Mirage Volume 4 - #14 Discussion (Spoilers)

[impetus]

this ish kicked!

First off, the painted cover is wicked cool!!! In my opinion it's quite possibly the best TMNT cover yet. But I'll not ruin it for you who have not seen it yet.

April is going to learn about her past - through time travel! (Hint at who appears).

And perhaps the most intriguing NEW plot - what the heck is going on with the Foot clan ?!?!

there's also a short preview of Tales #2...

[Coola Yagami]

April is going to learn about her past - through time travel! (Hint at who appears).



Rennet??

[Karpo_007]

Out already? My issue #13 is still in the mail with Tales #1... Thread stickied.

[twopinacoladas]

I must also say; is it out already?

[Roseangelo]

It's out!

Very interesting. The April thing has me quite curious.

I'm hoving on quite angry about the Raph thing. It's too close to the old series mutation thing for my liking. But I'll see what comes of it.

The Foot Clan thing is baffling. And then that coin...

Once again, this series leaves me going, "Huh?"

[VaughnMichael]

Wow another beautiful cover by the one the only Michael Dooney!
OK The April story confuses the hell out of me...I know she wants to see what happens and then Renet comes finally as April gives up hope but then she takes April back into the past..she has hair and was like oh my god!
Who is this woman she has become is it her mother? I'm very stumped on this one! very stumped indeed!
OK now onto the Donatello & Utrom story I'm totally loving it even if its getting the least attention it seems. But I am sure of it next issue will perhaps close this story off. Now what we saw in this issue was that donatello discovered that the Tree Monster/Mutant/Creature's bark like skin was mixed in with Utrom flesh so does this mean that the Tree Monster is a mutated Utrom lol nah just kidding or am I dum dum dum!! heh
Raphael oh my oh my oh my poor Raph the things peters doing to our old hot head.....sad isn't it? I don't think so even if it is biting off the old last season of the cartoon I think it is still very fun and its being done way better then the old show did it even though I love those episode so I'm biased I guess lol....maybe Lord Dregg will pop up next heh j/k. I really actually can't believe whatever is inside his system is mutating him again.
I really want a toy of this Mutated Raphael.
Not sure if anyone else noticed this but Fugitoid is friends with a forensic examiner I just found that to be odd.
Perhaps these vampires aren't real vampires after all I'm betting 2 things here there either robots with that man made virus in fake fangs or they are perhaps real vampires or Goths who think there silly vampires with poison fangs but that's just my thoughts on it I could be completely off all together.
But I think Peter is hinting that a big show down between aliens and that damn moronic anti-alien movent the Xihad.
Mmmmmmmmk Mike I'm sorry but I think this story is being drawn out way to long perhaps longer then it needs to be it's nice and all mike might end up with a lil girl friend yada yada but in all honesty I think this story is extremely boring and I won't get into it sorry.
Now Leonardo Finally! The story I've been waiting for to get started!
Holy crapola wozers! It's nice to see Karai don't care much for her new hair cut lol....I don't like this Cha Ocho person one bit he's way to freaking arrogant for my tatse....So has anyone else Noticed the new shows influence on this comic yet...just look at the foot soldiers they really look like the foot tech from the new show I wonder if Mr. Lawson has been designing things for the new show. The Thing that shocked me the most was that the foot clan is almost all but dead.....when Karai said that I was like WAAAA!
But the ending was really wierd...I wonder if these killers are from another universe or parallel dimension.
This Issue was really good but I'm really looking forward to Tales Of The TMNT no. 2 now damn them and giving us a preview of it.
-Vaughn Michael

[Barkworm]

Dammit, I still haven't got my "Tales" #1! :evil:

[Demonfox38]

I share your pain, bro. Our comic shop decided not to pick up the series. Damn-it!

Oh, well. Off to Evil-Bay.

[Coola Yagami]

The Thing that shocked me the most was that the foot clan is almost all but dead.....when Karai said that I was like WAAAA!


well, they had to die sometime.... they can go for so long without shredder without losing meaning.

[Roseangelo]

The Foot Clan was going quite strong and its "death" was not a natural one.

