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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2011) #17
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Volume 17: Desperate Measures
Alopex is alone, her psyche reeling from Kitsune's mind control. With Raphael and Nobody searching for her, will she be able to find her way back to the side of good? Plus, the government's hunt for mutants begins in earnest and their unconventional tactics will see the TMNT hounded like never before! No mutant is safe!
Collects: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #66–70.
Collects: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #66–70.
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2017
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115 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Eastman
1,155 books357 followersKevin B. Eastman is an American comic book artist, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 22, 2024
(A-) 82% | Very Good
Notes: Many manner of monsters manifest, mortality modifies mentalities, and merciless melees mean makeshift moralities.
Notes: Many manner of monsters manifest, mortality modifies mentalities, and merciless melees mean makeshift moralities.
January 30, 2022
First, Raphael and Nobody head to Alaska to find Alopex and bring her back home. Raph and Alopex's relationship is interesting. I'm curious to see where it heads. Then the secret government agency, EPF, returns after attacking the boys in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe, Volume 1: The War to Come. Agent Bishop is an extremist prick with the worst of humanity in him. This volume was really good. The art by Mateus Santolouco and Sophie Campbell is excellent.
July 13, 2020
How is it that these latter-day Turtle's comics have fast become some of my faves?
There can be a little plot meandering from time to time and, as the characters themselves address here, they aren't exactly super heroes looking to foil bank robberies and the like, so where does that leave them the rare time trouble doesn't find them? I might not know yet, but count me in to find out.
Also, I liked the chance to spend a little more time with some of the lesser known Mutanimals, and it looks like "Saviour of Humanity" Agent Bishop- come on, the name should have been a giveaway- isn't so human after all. Shocker!
There can be a little plot meandering from time to time and, as the characters themselves address here, they aren't exactly super heroes looking to foil bank robberies and the like, so where does that leave them the rare time trouble doesn't find them? I might not know yet, but count me in to find out.
Also, I liked the chance to spend a little more time with some of the lesser known Mutanimals, and it looks like "Saviour of Humanity" Agent Bishop- come on, the name should have been a giveaway- isn't so human after all. Shocker!
November 24, 2017
Well it has been awhile since I last read anything from the long running Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series by Tom Waltz. Mr. Waltz deserves all the accolades he can hold for keeping a series like this consistently interesting & exciting this long. Filled with incredible artwork by Mateus Santolouco & beautiful colors Ronda Pattison, TMNT vol. 17 continues some of the best Ninja Turtles stories I have ever read. In this volume we catch up with Raphael and Angel as they travel to Alaska to find their lost friend Alopex. I feel this issue of the series really showcases the incredible storytelling gifts of Waltz and Santolouco. The pacing and the art work seamlessly together to tell this tale of redemption. I really enjoy the oddity of the romantic relationship that is developing between Raph & Alopex. Longtime TMNT fans who remember reading the TMNT Adventures comics in the 90s remember a fox mutant character named Ninjara who also had a romantic relationship with Raphael. Next, Tom Waltz slows the story down to have out heroes regroup. The four Turtle brothers are at a crossroads. Each of them are unsure what to do next as a greater threat of the looming mystical deity, Kitsume, and her fellow pantheon of deities begin a war and game that could bring about the end of the world. This becomes more complicated as our heroes have to face the growing gang wars brewing with the absence of longtime foe, Shredder, & the new villain Bishop. I am glad that Bishop has made his appearance into the IDW Ninja Turtles universe. Other than Shredder, I have always felt like Bishop presents an even more personal threat to not only the Turtles but their fellow mutant & alien allies. Bishop represents Master Splinter's worse fears about humanity and why the surface world would fear the creatures like the Turtles. Fans for the 2003 animated series will remember the character of Bishop as well. Those wanted to read his first appearance in this series should read: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe, Vol. 1: The War to Come. This was another excellent book for TMNT fans. I love how even with Shredder out of the picture Tom Waltz still keeps the Turtles in action because the fight against evil is never ending. The heroes are learning even when you defeat one evil, evil will just take another form.
June 15, 2023
No mutants, big hulking shredder, or anything of the sorts. This time we have humans being, well humans, and attacking Mutants.
This time a group of humans target mutants, taking out Hobs crew first and kidnapping most of them. When Hobs has to turn to the turtles, together they fight back. But will this fight leave any casualties?
A thoroughly entertaining volume. Watching humans be piece of shit, just regular people, was a lot of fun. The twist and turns on why and what they're doing was pretty good too. This also had some really cool action scenes and leo got to shine big time for me as leader.
A 4 out of 5.
This time a group of humans target mutants, taking out Hobs crew first and kidnapping most of them. When Hobs has to turn to the turtles, together they fight back. But will this fight leave any casualties?
