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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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Comic BooksReviews

Comic Review: TMNT Dimension X #1

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

It’s the trial of the century, or however time is measured in Dimension X. With the prosecution in need of witnesses, the Ninja Turtles are tasked with tracking them down. However, in true TMNT fashion, nothing is ever as simple as it seems.

Comic Review: TMNT Dimension X #1

(W) Paul Allor, (A) Pablo Tunica

If you’re looking for a completely standalone series featuring the Turtles in a wacky adventure in Dimension X, this is not the place for it. This miniseries ties directly into the the events of the latest TMNT story arc, “The Trial of Kraang,” and so it only makes sense in that context. Tasked with finding a way for this all to make sense is the creative team of Paul Allor and Pablo Tunica.

Overall, IDW couldn’t have found a more suitable artist for a story set in Dimension X. Tunica brings an independent, counter-culture aesthetic that heightens the weirdness of this world. Whether it’s backgrounds, foregrounds, or the weird creatures that inhabit those spaces, Tunica makes the reader believe that Dimension X is otherworldly. However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, as there is one glaring flaw: his rending of the Turtles themselves. Maybe it’s just me, but when I look at his Turtles, all I can see is this:

If you’re an artist, the last thing you want is to remind people of the awful-looking suits from arguably the worst of the live-action films.

Paul Allor’s writing fares much better as a whole, delivering a solid narrative from start to finish. While there is some genuinely enjoyable moments, such as the Turtles’ realization that the world’s physics are controlled by their emotions, there is an overwhelming sense of irrelevancy from start to finish. Yes, the book is fun, and there’s some humor to be had, but it reads like a small piece of a larger whole – which is exactly what it is. Unlike other miniseries such as Secret History of the Foot Clan or Casey & April, this reads like an unnecessary cash grab.

TMNT Dimension X #1 does very little to compel readers to continue on with this miniseries. Completionists might claim to be enamored with it to justify its purchase, but at the end of the day it is a mediocre tie-in with some unique visuals.

What did you think of TMNT Dimension X #1? Let us know in the comments!

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COMIC REVIEW: TMNT Universe #10

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

Angel and Alopex continue their adventure in the Toad Baron’s wild and wacky world that defines “party hard.” And in the backup, we find out what kind of dreams a baby dinosaur like Pepperoni has.

Comic Review: TMNT Universe #10

(W) Sophie Campbell & Bobby Curnow, (A) Pablo Tunica & Sophie Campbell

The world of the Toad Baron is the realization of every Andrew W.K. song. Full of song and dance, flowing drinks, and copious amounts of the finest foods, the Toad Baron’s never-ending party is a spectacle to behold. Furthermore, the party to end all parties presents an opportunity for the creative team of Campbell, Curnow, and Tunica to unwrap the psyche of this newest member of the Pantheon.

Once again, the story centers around the dynamic duo of Angel (a.k.a. Nobody) and Alopex. Seemingly trapped forever in Toad Baron’s glamorous gala, the two are forced to think outside the box. Being primarily supporting characters in the main TMNT title, Campbell is given a lot of room to develop these two, and she makes the most of the opportunity. Their escape plan is one that only these characters would come up with, speaking to their unconventional and irreverent nature. The reactions from the Toad Baron’s other guests is also executed in a believable manner – including their desire to have the party resume upon Angel and Alopex’s departure.

On the art side, Pablo Tunica does a commendable job in constructing the dizzying scenery of Toad Baron’s ball. The decor is gaudy and screams “old wealth,” even if certain things are not of our world. He also is able to convincingly render motion, as the action is very fluid and dynamic. However, his color palette makes this issue very ugly to look at. The pages look as though they have been put through a sepia-toned filter, with a touch of vomit for good measure. In addition, character faces suffer from inconsistent rendering. Angel, for example, will have a slender face on one page, and then in the next will look like a squirrel gathering nuts for the winter. It’s unfortunate that these flaws take away from the story’s overall enjoyment.

The book does finish strong with a great short story written and illustrated by Campbell. Centering on Raphael’s pet dinosaur, Pepperoni, the four-page tale showcases Campbell’s range as an artist. While the backgrounds are sparse (or nonexistent), the foreground focus on Pepperoni and her dreams are varied, but equally gorgeous. After spending 20-plus pages with inconsistent or ugly artwork, this short story is a welcome palate cleanser. Hopefully, more opportunities arise where Campbell can write and draw the TMNT, because she has proven herself to be quite adept over the years.

 

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COMIC REVIEW: TMNT Universe #9

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

It has sure been a while since we’ve had an adventure in the world of IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, so the release of TMNT Universe #9 is a welcome occasion. Kicking off a new story arc, the series follows two popular supporting characters: Alopex and Nobody.

Comic Review: TMNT Universe #9

(W) Sophie Campbell & Bobby Curnow, (A) Pablo Tunica, (L) Shawn Lee

Let’s just get this out in the open: TMNT Universe #9 is an astoundingly weird book, even by Ninja Turtles standards. What looks to be a quiet and character-driven issue quickly becomes an acid-trip featuring amphibious royalty, steampunk design, and partying like it’s 1999. I don’t know the extent of Sophie Campbell, Bobby Curnow, or Pablo Tunica’s experience with original TMNT comics by Mirage Studios, but reads like Mirage title in all the right ways.

Sharing the writing duties are the aforementioned Campbell and Curnow. The duo uses this opportunity to flesh out the friendship between our main characters, Alopex and Angel. The two are contrasted from the opening pages. Alopex is attempting to meditate peacefully. Angel is [noisily and angrily] work on her Nobody suit. While this juxtaposition demonstrates that these two might be an odder pair than their friends, Raphael and Casey, the writers also indicate that these two share more similarities than they let on. For example, even as she attempts to meditate, Alopex is unable to really focus, distracted by her surroundings.

However, the character study takes a back seat as the issue hits is midpoint, with Campbell and Curnow introducing a giant frog which seemingly eats Alopex and Angel, sending them into the wacky and weird world of the Toad Baron, host of a never-ending party. He also is a member of the Pantheon, meaning he will end up playing a bigger role the main TMNT ongoing title.

From here, artist Pablo Tunica takes over and gives the reader a fully immersive experience. The character and setting designs are truly bizarre, but fitting for the IDW-verse (Writer’s Note: If someone could give me a definitive name for this incarnation the TMNT in the comments, it’d be much appreciated). Shockingly, the only character design that shows restraint is the Toad Baron, who is just an overgrown toad dressed like an Aladdin extra. Also, Tunica’s color palette lacks range, as the real world and that of the Toad Baron are indistinguishable.

Tunica is aided by the lettering work of Shawn Lee. It’s a common belief the mark of a good letterer is that you don’t really notice their contribution. However, his lettering shifts and morphs throughout this book to indicate the influence of the Toad Baron over his victims.

While not perfect, TMNT Universe #9 is a complete package from the writing down through the lettering. Even the back-up story, the finale of Brahm Revel’s “What is Ninja?” sticks the landing with an emotional and affecting exchange between Splinter and Jennika. It is a perfect ode to classic comics from Mirage Studios while continuing to push the Turtles’ story forward.

 

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