Writer: Erik Burnham
Artists: Mateus Santolouco
Colorist: Marco Lesko
Letterer: Shawn Lee
Cover Artists: Mateus Santolouco; Tango & Paris Alleyne; Santtos
Publisher: IDW
Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 19, 2024
Yoshi Chen wants to unite his Dog Star Clan with Oroku Karai’s Foot Clan. But he played a cruel trick on them, and his soldiers sent Karai to the hospital. Yoshi’s actions indirectly cost Toshiro his life. Karai doesn’t believe that Yoshi will be content to share power. But what are Karai’s options? Can she ensure the Foot Clan's dominance over Yoshi's Dog Star Clan? Let's grab our katanas, leap into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Untold Destiny of the Foot Clan #4, and find out!
Story
Yoshi's story of the Foot Clan's origins differs from hers. Yoshi claims their ancestor Daigo assisted his brother Tadami before building his clan in China. Karai’s copy of the Foot Clan sacred text, Ashi No Himitsu, states that Tadami killed all his brothers and retained sole leadership of the Foot Clan throughout his life. Yoshi traces his genealogy back to Daigo and suggests that Tadami and Daigo could have built a stronger clan together. But when Karai refuses his offer, Yoshi's hologram disappears, and the transmitter explodes.
Perhaps Yoshi didn't try to kill her (again), only erase any technological link to his Dog Star Clan. But this second attack confirmed Karai’s assertion that she alone should steer the Foot Clan’s destiny. So she sought guidance from the Realm of the Dead, which led her to the secret cache of the Foot Clan's founder, Takeshi Tatsuo. Karai chose her companions carefully in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Untold Destiny of the Foot Clan #4. That's wise, as magical caves are dangerous places.
Fighting and status are significant parts of the ninja life. While Karai enjoys a Tokyo penthouse suite, the mutants share an open-plan apartment. Zodi feels especially aggrieved. The mutant scorpion itches for action and yearns for status. Yet Zodi sits on the sidelines while Karai focuses on achieving her destiny. Her fellow mutants punished her for speaking out. Karai selected one mutant companion and two Humans as her companions for this mission. Why didn't Karai invite Zodi?
In Erik Burnham's story, the Foot Clan faces threats from without and within. Like the cave on Dagobah, the Secret Cache of Takeshi Tatsuo will test the intruders. Magical forces will force Clyde, Natsu, and Casey Jones to confront their insecurities, their feelings about others, and the ambitions that drive them. But their leader, Karai, will face the biggest test. Is she worthy of guiding the Foot Clan toward their prophesied destiny in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Untold Destiny of the Foot Clan #4?
Art
From feisty Zodi sporting her new stinger to technology wizard Kris staring at her monitors, sleep-befuddled Bebop, and wide-eyed Clyde, Mateus Santolouco fills the pages of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Untold Destiny of the Foot Clan #4 with engaging characters. Santolouco's magic transports us from the cave in the woods to a sun-drenched tropical beach and a snow-covered hillside. The expressive characters argue before exploding into action as Raphael kicks Casey, Natsu punches a zombie, and a dragon hurtles through the air.
Marco Lesko bespells Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Untold Destiny of the Foot Clan #4 with a loaded palette of appealing colors. Whether on a New York City rooftop or in an empty armory, characters shine in the dark, aided by ambient light and glowing fire. Lesko enhances the realism of violent moments, such as when Zodi flings a monitor from the Python's workstation or a Turtle punches off Casey's mask.
Shawn Lee conjures black uppercase words in white dialogue balloons and color narrative boxes. The words rarely shrink and grow bold or swell for inflection. Panels explode with the sounds of gunfire, the clang of swords, and spontaneously erupting people. Thanks to IDW for providing a copy of this issue for review.
Final Thoughts
Like John Wagner and Vince Locke's classic graphic novel, the Foot Clan's past is A History Of Violence. Karai seeks to rule over others with an iron fist in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Untold Destiny of the Foot Clan #4. But is crushing anyone who opposes you the best way to achieve your destiny?
Rating 9.8/10
To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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