TMNT #98 Preview and Discussion

[ChosenOne]

You heard the immortal... Feast (https://twitter.com/TomWaltz/status/1171477078635495425)!

Watch out, New York, the Psycho Safari Twins are f***ing back, baby! :tcool:

[Btown]

I really can’t wait to read this issue

[MikeandRaph87]

Still 13 days away.:(

Rat King to help Splinter foil Karai? What is Rat King's stake in this?

[ChosenOne]

Still 13 days away.:(

Rat King to help Splinter foil Karai? What is Rat King's stake in this?

Kitsune is helping Karai along, I'm guessing as part of her plan to get Saki's head back, and RK probably doesn't want her to succeed.

Speaking of which... Damn, Karai's posse sure is OP! No way the Turtles tackle these guys all by themselves.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Kitsune is helping Karai along, I'm guessing as part of her plan to get Saki's head back, and RK probably doesn't want her to succeed.

Sounds reasonable!

Speaking of which... Damn, Karai's posse sure is OP! No way the Turtles tackle these guys all by themselves.

Because when's the last time the Turtles won a damn fight by themselves? Slash back in Issue #13 or #14? I can't stress enough how much that bothers me.

[ChosenOne]

Because when's the last time the Turtles won a damn fight by themselves? Slash back in Issue #13 or #14? I can't stress enough how much that bothers me.

Off the top of my head, they did win the first half of the Gauntlet by themselves. Except now there's Karai with that crazy sword, powerhouse Ocho, a friggin' velociraptor, and Natsu with her guns along for the ride. Not gonna be easy.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Off the top of my head, they did win the first half of the Gauntlet by themselves. Except now there's Karai with that crazy sword, powerhouse Ocho, a friggin' velociraptor, and Natsu with her guns along for the ride. Not gonna be easy.

Does it count if they literally blew up Metalhead to do it? Like, in a way, it was just them... but in another way, they needed Harold to do it. :tgrumble:

But yeah, the first half of the Gauntlet counts. And then they go and lose the second half, and Splinter had to win it. Which was poetic and awesome, don't get me wrong.

But damn, I wish the Turtles won more fights on their own.

[MikeandRaph87]

Does it count if they literally blew up Metalhead to do it? Like, in a way, it was just them... but in another way, they needed Harold to do it. :tgrumble:

But yeah, the first half of the Gauntlet counts. And then they go and lose the second half, and Splinter had to win it. Which was poetic and awesome, don't get me wrong.

But damn, I wish the Turtles won more fights on their own.

Something poetic this way comes to stop Karai though it will be with help.

[ChosenOne]

Does it count if they literally blew up Metalhead to do it? Like, in a way, it was just them... but in another way, they needed Harold to do it. :tgrumble:

Playing against myself here: technically they needed Harold, the Fugitoid and Leatherhead to do it.

[ProphetofGanja]

Playing against myself here: technically they needed Harold, the Fugitoid and Leatherhead to do it.

And all of those entities are again featuring in this story arc.

But I’m not mad about that, more so excited

[daggio]

For anyone who saw the Rock perform on WWF/E TV back in the day...........finally, Bebop, Rocksteady, and Anchovy have come back.......to the TMNT comic :lol:



Tho now that I say it, Anchovy has never been in the main book, so this will be his big debut.

[Utrommaniac]

Nooo, don't eat the food, that's what gets you stuck!

The turtles also beat Krang by themselves waaay back during the end of the Technodrome story arc. Which is a bit surprising (and maybe even a bit pathetic on Krang's part, considering the massive fvcking suit he was using)

[daggio]

And the City at War tradition continues of reintroducing characters whom we havent seen in awhile

Bebop, Rocksteady, and Anchovy
Rat King
Kara Lewis
Tang Shen (tho we just saw her SiH)

Wonder who's gonna be next........Dark Water, Zog? :lol:

[MikeandRaph87]

And the City at War tradition continues of reintroducing characters whom we havent seen in awhile

Bebop, Rocksteady, and Anchovy
Rat King
Kara Lewis
Tang Shen (tho we just saw her SiH)

Wonder who's gonna be next........Dark Water, Zog? :lol:

Tang Shen or was it The Rat King luring Splinter into a false sense of security?

I do want to see Megavolt now that Dark Water has appeared. It won't happen, but I want to see it.

[ChosenOne]

The turtles also beat Krang by themselves waaay back during the end of the Technodrome story arc. Which is a bit surprising (and maybe even a bit pathetic on Krang's part, considering the massive fvcking suit he was using)

On one hand, there were only three Turtles that time. On the other hand, Saki softened Krang up first.

[daggio]

I do want to see Megavolt now that Dark Water has appeared. It won't happen, but I want to see it.

I just realized that none of the time travelling characters have appeared in the ongoing like Renet or the other Time Lords. Maybe she'll appear to roll back time cuz of this catastrophic event which is about to occur :lol:

[Ninjinister]

Rock Bopster!

[hypered1]

Rock Bopster!