A thoroughly entertaining volume. Watching humans be piece of shit, just regular people, was a lot of fun. The twist and turns on why and what they're doing was pretty good too. This also had some really cool action scenes and leo got to shine big time for me as leader.
A 4 out of 5.
May 8, 2020
The lead story in this volume is the hunt for Alopex, with Raph and Angel finally going out to Alaska to find her. The traumas that Alopex has faced are echoed nicely here with the one-shot she had way back when the series began, and I'm a big fan of the visual transformation that she goes through as well as a result of her ordeal. Artist Sophie Campbell (who also drew the Alopex one-shot) returns for this story, and she does a stellar job contrasting the battles within Alopex's mind with those outside in the snow as she did before, lightening up on the inking and giving everything a very ethereal look to it.
The remainder of the book brings the Turtles back into conflict with the EPF, as Hob and the Mutanimals get wrapped up in their war and turn to the Turtles for help rescuing their friends. The Mutanimals are some of my favourite supporting characters so having them come back is always fun, and there are some genuinely shocking reveals later in the story. Mateus Santolouco pops back in for these four issues, so of course it looks wonderful as well.
This volume goes to show how far and wide the Turtles' family has branched out, and how they all come to rely on each other in times of crisis. It's well written, well drawn, and just pretty damn good - the Turtles standard, by now.
May 15, 2022
Jesus, it's just so much fun to read this.
On this one, The EPF finally make their move to the mutants, taking control of Slash to fight them, and we see for the first time the Turtles fighting their way without Splinter's leadership, and with Leonardo taking this place at the end and saving the day. Hob was amazing as well, with the plot being very well written as well. And for the art, we got the perfect duo for the TMNT, in my opinion: Mateus Santolouco and Sophie Campbell. Amazing volume.
On this one, The EPF finally make their move to the mutants, taking control of Slash to fight them, and we see for the first time the Turtles fighting their way without Splinter's leadership, and with Leonardo taking this place at the end and saving the day. Hob was amazing as well, with the plot being very well written as well. And for the art, we got the perfect duo for the TMNT, in my opinion: Mateus Santolouco and Sophie Campbell. Amazing volume.
January 4, 2023
Every time I pick up a volume, I'm immediately sucked back into this gritty world. Leo seems to be building toward an arc; and these government agents are being obnoxious and probably my least favorite villains thus far...but I'm excited to see Hob back in action!
October 29, 2022
This series has been on the decline for me ever since Shredder died and Karai left for Japan. I’m not sold on the focus of the Mutanimals, nor am I sold on Splinter taking over the Foot Clan. I hope this is leading up to something because so far the series post-Shredder has felt directionless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2021
This volume starts off with a one-shot of Raph and Angel in Alaska trying to wrestle Alopex away from the manipulating spirit of Kitsune. It's a visual feast -- the art by Sophie Campbell is dreamlike and gorgeous -- and it wraps up tidily and quickly. But I kept thinking Angel should've been replaced with April. My constant criticism of this series is that they botched April by making her insignificant or, more typically, by omitting her entirely (she appears nowhere in this volume at all). I always get a little distracted when I find places April could've easily played a role in the story; there are plenty of opportunities to build up a major TMNT character and they just aren't taken. I'll complain about this until the very last page.
The rest of the volume is fun. A page of Slash reading passages from The Grapes of Wrath had me (as a Steinbeck fan) absolutely glowing. (That's the second TMNT reference to that book, I think, after the one in the first movie.) After that, while the "secret military group tasked with destroying the underdog" trope never really thrills me in any medium, it's fine enough here and the cliché-ness of it gives our heroes room to breathe as characters.
Plus the Mutanimals are always fun. Mondo Gecko running around nude to blend in with things was a highlight.
Campbell and Santolouco make the art a one-two punch of awesome.
The rest of the volume is fun. A page of Slash reading passages from The Grapes of Wrath had me (as a Steinbeck fan) absolutely glowing. (That's the second TMNT reference to that book, I think, after the one in the first movie.) After that, while the "secret military group tasked with destroying the underdog" trope never really thrills me in any medium, it's fine enough here and the cliché-ness of it gives our heroes room to breathe as characters.
Plus the Mutanimals are always fun. Mondo Gecko running around nude to blend in with things was a highlight.
Campbell and Santolouco make the art a one-two punch of awesome.
April 12, 2023
Book 17.
The Earth Protection Force, led by the fanatical Agent Bishop, captures Slash and turns him into a living weapon to be used against his former friends. With the Mutanimals captured and subjected to cruel experimentation by the EPF, Old Hob turns to the Turtles to help rescue his family.
