tmnt-fansite-logo
Home Tags Posts tagged with "Ryan Ferrier"
Tag:

Ryan Ferrier

Comic BooksReviews

Comic Review: TMNT Universe #24 – The High-Ground Theory

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

Mondo Gecko and Michelangelo do their best to stealthily infiltrate the EPF. But you’re dealing with the TMNT Universe’s most silence-challenged characters, things are bound to go wrong.

Comic Review: TMNT Universe #23

(W) Ryan Ferrier & Rich Douek (A) Pablo Tunica & Brahm Revel (C) Patricio Delpeche

I know I’ve made this point several times, but TMNT Universe really needs to be an anthology series where creators can any type of story they wish without needing it to tie into an established canon. There is no better reason for this than in this issue and story arc, if you feel inclined to include last month’s issue #23. Ryan Ferrier and Pablo Tunica have been given the task of giving Mondo Gecko true character development, a practice that works in theory but not so much in execution.

Mondo Gecko works as a character because he is a completely carefree skater-dude. Originally, he was popular because he embodied cool trends of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now, he is enjoyable for becoming a pastiche of a bygone era. Also due to his role as comic relief, he works in small, supporting doses. Much like those yellow bastard Minions, placing Mondo Gecko front and center can produce a story that is middling at best. That’s why this assignment for Ferrier and Tunica was unenviable.

In their journey to develop Mondo’s character, the creative team leans heavily into established tropes from the TMNT franchise and greater fiction. Mondo wants to save Seymour because he doesn’t want to live in a world without him. He also states that being a mutant isn’t great. Both things are out of character, as for decades Mondo has loved who he is and accepted how the world works – good and bad. Instead of being this unique beacon of unbridled joy, the character is now imbued by the same pathos as the other mutants.

There is a backup story by Rich Douek and Buster Moody about Pigeon Pete dreaming of being a pirate. It’s surprisingly mediocre. Pete is the worst, so anything better than “ugh” is a win, and the creative team manages to pull it off. Still, I’d recommend skipping this unless you really enjoy awful characters written marginally okay.

As I’ve stated, I really can’t blame Ferrier or Tunica for the lackluster story. Ferrier does his best to keep the story moving forward with exciting action and the occasional humorous note, while Tunica’s artwork is lively and expressive. However, it cannot save a story concept that screams editorial influence. At $4.99 a pop, TMNT Universe is becoming the book that can easily be dropped.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Comic BooksReviews

Comic Review: TMNT Universe #23 – MONDO RAMPAGE

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

Mondo Gecko goes full berserk (yes, you read that right) in an effort to save a loved one. Meanwhile, Zodi takes on a nobody.

Comic Review: TMNT Universe #23

(W) Ryan Ferrier & Rich Douek (A) Pablo Tunica & Brahm Revel (C) Patricio Delpeche

You know who we haven’t heard much from recently? The Mighty Mutanimals. Sure, Slash has shown up on occasion as brainwashed zombie pawn of Agent Bishop and the EPF, but the rest of the gang has been notably absent. That changes with the release of TMNT Universe #23. The story by Ryan Ferrier and Pablo Tunica sees the most unlikely of Mutanimals go on a one-mutant rampage to save the life of his friend, no matter the cost.

Mondo Gecko is one of the most popular side-characters in the pantheon of TMNT characters. While his popularity made sense in the early and mid-1990s due to his embodiment of the skateboarder personality, today he comes across as relic of an era long since passed. In many respects, it seems that the fine folks at IDW feel the same way, which is why Mondo often plays the role of comedic relief or unwitting background character. But Ryan Ferrier does something unexpected with him in this issue – he makes the character actually interesting.

What triggers this is the fallout of the Mutanimals’ past adventures, with Seymour slowly rotting away. Seeing his friend suffer as Seymour is utterly destroys Mondo Gecko’s worldview. No longer is everything gnarly, but instead he sees the cruelty and hardships that life has dealt not only to him, but those he holds closest. As a result, he becomes unhinged. Even after bringing Michelangelo into the fold for help, he continues his mission with reckless abandon. This is a welcome development, making Mondo and his Mutanimal friends way more interesting than their current role as benchwarmers.

Pablo Tunica has developed a style all of his own, and his expressive character work is on full display here. Readers can sense the anguish Mondo is grappling with throughout the issue, as well as the empathy on display from Michelangelo, Hob, and the others. Unfortunately, this issue also features perhaps his sloppiest linework to date. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve never been a biggest fan of Tunica’s work, and for the most part this issue exemplifies why. Images – be it character, objects, or backgrounds – are just unpleasant to look at. As well written as the story is, the artwork is a major detractor that takes away from the issue’s overall enjoyment.