I wondering how many people will actually get the reference :trazz:

Also Rocksteady appears to have grown his right ear back after the events of Hit the Road... the wonders of ooze

[ChosenOne]

I wondering how many people will actually get the reference :trazz:

I'm more of an Iraq Lobster fan myself. :lol:

[CyberCubed]

All this is happening in 24 pages too. Need 99 and 100 now just to see this all wrap up. Feels like the story they're trying to tell is way too big to fit into these monthly comics.

[ChosenOne]

I dunno, I think the two panels with Splinter are from #99, though I could be wrong. The IDW folks tend to post them all mixed up. The only ones we know for sure are from #98 are Bebop and Rocksteady's and Agent Lewis'. I do agree that the story has grown too big for a measly 20-something pages a month with no secondary ongoing or at least a steady stream of minis to share the burden. It's been that way since shortly after #50, but now in the absence of Universe it becomes all the more obvious. And while I understand the decision from a technical and workload point of view, it certainly stands out that an arc with the size and gravitas of City at War didn't justify at least another mini running alongside it when others such as City Fall and Trial of Krang did.

[CyberCubed]

I feel like there's a lot going on, especially with Jennika mutated, Baxter running for office, in addition to both Bishop and Karai going after the Turtles at the same time. And now with the Pantheon observing the chaos. Some stuff like Leatherhead got a 1 panel teaser, and Null is probably not going to appear again for the rest of the arc.

It's why I do hope for a bit of a culling of the main cast after this, we're due for a few more character deaths and I don't just want to see a repeat of the end of issue 50 where Karai just retreats with her minions to come back later on again. Characters like Hun, Koya and Bludgeon are also starting to feel like they ran their course, but I guess we'll see.

[daggio]

I dunno, I think the two panels with Splinter are from #99, though I could be wrong. The IDW folks tend to post them all mixed up. The only ones we know for sure are from #98 are Bebop and Rocksteady's and Agent Lewis'. I do agree that the story has grown too big for a measly 20-something pages a month with no secondary ongoing or at least a steady stream of minis to share the burden. It's been that way since shortly after #50, but now in the absence of Universe it becomes all the more obvious. And while I understand the decision from a technical and workload point of view, it certainly stands out that an arc with the size and gravitas of City at War didn't justify at least another mini running alongside it when others such as City Fall and Trial of Krang did.

Especially during Invasion of the Triceratons when a few issues of Universe were dedicated to the Triceratons and the story surrounding the invasion. If there was a secondary title or mini with City at War, that could've at least helped with something tho granted some previous minis helped establish what some characters were doing prior to their appearances here.

[AlZarkovski]

First look (spoilers!):

https://is3-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Publication123/v4/7b/00/9d/7b009d29-80b6-f3a7-84c6-483a07b7fba0/img_2.jpg/900x0w.jpg
https://is4-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Publication113/v4/ec/4c/3e/ec4c3e8f-3b85-df3f-a71e-671cf533eb37/img_3.jpg/900x0w.jpg
https://is2-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Publication123/v4/22/39/52/22395286-291a-e0ed-a808-2d436b964240/img_4.jpg/900x0w.jpg

[neatoman]

First look (spoilers!):

https://is3-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Publication123/v4/7b/00/9d/7b009d29-80b6-f3a7-84c6-483a07b7fba0/img_2.jpg/900x0w.jpg
https://is4-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Publication113/v4/ec/4c/3e/ec4c3e8f-3b85-df3f-a71e-671cf533eb37/img_3.jpg/900x0w.jpg
https://is2-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Publication123/v4/22/39/52/22395286-291a-e0ed-a808-2d436b964240/img_4.jpg/900x0w.jpg

Hm... Smart move considering the bomb, makes sense to have some insurance.

[MikeandRaph87]

Slash clones?

Hunter won over that easy after helping Casey the last issue? There needs to be more convincing to make it work.

[ChosenOne]

From his perspective, Hun is still helping Casey by getting rid of the mutants. The clones thing is so obvious that I'm surprised none of us saw it coming, especially since Turtles in Time #4 already sort of teased something like this happening (with the Bebop and Rocksteady clones).

"Let's destroy the poison! How? By making more poison!" - Bishop, probably.

[daggio]

HA! SLASH CLONES! I CALLED IT! I AM THE KING! :lol:

I remember that from my thread after Slash died, talking about the possibility of the EPF retaining a clone of Slash.....but 2? Didn't see that coming. Now that I think of it, I kinda wished it would be Tokka and Rahzar, Tokka being a more mutated version of Slash and Rahzar being a more mutated version of, whoever......I'm never happy:lol:

[CyberCubed]

I'm predicting Hun will die by issue 100. Seems like his character has run its course.

[MikeandRaph87]

Darn autocorrect won't let me type Hun. :ohwell:

So Slash will live on replaced by a redeemed clone?

[ChosenOne]

Actually, I foresee Metalhead changing sides and doing something to dispose of those clones, possibly by self-destructing. But I could be wrong.

