Universe #16 preview and discussion.
 

Three page preview already up on iTunes.

Fortunately, with no dialogue on the first few pages!

Looks like its gonna be good!

Triceraton children are adorable.

Two pages in, and we already have more insight on Triceraton society than on Utrominon's...

Yeah, I was going to say, that's quite a situation. You'd think there would have been quite a bit more on Utrominion society - even if it was just dropped in conversation by Krang. And with so much of the early story revolving around Utroms, you'd think we'd know at least a little bit about what their society is like.

Full preview here.

It almost seems like this is going to cover parts of the oh-so-mysterious D'Hoonib War. Which...what happened to them after that, anyway?

I've also noticed that there is some effort at sexual dimorphism this time around. With males having tusks and are altogether more "rugged".

Well, that pretty much went as expected. Especially the bit of Zom poking around where she wasn't allowed.

I couldn't help but notice Krang having just a little bit more chill than he did in the main series, save for his one big snap in his conversation with Zog.

But boy, the reveal of Zog's own history was really something. It really makes his relationship with Krang a lot more interesting. One could argue that Krang practically raised him.

The mini story was pretty cute.

Alright, so I'm a little confused here.

Was a'ight.

I just realized an interesting pattern.
Krang recalls a time where Quanin refused to think of him as his son. In this particular issue, Krang balks at Quanin being referred to as his father, but only in this one. In Utrom Empire, taking place a good while later, Krang is defensive of Quanin - calling him his father again - and thinks of the efforts to expand the empire to be a joint effort between them. So, what happened between there and now - and for Krang to develop his "I'll die fighting for my people" deathwish (womp wommmp) that vanished after Utrom Empire. Where did the "I'm waiting for Quanin to die so I can take over" plan go? He's even a little shaken by Quanin's death in the main series and specifically tells Stockman that he wants to restore his honor.

He also brings up the planet the Triceratons just conquered as a new place to "populate", which could parallel to Honeycutt saying that Utroms were relatively few in number even before Utrominion was destroyed.

Meanwhile, I'm noticing a very literal herd mentality in the Triceratons that, all things considered, really should have been paid close attention to. It seems like some extreme short-sightedness, especially on Quanin and Krang's part.


And MAN, poor Zog in the Battle Nexus.
All that rebellion just to end up losing his herd and his mind.


One thing that I wish could be developed in better detail is the "gray" area between the two. Surely there were Utroms that didn't want to treat the Triceratons so harshly (Commander Grel? Even with getting caught in the middle of rough housing?), and likewise, Triceratons that didn't want to rebel?

Ah, OK. I missed that one gender pronoun, i see it now when I went back and checked. It's hard to spot sexual dimorphism here, I honestly thought they implied Zom was a gay guy.

Nope, she a lady. Though that would probably Zog and Krang another potential parallel, as if they weren't dramatically similar enough already.

In the main line's story, it is pretty darn hard to tell, but in this one, male Triceratons have those tusks at the back of their mouths and are extra spiky in their frills.


All things considered though, Krang and Zog have quite a lot in common.

• Generals
• Resentful of their creators
• Will do anything for their people
• Ironically end up not being able to enjoy the fruits of their labor in saving their people
• Close to one particular lower officer, who is deeply devoted to their superior officer

This Triceraton backstory is nice, if a bit confusing. So Zog's finale fate was to be in the Battle Nexus right? The annuals are so poorly written compared to the rest of IDW that I almost forget they're part of the same continuity.

I gotta be honest.

#1. I've tried to read the Annuals (both of them) multiple times each, and I still can't make it through either of them.

#2. This Triceraton backstory isn't working for me. Just zero interest. Not sure why...

I agree. The annuals are not readable at all. I couldn't finish them as well!!!

Zog's story: leader of triceraton troopers, then Zom leads them away, Zog becomes Krang's bodyguard, he leads a rebellion against Utroms, he falls into obscurity in the Battle Nexus.

I suppose he'll return in the current ark.

I find it a little odd that the Neutrino trio didn't know who Zog was when the Turtles brought him up.

But as far as Zom would be concerned, he's just "gone". Which...actually might be a ploy in getting the Triceratons off the planet: The turtles know where Zog is and what has happened to him. So Zom might want to save him, regardless of how his mind has deteriorated.

It might be because 2014 was the last time anything was seen of the Triceratons, within the Utrom Empire mini. And after that, there was absolutely nothing, and we weren't given any reason to care. There had been so much with the Utroms already, though the whole main line, that there was more reason to care about their history and what happened to them. Heck, outside of flashbacks, there's practically no mention of the retreat to Earth because of a rebellion.
Krang and others place it on their home planet itself being unable to sustain life anymore - and even continually place that right on Quanin's shoulders. But no one talks about the rebellion or the Triceratons until the trial.

Which makes the Triceratons' role in the Utroms near-extinction seem inconsequential. With his personality, you'd think Krang would be absolutely livid with that there was a rebellion at all, but he never mentions it at all. And I highly doubt it's because of trauma. He's not one to be traumatized, and again, there's the factor of him blaming Quanin.

(Also, where were the Triceratons during the Krang War if they were at the Neutrino's beck and call during that time??? Zenter should have been able to snap his fingers and send the Triceratons to smash the Rock Soldiers into pebbles)

I think my lack of interest is more to the fact that I already know enough to enjoy the Triceratons in current time. Rather see them invading NYC than watch them train and trade insults with Utroms.

I appreciate it. It's character and world-building.