tmnt-fansite-logo
Home Tags Posts tagged with "Erik Burnham"
Tag:

Erik Burnham

Comic BooksReviews

Comic Review: TMNT/Ghostbusters II #5

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

All good things must come to an end, and we’ve reached the end of the road. It’s the final chapter of TMNT/Ghostbusters II. Will our heroes overcome the vengeful, ghostly visage of Darius Dun? Probably. Will there be any significant impact on either properties ongoing stories? Probably not. Will this be a fun ride? You betcha!

Comic Review: TMNT/Ghostbusters II #5

(W) Erik Burnham & Tom Waltz, (A) Charles Paul Wilson III and Dan Schoening, (C) Luis Antonio Delgado

Thus far, TMNT/Ghostbusters II has run readers through a gamut of situations. There have been Freaky Fridays, alternate worlds, workplace antics, and survivalist tactics. But the one one thing the first four installments did not prepare readers for was to be genuinely moved emotionally, and that’s exactly what happens in this final issue. Oh, and also provide a satisfying conclusion to this crossover event.

Throughout this miniseries, the writing from Erik Burnham and Tom Waltz has been on point as they have captured the essence of the characters, infusing each issue with heart where others may have leaned heavily into action. Their focus on strong characterization reaches its apex here, as the first half of the issue is dedicated to a touching reunion between the Ninja Turtles and their deceased mother, Tang Shen. Her loving words will affect anyone that has lost someone dear to them. It is a truly beautiful sequence, albeit slightly undercut by Charles Paul Wilson’s sloppy artwork.

The remainder of the issue gives fans a climactic battle that does not disappoint. Ghostbusters regular artist Dan Schoening takes over from here, and he floods each page with physicality and energy. Luis Antonio Delgado’s vibrant color palette not only unifies this issue visually, but it makes for a visual feast. And the method of attack deployed showcases the abilities of both the Turtles and the Ghostbusters. This climax is not all action either, as the writers make an effort to infuse the battle with humorous quips. Not only is this immensely entertaining, but it also frustrates the malevolent Darius Dun.

TMNT/Ghostbusters II #5 is a fantastic closing chapter to an entertaining miniseries. Fans from either franchise will find something to enjoy, though this issue is admittedly Turtle-heavy. Full of action and heart, this concluding chapter does something truly unexpected – providing a plot point that may actually affect the TMNT beyond this series. With this issue, TMNT/Ghostbusters II went from an interesting adventure to a must-read for shellheads.

1 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Comic BooksReviews

Comic Review: TMNT/Ghostbusters II #4

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

The high-stakes, high-adventure, dimension-hopping tale featuring the Ninja Turtles and Ghostbusters continues with Part 4. With the teams separated for so long, it’s about time for a reunion…

Comic Review: TMNT/Ghostbusters II #4

(W) Erik Burnham & Tom Waltz, (A) Tadd Galusha, Dan Schoening, Pablo Tunica, Mark Torres, & Charles Paul Wilson III, (C) Luis Antonio Delgado

If you’ve been keeping up with this miniseries to this point, you have a pretty good idea what to expect from this review. If you’re jumping on at this point… why? It’s a limited series, and you’re almost at the end! Go pick up some back issues (and maybe read my earlier reviews). Anyways, the Turtles and their respective Ghostbuster sidekick are still dispersed across multiple dimensions (or dare I say… a multiverse?), with Donnie and Egon continuing to work tirelessly to construct a deus ex machina that will beat the bad guys. After 20-plus pages, the result is another competently constructed issue by Erik Burnham, Tom Waltz, and their expansive art team.

Describing an issue as “competently constructed” may not inspire much confidence in an era where flashy buzzwords dominate reviews, but it is applicable here. This series has suffered a bit from padding out the issues to make it fit its 5-issue structure. This was painfully clear in issue #3, and it continues here. What makes the issue (and this series as a whole) overcome this structural problem is how enjoyable the characters are. There is an undeniable chemistry between the two sets of heroes, who manage to battle, talk, and out-smart their way through several precarious scenarios.

Once again, a plethora of artists have been tasked with bringing this issue to life. In addition to those we have seen throughout the series, Charles Paul Wilson III joins the ensemble, adding a grittier aesthetic to a series that has been fairly light in tone. His art style is a welcome one, as it provides the issue – and by extension the series – with a much needed sense of gravitas, giving the story’s stakes some weight. Once again, the transition between the differing styles aided by the unifying x-factor known as colorist Luis Antonio Delgado, who continues to be this series’ unsung hero.

TMNT/Ghostbusters II #4 continues the fun, jovial nature the miniseries has provided thus far. However, it also adds a layer of gravity that has been previously absent, and for that alone this series is worth keeping up with. Just as it becomes predictable, it manages to provide a genuine surprise.

2 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Comic BooksReviews

Comic Review: TMNT/Ghostbusters II #3

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

The ghostly visage of Darius Dun is aware that the TMNT  have escaped his extra-dimensional prison, and he is not happy about it. Meanwhile, the pairings of Turtles and Ghostbusters each deal with their own unique brand of trouble in miniseries’ middle chapter.

COMIC REVIEW: TMNT/GHOSTBUSTERS II #3

(W) Erik Burnham & Tom Waltz, (A) Dan Schoening, Mark Torres, Pablo Tunica, & Tadd Galusha, (C) Luis Antonio Delgado

When you’re crossing over two properties like the TMNT and the Ghostbusters, you want the story to be decent, the characters to be portrayed accurately, and the overall experience to be fun. That’s three important elements. So how does this this series match up three issues in? Check. Check. And check. TMNT/Ghostbusters II #3 continues to be a fun, if disjointed, ride.

Writers Erik Burnham and Tom Waltz improve on the previous issue’s disjointed nature by jumping around less frequently. Yes, we are still following the four different teams in different locations, but it is handled in a much cleaner fashion. Time is spent with Mikey and Venkman, and then the book moves on without jumping back to them. Unfortunately, because the main cast is still separated, each of their narratives suffer due to a lack of real estate. Both the Raph/Ray and Leo/Winston dynamics are rushed and feel truncated, though the latter gets a bit of a pass for providing the issue’s cliffhanger ending. Meanwhile, the Donnie/Egon dynamic seems to drag on. These two characters are each of their respective teams’ deus ex machina, and dedicating as much time to their technobabble while the other teams are running for their lives is a bit of a lost opportunity.

Despite these narrative and structural problems, there really is a lot to like about this issue. The aforementioned structure of the story benefits the multiple art styles. Because the book isn’t jumping around so much, the art is allowed to breathe and allow the reader to become accustomed to it. Beyond the art, the character work continues to be top notch. Burnham and Waltz are the stewards of these characters, and there is a noticeable care and dedication to their respective teams.

TMNT/Ghostbusters II #3 is not a perfect comic, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s existence is designed to attract an audience beyond the reach of the main titles by delivering a light, fun, and enjoyable experience. And that’s exactly what it provides. Despite its pacing issues, it is a chore to keep from smiling throughout.

 

1 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Comic BooksReviews

Comic Review: TMNT/Ghostbusters II #1

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

On their way back from “The Trial of Krang” in Dimension X, the TMNT are put in a ghost prison by an old adversary. Thankfully, they do have a set of extra-dimensional friends who happen to be quite familiar with ghosts…

Comic Review: TMNT/ Ghostbusters II #1

(W) Erik Burnham & Tom Waltz, (A) Dan Schoening, (C) Luis Antonio Delgado

Over the course of my life as a comics reader, I’ve grown leery series published on a weekly schedule. It doesn’t help that nearly all are compared to the gold standard that is DC’s 52 series that was published in 2006-2007. Since then, publishers have attempted to recreate that magic with underwhelming results. The Dimension X miniseries is the latest example of their penchant for mediocrity. However, TMNT/Ghostbusters II seems like a different animal in that it might actually be good.

It doesn’t hurt that the main creative forces behind each series, Erik Burnham and Tom Waltz, are working to bring this crossover to fruition. Because of this, the character voices come across as true to those that have been following these titles closely without alienating newcomers. Also, regular Ghostbusters artist Dan Schoening provides a unifying aesthetic which works for both sets of characters, as does the coloring by Luis Antonio Delgado.

Unfortunately, as is the case with most crossovers, TMNT/Ghostbusters II #1 spends the entirety of this first issue establishing the main conflict and the need for these characters to interact. As a result, this issue heavily relies on exposition. There’s a whole lot of talking and not much else. Given the predicament laid out before us, there is also a lack of interaction between the two groups of characters – which is this series’ entire selling point. However, this is [slightly] alleviated by the pairing up of each Ghostbuster with a Ninja Turtle, a set of dynamics which will play out over the course of the remaining issues.

Speaking of the set character pairings, they could have been a little more inspired. The brainy Donatello is paired with the brainy Egon. The comedians of each group – Mikey and Venkman – are a team. The hotheaded Raphael gets to work with the combustible Stanz, and the final pairing sees the levelheaded Leo and Winston matched up. While these pairings aren’t necessarily bad, they’re safe and predictable. It’d be a shame if the remainder of this miniseries is as well.

TMNT/Ghostbusters II #1 is a solid opening chapter. While competently assembled, it works very hard to keep readers from getting excited about the upcoming issues. This is a solid, if safe, foundation for the creative team to build upon.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Comic BooksReviews

Comic Review: TMNT Universe #15

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

“Karai’s Path” comes to a stunning and action-packed conclusion that shapes the future of the TMNT and the Foot Clan!

COMIC REVIEW: TMNT UNIVERSE #15

(W) Erik Burnham and Sophie Campbell, (A) Sophie Campbell, (C) Brittany Peer

Karai has been touted as one of the TMNT’s most formidable foes, but her won-loss record does not reflect that. Because she is often an antagonist of the titular Ninja Turtles, Karai frequently is defeated. As a result, this four-part story by Erik Burnham and Sophie Campbell has been a breath of fresh air. With the Turtles removed from the equation, the creative team has crafted a story that showcases all of Karai’s mental and physical prowess, reaching its pinnacle in this concluding chapter.

Following the events of Issue #14, Karai now is in possession of the kira no ken – a deadly blade blessed by the gods of old. But rather than dispatch of its guardian, Yokai, Karai enlists him to her cause. This is just an example of how Karai demonstrates her abilities as a master strategist – a skill that will be on full display by issue’s the end. Not only this, but Burnham and Campbell also infuse Karai with a degree of personality not usually seen from the character. Any traits beyond unwavering loyalty and stoic glares tend to come at the expense of the strength she exudes.

The personality Karai exudes is largely a result of the fantastic artwork from Campbell and colorist Brittany Peer. While there are moments where character renderings are a bit awkward, or the coloring does not make thematic sense, but for the most part they deliver another solid performance. This issue not only has a lot of character development, but also a lot of action. It is here where the art really shines. Every movement is fluid, and each panel is packed with energy. Not only that, but the transitions – from page to page and panel to panel – are smooth and kinetic, filling this issue with life.

TMNT Universe #15 brings to a close the best story arc in the anthology series. Beautiful to look at and tightly paced, “Karai’s Path” is the shot in the arm both TMNT Universe and the main ongoing needed. It leaves the readers satisfied while simultaneously keeping an eye on what lies ahead. Hopefully, this creative team is able to make an impact on those future stories.

 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts
Close