[daggio]

I wonder if this means that clones of Sally, Ray, Pete, Mondo, and Raph might start popping up later on down the road.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Oh DAMN.

That's terrifying. I did not think Bishop would do this.

Eek. :teek:

[MikeandRaph87]

Oh DAMN.

That's terrifying. I did not think Bishop would do this.

Eek. :teek:

This could end with Bishop needing a clone body to survive and his status quo would be more aligned with the 2003 cartoon.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

This could end with Bishop needing a clone body to survive and his status quo would be more aligned with the 2003 cartoon.

I would like that.

Get him out of that weird little bobble head body. I hate it.

[ChosenOne]

This could also end with a clone of Saki being created.

[Utrommaniac]

Well then! That will certainly take an interesting turn (plus one whole mega-ultra p*ssed Hob)

[MikeandRaph87]

I would like that.

Get him out of that weird little bobble head body. I hate it.

I have come around on the reincarnation bit since the violence of it was skimmed to focus on the narrative purpose of it and Slash's sacrifice as well. The way Krang went out and the reveal of Bishop's true nature not so much. Agent Bishop can be rectified as the plot is available as this proves. Not sure how much of the readership/fanbase was not happy with the IDW twist with Agent Bishop. This is a fix for it. He may not be Andrew Jackson's contemporary, but he still can have enough similar background with this.


There were the Shredder Clones from Return to New York so we might get a tease of what you suggest, but not have Saki return in full. The question of how he will factor into he return of the dragon father is the question. If he was redeemed upon defeat in The Gantlet due to regaining his honor and Shredder In Hell suggest that, a siding with Splinter would be a likely twist.

[ChosenOne]

There were the Shredder Clones from Return to New York so we might get a tease of what you suggest, but not have Saki return in full. The question of how he will factor into he return of the dragon father is the question. If he was redeemed upon defeat in The Gantlet due to regaining his honor and Shredder In Hell suggest that, a siding with Splinter would be a likely twist.

The thing with Saki is, he's currently dead and hence his soul is "available" to return in a new body. Bishop on the other hand is very much alive, how would him being cloned even work? Just like IRL, the clone wouldn't be him, just like those two mutant snapping turtles aren't Slash. His soul, memories, personality, whatever, would all remain in his original body. He's been too sci-fi based so far to suddenly swerve into the mystical side of things. Unlike Saki.

[MikeandRaph87]

The thing with Saki is, he's currently dead and hence his soul is "available" to return in a new body. Bishop on the other hand is very much alive, how would him being cloned even work? Just like IRL, the clone wouldn't be him, just like those two mutant snapping turtles aren't Slash. His soul, memories, personality, whatever, would all remain in his original body. He's been too sci-fi based so far to suddenly swerve into the mystical side of things. Unlike Saki.

Transfer of consciousness from a dying body to a clone backup. Slash clone might get the best of him in poetic justice and the only way to save him. Shredder's or more precisely Oroku Saki could take control of the dragon father and save the day.

[ChosenOne]

Transfer of consciousness from a dying body to a clone backup. Slash clone might get the best of him in poetic justice and the only way to save him. Shredder's or more precisely Oroku Saki could take control of the dragon father and save the day.

I was gonna say there's no precedent for that, and then I remembered the Fugitoid and Donnie/Metalhead. Who knows... But it sure seems that something along some or all of these lines is being set up.

[Ninjinister]

Painting in April's room made me think of The Simpsons.

[ProphetofGanja]

Painting in April's room made me think of The Simpsons.

Omg same .

[ChosenOne]

IIRC, this (https://twitter.com/IDWPublishing/status/1174005141088997381) is our first look at IDW Irma, isn't it?

[neatoman]

IIRC, this (https://twitter.com/IDWPublishing/status/1174005141088997381) is our first look at IDW Irma, isn't it?

No, she actually showed up a little earlier.

[ChosenOne]

No, she actually showed up a little earlier.

Oh, my bad. I only remembered her name being mentioned.

[CyberCubed]

I'm interested where Baxter's role as mayor is even going to go. Seems like a direction for the character that could go anywhere, but it also probably will take years to see anything out of it.

[MikeandRaph87]

I'm interested where Baxter's role as mayor is even going to go. Seems like a direction for the character that could go anywhere, but it also probably will take years to see anything out of it.

I am just glad that Baxter is not bullied by Shredder and everyone else and is still human.

Still another week to wait.

[shredder orokusaki]

I am just glad that Baxter is not bullied by Shredder and everyone else and is still human.

Still another week to wait.

He saw what i did to other Baxters that why he decided to save my life and become my friend.He dont want to be a brain in jar or a monster like the others.

[Chubzhac]

Before her mutation, Jennika barely interacted with anyone outside of Splinter and Casey. You can count the number of times she talked to the Turtles on one hand and she has had little to no relationship with Nobody, Alopex or Lindsay.

Despite this, recent issues has had everyone act like she's always been their close friend or was like family member to them. This is my biggest problem with Jennika's mutation; the story expects us to buy into the idea that she was some beloved and integral member of the cast when up to now she's been little more Splinter's sidekick/Casey's new girlfriend.

