WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #126, available now from IDW Publishing.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have lost what feels like everything in the wake of a devastating attack by the Punk Frogs. Not only have the Turtles lost their home in a violent inferno, but they’ve also been forced to hunt their latest enemies without a clue as to who or what they are really fighting for. Even worse, their latest brawl has sent two members of the Splinter Clan to the doorstep of yet another new villain, and Donatello’s worst moment might keep him from realizing that he is consorting with a potential enemy.
The Splinter Clan has wasted no time in seeking out the Punk Frogs, though even approaching them erupts into another battle. As the rooftops of Mutant Town devolve into chaos in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #126 (by Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz, Sophie Campbell, Pablo Tunica, Ronda Pattison, Bobby Curnow, and Shawn Lee), Donatello and Alopex go crashing through a massive skylight. Before they can make their way out of the building, the two heroes come across a hulking, cybernetically enhanced mutant who piques their interest. Following the mysterious mutant leads the two heroes to the strange Dr. Jasper Barlow, Mutant Town’s latest medical prodigy.
Dr. Barlow presents himself as more than an ordinary plastic surgeon, although he isn’t above more basic procedures. When he was first seen in the previous issue, the doctor was discussing the finer points of a hair graft with Sheena, Jennika‘s mutant love interest. In spite of any other obvious red flags, there appears to be nothing for Donatello to fear from Barlow on the surface, even though his cohorts are certainly menacing, and his workspace leaves something to be desired. Unfortunately, Donatello decides to ignore the potential warning signs in favor of seeking the help of the doctor to repair his broken and battered body.
Donatello, unlike the rest of his Turtle brethren, has suffered extensive damage to his shell. Back in 2014’s “Attack on Technodrome” storyline, the Turtles’ attempt to turn both the Foot Clan and Utroms against one another was uncovered, and Donatello paid the price. Acting on Shredder’s orders, Bebop and Rocksteady viciously assaulted the Ninja Turtle, shattering his shell with a sledgehammer and leaving him for dead. Thankfully, Donatello managed to overcome his injuries with the timely intervention of his allies, though the memory still haunts him. Not only that, the physical scars left behind from that attack continue to be felt in the form of lingering pains and prosthetics that contract in the cold. If Donatello believes that Barlow is the answer to all of his problems, the Turtles might see their latest enemy openly invited into their lives.
There is always the chance that Dr. Barlow is truly a benevolent figure, although that does not seem likely based on his interactions thus far. If his true intentions are nefarious, the other Turtles may be able to see through his charade before Donatello is placed in a compromising position.
However, if Barlow is allowed to infiltrate the Turtles and possesses ill will, the heroes could be facing yet another enemy who knows too much about them. Considering how much the Splinter Clan has lost already, they definitely can’t afford another misstep, even if it could heal one of their own.
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