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Chris M. P.

Chris M. P. has a severe debilitating obsession with old Ninja Turtle action figures and comic books. He’s also a Chicago based Production Artist and Comic Editor. He’s thrilled to be apart of the greatest TMNT resource and he never pays full price for late pizza. Checkout his nonsense at ChrisDoesComics.com.

Comic BooksReviews

COMIC REVIEW: TMNT #124

by Chris M. P.
written by Chris M. P.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #124

Story by Sophie Campbell

Art by Jodi Nishijima and Ken Garing (colors)

Published by IDW 

Released December 15th, 2021

The TMNT and their Mutant Town neighbors celebrate the holidays, but not everyone is enjoying the times-the Turtles feel the absence of Master Splinter, tensions are rising in the neighborhood, and a new threat is emerging. Can the Turtles find their way back to the spirit of the season before disaster strikes?

SILENT NIGHT, NINJA NIGHT

It’s the last 2021 issue of TMNT! And despite bumpy narratives, needless romances, and lack of direction…Campbell and company closes the year with a quiet cozy story of family, friends, and togetherness for the holidays. It’s the type of issue that should come once in a blue moon considering an action title. But Campbell’s writing has shifted TMNT into a slice-of-life furry-drama, so while this issue isn’t a breath of fresh air…its execution is at least. A comic with no words. Yet a strong narrative led solely with artwork from the new Ken Garing and regular Jodi Nishijima. Let’s break it down, ninjas. 

THE RAD: 

– A brisk cozy succinct holiday story filled with cameos and emotional memories. 

– We’re focused on our Turtles brothers and delve into some memories with Splinter, who is sorely missed from the current series. 

– Oroku Saki being a bro and looking out for the Splinter Clan. 

THE BAD 

– Nishijima and Garing’s artwork is NOT bad by any means, but overall feels like a step down from Ronda Pattinson. Though the linework has a great sense of movement, and could make for some great action panels down the line.  

Notes: TMNT #124 is a solid side note in the current story. I enjoyed the creatively silent approach to the issue (especially when “Ninja” is in the title). I loved the cameos, seeing Casey back with the gang, as well as the Turtles’ memories with Master Splinter. The tease of the next baddies and assumption of those annoying weasels being gone could (hopefully) lead us to stronger issues for 2022. Have a Cowabunga Christmas, kids. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #124 is now available wherever comics are sold! 

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Comic BooksReviews

COMIC REVIEW: TMNT #123

by Chris M. P.
written by Chris M. P.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #123

Story by Sophie Campbell

Art by Jodi Nishijima and Ronda Pattinson (colors)

Published by IDW 

Released December 1st, 2021

Leonardo stumbles across an underground fight ring in Mutant Town that caters to both humans and mutants. When Casey Jones convinces Leo to join in, he’s startled to find that one of his opponents is someone of grave importance to him!

FIRST RULE OF MUTANT FIGHT CLUB: DON’T WRITE ABOUT MUTANT FIGHT CLUB…

Okay, I don’t mean that literally. I just wanted a snazzy lead in. After the drag TMNT’s mainline story has been lately, Campbell and company bust out an interesting chapter with #123. There’s some good setup and a decent ending here, yet there’s still an aurora of misdirection. We’re 23 issues into Campbell spearheading her own story. And the TMNT universe has felt like it’s been idling for quite some time now. I’ve perked up with some interesting direction and villains, but overall the title has been on a steady decline in terms of story. 

THE RAD: 

– Nishijima’s crisp and solid linework (this will be her last issue for a bit) and Pattinson’s vibrant alluring colors make this issue a treat for the eyes. As it has been for quite some time now.  

-Leo being the focus is nice. The turtle’s brave leader seems lost when it comes to social constructs. Exploring that is an interesting direction. 

-Casey Jones is back. Introduces Leo to a “fight club”. The dialogue between him and Leo is a bit awkward. But Casey is always welcome in a TMNT comic. Just wish he had more to do. 

THE BAD: 

– The weasels are a pain in the shell. They’re a strong link to the enemy (Hob) and should get the boot. They’re just trouble and beginning to annoy me. 

– Old Hob is a good character, but we need more threats. The Rat King announced his plan 5 months ago! Where the heck is he? 

– I’m over “downtime” of the Turtles cuddling, hanging out, and doing hobbies. It’s nice to get a look into these things, but Campbell’s “slice of life” direction has rendered the title from “Ninja Action” to “Teen Animal Drama”. Know your audience.  

Notes: TMNT #123 livens things up a bit with a focus on Leonardo and the introduction of an “underground” mutant fight club. While it’s well written and opens the story for an interesting direction, Campbell’s two year run has been a letdown. A lot of solid buildup has gone nowhere (Tokka, Rahzar, and Jennika’s song that saves the future) so it’s tough for me to blindly be all in without feeling a little bit cynical. And to make me feel that way Ninja Turtles is an impressive feat. So, again, decent issue…but it always matter where it takes us. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #123 is now available wherever comics are sold! 

 

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Comic BooksReviews

COMIC REVIEW: TMNT #122

by Chris M. P.
written by Chris M. P.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #122

Story by Sophie Campbell

Art by Jodi Nishijima

Published by IDW 

Released October 20th, 2021

The fallout from the confrontation between the Mutanimals and the TMNT continues with many questioning what direction Mutant Town is headed for. While the Turtles discuss their new path forward, Hob begins to set his sights on a new target: Baxter Stockman!

ICE CREAM AIN’T THE ONLY THINGS THAT’S COLD…

After a pretty mundane issue filled with petty cross species relationship drama and childish inner turmoil, can IDW’s TMNT head in a more suitable direction? Answer: Not really. While the plot is moving forward, Campbell’s writing still feels caught up with intricacies that are simply not very interesting. Here’s The Rundown:

THE RAD: 

-Nishijima’s crisp and solid artwork give the characters a defined and colorful vibe. 