[CyberCubed]

Did this come out?

[MikeandRaph87]

Did this come out?

It will on Wednesday.

[daggio]

Before her mutation, Jennika barely interacted with anyone outside of Splinter and Casey. You can count the number of times she talked to the Turtles on one hand and she has had little to no relationship with Nobody, Alopex or Lindsay.

Despite this, recent issues has had everyone act like she's always been their close friend or was like family member to them. This is my biggest problem with Jennika's mutation; the story expects us to buy into the idea that she was some beloved and integral member of the cast when up to now she's been little more Splinter's sidekick/Casey's new girlfriend.

I agree, Jennika first appears post #50 and obviously none of the Hamatos know her. In fact, she attempts to kill Splinter. Then by "Street Phantoms", Leo is saying that he thinks of her as family.

I guess we can assume many things happened off-panel, but....idk, Jennika is the kinda character I believe is meant to be big time, but it's almost forced.

[AlZarkovski]

Full preview: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/1909/24/tmnt98.htm

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Full preview: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/1909/24/tmnt98.htm

Pretty heartless, Karai. Damn, gurl. :tlol:

[daggio]

I guess Dave Wachter is gonna be the primary artist for 99 & 100 with Michael Dialynas providing backup. The way the two have alternated this whole arc and the previous prelude arc is similar to how Mateus and Cory Smith did Vengeance and Attack on Technodrome.

[Technogeek29]

Nobody gonna point out that April stumbling upon the Turtles is like in the first movie before Charles came? Down to how the Turtles save Leo are sleeping and April in a Robe?:lol:

[ChosenOne]

Oh, man, Karai's downfall is gonna be sooo satisfying to watch after all this...

[daggio]

Oh, man, Karai's downfall is gonna be sooo satisfying to watch after all this...

Yeah, however that may not be for some time....like two years :lol:

[Utrommaniac]

Well...that sure explains Mutant Town...

[Mutant Ninja Anole]

Yep predictions were right:

We’re getting the IDW version of the Splinter/Rat King story:D

That is, I suspected we were getting a version of the “Splinter alone” story where the Rat King first appeared. It’ll be interesting how this story plays out compared to this one.

As for the other bit, I’m torn from the “Woo hoo more mutants!” Response and need to hastily affirm that Hob did a very bad thing here. Like, completely inexcusable, you just marred and unwillingly mutated a whole host of people. You really think they’re going to just join your cause? You’re more likely to be mauled by the angry mob. I think I could make an argument Hob has crossed the line into full villain here.

EDIT: I should mention a few other bits while I'm here:

Mikey's cooking skills and charm return. Also, did they have a direct call out to people complaining about Jennika and the '1 weapon rule?' Lol.

Karai's descent continues. Giving Splinter the Cask of Amontillado treatment is sinister beyond giving her opponent a quick and honorable death. Her bad mouthing grandpa Shredder even as Splinter seems to appeal to his old's friend's respect is interesting. Reading a bit of Shredder in Hell...is Shredder going to return to life as a...sort of good guy?

Raph and Leo have the traditional Raph and Leo spat, guy thinking with his heart vs guy thinking with his brain. Guessing by Raph's expression after Hob's mutagen bomb, I'm wondering if this will actually push the brothers back together, with Raph realizing brash, extreme actions are a path to the dark side. Or maybe he'll get on board with Hob I don't know.

Lost in all this: Stockman is Mayor of New York! Shredder and Krang: Dead. Stockman: now rules the city. He really did outplay them didn't he?

And April by proxy is in a position of power too. Seeing her stand up to Stockman, show him she can be as much a chess master as he is, is great. She's been very shrewd so far, and mostly without making any major moral compromises. It was interesting, even after warning him that she has the means and is willing to ruin him the second he steps out of line, that she offered to be on his team, admitted she liked working with him, and thinks he's actually doing good things for the city. She...honestly has good chemistry with him. That smirk by Stockman at the end...is that the first time we've seen Baxter show admiration for anyone other than himself?

[CyberCubed]

Very little Karai in this issue. I feel like Jennika got used to being a mutant turtle too quickly but I guess it is what it is.

Interested in seeing where Baxter’s campaign goes and it seems like Bishop just recruits more and more people.

[TomWaltz]

Nobody gonna point out that April stumbling upon the Turtles is like in the first movie before Charles came? Down to how the Turtles save Leo are sleeping and April in a Robe?:lol:

Good catch! That scene is inspired by the first TMNT movie. But that's not all...

I asked Michael to draw April's fancy new apartment a certain way, based on a certain scene from a certain other TMNT movie.

Here's a hint: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHJiU88TS0c

:tcool:

Cherry picking and mashing up TMNT historical goodness... it's what we do!!!

Talk soon...

Tom W.

[Mutant Ninja Anole]

Interesting!

