Tales of the TMNT 35

[Raph's Girl]

Hey all. Just a heads up that midtowncomics.com is showing this issue as coming out on Wednesday (June 13th).

Here's the plot:
“The Pantheon” - Splinter the rat versus the Rat King! Featuring the origin of the Rat King and the truth behind his mysterious historical relationship with the Turtles’ sensei. Plus… who, or what, is The Pantheon?

[VaughnMichael]

Should be interesting! I hope he has an interesting story because I honestly like him not having one.

[TristanHuwJones]

http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=231&itemid=9935

Preview is up for Tales of the TMNT #35. Head on over and take a gander!

[DrSpengler]

The issue looks fantastic (though they seem to give away the ending).

I haven't looked forward to a Tales issue this much in a while.

[TristanHuwJones]

Trust me, no spoilers here.

[Andrew NDB]

An interview with Mr. Tupper that touches on this issue here :

http://www.ninjaturtlesempire.com/tupper.html

[R-iZZy]

I've always liked the fact that Rat King was so mysterious. Seeing him with an actual backstory is a huge risk, imo. I hope this turns out better than I expect it to be.

[VaughnMichael]

I've always liked the fact that Rat King was so mysterious. Seeing him with an actual backstory is a huge risk, imo. I hope this turns out better than I expect it to be.
Yeah I agree with you 100% and I'm a tad worried I hope it's atleast interesting.

[darthsmozers]

The fact that Chris Allan did the artwork is enough for me :-)

[VaughnMichael]

The fact that Chris Allan did the artwork is enough for me :-)
I'm just happy he didn't draw splinters ears the rounded way he did towards the end of the Archie series I wasn't a big fan of those ears.:lol:

[darthsmozers]

Haha the mouse ears :P

[VaughnMichael]

Haha the mouse ears :P
Yeah lol:lol: it sort of made him look like chucky cheese or something.:o

[***First of Two Latin Kings***]

Can anyone verify that this book is really coming out today?

[TristanHuwJones]

It is definitely in stores. I hold mine as we speak. :D

[VaughnMichael]

It is definitely in stores. I hold mine as we speak. :D
I go to the shop in a few hours I'm actully excited for this one!

[soccerstud652]

Anyone have an online order site for this? I have no comic shops near me.

[aprilsfan]

the preview for this issue is up at the official site on the comic page

http://www.ninjaturtles.com/html/comic.htm

[jestergoblin]

it's out, i have it. i read it.

the ending is very, very interesting.

[VaughnMichael]

Just got done reading it.
It's pretty interesting I like the idea and all but it's way to short and everything just happens so quickly they really should have given us a little more insite on things. But it does give more to the story of Splinters death. So does that mean he's now the king of rats? And it opens up another question does Splinter take up the offer now that he has passed on or does he pass up the offer again.
& I can't say I cared much for the Leonardo story it's cool and all to get short storys like that but the art was a bit annoying if not confusing along with how Leo kept rambling on.

[Aztec General]

My review with spoilers:

I wasn't very happy with Rat King's backstory. Making him a street thug turned rat protector just doesn't fit into the being we eventually meet in Tales Vol. 1 #4. If you remember Rat King has no notion of who, or what, he is exactly. In fact he believes he's some kind of monster. There's no reference to him "indulging in vices" or being a criminal of some kind, let alone to being a supernatural protector of the rats. Heck, we're not even sure if he's really a villain based upon previous encounters.

When is the beginning, Rat King's psychic warfare against Splinter, supposed to occur? Before the Rat King meets the TMNT? After? Before Splinter meets him during City At War? After? It's never made clear. If it was before CAW then Splinter should have recognized him there, which he clearly doesn't. If it was after CAW Splinter should have recognized him in this issue, which he doesn't. This new backstory just doesn't fit. I'm a little disappointed too because the Mirage Rat King ranks among the coolest characters in comic history.

I will say that I did like the way they described Rat King's role in Splinter's death. Vol. 4 #10 does make more sense now. Although my question: Did Splinter accept the offer before his death and become the new "Rat King"? Or did he reject the offer? Which would have made more sense? They didn't make that terribly clear. Although it might have been intentially left ambigous.

[DrSpengler]

Okay, so Splinter doesn't recognize the Rat King at all. But then, he doesn't recognize him when they meet in City at War. This can be explained in that its possible Splinter's memories of his first encoutner with the Rat King and the Pantheon went fuzzy after he returned to the physical world.

Now, this has to take place before the TMNT meet the Rat King at the old factory, too. For one thing, Rat King is still alive and he isn't nuts. I took it as this, after Splinter beat him, the Pantheon returned Rat King to Earth where he wents nuts and eventually died after meeting the TMNT.

