“Yesterday’s” Comic> Donatello, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle

Your average artist sketchbook.

Donatello, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle

Mirage Publishing (August, 1986)

“Kirby And The Warp Crystal”

WRITERS/ARTISTS/CREATORS: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird

LETTERER: Steve Lavigne

With Raphael complaining about hot water, they send the tech guy to fix the heater. While there, Donatello comes across Kirby, who rents a corner office space for privacy while drawing. He found a crystal that brings his drawings to life but they all disappear some moments later, except for a portal device. Don and Kirby go exploring and find a strange world where Kirby’s monsters are attacking a group of humans. Using his notebook, Kirby manages to come up with various devices to help Don fight the monsters and he’s hailed as a sorcerer. However, the portal is shrinking. Only Donnie is able to get through along with a message from Kirby: “Life at best is bittersweet. Take care of yourself!”.

Yes, this was the basis for the 2003 episode “The King”, a tribute to Jack Kirby. While the original comic was inspired by Frank Miller, Kirby was also an influence on Eastman and Laird, as you can see in the Fugitoid arc. The episode was made as a tribute to the late Jack Kirby, while according to the Turtlepedia fandom wiki the still around Kirby approved the roughs at Laird’s request.

What they got right: This is a nice adventure for Donatello to go on, and he got to make a new friend, even though he lost him later. Conceptually the story is strong and the monster and tech designs are quite good.

What they got wrong: I think the episode spoiled me as they had time to go more into the humans and their attacks at the monsters Kirby unknowingly dropped into this world. It made Kirby’s forced sacrifice better as he became the protector of the world he accidentally threatened, an addition the comic didn’t have time for. Also, the other two one-shots have been solo adventures, three if you count the Fugitoid’s story. This is more Kirby’s tale than Don’s, though he does get some good fight scenes that show he’s as good a fighter as his brothers.

What I think overall: The story was okay but the episode improved on it and Donatello is a secondary character in his own one-shot. Worth a read though.