I confess I didn’t read the Oral History portion at the end my first time and therefore missed the updated New York map, which shows where the bomb was detonated, right in the middle. Is this going to be an Inhuman terrigan mist thing with the bomb’s gas expanding and spreading over a larger area?

[ChosenOne]

Action, not words, so I'll keep this short and sweet: damn good issue!

[Sophie Campbell]

I'm just happy I don't have to keep the awesome MUTAGEN BOMB a secret anymore. :tgrin:

[ProphetofGanja]

Oh my god that issue hit the spot!!! I loved all of that, a whole lot. Super stoked for things to ramp up even more now on the way to #100. If I recall correctly, both #99 and #100 will be double-length right? AND we’ll see the conclusion to Shredder in Hell before the year is out! Next year is gonna be a banner year for the Turtles with a whole new status quo in effect!

[CyberCubed]

Did the mutagen bomb really affect that many people though? Detective Lewis and Hun and Bishop were right in the vicinity and they didn’t get affected because they were behind cars or rubble or whatever. It looked like only about 10-12 people got mutated.

If they wanted to mutate a whole block of people it should have effected everyone in the area including Hun, Kara, etc

[ChosenOne]

Did the mutagen bomb really affect that many people though? Detective Lewis and Hun and Bishop were right in the vicinity and they didn’t get affected because they were behind cars or rubble or whatever. It looked like only about 10-12 people got mutated.

If they wanted to mutate a whole block of people it should have effected everyone in the area including Hun, Kara, etc

Hun mutating into a literal papa bear and Bishop mutating into a tiny, angry koala would've been crazy.

[daggio]

I was wondering this as I was reading, but where is Seymour in all this? A few issues ago, I thought he was gonna help Lindsey with Jennika, but he never went with her and we haven't seen or heard of him since.

[ChosenOne]

I was wondering this as I was reading, but where is Seymour in all this? A few issues ago, I thought he was gonna help Lindsey with Jennika, but he never went with her and we haven't seen or heard of him since.

Herman was also missing, oddly enough as he's Hob's other right-hand man.

[daggio]

Herman was also missing, oddly enough as he's Hob's other right-hand man.

I realized that also when the attack started. I was surprised since Herman and Ray are Hobs go to guys for that kinda thing. Maybe there will be an explanation next issue...speaking of, now it seems to make sense why Bebop and Rocksteady say hello NYC, since they will probably be able to walk freely soon enough.....not that their appearances ever stopped them from walking around :lol:

[CyberCubed]

Also Leatherhead hasn’t appeared since that one panel cameo. At the start of this arc

[neatoman]

So how is Hob going to cope with having made mutants of human origin? He was pretty hard against it.

And uh... what's the chance Bishop and Hun are just going crush most of these victims with the Slash clones?

[ChosenOne]

So how is Hob going to cope with having made mutants of human origin? He was pretty hard against it.

And uh... what's the chance Bishop and Hun are just going crush most of these victims with the Slash clones?

He was pretty hard against it before. I guess it suits his purposes much better now.

Bishop wouldn't do that, it's a heavily televised and otherwise still public event. He's working for the US government. Terrible optics.

[Mutant Ninja Anole]

Hob’s speech seemed to suggest he thought of it as punishment, making them feel the terror they’ve felt. Realistically though, if he wants mutants to take over the world he needs to make more of them. I do wonder if there’s another shoe to drop here with the nature of the bomb.

One does also wonder if he could have gone the more diplomatic route how many willing mutants he would have had. Not that that would have fit his personality.

[ChosenOne]

Hob’s speech seemed to suggest he thought of it as punishment, making them feel the terror they’ve felt. Realistically though, if he wants mutants to take over the world he needs to make more of them. I do wonder if there’s another shoe to drop here with the nature of the bomb.

Hob effectively just created a minority. And we all know how that sort of thing goes in the world these days. Why fight a war with his handful of soldiers when he can have the new mutants fighting it for him with PR and optics? It's particularly important that they be humans-turned-mutants and not former animals, because that way they have built-in rights and can't just be rounded up or disposed of, as no doubt Bishop would've argued for otherwise. They'll have to be treated as people despite their difference, and in time their ranks will grow more and more, until the whole world becomes what we saw in Turtles in Time #4. Or at least Manhattan will. Hob didn't start a war with this; he won it.

[lonewarrior20]

Did the mutagen bomb really affect that many people though? Detective Lewis and Hun and Bishop were right in the vicinity and they didn’t get affected because they were behind cars or rubble or whatever. It looked like only about 10-12 people got mutated.

If they wanted to mutate a whole block of people it should have effected everyone in the area including Hun, Kara, etc

Who's to say there's not more mutagen bombs around the city?

[CyberCubed]

All I can say is thank goodness the next two issues are double length, because there's no way I could see them wrapping up the bulk of these story plots in just 2 more issues. I mean of course stuff will continue in issue #101 and beyond, but at least the bulk of the main story points should come to a close.

[ChosenOne]

All I can say is thank goodness the next two issues are double length, because there's no way I could see them wrapping up the bulk of these story plots in just 2 more issues. I mean of course stuff will continue in issue #101 and beyond, but at least the bulk of the main story points should come to a close.