[VaughnMichael]

The Thing that shocked me the most was that the foot clan is almost all but dead.....when Karai said that I was like WAAAA!


well, they had to die sometime.... they can go for so long without shredder without losing meaning.
ok first of all shredder is not all that and a bag o' shrimp in this book you have to remeber that he's also not the leader of the foot clan...there are many other factions of the foot and all have been killed but not in a normal way like Roseangelo said.
-Vaughn Michael

[cqb101]

Very, very cool issue. So many plots already, and now there's more...kinda...

Anyway, that coin was really weird, and I loved the appearence of Renet!

[Cascadia]

yes it is out..

[Jo Dawn]

Dammit, I still haven't got my "Tales" #1! :evil:

Me either... the comic shop I get my comics at didn't order enough. It's good that there's enough demand for it to sell out... but I want my comic!

[Jo Dawn]

Hmm.. hope a day inbetween postings is ok for doubling up. If not, sorry...

I got #14 today. I thought it was really interesting. Lots of stuff to look forward to seeing the answers to. The coin, April's past, Raph, Don's discovery, the Foot... I can't wait until #15!! :)

[lhb412]

What a great build up, you can feel the suspense. Mr. Laird, you are so cruel for making us wait two months to see what happens!

My favorite parts;

-Whoa, whats the heck happened to April?
-Raptor Raph (as I like to call him) is breaking out... you might want to go into battle mode Fugitoid.
-What are these other-demensional beings, and what do they have against the Foot? Will Leo team up with the Foot again?
-The cover for the next issue looks awesome, Dinosaurs rock, Donatello rocks, Utroms rock; I can't wait to see Doony's finished painting of this. (I'm guessing we'll get a b&w preview in Tales next month.

[Machias Banshee]

What a great build up, you can feel the suspense. Mr. Laird, you are so cruel for making us wait two months to see what happens!

My favorite parts;

-Raptor Raph (as I like to call him) is breaking out... you might want to go into battle mode Fugitoid.
-The cover for the next issue looks awesome, Dinosaurs rock, Donatello rocks, Utroms rock; I can't wait to see Doony's finished painting of this. (I'm guessing we'll get a b&w preview in Tales next month.


*screams curses at her non-populated college village for not letting her see any of the issues* :x :cry:

WTH?! What's going on here with all these dinosaurs all of a sudden?! Raptor Raph?! I thought he was turning into a Vampire!

[lhb412]

Well he's not really turning into a normal vampire and his design mirrors that of an idea from the proposed 4th Turtles movie called "Raptor Raph". Laird said he was using lots of old ideas in this new book, and I bet that that one is being used, so I kinda thik of him as "Raptor Raph", and besides it sounds cool. It's got the whole "Two words that start with the same letter" thing going on.

and that's all their is to the story.

[Aztec General]

Why doesn't my comic shop have this? That's two months in a row they've been late :x .

[Roseangelo]

You know, any comic shop has the ability to order one copy of the book for you. All you have to do is tell them what you want and they'll order it for you. It took me three months to ingrain it in the head of the store that I go to that I'm not leaving them alone until they get me these books, and they finally got me my comics.

[raphael_is_cool]

I found it quite interesting, and on the 2nd read I actually noticed April's hair had grown back :lol:

Raph's story sounds interesting, I guess those are xenophobic guys that are out to attack aliens but why did they attack those girls in the park?

And Don's and Leo's stories are very interesting

Plus Peter Laird's little story about the Segway incident was amusing...not a good job to rile this guy up...

[Buslady]

Argh not enough about Raph...my only peeve. Yeah so, they're trying to figure it out...is he 'there', can he think or is he completely screwed in the head?

I hope he gets out and causes a few problems..maybe he's sane enough to search out those damn vamps and he kills them.


Watch Mikey fall for the princess chick....


Interesting how Mikey and Leo wished Donnie was around for his brilliant mind...

[Lord Nightwalker]

Man..I can't wait to see where Pete's going with this vampire story.I allways wondered how the vampiric infection would effect the Ninja Turtles. This has tons of potential...And they are doing such a good job on this new series. I'm in for the long haul.

[Skeletoncrew]

I found it quite interesting, and on the 2nd read I actually noticed April's hair had grown back :lol:

Raph's story sounds interesting, I guess those are xenophobic guys that are out to attack aliens but why did they attack those girls in the park?


I think the logical explanation for April's hair growth is that she was in the past for quite some time. But who knows.

As for the vampires, they attacked those girls in the park because they're vampires of some sort. They attacked Raph because they thought he was an alien, and wanted to try something different. I wonder whether they're having a reaction to his blood?

And for those of you having trouble getting issues...My comic book store had a hell of a time getting #13. There was some sort of distribution problem here in Portland. :( They had to call all around time just to find one issue for me. I subscribe to TMNT and Tales of the TMNT through them, so I get each issue automatically, but #13 was almost an exception!

[Wes]

Holy crap, there are vampires in a Turtles comic??? :o I must get this...

[Buslady]

I think the logical explanation for April's hair growth is that she was in the past for quite some time. But who knows.

As for the vampires, they attacked those girls in the park because they're vampires of some sort. They attacked Raph because they thought he was an alien, and wanted to try something different. I wonder whether they're having a reaction to his blood?


I want those vampire boogers to suffer! Make them grow a shell as see what it's like to look different or maybe turn them cold blooded so they have to be forced to hibernate hahahah.... :evilgrin:

[Kali]

I also wondered how the vampires reacted to Raph's blood. We've seen Raph's reaction, it would be interesting to see the vampire's. It would be funny to see a vamp stumble into the alien embassy, claiming that an alien made it sick.

[raphael_is_cool]

I think the logical explanation for April's hair growth is that she was in the past for quite some time. But who knows.

As for the vampires, they attacked those girls in the park because they're vampires of some sort. They attacked Raph because they thought he was an alien, and wanted to try something different. I wonder whether they're having a reaction to his blood?

I knew why April's hair had grown back I was just saying that I only just noticed it the 2nd time

From what the scientists were saying I'm not sure if they really were vampires is what I'm getting at. Since all the time they seem to be saying they're not (Raph says so, all the scientists are saying 'vampire' attacks) and they're out walking in daylight

One mentions that what Raph has is some virus thingy and that the 'vampires' may be part of the Xihad (think that's them) that doesn't like aliens (or outsiders..so they're 'xenophobic')

[HorseTechie]

Heck... I suddenly noticed inthis issue, they like females with short hair. Even Renet looked like she had some kind of mullet now! :P

But I'm totally intriqued about April, and what she went through. I mean, her hair is longer and clothes different when she came back from time. Huh?

Looks like Don found some mutant trees...

And with Mike, why do I keep on thinking about that "three horn" girl dino from Land before time when I think aboutthose aliens?

Leo's behalf is also strange. I think the new enemy the Foot was dealing with... didn't we see someone like that earlier, when Mike slipped in the snow and passed out in the alley? (has to go back to compare)

Those dudes also remind me of angels (like in Dogma), cause they have no gender! But I'm not getting the deal with the drilled US coin, that sayz President Gore. Is that Lairds way of saying the dude is from an alter-future reality where they reminted the coins after more modern presidents? And why isn't their a year on it? :-?

[impetus]

Remember the scene from THE ONE where President Gore is on TV? That was the first thing I thought of....

[Lord Nightwalker]

Hey Wes! There were vampires in an earlier Turtles book too! It's also in the sixth collected book, I think. Farley did the art in it and the vampires were trying to bring a very "Lovecraftian" monstrosity through a gate way.

[jestergoblin]

I was just able to get this issue yesterday, my local comic book shop isn't near anything.

I wish each story was progressed by more than 4 or 5 pages!

As for April, I think she was transformed into her mother, but that's just a guess.

And the president Gore thing... *whoosh*

[Jephael]

I'm very interested to see where the story about the Foot killers with the Al Gore coins will be going. I can't help but wonder if it has something to do with Renet's former master.

[Stefano]

i finally got my issue today. I had to order it from mirage along with number thirteen. Man i love these comics. Im just as confused as every one else. Remember back on issue 11 or 12 or somethign it had weird designs in the inside front cover. Laird said it was interdeminsional stuff. He said it was just a rough graphic of it. so looks like theres gonna be some interdementional stuff

[Cascadia]

it left us with many cliff-hangers which is awesome....It always has us asking questions in our minds and on the boards.

[Stefano]

the plot twists are unpredictible. I have no idea whats up with aprils past

[Jephael]

I'm pretty sure that they'll be revealing that to us very soon.

[Stefano]

i know im just saying its hard to predict what will happen

[Aztec General]

Well, I finally got it today. I had to order it from Mirage becaue for some reason my comic shop did not get it.

I loved this issue. This series is turning into a mystery novel. I'm most intrigued by Leo's story the most. I'm also pretty curious as to what happened to April.

[Whitewolf89]

Dammit, I still haven't got my "Tales" #1! :evil:

You could always try comic book order places like New England Comics, Mile High Comics, Westfield Comics; etc. They have comic "catalogs" that you can order them from. Try it. I've ordered stuff from them over the years, and found them to be VERY reliable. The only slight wrinkle with THEM is that they all have a minimum order requirement, which ranges from $10.00 to $15.00 or so. And that ISN'T including the shipping and handling, unfortunately.

[Whitewolf89]

I share your pain, bro. Our comic shop decided not to pick up the series. Damn-it!

Oh, well. Off to Evil-Bay.

See my advice to barkworm, bro.

[Barkworm]

Dammit, I still haven't got my "Tales" #1! :evil:

You could always try comic book order places like New England Comics, Mile High Comics, Westfield Comics; etc. They have comic "catalogs" that you can order them from. Try it. I've ordered stuff from them over the years, and found them to be VERY reliable. The only slight wrinkle with THEM is that they all have a minimum order requirement, which ranges from $10.00 to $15.00 or so. And that ISN'T including the shipping and handling, unfortunately.
Thanks for the advice dude but I actually subscribed the books at my local comic store. It's a lot cheaper there than ordering it from the internet, the problem is just that they tend to get the books a month late.

[Barkworm]

It arrived! TODAY! :evil: Geez, I hate my comic shop. It's like living two months ago.
Anyway, I loved that issue, very interesting. I like this series just more and more.

[Jephael]

Hey, my store hasn't even gotten Tales of the TMNT #2 yet!

[ToTheNines]

Preview: https://graphicpolicy.com/2026/10/04/preview-tmnt-journeys-14/

The B cover is kinda lame this month. Let’s check out the Jetpack RE cover by Matt Smith instead:

https://tmnt-ninjaturtles.com/assets/TMNT-Journeys-14_Cover-RE-Jetpack-Comics.jpg

[CyberCubed]

It arrived! TODAY! :evil: Geez, I hate my comic shop. It's like living two months ago.
Anyway, I loved that issue, very interesting. I like this series just more and more.

Kinda surreal to see old Barkworm posts from 2004 when he was a Mirage fan. I wonder what he thinks of the series now.

[Andrew NDB]

Or if he's not really a fan of TMNT these days... why...

[neatoman]

So, about the Al Gore became president timeline?
Was Manbearpig defeated?

[Boco]

So, about the Al Gore became president timeline?
Was Manbearpig defeated?

Nothing beats Manbearpig.

[ToTheNines]

Penguin didn't ship anything to my shop yesterday, so that was a big waste of time. Decided to read it digitally though.

I know I keep saying we're in the boring 1/3 of this volume, but I loved this issue. A lot of big things are revealed. I guess they take a long time to pay off (if they ever do), but April and Renet disappearing and reappearing instantly clearly having aged was a cool way to do that.

Also the stuff with the Foot and The Virtuous is so crazy. Really wish we got to see where Peter was going with that.

Speaking of Peter... how about that editorial in the back of the original Mirage printing LMAO! Peter gets into it with a deranged college student over his Segway use. Definitely dig that up if you still have this one.

[CyberCubed]

Reading PL's old editorials or responses to letters now, it really reminds me of Trump. We didn't think of it back then because George W. Bush was president, but reading them now Peter sounds so angry and condensencing toward everyone who doesn't share his views, he sounds like the exact same type of tone and talk that Trump does. You know how you talk down to everyone and make it seem like they're some kind of idiot and you're always right.

