In the wake of the Armageddon Game event, IDW Publishing is expanding its Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe. Beyond restarting the main monthly book, they are also starting several new series. The latest of these is TMNT: Mutant Nation, an anthology set in the IDW TMNT setting.
The base idea of Mutant Nation is simple enough. The series spotlights stories aimed at individual characters from fan-favorite creators. This allows for more nuanced, character-focused tales than the ensemble-based monthly comic.
Mutant Nation #1 opens strong with two action-packed comics. The main story is by The Last Ronin writer Tom Waltz and artist Vincenzo Federici. It centers around Raphael, who is wandering the American Southwest as a heroic drifter. After Raph makes like Patrick Swayze in Roadhouse before leaving his temp gig as a bouncer, he runs into an old acquaintance who recruits him for an ill-advised mission.
The backup story by Erik Burnham and artist Mateus Santolouco is equally thrilling. This tale focuses on Casey Jones, currently in the employ of the Foot Clan in Japan. His code brings him into conflict with clan leader Karai, who seems to growing corrupted. This conflict has echoes that tie into the first TMNT issue, suggesting a connection to be built upon later.
TMNT: Mutant Nation #1 more of a good thing
Your enjoyment of TMNT: Mutant Nation #1 will be dependent upon how much you are enjoying the current IDW universe. Personally, I’m loving it, even as I get thrown for a loop by some of the changes to this reality from the Ninja Turtles I grew up with. Thankfully, these changes aren’t entirely jarring and left me wanting to learn more rather than saying “Wait… why?” For instance, the first story refers to Donatello studying magic; a plot point that passed me by in all the IDW TMNT comics I’ve read so far.
With that caveat, this is a fantastic comic that does everything an anthology should. TMNT: Mutant Nation gives you a sampling of what this take on the Turtles is all about. It features two great stories with amazing art, and I will definitely be back for more.
Grade: 5/5
TMNT: Mutant Nation #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on September 18, 2024.