Honestly, I'm having a hard time figuring out how they'll be wrapped in (the equivalent of) four more issues... Starting to think Karai and Bishop will never cross paths, which is an absolute shame.

[Igglet]

Holy ****.

[daggio]

I'm also willing to bet that the Mutanimals as a group might be over...at least some may leave, like Sally and Mondo who dont seem keen on this whole thing.

[Mutant Ninja Anole]

Also note that Raph was on TV in one of the panels. He’s identified with a notorious terrorist group now. That can’t be good.

[TigerClaw]

Saw the issue. That ending though. This is a game changer. and I see this comic series is going on a diferent direction after issue 100.

This is some Infinity War/Endgame level stuff.

[Zog The Magnificent]

I used to think that maybe things could be resolved by #150 or #200. I used to. Now I feel like it's gonna be ten years later and I'll still be reading this.

It's a good issue and series, it's just weird to think about.

[TigerClaw]

Could the next issue have some sort of time job?

The fact that we will have a Mona Lisa who is dressed casually. And doesn't look concern that she's a mutant.

Either way. Old Hobs went full Magneto mode in this issue.

[Mutant Ninja Anole]

Could the next issue have some sort of time job?

The fact that we will have a Mona Lisa who is dressed casually. And doesn't look concern that she's a mutant.

Either way. Old Hobs went full Magneto mode in this issue.

You mean 101? I think it’s possible, though maybe not something drastic like years, maybe a few months.

[daggio]

Could the next issue have some sort of time job?

The fact that we will have a Mona Lisa who is dressed casually. And doesn't look concern that she's a mutant.

Either way. Old Hobs went full Magneto mode in this issue.

I gotta say, it's about time Hob did something in this whole campaign of his. Yes, hes done some things, but it was mostly talk and an occasional strike against a person or organization, but now he finally did something really major for the world to see.

[lonewarrior20]

Maybe huns brainwaves/mind will get transferred to clone slash and become tokka from the mutagen bomb.

[daggio]

Maybe huns brainwaves/mind will get transferred to clone slash and become tokka from the mutagen bomb.

Maybe, then Hun will be like he was in Turtles Forever :lol:

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

"Oh look, Raph stormed out and slammed a door -- must be Tuesday." :tlol: :tlol: :tlol: :tlol:

And Old Hob taking center stage and putting a spotlight on mutants is something I've been waiting for since he first mutated Mondo and Herman. About damn time. :tcool:

[CyberCubed]

I used to think that maybe things could be resolved by #150 or #200. I used to. Now I feel like it's gonna be ten years later and I'll still be reading this.

It's a good issue and series, it's just weird to think about.

I think the series could conclude very nicely by issue 150, and honestly probably should, because the series could technically end at any time if Nick/Viacom decides not to renew their license with IDW for whatever reason.

50 more issues (plus whatever mini's or specials come alongside it as usual) would be enough. Bishop's arc and The Pantheon will obviously continue and can be resolved, then there's just the aftermath of whatever happens with Karai, and then if Null or Ch'rells arcs ever kick into high gear. We know from issue 101 the "mutant town" is going to be a thing so there will be a refuge for mutants. But Old Hob will likely take a fall from this, maybe Ray too.

[MikeandRaph87]

I'm also willing to bet that the Mutanimals as a group might be over...at least some may leave, like Sally and Mondo who dont seem keen on this whole thing.

Where was Mutagen Man and Herman during all of this?

[daggio]

Where was Mutagen Man and Herman during all of this?

I was wondering that too. I presume we'll find out Herman was doing something else for Hob during this time, but Seymour....a few issues ago it seemed like he was gonna help Lindsey with Jennika, but then he never did.

[Ninjinister]

Seymour....a few issues ago it seemed like he was gonna help Lindsey with Jennika, but then he never did.

His house was on fire.

[ChosenOne]

His house was on fire.

Is this a Tomba! 2 reference?

FWIW, and speaking from personal experience with my own pets, hermit crabs do have a habit of going AWOL when you least expect it...

[shredder orokusaki]

So now Old Hob became bad! That good because turtles now have another enemy to fight! HAHAHAH! I wanst expecting he willd o something like that! Now thousands of people will be mutated!

[daggio]

So now Old Hob became bad! That good because turtles now have another enemy to fight! HAHAHAH! I wanst expecting he willd o something like that! Now thousands of people will be mutated!

But by the time you get out of hell, you're gonna be a good guy, helping the turtles :lol:

[corvus]

Maybe, then Hun will be like he was in Turtles Forever :lol:

I actually feel like him controlling the clone is nod to that. Like Baxter using flyborgs instead of being one.

[daggio]

I actually feel like him controlling the clone is nod to that. Like Baxter using flyborgs instead of being one.

Yes, I very much like that Baxter so far has escape the fate of his other counterparts, tho that's probably cuz this Baxter is a lot more cunning and knowledgeable about the psyche.

