IDW TMNT #19 review

Synopsis: In this newest issue of the reborn line of TMNT comics by IDW, we get a closer look at the Neutrinos, their home world and why they hate Krang so much. The Turtles, along with the Neutrino Resistance Fighters (NRF) prepare for an attack on Krang in hopes of stopping his evil scheme, rescuing the King and Queen and save the Earth, all while still being stuck on the planet Neutrino with Professor Honeycutt / Fugitoid / Chet Allen. With all that happening on planet Neutrino, Karai is busy on planet Earth infiltrating Krang's facility on Burnow Island in an attempt to get to the ooze.

Issue 19 continues to feature the beautiful art of Ben Bates, who is now the third artist for the on-going IDW series (previously, Dan Duncan issues 1-12 and Andy Kuhn 13-16)

Personally, Ben Bates is my favorite of all three. We have also seen his art in the IDW Leonardo Micro-Series and it looks like his style has even improved since then. I loved Kuhn's artwork in Mikey's Micro-issue, the New Year's themed comic released in late 2011, because his artist style is goofy and playful just like Michelangelo.  However, I did not feel that it was an adequate follow up to Duncan's great art, and when he was announced as the new artist for the on-going series, I was praying a new artist would replace him. Nothing against Kuhn, I know from reading Ninja Notes that a lot of comic readers absolutely love his style. Just personally, I prefer this Bates style, and think it is the best artist IDW has assigned to TMNT on-going yet. I much enjoyed Duncan; however, my only critic is that he drew the turtles with thinner wrists and ankles than they should have.

Like the Nick 2012 series, Krang and the Foot Clan are pitted as enemies, unlike the alliance they originally shared in the first 1987 cartoon. Also like the 2012 series, Karai is interested in Krang / The Krang and investigating. What will happen to the turtles during the Krang vs. Shredder war? Time will only tell.

One great thing about this issue is it gives us a more in-depth look at the planet Neutrino and the world from which the "Hot Rod Teenagers From Dimension X" come from, a place not visited since the late 80s. We come to learn that they have a King, Queen and Princess Trib, who Mikey is particularly fond of ;)

The Neutrino's hate Krang with a passion, who clearly has an evil agenda. The attack begins at the end of the issue, let's see what happens next in issue 20!

in other related comic book news:

• Another B&W Eastman TMNT Classic annual is in the works and on the way for 2013. YAY!
• We have a Krang micro-series coming this April by Joshua Williamson and Mike Henderson
• the ongoing TMNT series will likely have a return of Leatherhead, but we are not likely to see Mona Lisa. Makes sense to me since the tone of these comics are more serious, but perhaps we will see Mona Lisa one day in a 2012 episode? I'd like to see that bodacious babe return in 3D if I do say so myself...