Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Deviations #1 is a great "What If" story. It expertly characterizes a multitude of different characters, especially the Turtles' dark and twisted nature as they now serve Shredder. The story is well-paced and full of action. There are some issues with certain characters just appearing for the plot's sake, but these can be easily overlooked given the constraints of a single issue. Howard's artwork is absolutely incredible and complements Waltz's script fantastically. This is a dark tale that you won't want to miss. Read Full Review

This issue is a great look into an alternate reality- and is easily accessible to those who may not be following the current series. The artwork matches the mood driven story well, and seeing the turtles as members of the Foot is something I never thought I would see. If you are a fan of the turtles, like me, then this is a must buy for a break of the ordinary. Read Full Review

You might think the world has no need for a darker, grittier take on the Ninja Turtles, but this comic could very well change your mind. TMNT Deviations uses the main series' continuity to craft an unsettling look at a world where things have gone wrong for the Heroes in a Half-Shell, and it makes for fine reading. It's just a shame the creative team didn't have more space to let this What If?-style tale fully breathe. Read Full Review

But that all said, seeing Zach Howard take on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is absolutely worth the price of admission, and when you add a cool high concept to the mix, you'll find that this might be the most striking and exciting of IDW's Deviations lineup. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has attracted some of the best artists to IDW since they picked up the title, but this one-shot might be a new high for the series as a whole. Read Full Review

The art by Zach Howard was a superb choice! He gave the feel of grit as the turtles mercilessly hunt for Splinter. My only gripe would be I would have liked to see Rocksteady, Bebop, Bludgeon and Koyo alongside Shredder and the Turtles to get the full effect of just how powerful Shredder's reach was and how over powered, "The Shredhead" would be after gaining the turtles. It was a great one shot and glad I got to see a "what could have been." Read Full Review

I just wanted more time with this alternate tale. Then it could have really shined. Read Full Review

Overall, TMNT: Deviations was delightful read. It was nothing groundbreaking but it gave readers a glimpse of a nightmare scenario by turning some of our favorite heroes into villains. The story line felt jumbled at times trying to rely on past plot points but the action kept it moving. The art was solid and gritty giving the Ninja Turtles their signature look and the fight scenes were highly detailed. This book may not be official canon and exist in an alternate universe, but it still made me crave a slice of pizza. Read Full Review

Even with all that, this issue is still a lot of fun. Waltz hits all the right notes for an alternate reality story (major deaths, organically shifted character arcs, etc.) along with providing an ending that packs a genuine punch to the heart. I just wish the road we took to get there hadn't also landed those strong jabs to my brain. Read Full Review

It's always fun playing the 'what if?' game: it allows for the opportunity to turn reader's expectations upside down with no risk of reprieve. It opens the doors to different avenues of expectation allowing us to see old characters and stories in new ways. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – DEVIATIONS delivers on that and more: it's a Lewis Carol-esque inversion of a world you thought you knew that will leave you shocked, riveted and with a higher body count than the final acts of Hamlet. I've said it before and I'll say it again: "man, I love reading the Turtles"" Read Full Review

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Deviations" #1 has a good premise and strong opening scenes, but the weak plotting and lack of deeper characterization keeps it from being a stronger one-shot or memorable "What If?" tale. Read Full Review

i'm really not sure HOW some of these BOZO-reviewers can justify giving this book such lackluster rating scores??? . . . . . FIRST OFF . . . . . the art is GORGEOUS!!!!! absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!! . . . . . some of the BEST IDW Tmnt art i've seen since Mateus Santolouco!!! . . . . . and secondly the level of intensity of that intro???? . . . . . the level of emotion of what was going on . . . . . these reviewers MUST be dead inside???? or just have NO souls to speak of!!! . . . . . . . . . . i was thinking if i should have bothered with this one-shot? i never liked the premise of Dark-Leo to begin with!!! . . . . . truthfully i HATED the whole Dark-Leo idea with a passion!!! . . . . . but seeing this story with ALL four brothers turned evil by Kitsune . . . . . especially Michelangelo!!! . . . . . . . . . . it was enough to bring tears to my eyes!!! . . . . . now if THAT isn't powerful story-telling, then i don't know WHAT is? . . . . . this is an amazing one-shot that i plan to read and enjoy again and again! more