[ChosenOne]

I really hope the next time Stockman and Hob meet is in the Mayor's office to discuss the creation of Mutant Town, and have to keep their interaction civil while dying to lunge at each other's throat.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

I really hope the next time Stockman and Hob meet is in the Mayor's office to discuss the creation of Mutant Town, and have to keep their interaction civil while dying to lunge at each other's throat.

That'd be fantastic... but Hob's a terrorist. I doubt Stockman can meet with him and not tank his administration.

Old Hob is at the top of the Most Wanted List now... Bishop and Stockman both are gonna be gunning for him... which might mean a shady alliance with Null?

But regardless of what happens, a Hob/Stockman showdown has been a long, LONG time coming.

[daggio]

Even tho they've been doing things together albeit superficially, maybe we are about to have a 4kids style partnership between Baxter and Bishop from this point forward.

[Mutant Ninja Anole]

That'd be fantastic... but Hob's a terrorist. I doubt Stockman can meet with him and not tank his administration.

Old Hob is at the top of the Most Wanted List now... Bishop and Stockman both are gonna be gunning for him... which might mean a shady alliance with Null?

But regardless of what happens, a Hob/Stockman showdown has been a long, LONG time coming.

Yeah, Hob isn’t going to be able to negotiate with anyone. And unfortunately neither are the rest of the Mutanimals. Just thinking out loud, if they did plea bargain to give Hob to the police maybe they could save themselves with a little coaxing from April on the new Mayor.

Thing is, most of those new mutants are passionate Stockman supporters. He’d look pretty bad if he didn’t work to protect them. I’m guessing he’ll advocate for their protection while his lab works on a cure, while also hunting down the terrorist Mutanimals. Null might indeed play a role here. Portraying itself as a defender for Mutants against the EPF while also giving them career opportunities. Which the Turtles and Mutanimals and April May cringe against but...they need support to protect their rights and give people a sense they still have a future. And there’s simply no way to defend Hob’s actions, either to the government or people whose lives he just permanently marred. I mean, we really need to sell just how bad what Hob did here. If we’re going to look down on Shredder or Null for mutating helpless animals against their will we can’t pretend what he did was “tough choices for tough times.” It was evil, and I think he just destroyed the last bit of good will he had with much of the family he had formed. I’ve said it before, Hob, fundamentally, is angry and looking for ways to lash out at the world violently. He damages every chance he has to move out of the alley he was dumped in as a cat.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Yeah, Hob isn’t going to be able to negotiate with anyone. And unfortunately neither are the rest of the Mutanimals. Just thinking out loud, if they did plea bargain to give Hob to the police maybe they could save themselves with a little coaxing from April on the new Mayor.

Thing is, most of those new mutants are passionate Stockman supporters. He’d look pretty bad if he didn’t work to protect them. I’m guessing he’ll advocate for their protection while his lab works on a cure, while also hunting down the terrorist Mutanimals. Null might indeed play a role here. Portraying itself as a defender for Mutants against the EPF while also giving them career opportunities. Which the Turtles and Mutanimals and April May cringe against but...they need support to protect their rights and give people a sense they still have a future. And there’s simply no way to defend Hob’s actions, either to the government or people who’s lives he just permanently marred. I mean, we really need to sell just how bad what Hob did here. If we’re going to look down on Shredder or Null for mutating helpless animals against their will we can’t pretend what he did was “tough choices for tough times.” It was evil, and I think he just destroyed the last bit of good will he had with much of the family he had formed. I’ve said it before, Hob, fundamentally, is angry and looking for ways to lash out at the world violently. He damages every chance he has to move out of the alley he was dumped in as a cat.

That was a delightful read. I think you're spot on the money here.

[CyberCubed]

So we know Hob will be on the Turtles and the other Mutanimals "bad guy list" now, but what about Man Ray? Unlike all the other Mutanimals, he shows no problem with what Hob is doing.

Do you think the Turtles and other Mutanimals will turn on Ray?

[Mutant Ninja Anole]

So we know Hob will be on the Turtles and the other Mutanimals "bad guy list" now, but what about Man Ray? Unlike all the other Mutanimals, he shows no problem with what Hob is doing.

Do you think the Turtles and other Mutanimals will turn on Ray?

Man-Rat showed some desire to share the plans with the others, but he went along with it. Unless there’s some indication that the bomb did something other than what he thought it was, yes, he shares culpability.

My guess is that Hob, Ray and ever loyal soldier Herman end up on their own after this. Lindsey has to feel betrayed, Sally has already shown a distaste for Hob’s methods and tendency to keep things from the group. Besides, we can see the look of horror on her face, as well as Pete, Mondo and Raph’s. I can’t imagine Seymour being on board with this. How it all hashes out I’m not sure, whether Sally leads the break off faction or they simply join thebTurtles or Purple Dragons, or try to vanish into the new mutant population.

[MikeandRaph87]

That was a delightful read. I think you're spot on the money here.