-Hob is the only character that’s benefitting from the current series run. He’s interesting…vile yet intriguing. Probably because he doesn’t have a sappy love interest or delve into the political climate.

-Got to see Splinter Clan’s Halloween costumes. That’s always pretty fun. 

THE BAD: 

-Ninja Turtles discussing the foundation of democracy for most of the issue isn’t very tantalizing. 

-Jennika basically says the TMNT are out of their element. But who is she to say that?

-More political rallies, talks of establishing a judicial system and journalistic newspapers are not why I read TMNT. 

Notes: TMNT #122 is another miss for Campbell. I’m not saying you can’t take these characters to places they’ve never been. IDW’s take on TMNT has always been about family at its core. And with that comes drama, love, and consequences. But there is a time and place for it. Campbell’s writing focuses on aspects that simply are not that interesting or, at least, shouldn’t take up so much of the story. At this rate, I’m expecting 16 pages devoted to The Turtles filing their taxes. Just because you can write it, doesn’t mean you should. And I feel like that’s the theme with Campbell’s TMNT run so far. It’s Ninja Turtles, not some Netflix Teen drama or West Wing. When the hell was the last time someone ninja kicked someone else? 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #122 is now available wherever comics are sold! 

 

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Comic BooksReviews

COMIC REVIEW: TMNT #121

by Chris M. P.
written by Chris M. P.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #121

Story by Sophie Campbell

Art by Jodi Nishijima

Published by IDW 

Released September 29th, 2021

It’s an all-out confrontation as the Mutantimals clash with the Splinter Dojo for the fate of Mutant Town! Will the TMNT be able to keep their students from harm and take the fight to Old Hob?

IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME?! 

Last issue, we spent some time with Old Hobb who told his truth. And now he has hell to pay via the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Assassinations, kidnapping, and mutations (all just recently)…what does Hobb have to actually do to come face to face with justice? Is this the issue where he finally faces it? Let’s head to the rundown! 

THE RAD: 

  • Quickly paced story. The issue moves fast and winds down with some decent drama. 
  • Solid striking artwork. It isn’t beautiful exactly, but it’s bold lines and solid colors are effective. 
  • Raph being Raph. Dang, when was the last time we saw him stab someone with his sai?
  • Controlled chaos. A lot of characters, actions, and interweaving stories are laced up when Hob is at the center. Campbell does a good job at letting every character “get their turn” and for actions to breathe. 

THE BAD: 

  • Getting tired of current politics always being featured in my recent comic titles. Real life will always be an inspiration for fiction, but it’s all about as subtle as a brick to the face. Comics are supposed to be an escape from reality. 
  • We’ve lingered on the petty drama within the Splinter Clan for much too long now. Kraang, Shredder, Rat King…give me something to really feed me here. 
  • Old Hobb, while interesting, could be taken much further and deeper. He changed the TMNT story forever via his terrorist acts. Would love to read about his point of view from all this. We’re left in the dark about his true thoughts and motivations other than being told it’s wrong. 

Notes: TMNT #121 briskly moves the story forward. Truth is, I’m just not so thrilled with the story anymore. Sophie Campbell’s writing slogs more than impresses. And I don’t believe I’m in the minority with that thought. The past few issues have been serviceable. But I’m ready for something to happen. And I feel like I’ve been saying that forever. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #121 is now available wherever comics are sold! 

 

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Comic BooksReviews

COMIC REVIEW: THE LAST RONIN #4

by Chris M. P.
written by Chris M. P.

TMNT: The Last Ronin #4

Story by Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Tom Waltz 

Art by Kevin Eastman, Esau and Isaac Escorza, and Ben Bishop

Published by IDW 

Released September 22nd, 2021

With a few key allies, the Ronin takes on the greatest risk yet to infiltrate Baxter Stockman’s tech island! What happened many years ago to set the Ronin on this quest for vengeance? Find out in this action-packed penultimate issue!

Part 4 of 5: BLOOD IN SNOW…

We’re so near the end for The Last Ronin! And Issue Four does not hold back in terms of action, backstory, and twists. This is the heaviest issue in the series so far. There’s great focus on Casey Marie, the fate of Donetello and Master Splinter, Baxter Stockman, and the plan to conquer Hiroyuki. This issue moves at a blazen pace. Comparing it to the previous three issues, it presents us with beautiful artwork via The Escorzas and Bishop. Beautiful linework, layouts, and coloring breathe so much life into what is an already great story. A true example of the visual medium of comic book storytelling. 

Eastman, Laird, and Waltz fill us in on some of the grey spots of Issue 3. I was happy seeing Casey Marie getting fleshed out more. Mikey deciding to take her under his wing and April revealing her “enhancements” due to mutant exposure. Baxter Stockman is revealed to be a human Terminator living on his own island of robot henchman. You can’t get more “Ninja Turtles” than that. Seeing the fall of Donatello and Splinter, while not shocking, was sad in its own right. It’s crazy how Splinter never learns to trust the Oroku clan. Yet that cements them as the ultimate villains in Turtle-History. 

We end with us learning how Mikey was truly left alone. The fall of his master and brethren. And his return for revenge. Things are beginning to become full circle for the Last Ronin story. The battle has been won and it is now time to head to war. Issue 5. The delayed releases of these issues have led to more excitement overall personally speaking. I’m interested in how all of these will read together. And I’m sad for it to end. But all good things must come to an end afterall. 

And The Last Ronin continues to be a very good thing. 

TMNT: THE LAST RONIN #4 IS NOW AVAILABLE WHEREVER COMICS ARE SOLD! 

 

 

 

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