So that means, since Splinter is living in the sewers and this takes place before Tales Vol. 1 #4, it happened before Vol. 1 #1. How long before Vol. 1 #1 is uncertain.

Anyhow, that's my reasoning for its placement in the timeline.


As for the story itself, I dug it. However, I think they should've nixed that back-up story and made the main story longer. Anyhow, I don't think the Rat King's origin is fantastic, but its pretty cool.

As for that bit about Splinter's death, if you recall, the Rat King's ghost appeared shortly before he died. I took that to mean that the Rat King and SPlinter had another battle after Splinter's death for membership in the Pantheon. Whether Splinter won or not, who knows.

[Time Mistress]

I really liked this issue (especially after reading the crappy conclusion to Green Arrow #75). It's nice coda to Vol. 4 issue 10. The Leo back up story was cute too.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

I haven't read this one yet, because I'm a month behind on Tales. (Am reading #34 today.) However, reading these spoilers, I'm sorry, but this sounds like a major letdown for the Rat King.

He's king of the rats? Again, sorry, but I really liked it better when he was some nameless originless enigma guy who tried to beat the crap out of Mikey. (Okay, he left Mikey to the rats. Close enough.)

I promise, though, to read #35, and to come back to this thread and post my new opinion, so all you people, don't jump on my back too bad, 'kay?

[Andrew NDB]

Bloody hell, I want this issue bad. Should arrive in the mail by the weekend, Monday at the latest.

[darthsmozers]

Chris Allan is my hero!

Hey question for everyone. I don't have this one yet. Does the art feature any of the turtles at all, or just Splinter and the Rat King?

And how cool to see Chris' rendition of the Rat King. The last time we saw that was back in the Archie Series' Armageddon story (I think?) and it was very nice indeed!

[DrSpengler]

Chris Allan is my hero!

Hey question for everyone. I don't have this one yet. Does the art feature any of the turtles at all, or just Splinter and the Rat King?

And how cool to see Chris' rendition of the Rat King. The last time we saw that was back in the Archie Series' Armageddon story (I think?) and it was very nice indeed!

No Turtles at all, just Splinter, the Rat King and the members of the Pantheon.

And Chris Allen's artwork was terrific. And you're right, I think this WAS the first time we'd seen his Rat King since the Future Shark Trilogy way back when. Good stuff.

What's he up to, these days? It'd be nice if Mirage used him more often.

[Spawn Guy]

Isn't his last apprance in City At War(if that is him trying to get Splinter to eat a live rat at the bottom of the silo)?

[DrSpengler]

Isn't his last apprance in City At War(if that is him trying to get Splinter to eat a live rat at the bottom of the silo)?

I believe the Rat King's timeline goes like this:

Tales of the TMNT Vol. 2 #35 (origin, first encounter with Splinter, banishment from the Pantheon)

Tales of the TMNT Vol. 1 #4 (banishment to Earth, gone nuts, first encounters the TMNT, injured by Leo's shuriken)

TMNT Vol. 1 #55 (ghost encounters Splinter, teaches him to survive by eating rats)

TMNT Vol. 4 #10 (Splinter dies of heart failure, Rat King's ghost appears to him as he passes)

[Spawn Guy]

So he's either still wondering around for years, or he's taking an intrest in Splinter from beyond the grave.

And also feeding worms, the little humanitarian.

[darthsmozers]

And Chris Allen's artwork was terrific. And you're right, I think this WAS the first time we'd seen his Rat King since the Future Shark Trilogy way back when. Good stuff.

What's he up to, these days? It'd be nice if Mirage used him more often.


Well there has been rumblings of the potential revival of the Forever War storyline, to be published as a Tales type of story but based in the Archie universe to be the conclusion of that storyline. However, those tidbits have persisted for a few years now. Chris obviously still has (if not perfected) the art talent, and apparently Dean Clarrain has been toying with the idea of writing the copy. But for right now, its in that TBA stage.

[Roseangelo]

The Forever War is in progress and Murphy states it's his goal for it to be published this year. I'm hoping that'll be the case!

[Scandia]

Which comic company will be publishing Forever War?

[Roseangelo]

Which comic company will be publishing Forever War?

Mirage, but it's Archie universe.

[VaughnMichael]

The Forever War is in progress and Murphy states it's his goal for it to be published this year. I'm hoping that'll be the case!
It'd also be nice if its in color...but I know thats asking to much....:roll:
As much of a huge fan of the archie comics as I am I have to admit I really dont care as much for the art in black and white it's just missing something since I know what it looks like in color.

[Roseangelo]

It'd also be nice if its in color...but I know thats asking to much....:roll:
As much of a huge fan of the archie comics as I am I have to admit I really dont care as much for the art in black and white it's just missing something since I know what it looks like in color.

I hadn't even considered that it might not be in color... since it is the Archie universe, I sure hope it's in color!!

[Scandia]

And will it have similar character designs to the Archie comics? Which from what I see, are very consistent with each other and with the OT.

[VaughnMichael]

I hadn't even considered that it might not be in color... since it is the Archie universe, I sure hope it's in color!!
I'm pretty sure Murphy said it would not be in color....they really are setting themselves up for agrivation on that one if they don't though I can see all the fan complaints now. And I'll be right along with them.:lol:

[soccerstud652]

Anyone know where I can order this online?

[Scandia]

Finally got my hands on this comic today!

Loved the Leo story "Secret Spirit", though I wonder exactly where it takes place. It shows Leo's integration and how much he truly enjoys being the leader and doing martial arts. Definitely the most determined Turtle. It even states that he goes beyond what Splinter expects of him. Whether to be perfect or to compete and be the best, not sure. Probably both.

"The Pantheon" was a little confusing at the beginning, but still very good. Shows how Splinter was tempted, but he just could not ditch the Turtles. And I like how Raph introduces it- saying that he is not a speculator, but this was a curious tale. Raph is definitely the most realistic of the Turtles when it comes to his view of the world.

[darthsmozers]

I would have zero complains if Forever War were in B&W. After 10+ years, the mere fact that it could make print is enough for me!

Besides, I could buy two copies...and break out the colored pencils for one of them :D

[Scandia]

Is it known how long the "Forever War" arc will be then?

[darthsmozers]

originally (10+ years ago) the series was to end at issue #75, as evidenced by the fact that the stories really began to build on one another, despite likely declining sales. However, the book was cancelled. So, the last story featuring the art of Chris Allan was #70. 71 and 72 were both "tmnt when they were kids" stories, and really had no bearing on the series' continuity. 72 was the last issue.

If you go to Chris Allan's page here: http://www.ak-studios.com/chrissite/chrisportfolio.html you can see sketches for 5 Forever War covers. Keep in mind this was a long time ago and has no bearing on the length of the (possibly) forthcoming storyline. (although, I'd imagine they'd try to use these ideas in some form since Chris seemed to passionate about them). Anyway, perhaps that will whet your appetite. :-)

[Andrew NDB]

Posted my review of Tales #35 here :
http://www.ninjaturtlesempire.com/forum/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=220

[DrSpengler]

Good review.

I hadn't actually made that connection between Rat King's astral presence in Tales #35 and his line, "last year I was a ghost" in Tales #4. I wonder if that's a coincidence. Even so, they bridge together very nicely.

[Raph's Girl]

The Pantheon:

Good story. Interesting origin for the Rat King. Yes I think Splinter became the rat god. The cat goddess seemed to take a liking for him. :evilgrin: She also hinted that he'd been there before in a previous life or remembered the old rat king when he was young.

Did anybody else notice that the god of bats was Batman?? Seriously I took one look at him and started laughing. Dude! Batman! :lol:

Secret Spirit:
This was a meh story. So Leo's secret passion. The reason why he pushes himself and tries to push his brothers to the brink is cuz it gives him a high. That's pretty OOC for Leo IMO.

[Scandia]

I don't think it is OOC. On the contrary. It is something he enjoys quite a bit. It is part of his nature. He derives satisfaction from excelling and perfecting what he's passionate about.

[OA]

I liked the story quite a bit....always been a huge Rat King fan and loved the possible connection of what happened to Splinter at his moment of passing...

Honestly though, i didn't care mmuch for the backup story...the art got a bit confusing and the story itself didnt reveal too much about Leo

[Andrew NDB]

I don't think the short was ever intended to be an E! True Hollywood expose on Leonardo. Just a few minutes on Leo, a bit of what's going on in his head, and a little secret that isn't OOC by any stretch.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

I finally read #35, and I'm sorry, but I thought it sucked. In my opinion, it completely screwed up the Rat King. I liked him better in Tales Vol. 1 #4. THAT is how the Rat King should be.

I also thought the whole Pantheon idea was a little bizarre. (And yes, I noticed Batman. :lol: )

One question, though: where did Rat King get those two babes? :evilgrin:

[Andrew NDB]

It some ways it almost seems like more of what you'd expect to see in the origin of the Archie version of the Rat King/Lord Ha'taan, but they tied it to the Mirage material -- even Volume 4 directly -- in a satisfying way. I dug it.

[atgthatsme]

i loved the back story it was pretty ace! my favourite one though in recent issues has being the one of Don writing down his thoughts