I want to see the girl who was his companion see him and realize who Hob is. The fact she did not want to give him up would open up an emotional moment and give Hob an opportunity for a redemption.

[neatoman]

Hob was never really a good person to begin with. He's not exactly rotten to the core, that's why he managed to get on the Turtles' good side and and why he managed to build up trust amongst the Mutanimals, but the core still ain't pretty. Underneath the talk about Mutants standing strong together, he's really just an angry thug who needs to lash out at someone else because he refuses to introspect.

For example, when Splinter clawed out his eye it was pretty clearly just a defensive animal instinct, but Hob still chose to target him for revenge thus teaming up with Stockman. No need to tell where that lead him...

He's very self-destructive and even trying to be a good guy leads to him doing horrible things.

[CyberCubed]

Raph definitely won't trust him again after this, guess him working with Hob was extremely short-lived.

It's also too bad Leatherhead isn't here, I remember them saying he would play some role in City at War but there's only 2 issues left. If he does appear it probably won't be much more than mutant crowd control.

[Mutant Ninja Anole]

Raph definitely won't trust him again after this, guess him working with Hob was extremely short-lived.

It's also too bad Leatherhead isn't here, I remember them saying he would play some role in City at War but there's only 2 issues left. If he does appear it probably won't be much more than mutant crowd control.

I could actually see him becoming something of a cult leader. It’s easy to imagine their will be plenty of “self loathing” mutants coming out of this. Plus one could argue some of his fears seem to be coming true from his perspective (I feel like I like IDW Leatherhead as a character and sympathize with his motives more than some people).

That was a delightful read. I think you're spot on the money here.

Thanks! I aim to please.

[daggio]

It's also too bad Leatherhead isn't here, I remember them saying he would play some role in City at War but there's only 2 issues left. If he does appear it probably won't be much more than mutant crowd control.

Its very possible he will appear, after all Bebop, Rocksteady, and Anchovy are set to appear in either 99 or 100 after all this time, when many (myself included) thought they would appear earlier.

[ChosenOne]

With so many players on the board, I really hope this whole thing will end with a massive brawl involving all the factions. If Karai and Bishop never butt heads, especially after she usurped his uneasy ally from the Triceraton invasion, I'll be very disappointed at the wasted opportunity. The solicit for #99 seems to imply that it's the end of the road for Metalhead, but maybe Bishop lives on to fight in #100. I mean, he just got his hands on two new (literally) huge assets... No way he'll bow out of the war that easily. Maybe that's the move the Turtles pull in #100: pitting their two most powerful enemies against each other. Again.

[CyberCubed]

Karai and Bishop's arcs are running independently from each other it's hard to believe they're in the same story arc. Like the Turtles are dealing with two problems at once but they're oddly isolated from one another.

[ChosenOne]

Karai and Bishop's arcs are running independently from each other it's hard to believe they're in the same story arc. Like the Turtles are dealing with two problems at once but they're oddly isolated from one another.

Yep. Realistically, Bishop should be all up in her business given how she has six mutants (Ocho isn't a mutant but Bishop doesn't know that) working for her, and two of them even have a history with the EPF and are known to be particularly dangerous. Not to mention how she took out Splinter, whose usefulness to Bishop might not had run out just yet. On her end, Karai wouldn't take kindly at all to another potential rival, and a "freak" to boot, trying to get in her way.

[Utrommaniac]

And also far more assertive. He ain't no pushover.

[shredder orokusaki]

But by the time you get out of hell, you're gonna be a good guy, helping the turtles :lol:

Iam fighing the demons in hell and will fight and kill the turtles! me good?! Never!! I will be a zombie or demon like in the 2012 and 2003 series that what happend after they defeated my utrom and human form. And as a zombie or demon iwill destroy them once and for all!!

[ChosenOne]

And also far more assertive. He ain't no pushover.

Neither is she. I'm not too scared of G-man types, but I am terrified of a stone-cold ninja killer with a cursed sword that's driving her slowly(?) insane and a demon mole, among other things, at her beck and call. Assuming Bishop had that whole 50's mentality ingrained in him by his father, it would be funny to see him exhibit shades of misogyny towards Karai during a confrontation, only to have her end up with her sword pointed at his mouth. His real one.

[daggio]

With so many players on the board, I really hope this whole thing will end with a massive brawl involving all the factions. If Karai and Bishop never butt heads, especially after she usurped his uneasy ally from the Triceraton invasion, I'll be very disappointed at the wasted opportunity. The solicit for #99 seems to imply that it's the end of the road for Metalhead, but maybe Bishop lives on to fight in #100. I mean, he just got his hands on two new (literally) huge assets... No way he'll bow out of the war that easily. Maybe that's the move the Turtles pull in #100: pitting their two most powerful enemies against each other. Again.

And now apparently with Manhattan with mutants, Bishop and the EPF are probably gonna have a lot work ahead of them closing off the island. Its gonna be the TMNT version of Escape from New York, with I guess Hob playing the role of Snake Plissken and maybe Baxter being the Duke :lol: