Is the world really ready for yet another foray into the printed past of this storied franchise?  Read on to find out.

The official description from IDW:

The TMNT’s first intergalactic adventure comes to a startling close! It’s Turtles vs. Triceratons on a interplanetary gladiatorial fight to the finish? Will the Turtles make it home and be reunited with Master Splinter? Read here to find out!

First and foremost regarding this whimsical glimpse at what once was is the solid packaging found in these newly colorized releases.  If you’re already a fan of the property you’ve probably read the black and white renditions of these jaunts, but I can’t help but be captivated at what colors do to improve on something that’s already a staple in comic history.

The script by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird has aged just fine, save for a few moments where some really corny and wonky dialogue will surely take even the most devoted fan out of the narrative’s proverbial flow.  Beyond that though the conclusion to this arc yields some humorous moments and some harrowing ones as the Turtles face down some serious odds when they’re caught in a battle at T.G.R.I.  The dialogue though, even at its most off moments, is a powerful component to these festivities and in the the end it reveals a story that turns out to be a fitting affair.

Beyond the writing duties, Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird continued to deliver some lavishly designed panels that came packed with style.  Their unique pencil strokes illustrated a deformed but vibrant world that had a visual appeal that improved with each outing.  From the Turtles to their alien enemies, each and every character was birthed in their truest form as they were surrounded by the care of their creators.  The only unappealing aspect is how the humans are realized, simply put in some panels the rendition of their simplistic form just looks a bit off putting.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Color Classics #7 is yet another cony but joyful trip to the past that’s destined to appeal to hardcore fans.  Recommended.

3.5/5