand on its own merits. The same goes for the coloring. The whole makes the art in these first two issues sure to generate its own share of discussion among readers.
Dan Schoening, who is currently handling lead art duties on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures changes things just as dramatically as he takes over the art in the sixth issue, “Voyage to…Turtlantis!” Just as with his work in the series’ current run, it sticks true to the look of the animated series that inspired this series’ look. To that end, it stands on its own merits, too.
From there, the artistic style changes again, offering readers more variety. Artist Tango (a.k.a. Hiromi Tango) takes the series’ look in a more “cartoony” direction as he takes over in the one-shot, “Endless Summer.” While the look that Tango brings to the book in this one-shot is “cartoony” it does not just repeat the look established early on by Lattie. Where Lattie’s work has the look of a child’s comic book, the look that Tango brings to his issue is almost sort of that of a pre-k cartoon, if that makes any sense. Even with that in mind, the design style that Tango brings to the issue is still enjoyable in its own right.
Artist Jack Lawrence’s work on “A Very Creepy Sequel” is more in line with the design style of Lattie. While not exactly the same, Lawrence’s stylistic approach is quite similar in its “cartoony” look to that of what Lattie presents in his own work. Meanwhile, the work of the artists who follow keeps the series’ look more in line with the look of the original animated series a la Schoening’s work. Simply put, audiences get plenty of diversity in the art presented throughout this omnibus. The subtleties in each design style, even in their similarities here and there, offer readers their own reason to take in this collection, just as with the book’s stories and overall writing. All things considered they make Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures – On The Go: Half-Shell Shenanigans a presentation that every TMNT fan will appreciate.
IDW Publishing’s recently released Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures comics anthology, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures – On The Go: Half-Shell Shenanigans, is a wonderful read for every fan of the heroes on the half shell. That is proven in part through the collection’s stories. On one side, is an overarching story in which Shredder wants to create a sword that can cut through time and space. He wants the sword so that he can go back and keep the Turtles from even becoming the heroes they are in the first place. There are also plenty of standalone stories that are sure to engage and entertain readers, including plenty of stories that spoof equally well-known properties, such as A Nightmare on Elm Street, Star Trek: The Next Generation and more. The writing that went into the stories once again brings just enough balance of edge and comic timing throughout to make for its own appeal. The visual presentation brought to the series through its varied artistic presentations puts the finishing touch to the whole. Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of the collection. All things considered they make Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures – On The Go: Half-Shell Shenanigans another welcome addition to the comics library of any TMNT fan.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures – On The Go: Half-Shell Shenanigans is available now. More information on this and other titles from IDW Publishing is available at:
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