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COMIC REVIEW: Batman/TMNT Adventures #6

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

The adventure was wrapped up in the last issue, but there’s another era of Batman: The Animated Series that needed to be milked before this crossover miniseries could end.

Batman/TMNT Adventures #6

(W) Matthew K. Manning (A) Jon Sommariva (C) Leonardo Ito

The sixth and final installment of Batman/TMNT Adventures is a curious entry. The story seemed to be wrapped up in a nice little bow at the end of issue #5, so the decision to stretch the miniseries out to six issues appeared needless. However, Matthew K. Manning’s script gives this issue a sense of relevancy. This issue is one that can be read as a standalone story or as a part of a greater whole thanks to Manning successfully bringing in elements from the rest of the miniseries. However, because the story serves as an epilogue while also giving readers one final adventure, the pacing of Manning’s script is uneven throughout.

Perhaps the biggest reason for this issue’s existence is to provide Jon Sommariva an excuse to draw the Batman Family in the style of The New Batman Adventures. And I must say, he does a fine job translating Bruce Timm’s designs to the page. If there is a reason to pick up this book it is the artwork, as Sommariva and colorist Leonardo Ito. Their work in this issue might be the strongest of the entire miniseries. Sommariva does struggle initially depicting the face of Gotham’s most eligible bachelor, but once the cowl is on the artwork is as solid as ever.

While Sommariva once again gives these beloved characters a dynamic and fluid sense of motion on the page, it is Ito’s colors that truly brings them to life. Seeing the four Turtles take on the Kraang alongside Batman, Robin, Batgirl, and Nightwing gives Ito the opportunity to use the full spectrum of his color palette, an opportunity which he grabs. Bright splashes of greens, reds, and blues pop against the dark streets of Gotham, as do the vibrant pinks of the Kraang.

Batman/TMNT Adventures #6 is a fine, second conclusion to this crossover event. While not as strong from start to finish as the James Tynion IV and Freddie E. Williams story, the creative team of Manning, Sommariva, and Ito that they too can deliver a satisfying crossover of these two iconic groups of characters. Hopefully, this is not the last we see of the Turtles meeting characters from other publishers.

 

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Comic Review: Batman/TMNT Adventures #5

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

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 #5 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?

 

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Comic Review: Batman/TMNT Adventures #1 – Director’s Cut

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

The first chapter of the current crossover between the Nickelodeon Turtles and Batman: The Animated Series is going back to print in a snazzy director’s cut issue. Is this new presentation and the extra content worth picking up?

Comic Review: Batman/TMNT Adventures #1 – Director’s Cut

(W) Matthew K. Manning (A) Jon Sommariva

See our original review of issue #1 here.

I’ve always found the concept of a “director’s cut” for comic books baffling. The content itself is what I’d expect to see from a collected edition – either in trade paperback or hardcover format. Some publishers like Valiant or Image include a few pages of back-matter with rough layouts, character designs, or scripts to give readers an inside look at the making of the comic they’ve just read.

However, a “director’s cut” is, more often than not, a cash grab reserved only for series that have been commercially successful. The publisher knows that the collector mentality of many comic readers will push enough units at an inflated price to make it worthwhile. Batman/TMNT Adventures #1 – Director’s Cut checks all of the boxes that makes this release worthwhile only to completionists.

Am I being to harsh? Possibly. There is no denying the novelty of looking at the untouched work of artist Jon Sommariva. However, it only highlights how crucial Leonardo Ito’s colors – absent here – are to the final product. Yes, the original comics from Mirage Studios were presented in black and white, but those comics were built around that specific look. Sans color, the Nick Turtles and Batman family are stiff, lifeless husks that occupy page space rather than inhabit it.

I’ll give credit where it’s due – the $4.99 price tag is pretty justified based on the amount of content. While seeing Sommariva’s uninked, uncolored pencils may merely be a novelty to some, for those that love the craft of making comics, it is a gold mine. Not only are the pages presented as original comic boards (hell, they may even be scans of the original boards), but readers can see the blue lines of the original rough sketches. This allows readers to see the changes an artist can make from original conception to finished product.

The issue also contains the full script for issue #1, giving aspiring comic writers a peek into how the pros do it. Of course scripts can vary from writer to writer, but seeing how one team handles this process can be a guiding hand to those who may over- or under-write their scripts.

Batman/TMNT Adventures #1 – Director’s Cut is not for everyone. For those that love the comics creation process, this is a welcome peek behind the curtain. Those that are interested in the finished product and couldn’t care less about the process, it’s best to spend your money on one of this week’s other releases. So before you plop down your money on this issue, ask yourself “what kind of reader am I?”

