Comic Book of the Week 5/14/14

Today we take our first departure away from my bread and butter at Marvel and venture into IDW territory, but we do it with good reason because we're taking a look at the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT). And we're not just talking about one issue but were talking about one whole arc (which are issues 29-32)!

I first fell in love with this arc just looking at the cover art. 

The Northampton arc comes on the heels of City Fall (which I will be sure to read soon) where Leonardo is captured by the Foot and Shredder and brainwashed to fight against his brothers and Splinter. After being rescued, Leo is still a bit shell shocked and the rest of the family are also licking their wounds. So April and Casey bring the mutants to April's mom and dad's hideaway in Northampton for some R&R.

The most pensive you will ever see Michelangelo. 

Although they all get some rest, their time in Northampton is anything but relaxing. Even though Leo has lost his sense of self, all the turtles lost to Shredder and the Foot rescuing Leo and are all recovering from it in their own ways. Michelangelo per usual is trying to keep the group morale up while writing his memoirs to a friend. Raph is best being the family protector from potential threats. And Donnie has preoccupied himself with repairing an old busted up motorcycle.

Leo mourns his lost identity.

At the end of the day this arc is about mourning. I've recently learned through a bevy of outlets that mourning is a natural and essential practice when one experiences loss of any kind. David has a mini funeral for his son in 2 Samuel 12, and even Jesus weeps in John 11:35 after Lazarus dies. People can (and should) mourn after a job loss, a divorce or break up, a loss in the family, as well in the turtles case identity and innocence loss. There are many different ways people mourn as is shown in the issues and according to what I have learned, you should just let them. Never impede on someone's mourning process because that's exactly what they are doing, processing. When processing a loss there is usually much confusion because we don't understand why we had to lose what we did. Best thing people can do for someone in need is to just be there for them and listen and make sure their basic needs are taken care of (make sure they eat). A healthy mourning process can take up to 2 years but impeded, the process has been reported to take up to a decade! Hopefully, this little paragraph will help you through your next mourning experience (whether it's you or a loved one).

So the turtles process but there's nothing like a common foe to bring everyone back together with a clear focus, and that's exactly what happens in issue 32. And with Leo having completed his soul searching with some help, he returns in the nick of time to lead his brothers to totally kicking butt in the one battle in this arc. And the brothers are forged into an even stronger team through the crucible of battle.

This is a great arc. If you haven't been reading TMNT, I highly recommend you do. It certainly ain't our Saturday morning cartoon, but as an adult, I appreciate the depth of character in each member of the mutant family. And the art...did I mention that the art right now is just stunning?

Pick up the Northampton arc TODAY, and for some back reading get City Fall also...Just read TMNT.

Blessings~!