Zodiac, Part 1 is the beginning of a two-part story arc published in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Amazing Adventures issue 1.
Appearing in Zodiac, Part 1[]
Major characters[]
Minor characters[]
Main Locations, Vehicles, and Accessories[]
Synopsis[]
The Ninja Turtles are out at the docks at night where Donatello is using his mutagen scanner to search for Dr. Cluckingsworth, after local reports of sightings of a chicken with a giant brain. They quickly discover Fishface running out of a warehouse, being chased by Cluckingsworth. Fishface dives into the water and disappears. Cluckingsworth then uses her psychic powers to attack the Turtles, knocking them unconscious. A mysterious figure with ram-hoof-like shoes stands over the four Turtles, telling Cluckingsworth that these aren't the mutants he seeks. Donnie catches a glimpse of a symbol on the figure's shoe before he passes out.
Later, the Turtles have retreated to their lair, trying to figure out why Cluckingsworth would betray them. Donnie identifies the symbol he saw as that of the Japanese Zodiac, which is made up of twelve signs based on animals. Splinter overhears Donnie, asking his son to explain more about the shoe he saw.
Back at the dock, Splinter has accompanied his sons to continue the investigation. Splinter appears to realize who the shoe prints belong to but cannot explain before they are confronted by the Shredder, Oroku Saki, arriving in person alone and wanting to talk to Hamato Yoshi. The Turtles spring into action and attack the Shredder, who very easily knocks down Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo. Leonardo then briefly spars with the Shredder before Splinter calls for a halt to the battle.
Splinter and the Shredder start talking to each other in what Donnie explains is "Ancient Japanese". The Turtles themselves cannot immediately understand this speech, and Donnie prepares to use his T-Phone to translate the text when Splinter explains the situation in English: The "Zodiac" has returned with the power of the ox, rabbit, horse and ram.
The group is interrupted when Pigeon Pete flies in from the sky, shouting for help and explaining he was looking for the Turtles (and bread). The Shredder grabs Pete by the neck and demands an explanation. Pete reveals that Leatherhead and Rockwell have been attacked. Splinter and the Shredder immediately recognize them as "the dragon" and "the monkey," and the Shredder adds that Tiger Claw (the tiger), Rahzar (the dog) and Bebop (the boar) have also already been taken—and so has Karai (the snake), and this news in particular alarms and worries Splinter. At the same time, Donnie is researching the zodiac signs on his T-Phone, and realizes that when Cluckingsworth (the chicken) is counted, only one symbol is still missing: the rat. And with this, Donnie has a terrible realization.
The group is then ambushed in a massive puff of smoke, and soon find themselves surrounded by Bebop, Cluckingsworth, Leatherhead, Rockwell and Tiger Claw. Every one of them with the power of speech is uttering a single word: "Zodiac." With this, Donnie alerts the others that they're trying to capture Splinter. Pete panics and flies away, leaving the others to fend for themselves. Splinter instructs his sons to strike their allies with mercy. The Shredder calls this a sentimental weakness as he fiercely attacks Rockwell and Bebop. Raph tries to use this opportunity to attack the Shredder himself but is again easily knocked down. Splinter's concern for Raphael is enough of a distraction for Karai to land an attack on Splinter.
A new ram-like figure arrives, announcing that he brings unity. Splinter immediately recognizes him as Tetsumi Onamota, whom he declares brings only the promise of destruction. Splinter tries to attack Tetsumi, who uses a mysterious technological device against the rat. Splinter docilely joins the other opponents, with Tetsumi explaining that the rat belongs to the Zodiac now.
Errors[]
- Though Donatello explains that Splinter and the Shredder are talking to each other in "Ancient Japanese", this is not actually the case. The words they exchange with each other are in Modern Japanese, and even contain a loanword adapted from English, "zodiakku" (zodiac).
Trivia[]
- Leatherhead appears young and green again in this story with no explanation.