Tales of the TMNT 44

*Raph's Girl* · 03-14-2008, 02:12 PM

Midtown is listing this as coming out on Wednesday (March 19th). Here's what the official site says about it:

Quote:

“The Amulet” - This issue features a tale of young Foot initiates, including fan-favorite Karai, and their quest to unearth an amulet of power. The newbie ninjas find what they seek through hard-fought battles with mythic creatures only to face the most deadly enemy of all - treachery from within!

*R-iZZy* · 03-15-2008, 02:21 PM

Sounds like an interesting issue, with it being Foot-central and all.

*DrSpengler* · 03-19-2008, 05:05 PM

It read very very quickly.

The twist of who was the real traitor was alright. I mean, these sorts of "twists" never come as absolute surprises, but at least Yoshikiko made an effective red herring. We get a good glimpse into at least one of the factors behind Karai's absolute dedication to honor. Aside from that, not the big Karai origin story I was hoping for.

Personally, I think they could have consolidated the magical ring from last issue with the magical amulet from this issue and made for some nice continuity. But oh well.

*Scandia* · 03-20-2008, 05:16 PM

I liked "Lessons". It was cute. Very much in character for Raphael- although I can also see Mikey pulling off something like that.

For "The Amulet", I am amazed at one of the biggest cultural differences between Japan and the West. How something that indicates the loss of all hope in the West would instead be restoring your honor in Japan.

A lot of the Foot initiates seemed very power hungry. It is amazing that Karai was able to stay in control and remember what true Ninjitsu was all about.

*Andrew NDB* · 03-21-2008, 12:01 AM

Great issue, good fun, and a short and sweet little backup by Dan Berger. No, it's not the quintessential Karai origin (but then I don't think it really ever tries to be) many might hope for, but it's something.

One thing... "He forgot the honor that makes a ninja." I get that the Turtles are ninja, and they're honorable, and so is Karai (mostly)... but where, historically in Feudal Japan, were ninja ever regarded as being synonymous with honorable?

PAAATE · 03-21-2008, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

but where, historically in Feudal Japan, were ninja ever regarded as being synonymous with honorable?

In KE's and PL's heads

*DrSpengler* · 03-21-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

One thing... "He forgot the honor that makes a ninja." I get that the Turtles are ninja, and they're honorable, and so is Karai (mostly)... but where, historically in Feudal Japan, were ninja ever regarded as being synonymous with honorable?

I think it's more of a Japanese stereotype than anything else; them being obsessed with "honor".

The generalization isn't exactly "true" (like few generalizations are), but if you ever try doing business with a Japanese person you'll discover that they're very proud and sensitive. Try saying things like "are you sure?" or "let me double check your math". They take it *very* personally.

*Andrew NDB* · 03-21-2008, 11:17 AM

You're right, but the blurb in question isn't talking about Japanese people in general... it's specifically talking about ninja. Ninja -- assassins -- have always historically carried a kind of honorless, unfavorable stigma in Japan.

*DrSpengler* · 03-21-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

You're right, but the blurb in question isn't talking about Japanese people in general... it's specifically talking about ninja. Ninja -- assassins -- have always historically carried a kind of honorless, unfavorable stigma in Japan.

I correlated it more in that ninja are typically Japanese, thus the whole honor issue, but yeah.

*discordiatookie* · 03-21-2008, 02:00 PM

It was an alright issue, but I too found it quite a quick read. The art was great as usual, although the male foot looked very samey, even with the different hairdos! I loved the dragon spirit, the linework on that was awesome! The backup was fun, and I was glad to see an Eric Talbot pinup...

*Raph's Girl* · 03-24-2008, 10:11 PM

1st story: Not exactly an origin for Karai. More like a look into her past and what happened that made her be an "honorable" ninja. Nice to read a "young" Karai story. I wonder tho if Hikaru's last name was Sulu??

2nd story: HAHA! Raphie's so sneaky.

Fugitoid Jones · 03-25-2008, 12:24 AM

Yeah, it was a pretty decent issue. It was nice to see Karai get her moment to shine, as she is a very cool character in my opinion. The best thing about this issue? NO JIM LAWSON.

*Ninjinister* · 03-25-2008, 08:14 AM

It's all based around the myth that ninja were soulless killing machines. They weren't. As the student of the last publicly acknowledged actively employed ninja in Japan (Takamatsu Toshitsugu), Soke Hatsumi Masaki would say, ninja did indeed have a code of honour. In fact, if you compare the fact that samurai at times performed very devious and despicable acts, one might say that their honour were more or less on equal standing with the ninja.

