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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.

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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.

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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.

 

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