Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #36

Writer: Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz Artist: Mateus Santolouco Publisher: IDW Publishing Release Date: July 16, 2014 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 10 User Reviews: 4
7.5Critic Rating
8.0User Rating

+ Pull List

Leonardo and Splinter plan for the coming war with Shredder. As they meditate on what their true path must be, they are engulfed by darkness. And from that darkness emerges... the Rat King! Will his meddling with their minds lead to salvation or madness?

  • 8.7
    Geeked Out Nation - Ian Yoxon Jul 16, 2014

    All in all Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #36 was still a good issue to read. It's a fun little issue that anyone could enjoy if they randomly find this in their local comic book stores and TMNT fans who enjoy the villain Rat King. As part of a story arc however, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #36 can be skipped over since it doesn't have anything to do with the current story. But chances are this issue will probably be brought up again in the series sometime next year. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Unleash The Fanboy - Harrison Rawdin Jul 16, 2014

    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #36 is yet another strong outing that proves the vibrancy of this iteration. From beginning to end the entire comic book ebbs and flows with a locked in purpose as it easily comes recommended. Read Full Review

  • 8.3
    IGN - Jeff Lake Jul 17, 2014

    For those wary of the Turtles' upcoming return to cinema, take heart -- the best Turtles story of the summer is already here. Writer Tom Waltz has done a fantastic job mining the characters' existing mythology and making it his own, his takes on old favorites familiar yet boldly different. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    AIPT - Nick Nafpliotis Jul 15, 2014

    On art duties, Manteus Santolouco is teamed up with Mark Torres, who draws the Rat King's flash back scenes. Both artists ended up creating some of the very best work we've had in all 36 issues of the series. Combined with Waltz's usual knack for combining action with great storytelling, it's more than enough to forgive all the dangling plot threads"for now. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Vine - Gregg Katzman Jul 16, 2014

    TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES' current story arc keeps getting bigger and bigger. Just when you thought the stage was set and we're ready to move forward, the team introduces totally new plot points and leaves us hanging on a cliffhanger that's pure fan service. Thankfully, the fast-paced narrative isn't leaving its characters in the dust. The team behind the story continues to focus on humanizing these individuals and this conversation between Leo and his father has been building for a little while and the experience was well worth the wait. Plus -- and it should really come as no surprise by now -- Santolouco and Pattison once again do a praiseworthy job with all of the panels. Now that the majority of the cast has received some proper attention, it's time to see what'll happen when the team finally decides to move forward with its plans. I've said it before and I'll say it again: this continues to be a series that every TMNT fan needs to follow. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    All-Comic - Erik Gonzalez Jul 16, 2014

    This feels like a landmark issue in the TMNT run. It's well written; a new character is introduced; a new alliance is forged; with tone-perfect artwork – one can't ask for much more in a single comic! Pick up issue #36, it affirms why people dig what IDW is doing. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Fortress of Solitude - Byron Hendricks Jul 27, 2014

    This issue is a great read, one that contains no humour and silver linings. Here we see the darkness that hides within two main characters, will they overcome the mind games or fall victim to this new terror? And just when you think things could not get worse, more terror might followsoon. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Comic Bastards - Samantha Roehrig Jul 17, 2014

    All in all though, even the last page of this issue had more plot than the Rat King. I think following The Rat King around this issue led to some confusion. Right after he leaves, Leo and Splinter think nothing of it and move on with another story. Hello you literally almost just killed each other from the King's mind tricks and you don't even care! I am frustrated with that. I would have much rather followed Krang or Shredder or Alopex. What is up with that fox? And with the ended, I really would like to see what is up with Shredder. Needless to say, I wasn't the biggest fan of this issue. I really hope a common goal is set up soon, or at least everyone's individual story is moving with a pace in mind. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    We The Nerdy - Adrienne Crean Jul 16, 2014

    The comic ends with a disappointing feature which left me saying “Really? They don't have enough to deal with right now?!”. I can see where Waltz will use this story in the future, but for the turtles problems going on RIGHT NOW, I deemed it not necessary. To add to my dilemma with the issue, the Rat King story took major priority over the entire comic. We got a small glimpse of Casey being taken care of by April's parents after the beat down with his father, but not a single blink of the other turtles. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Comics: The Gathering - louis whiteford Jul 17, 2014

    Get it together, Ninja Turtles. I know you have it in you. I called you “the best incarnation this series has ever had” when I started covering this book for Comics the Gathering. I’m already in this for the long haul. Don’t make me eat my words. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Alloy Press May 27, 2020

    Rat King is properly introduced and steals the spot light. Another well written character his new origin was great, these characters have been re ignited in the best way. Again Splinter is so badass this run...looking forward to his rematch with Shredder. Last panel was great something this comic does very well is keeping us on edge for whats next!

  • 8.0
    Gizmo Jul 31, 2014

    TMNT is in between arcs and it's an ideal time to introduce new players and plant new seeds, which is exactly what happens here. Is this issue necessary to the series? I think so, because we will no doubt see the Rat King again soon and we'll already have an introduction at that point. Stick around, things will heat up soon enough.

  • 8.0
    Sidney Jul 17, 2014

  • 7.0
    VladEkHead Feb 2, 2023

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