Also wasn't Peter only in his late 50's around this point? He was still full of energy back then!

[Andrew NDB]

Reading PL's old editorials or responses to letters now, it really reminds me of Trump. We didn't think of it back then because George W. Bush was president, but reading them now Peter sounds so angry and condensencing toward everyone who doesn't share his views, he sounds like the exact same type of tone and talk that Trump does. You know how you talk down to everyone and make it seem like they're some kind of idiot and you're always right.

Also wasn't Peter only in his late 50's around this point? He was still full of energy back then!

I noticed that a little bit, too. And given that Bush stuff way back then I can only imagine how he feels about Trump/MAGA/conservatives these days if asked. In any case, he's had the good sense to stay quiet about any of that stuff. I wonder, though, if this might have anything to do with him getting off of his blogs right in the middle of Trump's first term?

[frank_one]

Penguin didn't ship anything to my shop yesterday, so that was a big waste of time.You should ask TwoFace next time.

[Andrew NDB]

3YeaQYi4l_w

[ToTheNines]

Reading PL's old editorials or responses to letters now, it really reminds me of Trump. We didn't think of it back then because George W. Bush was president, but reading them now Peter sounds so angry and condensencing toward everyone who doesn't share his views, he sounds like the exact same type of tone and talk that Trump does. You know how you talk down to everyone and make it seem like they're some kind of idiot and you're always right.

Also wasn't Peter only in his late 50's around this point? He was still full of energy back then!

Peter would have just turned 50 right around the time they were working on Vol. 4 #14.

You should ask TwoFace next time.

lol, hey I'll take just about anyone over Diamond.

[CyberCubed]

I can't believe Peter Laird was only in his 40's when he started Vol. 4 and the 2k3 cartoon was airing. He looked like an old man to me even back then! It's weird that we're all now almost around the same age he was back then.

Goddamn.

[Andrew NDB]

I can't believe Peter Laird was only in his 40's when he started Vol. 4 and the 2k3 cartoon was airing. He looked like an old man to me even back then! It's weird that we're all now almost around the same age he was back then.

Now there's a sobering thought. We're (some of us anyway) the same age now that Peter was when he was publishing Vol. 4.

[frank_one]

It's weird that we're all now almost around the same age he was back then.And we'll never have the same money.

[TylerD]

Now there's a sobering thought. We're (some of us anyway) the same age now that Peter was when he was publishing Vol. 4.

And here I feel like an old man at 38 lol

[Daytona]

I’m enjoying seeing the Journey’s variants. It’s just fun to see some of those more niche volume 4 stories and characters being reinterpreted.

That series wasn’t perfect but I do actually enjoy it. Most of all I liked the almost “slice of life” feel it had. Although it could drag, it just felt a bit more weighty and immersive to me than something like we see in the IDW TMNT book which is naturally lacking that “indie” feel and reads more like a superhero book.

I mean I think TMNT excels somewhere in the middle as a fun but edgy ninja revenge tale but if I have to choose between these extremes I prefer volume 4.

[TheLabRat]

By superhero standards, IDW TMNT is definitely the lame one. At least Batman is able to beat his archenemies and send them to prison or asylum most of the time, which makes his no-kill rule more meaningful. All the hardships Mark Grayson endured were rewarded in the later story and ending.

[Barkworm]

Reading PL's old editorials or responses to letters now, it really reminds me of Trump. We didn't think of it back then because George W. Bush was president, but reading them now Peter sounds so angry and condensencing toward everyone who doesn't share his views, he sounds like the exact same type of tone and talk that Trump does. You know how you talk down to everyone and make it seem like they're some kind of idiot and you're always right.
It did make him seem a bit insecure but then again, some of the stuff people wrote about Vol. 4 and Lawson's art was surely hard to swallow.

And I just remembered when I started losing interest in Vol. 4: In one of the lettercols, Peter was asked whether he had any plans to wrap up the series soon and Peter replied something along the lines of not being interested in bringing the series to a conclusion. Like EVER. That bummed me out. Anyone knows which issue I'm talking about?