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Comic Review: Batman/TMNT II #6

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

It’s the grand finale of the Batman and TMNT crossover, with a fun, knock-down, drag out battle between our heroes and Bane’s army.

Comic Review: Batman/TMNT II #6

(W) James Tynion IV and Ryan Ferrier (A) Freddie E. Williams II

The final issue of Batman/TMNT II has finally arrived. While the series may not be the pleasant surprise that the original crossover was, it has still managed to deliver a quality, interdimensional romp featuring two pop culture titans. But unlike the previous 11 issues (going back to the original crossover), this finale has a slight change in the creative team, as Ryan Ferrier steps in to help out James Tynion IV in writing the issue. But in all honesty, it is difficult to notice any impact on the story’s overall quality.

Batman/TMNT II #6 goes for broke, spending almost the entirety of its page count on the battle for New York. In one corner is Bane and a literal army of Venom-enhanced foot soldiers. In the other is the Bat-family, Team Turtles, and the Shredder (yes, you read that correct). While it is a tall task to have a massive battle and satisfying resolution all within this one issue, the writing duo of Tynion and Ferrier gets it done. While there is a moment in Ferrier’s scripting that feels a dated and out of place – a classic moment of a character describing to the reader what is happening – it is a minor distraction. This minor issue aside, the rest of the story is competently told. The concluding pages, while a little rushed, give the book a definitive ending while keeping the door cracked open for another crossover down the line.

Perhaps the best element of this issue is Tynion’s handling of Shredder, and finding a way for him to work alongside the Turtles and agreeing to turn himself back over to authorities when the fight is over. It’s honestly a welcome change of pace and a great choice by Tynion. He could have easily left it with the Shredder on the loose, but instead he choose the more difficult option to write, and the book is better for it.

At the end of the day, the purpose of the script in this issue is to provide Freddie E. Williams the framework to play with all the toys in the sandbox. If you’ve read the reviews of the preceding 5 issues, there isn’t much more to say about Williams’ artwork. It’s bold, dynamic, and stylized in a manner that some people like, while others may not. I happen to like it, so I count it as a positive, even though his human character do suffer from unnatural proportions. When all is said and done, Batman/TMNT II proves to be another successful collaboration between DC and IDW.

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Comic Review: Batman/TMNT II #5

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

Donatello is on a roided-up rampage, and only Batman and his brothers can stop him. And they’ll need to, if they have any hope of stopping Bane from becoming the true king of New York!

Comic Review: Batman/TMNT II #5

(w) James Tynion IV (a) Freddie E. Williams II

Intercompany crossovers are great because they force the creative team to provide a pure, continuity-light version of characters. Not only does it make certain characters accessible to uninitiated or lapsed readers, it also reminds us why we fell in love with these characters in the first place. In the case of James Tynion and Freddie Williams’ Batman/TMNT books, readers are granted the opportunity to see both sets of characters at their absolute purest.

Of course, not everything in this issue is the Turtles at their purest. That’s because, as mentioned previously, Donatello is on a rampage. Feeling inadequate and guilty for the current situation, Donnie has injected himself with venom with unfortunate side-effects. Now, the venom has taken over, and he cannot control the rage coursing through his veins. This presents an opportunity for Tynion, who uses it to showcase the best traits of Leonardo and Batman. With Leonardo, Tynion demonstrates why he is unquestionably the leader of the team as he tries to get through to his brother with unrelenting persistence. Meanwhile, Tynion’s Batman draws clear inspiration from Batman: The Animated Series, as he has a warmer personality as evidenced by his empathizing with Donnie.

While this conflict is the main, driving force behind this issue’s narrative, the other core characters do have their moments – however fleeting – to shine. Whether it is Michelangelo, Robin, April, or Nightwing, Tynion does enough with each character to make readers feel comfortable in knowing who they are and what makes them tick. With that said, this issue does ultimately come across as a filler issue meant to pad the miniseries out to 6 issues. While decompressed storytelling is not inherently a bad thing, it can result in the narrative moving at a sluggish pace. Such is the case here. It is unfortunate, because there is actually a very interesting story to tell – specifically Splinter going through the Lazarus Pit – which is just glossed over.

At this point, readers should know what to expect from Freddie Williams’ art. For a more complete analysis, check out one of the other reviews for this series. I just don’t want to keep repeating myself, so here’s the main points: It’s dynamic. The layouts are creative. Overall, it’s very good.

Batman/TMNT II #5 is a very strong issue in terms of character development and examination. However, it is lacking when it comes to actually progressing the plot in a meaningful manner. Hopefully, the kinks are ironed out in the next issue to bring this miniseries to a satisfying conclusion.

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Comic Review: Batman/TMNT II #4

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

The Turtles, Batman, and Robin have their hands full as they take on Bane’s army of venom-fueled warriors. Meanwhile, Casey and April discover a two-way radio is more difficult to use than an inter-dimensional portal device.

Comic Review: Batman/TMNT II #4

(w) James Tynion IV (a) Freddie E. Williams II

In my review of this crossover’s previous issue, I levied a criticism at the hilarious proportions of Bane’s body as rendered by artist Freddie E. Williams II. Apparently, the creative team was just as aware of how ridiculous the character looked, as in the midst of battle Raphael takes the time do deliver a long-winded insult to the venom-fueled villain. That alone makes Batman/TMNT II #4 worth the price of admission.