TristanHuwJones · 03-25-2008, 12:59 PM

But as the great Jedi hero once said, "many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view".

*oldmanwinters* · 03-26-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TristanHuwJones

But as the great Jedi hero once said, "many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view".

Or as Luke Skywalker responded: "A certain point of view?!?"

Sorry, Tristan, J/K. This honorable ninja debate reminds me of the Leonardo/Usagi banter in that two parter crossover in season 3 of the new series.

*VaughnMichael* · 04-06-2008, 06:54 PM

Well I finally made it to the comic shop this week and got this issue!
Wee I thought it was great I loved the art even if I got confused some of the guys looked a little bit to much like each other.
I'm suprised no one mentioned the gore in this issue at all because everyones always crying about there never being any deaths or blood in this series.
When I saw those spirits just blowing through the Foot I was like wow!

And I loved Dan's art in the short story in the back it's a shame he cant draw more.
I give this issue an over all B+ I'd like it a bit more if it had a little more to it but it's still not horrible.

Fledermaus · 04-10-2008, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The S

It's all based around the myth that ninja were soulless killing machines. They weren't. As the student of the last publicly acknowledged actively employed ninja in Japan (Takamatsu Toshitsugu), Soke Hatsumi Masaki would say, ninja did indeed have a code of honour. In fact, if you compare the fact that samurai at times performed very devious and despicable acts, one might say that their honour were more or less on equal standing with the ninja.

I wonder what your teacher would have to say about the ninjas who defiled then assassinated the last Empress of Korea.

Traditionally, ninja did not follow bushido. Of course they were human. But they were (relatively) less honorable by nature of their profession. They were spies and assassins. They work was most always "dirty" in some way. A samurai would stab his opponent in the front, whereas a ninja would stab his opponent in the back. (Because if your opponent is stabbed in the front, you gain the honor while he is dishonored. Vice versa. If you have to get shot by an arrow, better to be shot in the back than in the face, if you want to keep your honor -- Tale of the Heike.)

Though it is funny how samurai very often did not even follow Bushido -- some would even cut down random peasants for the hell of it.

The job of "ninja" wasn't necessarily permanent. A samurai could temporarily act as a ninja, depending on his task. Note "temporarily" because ninja was considered not very "honorable" back in the day. In the modern age, thanks largely to movie popularity, the image of the ninja is being remade to seem less offensive, as well as to carry on the sexy, exotic mystique of the Asian Superspy/killer-for-hire.

tilallr1 · 04-10-2008, 08:26 AM

Its true, the whole concept of honor and assassin do not really mix. Its kind of a joke. Think about it. What is honorable about killing a man in his sleep or stabbing him in the back. Of course do not mix up the art of ninjitsu with the actions of man. Its how you use the art that makes you honorable or dishonorable.

Although the Turtles studied ninjitsu, they used it mearly as a form of protecting / defending themselves and others. Therefore they used ninjitsu honorably. So a ninja could be honorable.

But historically speaking, for the most part, being a ninja was a bad thing and extremely dishonorable. Reason why they wore masks. They were ashamed of what they were doing and didn't want anyone to see who they were.

03-15-2008, 02:21 PM	#2
R-iZZy The Long Con Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: G'ville, FL (Gator Country), USA Posts: 3,007	Sounds like an interesting issue, with it being Foot-central and all. __________________

03-20-2008, 05:16 PM	#4
Scandia Mad Scientist Join Date: May 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 2,265	I liked "Lessons". It was cute. Very much in character for Raphael- although I can also see Mikey pulling off something like that. For "The Amulet", I am amazed at one of the biggest cultural differences between Japan and the West. How something that indicates the loss of all hope in the West would instead be restoring your honor in Japan. A lot of the Foot initiates seemed very power hungry. It is amazing that Karai was able to stay in control and remember what true Ninjitsu was all about. __________________ Turtles fight with honor!!!

03-21-2008, 12:01 AM	#5
Andrew NDB Weed Whacker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 34,323	Great issue, good fun, and a short and sweet little backup by Dan Berger. No, it's not the quintessential Karai origin (but then I don't think it really ever tries to be) many might hope for, but it's something. One thing... "He forgot the honor that makes a ninja." I get that the Turtles are ninja, and they're honorable, and so is Karai (mostly)... but where, historically in Feudal Japan, were ninja ever regarded as being synonymous with honorable? __________________ [ ODYSSEY \| ORIGIN \| THE IMAGE/VOL. 3 CONCLUSION \| THE SHELLSHOCKED PODCAST \| ON FACEBOOK ] Last edited by Andrew NDB; 03-21-2008 at 12:12 AM.

