Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Volume 20: Kingdom of Rats

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2011) #20

by Kevin Eastman (Writer), Tom Waltz (Writer), Bobby Curnow (Writer)

In the wake of total destruction, the exhausted Turtles must prevent catastrophe, as disparate forces converge on New York and a sinister power-play takes shape. Following the Triceratop Invasion, New York is in ruins. Various groups jockey for control in the power vacuum, each with their own agendas and goals. But there is one who doesn't care about power or victory, only chaos... the Rat King! Will the TMNT be able to stop him from doing the unspeakable?

Collects: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle #81–85.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 2, 2018

About the author

Kevin B. Eastman is an American comic book artist, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

(A-) 81% | Very Good
Notes: Somewhat subdued and shifting supernatural, it sets stages and standpoints: seemingly servicing subsequent stories.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the wake of the Triceraton invasion, NYC has taken a ton of damage. All of the various factions are jockeying for more power while the Rat King returns. The Turtles visit other members of the Pantheon for insight on how to take down the Rat King. Dave Wachtner illustrates all but the last issue of this volume and his art is great. Brahm Revel does the last issue and his work is too minimalist for me.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vision of disaster spurs the Turtles into action when the Rat King takes advantage of the aftermath of the Triceraton invasion to enact a terrible scheme. But when they seek the help of the other members of the Pantheon, will they find friend or foe? Plus, alliances and machinations continue as Baxter Stockman, Agent Bishop, and Splinter all make some bold new moves.

I was really looking forward to this storyline; the Pantheon are my favourite of the 'villains' that the Turtles fight, and we get a bit more of them here. The Endless comparison continues of course, but this isn't just a straight up battle story - the Rat King doesn't get confronted until the final issue of the four issue storyline, while we spend some more time learning about him and his brothers instead. The maneuvering of the other characters in the background continues to be compelling rather than detracting from the main story, and Dave Wachter's art on these four issues is exceptional as always - there's a quote on the back of the trade about how he was born to draw TMNT, and I'm inclined to agree.

The final issue of the volume brings back Brahm Revel on art, which is unfortunate, but also brings back Leatherhead and another surprising villain; I thought it was strange that we'd seen the last of both of them, and now I can see how very wrong I was. This issue will likely have far-reaching effects later in the book, without a doubt. It's a shame Revel's art doesn't hold up quite as well as the other artists on the title.

Kingdom Of Rats isn't quite the story you'd expect given all the players involved, but it's still a fun ride with a glimpse into the Pantheon's minds topped off with the return of an iconic villain. Bar one issue of dodgy art, the book still looks wonderful, and the Turtles are stampeding towards their biggest storyline yet.

[Will Robinson Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible world building and great character moments are the high point of this volume of the always enjoyable TMNT series by Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz. The artist changes on the final issue bother me because it was lackluster compared to artist Dave Wachter who did the art on most issues. Wachter art style is similar to Matteus but I think the latter drew the series better. As always Tom Waltz's understanding of the turtles is superb and he captures what makes each character tick perfectly. In this volume focus on a new interpretation of the Rat King. The Rat King has been a longtime foe of our teenage half shell heroes. In most versions of the character he is just a guy who talks and controls rats which always provided tension between the turtles and their rodent master, Splinter. In Waltz and Eastman's take on the character he is a god of chaos who is a trickster type character. The Rat King showing up in this point of the series really fits the emotional place the Turtles find themselves as they are estrange from their master Splinter, come to terms with the destruction of New York via an alien invasion, and the police state that is increasing with the iron fisted control of a federal agent named Bishop. This arc was amazing and I enjoy the mythology that the creator team is building . My only little grip is that I wanted the creative team to move some of the gang war stuff maybe to another arc and though the Baxter Stockman side story is interesting I really didn't need it as much in the story that was being told. All in all this long running series continues to explore new ideas with our ninja teens and captures what fans still love about the turtles perfectly. If you are a TMNT fan this series is a must read.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume resumes the Pantheon storyline that was interrupted by the Trial of Krang in the last volume (and it resumes my own reading after a months-long hiatus from this series). Any time TMNT embraces its most bonkers elements is a good time, and the Pantheon is pretty far up there in terms of bonkers. Toad Baron's Den of Delights continues to amuse (especially his inept frog warriors). A scene with Manmoth advising Raphael about his introversion really moved me. And finally, finally we get some April.

I don't have a ton more to say, except that it's good to be back in these pages.

