Prime Slime Tales #1

I paid $2 for this book based only on the publisher. As Mirage Studios was the birthplace of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, I hoped that maybe this was set in the same universe. Other than the wraparound cover being penciled by TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, there isn't anything else that connects the Ninja Turtles with the cast of characters in this book. 

The star of the book is an alley cat named Zigbone. He lives at the city dump along with an assortment of other critters like a foul-mouthed bullfrog named Warty. One day as Zigbone is scouting the refuse for his next meal, the kitty stumbles across a strange looking character. Fearing that either an alien is invading or a monster is attacking, Zigbone rallies his junk yard pals in hopes of destroying the... adorable little guy that only says 'Blort!'

Prime Slime Tales was written and illustrated from Rowen and Tony Basilicato who co-created the Geriatric Gangrene Jujitsu Gerbils. A parody of the Turtles, I am surprised that Mirage Studios signed the Basilicatos to do this book and I am even more surprised that the Gerbils make a guest appearance in this book. Obviously Eastman and Laird had a good sense of humor about things, figuring if you can't beat 'em, team up with 'em!

I hated the ending. For one, it ends with a cliffhanger. Second, it looks like it's curtains for that adorable Blort creature. I really hope he didn't die! He's so freakin' cute. I really, really want to know what happens next, unless it's a funeral for 'Blort'.

Prime Slime Tales only lasted for a second issue at Mirage before jumping ship to Now Comics. Considering that I can't even find out what happens in issue #2, I have even less hope of understanding why the Basilicatos defected. There's very, very little about Now Comics on the net, probably because of how such a small player the publisher was in the vast nearly 90 year history of comics. 

If you were like me and you were expecting the Ninja Turtles to appear in this book, don't be completely disappointed that they aren't in this story. Eastman and Laird do craft a pin-up in the back cover that has the Turtles helping the stars of this book from a horde of scary looking monsters. Unfortunately, it's in black and white. But it's still impressive looking. 

A good read that left me in the lurch. I really need to know what happens next.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.