03-21-2008, 11:17 AM	#8
Andrew NDB Weed Whacker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 34,323	You're right, but the blurb in question isn't talking about Japanese people in general... it's specifically talking about ninja. Ninja -- assassins -- have always historically carried a kind of honorless, unfavorable stigma in Japan. __________________ [ ODYSSEY \| ORIGIN \| THE IMAGE/VOL. 3 CONCLUSION \| THE SHELLSHOCKED PODCAST \| ON FACEBOOK ]

03-21-2008, 02:00 PM	#10
discordiatookie facehugger Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland Posts: 2,817	It was an alright issue, but I too found it quite a quick read. The art was great as usual, although the male foot looked very samey, even with the different hairdos! I loved the dragon spirit, the linework on that was awesome! The backup was fun, and I was glad to see an Eric Talbot pinup... __________________ Oh Discordia! Charyou Tree! Come, Reap! Don't tell us to grow up and out of it I got my cloak and dagger in a bar room brawl You actually trying to read this tiny text? Damn, you're dedicated! This is all just for effect you know... original TMNT art collection

03-19-2008, 05:05 PM	#3
DrSpengler Foot Elite Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 4,842	It read very very quickly. The twist of who was the real traitor was alright. I mean, these sorts of "twists" never come as absolute surprises, but at least Yoshikiko made an effective red herring. We get a good glimpse into at least one of the factors behind Karai's absolute dedication to honor. Aside from that, not the big Karai origin story I was hoping for. Personally, I think they could have consolidated the magical ring from last issue with the magical amulet from this issue and made for some nice continuity. But oh well.

03-24-2008, 10:11 PM	#11
Raph's Girl Dierna Soul, Reporter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jakku Posts: 10,831	1st story: Not exactly an origin for Karai. More like a look into her past and what happened that made her be an "honorable" ninja. Nice to read a "young" Karai story. I wonder tho if Hikaru's last name was Sulu?? 2nd story: HAHA! Raphie's so sneaky. __________________

03-25-2008, 12:24 AM	#12
Fugitoid Jones Stone Warrior Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: D'hoonib, VT Posts: 886	Yeah, it was a pretty decent issue. It was nice to see Karai get her moment to shine, as she is a very cool character in my opinion. The best thing about this issue? NO JIM LAWSON. __________________ "You are right, I have always known about man. From the evidence, I believe his wisdom must walk hand and hand with his idiocy. His emotions must rule his brain. He must be a warlike creature who gives battle to everything around him, even himself." -Dr. Zaius

03-25-2008, 08:14 AM	#13
Ninjinister 無問題 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Moesko Island, WA Posts: 14,348	It's all based around the myth that ninja were soulless killing machines. They weren't. As the student of the last publicly acknowledged actively employed ninja in Japan (Takamatsu Toshitsugu), Soke Hatsumi Masaki would say, ninja did indeed have a code of honour. In fact, if you compare the fact that samurai at times performed very devious and despicable acts, one might say that their honour were more or less on equal standing with the ninja. __________________

03-25-2008, 12:59 PM	#14
TristanHuwJones Official TMNT Staff/Cast Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,419	But as the great Jedi hero once said, "many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view". __________________ Still alive (somehow)... tristansbones.bsky.social and instagram @ instagram.com/tristans_bones

04-06-2008, 06:54 PM	#16
VaughnMichael I'm Baaaaaaccck! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 11,833	Well I finally made it to the comic shop this week and got this issue! Wee I thought it was great I loved the art even if I got confused some of the guys looked a little bit to much like each other. I'm suprised no one mentioned the gore in this issue at all because everyones always crying about there never being any deaths or blood in this series. When I saw those spirits just blowing through the Foot I was like wow! And I loved Dan's art in the short story in the back it's a shame he cant draw more. I give this issue an over all B+ I'd like it a bit more if it had a little more to it but it's still not horrible.

04-10-2008, 08:26 AM	#18
tilallr1 Foot Soldier Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Great White North Posts: 119	Its true, the whole concept of honor and assassin do not really mix. Its kind of a joke. Think about it. What is honorable about killing a man in his sleep or stabbing him in the back. Of course do not mix up the art of ninjitsu with the actions of man. Its how you use the art that makes you honorable or dishonorable. Although the Turtles studied ninjitsu, they used it mearly as a form of protecting / defending themselves and others. Therefore they used ninjitsu honorably. So a ninja could be honorable. But historically speaking, for the most part, being a ninja was a bad thing and extremely dishonorable. Reason why they wore masks. They were ashamed of what they were doing and didn't want anyone to see who they were. __________________ TIL ALL ARE ONE