There's plenty of drama and emotion to this story, not least because we see the lovable Slash turned against his friends in the most brutal ways (he tears off one of Herman the Hermit Crab's claws at one point).
It explores the idea that using monstrous tactics to fight monsters only turns you into the villain yourself and it covers the idea of simple prejudice being an insurmountable barrier between some groups ever making peace with one another. It's all pretty complex and grown-up.
The problem is that most of these ideas have been explored in great detail in other comics in the past. Most obviously, the bigoted government agents hunting mutants just for existing is clearly something the X-Men have been addressing since the 70s. Sure the themes are timeless (as, sadly, is human bigotry), but here they feel a bit derivative.
So, whilst this book is impactful, it does feel overly familiar.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
The Earth Protection Force, led by the fanatical Agent Bishop, captures Slash and turns him into a living weapon to be used against his former friends. With the Mutanimals captured and subjected to cruel experimentation by the EPF, Old Hob turns to the Turtles to help rescue his family.
There's plenty of drama and emotion to this story, not least because we see the lovable Slash turned against his friends in the most brutal ways (he tears off one of Herman the Hermit Crab's claws at one point).
It explores the idea that using monstrous tactics to fight monsters only turns you into the villain yourself and it covers the idea of simple prejudice being an insurmountable barrier between some groups ever making peace with one another. It's all pretty complex and grown-up.
The problem is that most of these ideas have been explored in great detail in other comics in the past. Most obviously, the bigoted government agents hunting mutants just for existing is clearly something the X-Men have been addressing since the 70s. Sure the themes are timeless (as, sadly, is human bigotry), but here they feel a bit derivative.
So, whilst this book is impactful, it does feel overly familiar.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
September 20, 2020
This volume starts with an important interlude for Alopex as Angel/Nobody and Raph travel north in search of their friend after the troublesome events of the previous volume. She continues to be plagued with visions of Kitsune given her continued hold on her mind and ends up facing her in an internal struggle - one which Raph eventually finds a way to support.
The big story for this book is the 4-part Desperate Measures story, which brings to fruition the big conflict that has been foreshadowed across recent issues. We've had mysterious government types running surveillance operations on the turtles and their friends, and finally, we have them taking action as they seize most of the Mutanimals and turn Slash into remote control warrior of sorts. It's a grim fight and one that will have long-term repercussions for everyone involved, but it also acts as an odd lesson for Leo to help him better appreciate the choices Master Splinter has had to make with the Foot Clan. Not sure the actual "lesson" or realization will be a worthwhile one, but we'll see what the next volume brings.
The big story for this book is the 4-part Desperate Measures story, which brings to fruition the big conflict that has been foreshadowed across recent issues. We've had mysterious government types running surveillance operations on the turtles and their friends, and finally, we have them taking action as they seize most of the Mutanimals and turn Slash into remote control warrior of sorts. It's a grim fight and one that will have long-term repercussions for everyone involved, but it also acts as an odd lesson for Leo to help him better appreciate the choices Master Splinter has had to make with the Foot Clan. Not sure the actual "lesson" or realization will be a worthwhile one, but we'll see what the next volume brings.
December 22, 2017
3.5 Stars.
While Raphael and Nobody are in the north helping bring home Alopex, "Clan Hamato" (new codename for the Turtles on their own without Splinter and the Foot) is feeling unrest. They look up to Leo for guidance and leadership, but he is still being very indecisive. Agent Bishop and his government task force goons mount an attack on Slash, reprogramming and using him to attack and capture the Mutanimals (Sally, Pete, Mondo, Ray and Herman), though Hob escapes. Hob takes the news to the Turtles and that finally pushes them into action.
Fighting back, with the help of the Mutanimals (after freeing them), the Turtles once again take up the cause of defending the weak. And.... Turtle Van tease!
Still a great series.... though I wonder if there is an endgame in mind. Not that I want it to stop....
Recommend.
While Raphael and Nobody are in the north helping bring home Alopex, "Clan Hamato" (new codename for the Turtles on their own without Splinter and the Foot) is feeling unrest. They look up to Leo for guidance and leadership, but he is still being very indecisive. Agent Bishop and his government task force goons mount an attack on Slash, reprogramming and using him to attack and capture the Mutanimals (Sally, Pete, Mondo, Ray and Herman), though Hob escapes. Hob takes the news to the Turtles and that finally pushes them into action.
Fighting back, with the help of the Mutanimals (after freeing them), the Turtles once again take up the cause of defending the weak. And.... Turtle Van tease!
Still a great series.... though I wonder if there is an endgame in mind. Not that I want it to stop....
Recommend.
