Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #115
Story by Sophie Campbell
Art by Sophie Campbell & Ronda Pattinson (colors)
Published by IDW
Released March 17th, 2021
It’s the biggest battle of the year as Bebop and Rocksteady take on Tokka and Rahzar! Meanwhile, Jennika needs to finish forming her band if the future is to be saved. Who she picks as lead singer will surprise you!
Let’s all just sit down and talk about our feelings…
After a solid return to form from the previous issue, TMNT #115 promises a mutantmania sized fanfare battle between the monstrous tag teams of Bebop and Rocksteady and Tokka and Rahzar! If that wasn’t enough, the Bill and Ted-like storyline continues as Jennika has to get the band back together. Perhaps she’s on a mission from God? Nah, it’s actually because of time traveling Lita. Does Sophie Campbell continue the action and humor we previously saw or are we going to get tangled up in more furry-like fanfiction?
It’s sort of ironic that the selling point of this issue was Bebop and Rocksteady finally butting heads with Tokka and Rahzar…yet the real story came in the last few pages in which everyone gets together and talks it out. A lot has been festering within the world of TMNT the past 15 issues. Campbell’s “slice of life” way of storytelling was refreshing, at first, yet it made the series seem stagnant. The past couple issues have felt like a bit of a cure, with #115 in particular, offering action and humor that is expected in TMNT lore.
The mutant mayhem was fun to see, as we find out that Bebop and Rocksteady are truly no match for the pure power of Tokka and Rahzar, that is until machine guns and chainsaws get involved. There was more action between those four than our Turtle brothers have been in for months. The time travel plot with Lita seemed interesting at first, but it’s starting to become a chore to read. Campbell has a problem with pacing…as nothing of note really happens for a long time…you realize you get some little moments here and there…but overall the big picture is muddled. I’m currently finding myself interested in the TMNT themselves (go figure) and really ready to take a break from Jennika, this band idea, and the gang of mutant furries.
Campbell’s artwork continues to be nothing but stellar throughout the issue though. Particularly the last few pages in which TMNT and Friends talk out their dark pasts, presents, and futures. The scolding given to them almost seems like a slap in the face to speed up the story’s pacing (which I agree with). It presents the idea to quit the sulking, work together, and move forward. And I hope this is more than an idea…I hope it’s truly what will happen in the future TMNT issues.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #115 is now available wherever comics are sold!