The back-up feature from Rich Douek and artist Brahm Revel is a refreshing palette cleanser. It’s a tightly plotted short story with great artwork. The tale sees Nobody thwarting an attempted robbery by mutated scorpion Zodi. That’s really all that happens, but Douek’s writing has the two trading effective and entertaining quips until one of them is subdued. Ditto for Revel’s artwork, which uses minimal colors and an emphasis on motion to make their battle kinetic and thrilling.

TMNT Universe #23, taken as a whole, is a solid issue. The story itself is an attention grabber, but held back by the subpar artwork. Chances are, this will continue into the next issue. However, the issue saw a strong close thanks to a great little back-up story. In all, this was a microcosm of the comics industry: some good, some bad, and a small amount of really good.

 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Comic BooksReviews

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.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Comic BooksReviews

Comic Reviews: TMNT Dimension X #3 and TMNT Dimension X #4

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

Catching up on the last couple weeks, the Turtles shenanigans in Dimension X continue. So buckle up for a double does of reviews as we look at issues #3 and #4 of the Dimension X miniseries!

Comic Review: TMNT Dimension X #3

(W) Aubrey Sitterson, (A) Khary Randolph, (C) John Rauch

Well, here it is. The miniseries’ connecting covers have been alluding to this installment of Dimension X, and it is an absolute blast! The creative team of Sitterson, Randolph, and Rauch deliver a wacky, action-packed installment that has an undercurrent of social commentary. The latest witness for the Turtles’ to round up is the proud owner of an asteriod-turned-wresting stadium. And in true TMNT fashion, things do not go smoothly.

Sitterson’s writing of this issue’s witness – the appropriately named Stump – is frustratingly entertaining. Written as corporate greed incarnate, Stump sold out his planet to Krang for a healthy payday, and refuses to leave with the Turtles because of the money he’ll miss out on. It’s only when he finds out Krang has sent an assassin after him that he decides to leave with the Turtles… if they jump in the ring first. The entire plot is bonkers, and the kind of weird that was expected from the rest of this miniseries.

The artwork by Randolph and Rauch is a great match for the ludicrous plot. Randolph’s artwork is full energy, heightening the chaotic tensions between Stump, Turtles, and the wrestlers. However, it is Rauch’s colors that really stand out. The variety of his palate can at times be overwhelming, but it only adds to the frenetic action. The miniseries as a whole may be hit-or-miss, but TMNT Dimension X #3 a wild ride from start to finish!

SCORE: 8.5

Comic Review: TMNT Dimension X #4

(W) Ryan Ferrier, (A) Chris Johnson, (C) Mark Englert

For the first six or so pages of TMNT Dimension X #4, it appears that this is going to be another “down” issue for the miniseries. And then the witness is revealed: Ace Duck. A character created as an action figure for the 1987 cartoon (despite a 5 second appearance), Ace Duck has developed a cult following over the years, and this issued gives readers their most extended look at him in the franchise’s history.

Ryan Ferrier, Chris Johnson, and Mark Englert overcome a slow start to deliver another solid issued in this miniseries, which has finally found a level of quality and consistency that readers expect from IDW’s TMNT books. Though no fault of his own, Ferrier’s script is largely predictable. Still, he manages to pack in a couple of pleasant surprises. Michelangelo developing a gambling addiction was itself an entertaining thread from start to finish.

While this issue’s location is a sadly generic albeit futuristic metropolis, it offers enough variety for Englert’s colors to make this issue stand out from the others in this miniseries. Ditto for Chris Johnson’s art, which bares a striking similarity to that of main series’ artist Corey Smith’s, so much so that this could be considered TMNT #73.5.

SCORE: 7.0

1 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Comic Book NewsNews

Delivery or Pickup: 8/16/2017 and 8/23/2017

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

The next couple weeks see a bit of a dry spell for turtley releases, so we’re combining the next two installments of “Delivery or Pickup” into one posting. The fact that I’m going on vacation for the next couple weeks has absolutely nothing to do with this (lol jk of course it does).

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Dimension X #3

Aubrey Sitterson (w) • Khary Randolf (a) • Nick Pitarra (cvr)

Journey to Stump Asteroid, where the biggest no-hold barred brawls in Dimension X can be found! The newest warriors to enter the ring? The TMNT!

FC | 32 pages | $3.99

Bullet points:
Variant cover by Kevin Eastman!

On Sale: August 16, 2017

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Dimension X #4

Ryan Ferrier (w) • Chris Johnson (a) • Nick Pitarra (cvr)

The TMNT land on a planet of criminals and lowlifes. In these surroundings one heroic pilot is on the lamb from the most powerful crime boss on the planet. A pilot named Ace Duck!

FC | 32 pages | $3.99
On Sale: August 23, 2017
1 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts
Close