The 40th anniversary of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has seen IDW relaunch their ongoing series, as well as kick off a few interesting spin-offs; Mutant Nation is the latest of the latter to make it to comic book stores. Is this as strong a start as the first issue for the other original spin off series, Nightwatcher, which also released recently? Let’s find out.

Continuity wise, Mutant Nation flashes back to the aftermath of The Armageddon Game, which occurred at the end of the previous IDW TMNT series, taking place before the first issue of the new ongoing comic. The Turtle siblings are separated, and the story follows Raphael, working as a bouncer in a bar. Though he’s trying to clear his head, he’s taking the opportunity to do good, while still being able to use his martial arts skills. That is, until an old friend/enemy turns up, forcing Raphael into a situation he’d rather not be involved with.

There’s a bonus back up story in this issue too, which follows Casey Jones working for Karai, essentially as an agent of the Foot Clan.

Both stories are quite steeped in the continuity of the now concluded IDW series, but they remain reasonably accessible. Once you know where and when they take place, it’s easy enough to pick up on what’s occurred; the status quo for each character is more or less explained in each story as it progresses anyway.

They’re enjoyable enough too, but honestly, there are enough mysteries and changes unfolding, and to keep track of, in the main TMNT series, as well as Nightwatcher, without more being added on. In isolation, these are pretty enjoyable stories and Mutant Nation is a good look at the TMNT world beyond the confines of New York, but having just seen Mikey in Japan in the second issue of the rebooted TMNT, it feels like even that aspect of it is already being done elsewhere.

There’s nothing wrong with Mutant Nation, per se (the artwork is up the usual, phenomenal IDW standards, for example), it’s just that it feels unnecessary right now, given that the main series and another spin off are already exploring more than the norm for TMNT, and a new flashback series for Raphael, knowing where he ends up, just feels a bit redundant. It’s definitely the weakest link in the new line of Turtle titles, especially as there’s so much more that could be covered; the Casey Jones back up story, for example, does give us a bit of a wider glimpse at their world without the feeling that the outcome doesn’t matter. More brooding Raphael isn’t needed; it’s ground that’s well trodden, and we’ve only just been there in TMNT #1 a few weeks ago.

Though we’re in the midst of the 40th anniversary, it does seem like IDW are stretching the current continuity somewhat thin right now, and Mutant Nation’s primary story, as good as it is, might just prove to be the breaking point.