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Comic Review: Batman/TMNT Adventures #4

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

New York City takes a spooky turn as the Scarecrow unleashes his fear toxin on Team Batman and Team Turtles. Meanwhile, the Joker sets his plans into motion…

Comic Review: Batman/TMNT Adventures #4

(W) Matthew K. Manning, (A) Jon Sommariva, (I) Sean Parsons, (C) Leonardo Ito

After a disappointing third installment, readers (or at the very least, this reviewer) were hopeful that the creative team could bounce back with a fun and satisfying issue. Although there are still notable flaws, Batman/TMNT Adventures #4 is a fun romp that both showcases the strengths of its heroes and unravels the mystery of who is really behind this interdimensional plight.

The issue opens with the “A Team” of Batman, Leonardo, and Raphael incapacitated by the Scarecrow’s fear toxin. This sequence sees Sommariva deliver some of his best work with surreal and surprisingly dark imagery from Batman’s point of view. We continuously check in with these three as the issue progresses, noting that the fear toxin has manifested differently for each. True to the Nickelodeon Turtles cartoon, Raph is tortured by the sight of giant Spy-Roaches. Meanwhile, Leo sees Batman and Raph as decaying corpses – the result of his fear of failure. The time by Manning and the art team spent on this sequence is just enough to be effective without overstaying its welcome.

Manning does a great job infusing the story with humor, especially when contrasting the Batman characters against the Ninja Turtles’ NYC. While the “A Team” deals with Scarecrow, the “B Team” of Mikey, Donatello, Batgirl, April, and Robin are engaged in a battle against Foot-bots bearing a oddly familiar smile. Also entering the fray is Harley Quinn and her mutated pet hyenas. This keeps the action moving at a break-neck pace, but does not disrupt the issue’s overall pacing. More importantly, this sequence serves to move the story into Shredder’s lair, setting up a final showdown between the heroes and the Joker.

Unfortunately, this showdown with the Joker fails to live up to its hype. Once the hyenas are taken care of, it’s just Joker and Harley up against the entire squad of heroes. While Joker’s complete collapse of power had the potential to be entertaining, it simply falls flat. However, this is quickly brushed aside by the return of Shredder, who has snapped out of his laughing gas-induced stupor. In a stroke of genius, it is hearing the name of his longtime nemesis – Splinter – that triggers his return. Often, it has been shown that Batman can overcome the Joker’s toxin through sheer willpower (and a bit of a developed tolerance from frequent exposure), but to see the Shredder’s pure hatred used as an asset is very cool.

Although one problem is finally resolved, a whole new can of worms is opened that brings with it the potential for a strong finish. This issue brought with it some of the most surreal imagery of IDW’s TMNT Adventures, and readers can expect after the final page reveal. Batman/TMNT Adventures #4 is a solid rebound issue for the crossover, delivering great artwork and a zany plot in a family-friendly package.

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COMIC REVIEW: Batman/TMNT Adventures #3

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

The Turtles and Team Batman are tasked with taking down the deadly duo of Poison Ivy and Snakeweed – and that’s before things get really weird!

Comic Review: Batman / TMNT Adventures #3

(W) Matthew K. Manning (A) Jon Sommariva

With two properties rife with as much potential as Batman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cross paths, the one thing you would never expect is it to be boring. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what the third issue of this miniseries is. Despite the creative team’s best efforts, there is an overwhelming amount of filler to be found within the pages of Batman/TMNT Adventures #3. For this, the blame does not lie in the hands of Matthew K. Manning or Jon Sommariva, but rather the publishers who demanded this series be stretched out to 6 issues.

The issue picks up right from the previous one’s cliffhanger, with the Team TMNT and Team Batman taking on Poison Ivy and her new pet, Snakeweed. Raphael and Robin prove to be the heroes of this sequence, not only for taking out Ivy (and as a result, Snakeweed) but for also providing entertaining banter sufficient to distract from the sequence’s predictability.

The miniseries takes a cue from famous Batman stories of the past such as The Long Halloween and Hush, with Ivy being the first in a gambit of foes the heroes will be pit against (more on that later). Unfortunately, the manner in which it is set up and executed is devoid of tension, leaving little to the reader’s imagination. Moreover, these “run the gambit” stories work when there is a mystery as to who the big bad is. Unfortunately, that is not the case here. We know that some combination of the Kraang, Joker, and Shredder will be part of the final showdown.

Jon Sommariva’s art is as uninspired as the story. Yes, it’s solid and blends the looks of both the Nick Turtles and Batman: The Animated Series. But there are elements that are noticeably… off. The biggest distraction is the thick inking, which causes each character to come across as a stiff porcelain doll rather than the dynamic and agile characters they should be. Though there are a few memorable moments, such as Shredder’s laughter, but aside from that the art is by and large forgettable.

Batman/TMNT Adventures #3 is a bland, overstuffed issue in a seemingly directionless miniseries. With the luster and appeal of this crossover wearing off, readers are left with sharp and witty dialogue to hold together the issue’s very thin story. That’s not to say that this issue is not enjoyable. It is a lot of fun. However, as the Turtles have proven over the years, a story can be fun without actually being good.

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