It starts off very aggressive and the writers tread what must have been new grounds during the 90s for the turtles. I can imagine however a child going to pick it up in the comic book store and expecting a story associated with the 80s cartoon only to realize all the masks are red and the turtles arent afraid of murder thus causing the parents to send the publishing company angry letters which would explain the total tone shift halfway through. Fortunately all the characters and setting are treated with so much respect and care that i never feel pulled out of the story. Everything makes sense in the grand scheme of things. If you really connected with the series i would definitely recommend purchasing the whole story as the ending leaves alot open for the future which i eagerly await to see whats next for my favorite mutants/new yorkers.