With the real villain finally unveiled, the Turtles and Team Batman work double-time to stop this madman from accomplishing his ultimate goals.
Comic Review: Batman/TMNT Adventures #5
(W) Matthew K. Manning, (A) Jon Sommariva, (I) Sean Parsons, (C) Leonardo Ito
Let’s just come out and say it: the latest issue of this DC/IDW crossover is a lot of fun. Is it perfect? No. In fact, there’s a few items that glaring flaws from a structural and narrative perspective. However, those moments when the book goes off the rails are done with the payoff of highly entertaining moments. This can be attributed to Matthew K. Manning and Jon Sommariva’s self-awareness as to this book’s core audience and their decision to just have fun with these two pop-culture titans.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this issue is how the “A-listers” of both teams are given so little to do, while it is the characters struggling for respect, either from their cohorts or the fanbase, that end up saving the day. As Donnie, the rest of the Turtles, Batman, and Batgirl try to figure out how the Mad Hatter aims to control an entire city, it is Mikey and Robin that actually do the majority of the legwork.
One of the biggest payoffs of this entire crossover is a recreation of the now-iconic opening sequence to Batman: The Animated Series, only with Mikey in his crude, homemade Batsuit in the featured role. Its inclusion does throw the pacing of the issue off, but it’s too damn enjoyable to be mad about. This sequence – as is the case for the rest of the series – works so well because of the combined efforts of artist Jon Sommariva, inker Sean Parsons, and colorist Leonardo Ito. Their harmonious work results in a near-perfect rendering of the animated sequence.
Batman/TMNT Adventures #5Â is not going to win any awards. It might not pull in the biggest numbers. It might not even be the best crossover featuring Batman and the TMNT. But it doesn’t have to be. Matthew K. Manning has managed to find who these characters are and balance their interactions in a fluid, organic manner. It’s good natured, silly fun. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what we all really wanted?