For the most part, this issue is one big action sequence. The line in the sand is clearly drawn, with our heroes on one side and the baddies on the other. After a few rounds of posturing, they converge on one another. The result is some of the most creative and beautiful looking action sequences in a TMNT comic. Freddie Williams’s inventive layouts don’t make Batman/TMNT II #4 something to just read, but rather something to experience. The opening sequence with Casey and April is solid, but once the battle takes over, he pulls out all the stops. Double-page spreads are just the tip of the iceberg. On multiple occasions he uses character faces to frame the action, or utilize an angle that is slightly off from comic norms. Once the battle ends, Williams continues his artistic tour de force, delivering memorable imagery such as Bane’s defacing of the Statue of Liberty.

This great artwork by Williams is bringing to life a solid script by James Tynion IV. If you’ve read his previous works, either from the TMNT or Batman, you know that Tynion knows these characters inside and out. More importantly, he knows what makes them great characters and what has made them endure over many years. He is able to bring these sensibilities to the book and strike a very balanced tone. There are instances with high stakes and grave situations, but there are also moments of levity and winking at the audience that do not feel out of place.

After the previous issue’s dip in quality, Batman/TMNT II #4 is a great bounce-back installment. Tynion and Williams’ collaboration is something truly special that has a wide appeal. Bring on number five!

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Comic Review: Batman/TMNT II #3

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

For those looking for a more traditional TMNT dynamic than the one found in IDW’s main series, look no further than this intercompany crossover. With Batman, Leo, and Splinter doing recon on Bane, the rest of the Turtles are left to bide their time with Robin. Nothing can go wrong, right?

Comic Review: Batman/TMNT II #3

(W) James Tynion IV, (A) Freddie E. Williams II

While this issue is titled Batman/TMNT II #3, it might as well be “Raphael v. Robin: Dawn of Snark” because that’s what we get for the majority of the pages. As he has done throughout this miniseries (and the previous one), James Tynion IV demonstrates his innate understanding of both heroic families.  It is a fun issue. However, it is also littered with illogical scenarios, while artist Freddie E. Williams delivers a mostly strong performance.

The issue starts off with a head-scratcher almost immediately, as the “A-team” trio of Batman, Leonardo, and Splinter head out to gather information on Bane’s activities in New York, leaving Robin, Raph, Mikey, Donnie, April, and Casey behind. While Batman and Leonardo make sense, bringing Splinter along seems to be done solely for the purpose of leaving the “children” without supervision.

The resulting sequence sees Raphael and Robin engage in a “friendly” sparring session. While there is plenty of banter for the reader to soak up, it mostly serves to showcase Freddie Williams’ dynamic artwork. Though he gives perhaps his weakest, or most uneven, effort in his entire association with the TMNT, it still manages to impress.. For example, the proportions on Bane near the end are laughably bad, with a teeny-tiny head placed upon a comically massive body. However, his layouts and use of space make for a kinetic, and almost cinematic experience. One instance in which he has the silhouettes of Casey, April, Mikey, and Donnie along the side of the page as Raph and Robin duke it out is arguably one of the best in any TMNT comic.

Batman/TMNT II #3 might not be the best of Tynion and Williams’ collaborations, but it remains one of the most entertaining comics available for readers. Though there is a noticeable dip in quality from previous issues, it remains a fun and entertaining experience. Perhaps most importantly, the duo has created a comic that is accessible and can be enjoyed by almost any comic fan.

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Comic Review: Batman/TMNT II #2

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

In this second installment of the intercompany crossover, Donnie learns the error of his ways while Bane sets New York ablaze. While Batman and the Turtles try to play nice, Batfans and Shellheads rejoice!

Comic Review: Batman/TMNT II #2

(W) James Tynion IV, (A) Freddie E. Williams II

For those that picked it on release day, Christmas came early for readers. And for those that waited for this review before heading out to your LCS to pick this up, my apologies – even lowly comic reviewers take a vacation. But if you’ve read the first issue of this miniseries, you know this issue is an easy purchase. Batman/TMNT II #2 continues the threads set up in the first issue. Moreover, readers get a taste for how much of a menace Bane can truly be.

Freddie E. Williams II is an artist who should contribute interior artwork for books more often. As great as his covers have been for TMNT Universe, it doesn’t allow him to become the natural storyteller he is. If IDW ever wanted to produce a textless version of this series, readers would have no problem understanding the story. Williams effortlessly conveys emotion through his expressive facial renderings – as well as the characters’ body language. The action is fluid, with each movement seemingly captured on the page. And then there is his unique brand of inking and coloring, the combination of which gives each panel a textured, tangible aesthetic.

So the art is good. Big shocker there, but how is the story itself? Well, it appears that James Tynion IV is determined to fill this issue with as many character building moments as possible. Whether it’s Donnie coming clean to his brothers, Batman conversing with Ra’s al Ghul, or Bebop and Rocksteady hanging out at a bar, this issue thrives by providing moments of introspection rather than the big, bombastic moments from last issue. In fact, outside a minor tiff between Donnie, Robin, and Mister Freeze, there are no action set-pieces to be found. It’s a testament to the writing by Tynion that readers can be entranced by the story in an action title with little to no action.

Batman/TMNT II #2 meets the high standard established by the series’ debut installment. Some Shellheads may not like Tynion seemingly making the case that Batman’s enemies are way more dangerous than the Turtles’ foes, but it’s really a subjective argument. What isn’t to be argued is how much the stakes have been raised, as the issue’s conclusion pits Batman and the Turtles against time itself, with Bane looking to increase his stranglehold on New York.

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