[Lucas Lima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rat King finally made his move and is just trying to bring chaos to NYC.

We gotta a nice volume, where some gods from the Pantheon have a part on the way to help the turtles. I thought that this group would be a manace in some point, but i believe they maybe will not be.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last issue collected in this volume is ugly as sin and brought down the entire vibe of this volume. Otherwise, it was a thought-provoking continuation in the aftermath of the Triceraton invasion. I like the deities and wish we had even more time with them instead of the Triceratons. And the Jennika/Casey Jones ship I'm not really here for at all.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.
After the city being wrecked in the war with the Triceratons, the Rat King decides to poke his head out and try a scheme. I loved the Rat King in the TMNT animated series from the 90's so I was very hyped to see what could happen. I both liked and didn't like what spun out here.
True Pied Piper style, Rat King blows his instrument and entrances people to follow him. He wants to lead children to a bridge and have them jump off, simply for sport and laughs. In this way, combined with the look of him, this Rat King is superior over the cartoon.
The Turtles know that Rat King is part of the animal pantheon, so they head off to see Toad Baron for advice (see previous Volumes for their last interaction with them). Toad Baron can't help, except to send them on to one of the other Gods. They choose to go see Manmoth, a huge primal being of a Woolly Mammoth, who only gives them advice after earning his trust from besting him in combat. He teleports them directly to Rat King after giving his advice and opinions.
Elsewhere in the city, Dr Baxter Stockman (when are we going to see him turn into a fly??) has taken lots of credit for stopping the invasion and is getting a lot of attention. When April is able to send flyborgs and mousers to help with the Rat King, he quickly runs away. UGH... need to ratchet up his creepy factor and make him less of a coward.
Two last points to be made:
1) The Turtles track the last Mouser to the history museum and discover Leatherhead there. Having to fight him as he goes through PTSD symptoms over killing Krang, they nurse wounds as he escapes.
2) We see that Agent Bishop and the EDF are headed, with lots of troops, to Burnow Island...

Title seems to headed for another conflict. What will it be?
And.... when can we finally see resolution between Splinter and his boys?

Recommend.... stay with it... the title seems to be headed on the right path again.

[Seth Grindstaff · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a comic book arc that revolves around a villain who prances in the shadows playing the flute, volume 20 of IDW's TMNT was an action packed read that kept by interest because of the interesting world that the creators continue to build around the main TMNT cast.

Issues 81-84 of the series mainly revolve around the turtles dealings with the mysterious and quirky Pantheon characters. Although the Rat King serves as the main villain in this arc, the reader gets to spend more time with Toad Baron and Manmoth. The fun of these issues is finding out whether Manmoth and Toad Baron are villians, heroes, or something else. They seem to live outside of the TMNT's normal world of good and bad, and that keeps them interesting.

The series is at its best when characters relationships with each other are built or tested. Splinter is still at odds with his sons, which is the most interesting part of the series. While at the same time, Jennika's character is humanized through her new relationship with Casey Jones--a fresh change compared to her former role as a one-note Foot Clan leader. April's character continues to be strengthened in this volume as she continues to help Stockman. The important role she has begun to play in Stockman's life makes her character shine, which is refreshing compared to the lab assistant/secret turtle's helper role she has played for most of the series.

The art continues to excellent in most of this arc. Issue 185 changes artists and the style is a bit jarring. The story, however, introduces a thrilling, psychological twist on the Leatherhead character. His character, like some of the Pantheon characters, is best when he acts as neither good or bad guy.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still getting used to the idea of the Rat King being some mythical godlike being. It certainly makes sense within the continuity of this title versus his original comic book incarnation. I guess my concern is that he feels a little overpowered as a god thing.

This has the Turtles facing him as an adversary and they try to answer the question of how to deal with him - by going to his divine sibling and seeking for help. And I guess that made sense and worked with the setup. The way things ended felt a little trite, but I suppose this was all still better than the classic Splinter-getting-hypnotized-too.

Let's see where things go next.

[Calvin Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid 3.5 if you are a TMNT fan, and who isn't?

[brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seems like new beginnings are coming, like a lot of changes.

[Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Leatherhead, so I’m kinda upset he’s getting his brain taken over by Krang. He doesn’t deserve any of the garbage he’s gone through

[NerdyReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very underwhelming volume. Thought this was gonna be some big build up epic but...nope.

[Cyril · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really great, but it was okay
3 stars