Something I noticed about Issue 10
 

In the page where Splinter is making his tea, there's a shadow behind him, The Rat King. Did anyone else notice this? Maybe he was poisoned or something?

No, I didn't see that!! Creepy!! :o

Look back it's on page29, bottom panel, Rat king is on the left, in the background.

Yeah, I noticed it. The ghost of Rat King appeared before when Splinter was about to die, Im not sure what meaning it has tough.

Oh don't worry guys. That was just my shadow there.

your shadow!!!!!!!!! aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh

Eric Mabius avatar, nice, ironic, watching Resident Evil right now....

Apparently I don't know my TMNT history. I don't have any issues involving the Rat King in the mirage books. I know he first appeared in Tales #4 but what other appearances did he have and when did he die?

Wel here's the short story:

No one knows when he died, but during the "City at War" Story arc, Splinter fell into old factory and broke a leg, there he started to see visions of Rat King as he tried to guide Splinter to survive. In the end he Discovered Rat King's skeleton and wasn't sure weather he was reel or just hallusination.

So did he ever appear in any other issues of the mirage continuity then? Just Tales #4 and the City at war story?

If memory serves me correctly, those are indeed his only appearances in the Mirage books.

bla i need to get thet :( i want to see it too

:o How did I miss that? Freaky.

It was freaky.....it kept my eye there for a long time.

Re: Something I noticed about Issue 10
 

Interesting. Very interesting. But him poisoning Splinter and as Karpo and others have said that he guided Splinter to safety. Interesting.

I don't think Splinter could be poisoned by a ghost. I guess the rat kings appearance (since he is dead for along time) was a symbol for death. Splinter even recognizes him before he dies.

perhaps......maybe we will know in the next issue.

I agree with Barkworms theory. The RatKing, IMO, is like Splinter's grim reaper. But I still like to see what unfolds in relation to that in teh next issue!

hmmmm
 

I am of the opinion that 'the Rat King' is probably an apsect of Splinter's psyche. Possibly an archetypal manifestation.

I don't think he was poisoned, seeing as he never took a swig of his tea.

rat king couldnt have and wouldnt have poisned him

Can someone please scan a pic of that part? Me, and i'm sure alot of other ppl would like to see it :) Thanks in advance

Pretty much my thoughts exactly.

I bleive the fact that he is a symbol for death is probably the best explanation, at least right now in the series.

I wouldn't be surprised if the man returns, though. These visions may be some kind of foreshadowing. I mean, they've obviously brought back characters from what seemed to be death before.

Plus, the Rat King is much too cool a character to just drop like that.

im sure it was him