“Yesterday’s” Comic> Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #14

“Man, am I the only one who showered today?”

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #14

Mirage Publishing (May?, 1988)

“The Unmentionables”

WRITER/ARTIST: Kevin Eastman

CO-INKER: Eric Talbot

LETTERER: Steve Lavigne

Casey stumbles upon a strange case when a brass cow on top of a store suddenly disappears. Soon April and the Turtles are dragged into the investigation that’s kind of hard for me to describe considering the case involved undercover government agents, the cow actually being gold, espionage, and a parody of the brothers from the show Newhart (the one where Bob plays the owner of a Vermont inn, but only the part about two brothers with the same name and how they’re introduced is in the parody), before the case is solved.

What they got right: It may be hard to summarize due to the craziness but as a read it was quite enjoyable. All six of our heroes (Splinter was spared) get to have a good moment and take part in the case, though Casey ends up with a red herring and just stumbles back into the case. It’s a lot of fun and the action is okay.

What they got wrong: The little nod to Mirage Studios was neat (Mirage had moved to the real Northampton, MA) but the Larry, Daryl, and Daryl stand-ins feel forced. Also, I’m not sure what “zip” is standing in for but it gets used a lot early in the story but dropped later on. It’s not like there hasn’t been swearing in this series. Remember, this is from before the toys and cartoons because part of the franchise.

What I think overall: I rather enjoyed it. These one-shot adventures are what the Turtles need to find their groove back and fun to read on their own.