Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Micro Series “” Krang #1
Script by Joshua Williamson
Art by Mike Henderson
Colors by Ian Herring
Letters by Shawn Lee
Edited by Bobby Curnow
Covers by Kevin Eastman, Mike Henderson & Tyler Walpole
IDW Publishing
Release Date: April 17, 2012
Cover Price: $3.99

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Micro Series “” Krang #1 is, simply put, a delight. It’s about 50% kick-ass action tale and 50% the fun Ninja Turtle type comic that you love. Put that all together and it’s 100% good!

I really didn’t need a Krang origin, but Joshua Williamson convinced me otherwise. I can’t believe I just read a comic about a living brain who goes Rambo in order to prove himself to his father, but I did. And I really enjoyed it. Williamson writes an interesting story about focusing on Krangs younger years and his quest to earn the respect of not only his father, but his fellow…brains, I guess. It’s a lot of fun, surprisingly intense in places, but it’s all around awesome. There’s great elements of fun, surprise and we get an honest to God resolution for the story. The only downside? No Ninja Turtles.

G.I. Joe: The Cobra Files #1
Written by Mike Costa
Art by Antonio Fuso
Inks by Emilio Lecce
Colors by Arianna Florean
Letters by Shawn Lee
Consulting Editor: John Barber
Editor: Carlos Guzman
Covers by Michael Lark, Antonio Fuso, Tom Whalen, Jamal Igle, and Brandon Peterson
IDW Publishing
Release Date: April 10, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Wow! G.I. Joe: The Cobra Files #1 is probably one of my favorite books going right now! And, it’s only on it’s first issue. That’s setting the bar pretty high for any future issues, guys.

Mike Costa returns to write the book that focuses on the G.I. Joe team that’s taking it undercover to Cobra. They have set themselves deep undercover — and I mean DEEP undercover. In fact, I don’t know how they’re going to find their way back at this point. The book has a very small cast of characters, and that’s one of the things that I like about it. Along with all the espionage, intrigue, and awesomeness. I don’t want to reveal any spoilers, and unfortunately, anything that I say about the book’s story can be considered an actual spoiler. Save it to say, if you liked Costa’s last G.I. Joe series, you’ll love this one!

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Hive
Trade Paperback
Story by Brannon Braga
Script by Terry Matalas & Travis Fickett
Art by Joe Corroney
Ink Assists by Matt & Shawn Fillbach
Colors by Hi-Fi
Letters by Shawn Lee
Original Series Edits by Scott Dunboer
IDW Publishing
Release Date: March 27, 2013
Cover Price: $17.99 | Sale price: $9.88

The Star Trek: The Next Generation: Hive trade paperback collects the hit IDW mini-series from 2012, written by legendary Star Trek writer/producer Brannon Braga.

Script writers Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett take story writer Brannon Braga’s concept and carve together a passable script. What the big problem is, is that Braga tries to tell THE definitive Star Trek: The Next Generation story here, but it feels more like an expanded episode of the TV series. In short, The Borg has launched and finally taken over the Alpha Quadrant. All that stands between them and total domination is, of course, Jean-Luc Picard. Picard comes up with a plan to finish The Borg once and for all, but he needs help from another former Borg, Seven of Nine. Will they succeed? I think you know the really predictable answer to that.

G.I. Joe #2
Written by Fred Van Lente
Art by Steve Kurth
Inks by Allen Martinez
Colors by Joana LaFuente
Letters by Shawn Lee
Covers by Steve Kurth, Allen Martinez & Joana Lafuente, Juan Doe, and Ryan Dunlavey
Consulting Editor: Carlos Guzman
Editor: John Barber
IDW Publishing
Release Date: March 20, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

I honestly don’t know how I waited a whole month for G.I. Joe #2. But, I’m glad I did. Wait, I’m not glad that I WAITED, I’m glad that the moment is here and I got to read it. Issue #3 comes out next week, right? RIGHT?!?!

Fred Van Lente is quickly becoming my favorite writer. I don’t know how I missed his awesomeness all these year. And for that, I apologize. Now, I’ll be making up for it. Ladies & Gentlemen, G.I. Joe is BACK! BACK to its comic greatness. BACK to the stories that we all imagined while we played with the toys when we were kids. Remember a couple of years ago when we were all so pleasantly surprised when we watched G.I. Joe: Resolute? Yeah, it’s like that.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #20
Story Kevin Eastman & Tom Waltz
Script Tom Waltz
Art Ben Bates
Color by Ronda Pattison
Lettering by Shawn Lee
Covers by Ben Bates, Langdon Foss, and Kevin Eastman & Ronda Pattison
Editor: Bobby Curnow
IDW Publishing
Release Date: March 20, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

From the opening panel, I didn’t think I would care for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #20. ONLY because I am NOT a fan of the Turtles in space. Never have been, don’t think I ever will be. I prefer the Turtles fighting crime, underground in New York City. Was my mind changed? Let’s find out…

Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz craft a VERY entertaining story in this issue, one that, I’ll admit, made me a fan of Turtles in space. When the series began, one of my fears was “How long before the sci-fi element comes into play?” It took awhile, which I’m thankful for, but what’s different about THIS time is that evolves logically throughout the course of the series. There’s no dinosaur guy appearing out of nowhere and dragging the Turtles off to a distant planet. But, back to this issue in particular: It’s the climax to the Turtles’ war with Krang and his forces and it’s VERY entertaining. There’s action, cliffhangers, and a few laugh out loud moments. All in all, a really fun comic.