By Paul Allor, Ross Campbell & Bill Crabtree

When this title was announced some time ago, I flipped out! IDW, who has done a fantastic job with the property, was doing a mini-series that shares its name with the extremely fun arcade and home console video game! Sadly, the comic has no relation, but it is still a romp to see the turtles traverse time in the sequential art form!

The cover does not bury the lead; the reptilian brothers are transported to the prehistoric period. The recap informs the reader that this story takes place a little later than where the main storyline is currently (TMNT Annual 2014 will apparently help clarify some things). A new character, Renet, appears to have used a scepter that many fans will be familiar with to time travel and causes the turtles to be stuck in this epoch. They not only encounter dinosaurs, but a familiar race of aliens as well…

The audience will be immediately caught off guard by the colors of the comic. Bill Crabtree uses a very bright color palette, a stark contrast from Ronda Pattison’s work with Ross Campbell on the Northampton arc. Initially, it may feel like it’s not doing Campbell’s work justice, but one can become accustomed to it. Ross still knows how to please fans with his work! He appears to make an homage to the T-Rex chase in The Lost World: Jurassic Park when the turtles become cornered in a little cave. Perhaps his cutest contribution was a baby Protoceratops! She will melt anyone’s heart. Although, there is an awesome panel with her and Raphael preparing to fight.

Paul Allor infuses quite a bit of slapstick humor, which normally doesn’t go over well, but he will undoubtedly sneak a chuckle out. What is really surprising and arguably the best part of the comic is how he is able to tie this story in with events of the Utrom Empire storyline. The creative team on this franchise pay close attention to chronology and establish a fascinating mythology. It’s such a treat to see people who know what they’re doing and have a passion for these characters and their stories.

Fans need to pick up this title! This is a vibrant, fun book and there are only three more issues left. Short and sweet, it’s a win-win folks.

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About The Author Erik Gonzalez

I was exposed to comics early on, one of my earliest vivid memories was picking up the entire run of Dark Horse’s Aliens vs. Predator(1990). Odd and perhaps morbid choice for a kid, I know...At the same time, I was immersed in the pop culture of the time which included, but not limited to: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and of course, Batman: The Animated Series. Upon reflection, it’s fairly evident why I’m such a zealous geek. My day job is in television operations, so basically I’m exposed to media at every turn, which is where I want to be! Writing comic book reviews is another outlet to convey my respect and fanaticism for the this graphic medium. I hope what I have to say will resonate with others and also spark heart-felt discussion. Simon Pegg said it best, “Being a geek is extremely liberating.”

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