June 24, 2017
A fun romp in the IDW TMNT universe with a wide range of characters. The story has some setbacks when you take the time to acknowledge that this really started to develope in the first arc of TMNT Universe, Aloplex and Angel's story in the beginning of this book also spun into TMNT Universe and the antagonists from those storys star in the next arc of the main TMNT book. Bishop has some nice character development although, it is not a groundbreaking path for characters like him. The TMNT really do not get the greatest look in this either as we spend a good chunk of time with The Mutanimals. I know I have harped on this book but I feel it is a good read. It is fun with some big action moments and important character plots going foreword. My big problem is that these moments could have had so much more momentum if they had not been stretched between two books and brewed in one instead. Without reading the secondary title I feel this arc gets kind of stale.
December 24, 2017
Seventeen volumes in and IDW's TMNT series continues to both improve and impress.
The cast has expanded far beyond the initial group and the new characters have been woven seamlessly into the narrative. New connections and dynamics are formed and it's all believable and organic.
I hope this series never ends.
The cast has expanded far beyond the initial group and the new characters have been woven seamlessly into the narrative. New connections and dynamics are formed and it's all believable and organic.
I hope this series never ends.
December 15, 2018
Retomando el nivel después de Vengeance
June 5, 2021
Perhaps a little slight, but still an enjoyable volume. One of the treats of reading the series is watching artist Sophie Campbell's art evolve and improve.
January 22, 2025
Another solid one
3.75 stars
3.75 stars
June 24, 2024
Volume 17 collects issues 66-70 of IDW's TMNT series.
The first issue is a stand out issue: character driven and highly emotional as Raph searches for Alopex who is facing her inner demons. Campbell's mutant/animal art is excellent. Campbell's people illustrations are less than stellar.
The first two pages of issue 67 are perfect! Slash (one of my favorite characters from the series) reading Steinbeck! This might be my favorite page of the whole series. There is also an early scene between Splinter and Leo that is moving. (Splinter continues to be a standout character.)
Without these two points, this volume would have received a one star ranking from me. The rest of the issue is the weakest since the Krang arc early in the series, which I also dislike.
The rest of issue 67 and volume covers one of my least favorite characters: Bishop. He feels like a flat villain. The arc falls into a run-and-shoot-and-hide type of story that I am not interested in. Near the end the concept of "family" is shoe-horned in which lowers the stakes even more.
I dislike Mikey's dialogue. The author has worked so hard making Mikey a sympathetic character, but in this arc his is back to only cracking jokes--all jokes, no heart. And Mikey has a heart in this series. A heart and conscious. He is off character in this arc compared to his strong character in the prior volumes.
I have not read the Mutanimals Mini, and I know how important the minis are to character development. The Mutanimal characters just can't stand on their own in this volume, for me. Although they have been in previous arcs, I just don't care much for them. I continue to dislike Hob. I heard in an interview that Tom Waltz wanted to kill off Hob during his run, and I wish he would have been allowed to.
I read these in single issues when they came out and am re-reading the arc again in 2024. I still like the Raph/Alopex relationship, still love the Steinbeck scene, and still hate the Bishop arc.
The first issue is a stand out issue: character driven and highly emotional as Raph searches for Alopex who is facing her inner demons. Campbell's mutant/animal art is excellent. Campbell's people illustrations are less than stellar.
The first two pages of issue 67 are perfect! Slash (one of my favorite characters from the series) reading Steinbeck! This might be my favorite page of the whole series. There is also an early scene between Splinter and Leo that is moving. (Splinter continues to be a standout character.)
Without these two points, this volume would have received a one star ranking from me. The rest of the issue is the weakest since the Krang arc early in the series, which I also dislike.
The rest of issue 67 and volume covers one of my least favorite characters: Bishop. He feels like a flat villain. The arc falls into a run-and-shoot-and-hide type of story that I am not interested in. Near the end the concept of "family" is shoe-horned in which lowers the stakes even more.
I dislike Mikey's dialogue. The author has worked so hard making Mikey a sympathetic character, but in this arc his is back to only cracking jokes--all jokes, no heart. And Mikey has a heart in this series. A heart and conscious. He is off character in this arc compared to his strong character in the prior volumes.
I have not read the Mutanimals Mini, and I know how important the minis are to character development. The Mutanimal characters just can't stand on their own in this volume, for me. Although they have been in previous arcs, I just don't care much for them. I continue to dislike Hob. I heard in an interview that Tom Waltz wanted to kill off Hob during his run, and I wish he would have been allowed to.
I read these in single issues when they came out and am re-reading the arc again in 2024. I still like the Raph/Alopex relationship, still love the Steinbeck scene, and still hate the Bishop arc.
September 25, 2022
gasped about 11 times. pepperoni <3
second read: the last issue haunts me a little
second read: the last issue haunts me a little
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews