Before anyone complains of spoilers, Krang was hiding in plain sight all along. Look under the cast list, and Maya Rudolph is credited as the voice of Cynthia Utrom.
Although the name Krang isn’t mentioned, there’s little doubt as to her true identity. As longtime Turtles fans know, the Utrom are alien creatures that are also known as the Krang (or just Krang, since there was only one in the 1987 cartoon).
In Mutant Mayhem’s opening scenes, Krang’s famous TCRI corporation is established alongside Baxter Stockman’s mutant experiments. The icing on the cake is Cynthia’s appearance, as her wardrobe and glasses match the colors of Krang’s robot body from the original show.
The Utrom have a long and storied history with the Turtles, and fans of both the modern and classic cartoons will rejoice at seeing Krang on movie screens. It will also have sellers marking up the prices on their keys, so now would be the opportune time to invest in the Utrom, beginning here.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #3
The Krang/Utrom were introduced all the way back in 1985. Between the ‘80s cartoon and particularly the 2012 series that reinvented the Utrom, the Krang are only behind Shredder as the Turtles’ most iconic villains.
Whether we will see one, a la the 1987 cartoon show, or an entire race of Utroms as we saw in 2012, Krang looks to be a featured adversary in the Mutant Mayhem sequel. Now would be the time to get your hands on this classic issue.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #7
Here, you have an often overlooked key. TMNT #7 was part of the Turtles’ origin story and revealed that the Utrom were indirectly responsible for the heroes’ mutation. As part of the original mythos, the Krang created the ooze that fell on the four turtles, thus transforming them.
While Stockman is credited with inventing the ooze in Mutant Mayhem, he was unknowingly working for the Krang and their TCRI corporation, which ties it back to the Utrom.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ADVENTURES #1
Ever since word spread that Nickelodeon was producing an animated TMNT movie, this was the first key to gain traction. With prices insanely high for any printing of TMNT #1, TMNT Adventures #1 became much more appealing.
Once it became clear that Seth Rogen would be basing Mutant Mayhem on the original ‘87 cartoon series, that caused a massive rush to the auction sites. After all, this is the first appearance of the most famous versions of those characters, including Krang and Shredder. It doesn’t hurt that fan favorites Rocksteady and Bebop debuted here as well.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ADVENTURES #3
The first time we see Krang’s humanoid android body on a comic cover was in this 1988 issue. It’s hard to see TMNT Adventures #3 becoming hugely popular, but it is a nice addition to any TMNT collection. While it may not earn huge values, that means you can grab a high-grade copy for a low investment.
INTERSTELLAR TURTLES
Revealing Krang as an interdimensional alien should take the next movie far, far from the New York sewers. It could follow the 2012 show and see the Turtles travel to Dimension X itself. Opening the door to space adventures not only gives movie audiences something new, but it gives you many more first appearances to track down.
Isn’t that the best part of collecting, anyway?
