TMNT Micro-Series #4: Leonardo (preview/discussion)
 

Out tomorrow! Here's a preview courtesy of Strugler's TMNT Lair: http://www.tmntlair.com/2012/04/17/c...-micro-series/

Campbell for President!

A review is also, now, up on the main TMNTlair page.

Be advised that it contains some spoilers.

I'm not sure if Leonardo's dialogue in the last few pages were intended as a joke, but they came off very silly to me. Would Leo really be doing/saying that? Weird.

Also...they are swords, Leo. Stabby-stabby.

Well, this Leo is still somewhat new to doing things, and it's an early attempt at interrogating. So he's somewhat awkward with it, he's still learning.

As for the stabby stabby comment, this is only the beginning of the fight, but even still we had to be somewhat conservative with that. That said, I think we took it prettty far on this one.

Agreed! The turtles shouldn't just go and start killing their enemies left and right.

By the way good job Brian, really good issue.

Aw, man thanks! This is my favorite one. And Ross, well...wow. You've seen, you know. I was so so lucky.

Brian, I should say that I have enjoyed the micro-series so far, and am definitely anticipating this issue.

You have highlighted my fear, however. I have no doubt that you can tell a great story, judging by previous issues, but I can imagine how certain restrictions could damper the effect you guys are going for.

I'm sure there is still plenty for me to see! Looking forward to it.

I believe they should. At least when being attacked by a swarm of ninja's. I'm sure Splinter is keen to teach them a sense of honor, but when their life is on the line, why play around?

We've seen Raph express desire to kill Hob twice, but Splinter told the turtles no one must die, and Leo's stood by that the entire series. He's probobly still trying to follow his father's order.

LOVE this review, so wonderful. At one point, the reviewer called me David Lynch, which I only wish I was.

Hasn't Yoshi himself killed when his life was on the line?

Either way, the dudes are about to stab him. I just have a hard time buying that he wouldn't kill to save his own life. Not saying that won't eventually happen in the issue.

Wait...You aren't David Lynch? Well **** this then! *storms off*

Everything looks awesome, but the coloring is a bit lackluster.

Before he made his promise to Shen, yes.

True, but somehow I don't think Shen or Splinter/Yoshi would expect or wish them not to kill if it meant their survival.

I don't mean to be a stickler about it, I just think it is worth discussing.

I have to agree. Now, we haven't seen the full issue yet so we don't know exactly what happens. But if Leo was getting attacked by that many foot ninja I gotta think he would have to atleast take SOME of them out. Will they show it? Not sure.

I wish. I totally wish.

Right, right. I really hope Nickelodeon lets them have the turtles kill. They let Yoshi get away with some brutal stuff in #5.

If Leo doesn't stab any Foot I suggest IDW remind Nick that this isn't a kids comic.

I'm sure that'd do just the trick in your little world.

It seems pretty clear IDW and Nick are going for an "all-ages" approach that perhaps skews more towards teens. It definitely would be bummer if the turtles were never allowed to kill, but I don't think it would be irredeemable. That being said, I would be perfectly content if they are generally allowed to go as far as #5 already has. No need for excessive blood and gore, but I think a comic with minor swear words can handle the idea of at least "off-screen" deaths.

This isn't a kids comic. As said there's already been deaths, some cursing, and a little blood.

Leo and Raph should use their weapons on the Foot. There is no excuse. Nobody is asking for a gorefest but just stabs and slices here and there ala Mirage is expected.

Yeah, death can be done in a tasteful manner. Mirage did it well. I don't need nor do I want to see guts and gore everywhere.

Yeah if this issue has a lack of Leo slicing and dicing I'll just accept it, its the first Foot fight after all.

But I really hope in future issues against the Foot or other human enemies that Leo and Raph won't be hesitant to use their blades.

Leo no stabby and Raph no pointy is disappointing. :ohwell:

hi!I love this issue already...looking forward to be reading it soon.as for the killing thing here...I think it shows leonardos good fighting intents...as he is surounded by scores of ninja and more comming from every angle at him, it would be foolish to let his sword dive into the flesh of them, as it takes time and effort to pull his katana out of their rippcages/bodies...so in such dense circumstances I think it makes only sense...truly the foot already comes off as skilled or experienced ninja(leo mentiones they don't make a sound as he strikes them), so I doubt they would be struck by shock if leonardo WOULD demonstrate he does not shy away from fatale wounds...hey-I think a wakizashi(short sword) would come in handy for leo here...;)

the scenery, the imagery, the memories and his missino look and read very promising to me, so I am delighted and excited for this issue!here's hoping you can do many more, bryan(david;)..)!!all these first micros have told very different and interesting tales....

Ross is the best TMNT artist, hands down. I like his art better than E & L's even. Can't wait for this issue, thanks for the preview!

I unfortunately have to agree that Leo's dialogue came off as jokey in a time when he's thinking such serious thoughts. He was thinking some deep stuff, ya know, his mother and past family, thinking about how to get Splinter back, and then he's kind of awkward about actually confronting the foot. Seems weird to me.

Honestly though, it's really not a big deal, at all - it just stood out in the preview.

Brian, thanks for popping by and clarifying things! :D Love your work!

LOL sorry about that Bryan

i just fixed it!

Nice preview.It looks like it will be an interesting issue.

Awesome! It's "Brian" by the way. You're getting SO close!

This looks amazing. Ross really did a great job.

LOL Ok Brian, Brian, sorry Brian :p

I wish Ross could do a monthly TMNT book. Guys, we may have to look into cloning.

Ross' pages look great! Really excited to read this issue.

Also, Brian, I heard you on "Tell Em' Steve-Dave!" last week. Cool stuff you were talking' about.

DO IT! I must have more comics like this! :thyper:

This is something I am VERY passionate about. It also contributes to how interested I am in this series. The Ninja Turtles are NOT killers! It was not neccessary with human Foot in the movies and 2003 cartoon.Its like Batman when he started out killing Hugo Stange's monster men and a couple of others. It is what sets them apart of the villains.Bad guys kill but good guys for the most part don't.Some like Punisher and Wolverine do because its in their nature and are more anti-hero types.I like seeing them in the great company of Batman,Spider-man,and Superman as heroes above killing. If Raphael did and learned NEVER to again and have a storyline related to it then I get that but otherwise its something that is in the distant past that the turtles evolved past. This is sjupposed to reach more readers with the teen label andas far as the putting various inspirations together aside from the reincarnation angle I am VERY pleased with Tom and gang's handling.Art is something that is usually second to the story I n my opinion but its a great mix of color and gives a mood that the team is trying to achieve.

Of all four of the "Micro Series", my favorite artwork was most definitely in Raphael's book by Franco Urru. I like straight-forward, clean looking artwork over stylized/sloppy style (Michelangelo definitely had the worst artwork by far). I particularly don't like how Leonardo's bandana is so wide between/above his eyes without that slight slope that they normally have. Also his hands/feet look awkward in a few panels and appear too small. Am I nitpicking? Probably, but the artwork is everything to me in a comic (as I've stated many times before as to why I can no longer stand to read Marvel's X-Men title anymore and why I was about to give up on IDW's main Godzilla title since the artwork by Victor Santos was atrocious....but I know the new artist they got will be far better when they relaunch that book). Anyway I won't know how good the Leo story is until I read the actual issue. But from what I have seen of the artwork, I am not a big fan and would place this as my 3rd favorite artwork behind Raphael's and Donatello's (true, Donatello's was cartoony, especially his eyes but the art style wasn't "fuzzy" and was very clean looking). Nonetheless, at least Leo's bandana is blue (the cover it almost looked red). So I'll pick it up when I get to the shop.

If a bunch of Ninja are coming at you with swords and knifes, and you're also armed with blades, you're not just going to block their attacks and kick them, you're going to use your blades back.

Nobody is saying Leonardo should hunt down and slaughter every Foot soldier, but as he's fighting you'd expect him to attack back and slice them along the way.

Nobody is asking for limbs to go flying, just to see contact and slash marks along the way. Mirage did it perfectly and that's the level of violence in fight scenes most enjoy.

Your 'vision' of what the turtles should be is not what most people want. Most of us have grown up and would like the turtles to ya know, actually use their weapons instead of just punching someone WHILE they are holding said weapon. It just doesn't make any sense. Quite living in the past, the FW turtles are not the definitive turtles. To you, they might as well be called Hero turtles. Because ninja that don't kill arn't really ninja.

Wrong.Its not my "vision" but the way the turtles are.Most people grow up and would rather not see their heroes murder!Bruise the bad guy black and blue an beat him to an inch of his life or cut many times sure but not outright kill!!!Its against who the turtles are!They are not ninja asassins but their own kind.

I think you're confused. That's not who the turtles are. The original, Mirage comics are the definitive Tmnt and they killed. It was NOT an over the top, gore fest, but they killed. They are NINJA turtles. Ninja kill. The 80's toon is great, but it's was geared towards kids. Don't forget, the first time the turtles fought the foot soldiers in the 80's toon, Leonardo slashed right into a foot soldier, only to be surprised it was a robot. Do you know what that means? Leo didn't know it was a robot, meaning he was going for the KILL.

Oh lord, you can't be serious...:roll:

I can't believe your serious!The Mirage comics are not the definitve version.The '87 cartoon is the best and most popular therefore it is the definitive version! The idea of a ninja has evolved over the years and so have the Ninja Turtles only in the black and white comics have they have and should ever killed. I don't like myTMNT bloody nor kiddie but a good mix of it all!I have a certain view as do you so let us leave it at that.