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Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #85 – Lecture from Professor Leatherhead

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

The titular Turtles clash with Leatherhead in this solid bottle issue from IDW.

Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #85

(w) Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow (A) Brahm Revel (C) Ronda Pattison

If you follow this site regularly, you’re probably aware of how critical I have been of the latest issues of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and its tie-in series. It’s not because I’ve suddenly developed a distaste for the TMNT. Rather, it’s because I’ve found the stories in recent months to be lacking, with no clear vision. The first 50 issues of the series was a continuous build, leading to a final confrontation that felt inevitable. Since that time, the book, like the Turtles themselves, has been directionless. Leading up to issue #50, everyone knew who the big-bad was – Shredder. Now, is it the Ultoms? Triceratons? Bishop? The Pantheon? A case could be made for either of them, or none of them. Because of the shortcomings of the series’ long-form storytelling, it allows issues such as this – a done-in-one encounter with Leatherhead – to thrive.

Until the creative team understands what they want to do for the series in the long-term, it would behoove them to focus on an issue such as this. It is relatively self-contained, there is no Earth-shattering threat, and the script and artwork are well-executed. The premise here is simple: the Turtles confront Leatherhead in a museum. Already, the reader can expect some decent action as this antagonist is a clear physical threat for the TMNT. However, because of his immense physical presence, Leatherhead’s intellectual prowess is often underrated. However, this proves time and again to be the character’s strongest attribute, and the story is better for it. Before, after, and during their tussle, Leatherhead questions the Turtles’ sense of morality and their grasp on the laws of nature. While these arguments may be familiar, especially to longtime readers of this series (or even Marvel’s X-Men titles), they are nonetheless valid discussions in rather well-executed script.

The script is definitely a strong-point of this issue, as there is a noticeable clash between Brahm Revel’s art and Ronda Pattison’s colors. Revel has an art style that is clearly stylized, and when allowed to use a two or three-toned color scheme it works quite wonderfully. Meanwhile, Pattison’s colors have been the unifying factor for the series and its revolving door of artists. However, the two styles just do not work. Revel’s sketchy style just looks odd (at best) under a traditional superhero color scheme. There are times when the clashing styles is so drastic that it distracts from the wonderful plot that the writing team has crafted. It’s not all bad, as the fight sequences are full of energy. Revel does a great job at portraying motion, and his character work is expressive. With that said, it leaves the reader wanting more in the long run.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #85 is a great story that is held back by okay art. But despite the mismatch between artist and colorist, the script is strong enough to make this one of the series’ better issues in recent months. Hopefully, more of this is to come, because the single-issue focus was able to bring out the best from the writers, something that hasn’t been seen on a consistent basis as of late.

 

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Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #84 – Requiem for the Rat King

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

This is it! The final showdown between the Turtles and the Rat King! The two sides battle for the fate of New York’s orphans, and there can only be one winner!

Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #84

(w) Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow (a) Dave Wachter (c) Ronda Pattison

As the follow-up to the much-hyped yet underwhelming “Invasion of the Triceratons,” this story arc has seen the Turtles fight their way across the Pantheon. Their journey lead them to a final battle against the Rat King, who has taken up residence in a New York City still recovering from the invasion. However, much like the previous arc, IDW’s 4-issue arc mandate results in a story that is rushed. With the great potential of a story featuring literal gods this fails to live up to expectations.

Just because this was missed opportunity does not mean that the issue itself is not without its positives. Dave Wachter’s artwork continues to impress. Since joining the series’ stable of rotating artists, his craft has show marked improvement. Ronda Pattison’s colors continue to impress – quite a feat since she’s been on the title since issue #1 (plus various tie-ins). One aspect of Wachter’s art that is particularly interesting is how he constructs the panels during Leonardo and Rat King’s battle in the astral plane. Whereas most panels are defined by straight, smooth lines, Wachter makes these panels rougher, as if crudely drawn with a permanent marker. While it does signify the difference between the real world and the dream-like astral plane, more could have been done to visually differentiate the two. That sentiment strikes at the true problem with this issue.

The story itself is rather predictable. The Rat King turns his would-be victims against the Turtles. The Turtles do their best to ward them off without hurting them (they are kids after all). They end up getting the upper hand thanks to deux ex mousers. Rat King retreats. It is painfully clear that the writers have something big in mind for issue #100 and they’re just treading water until then.

The story itself is uninspired, and only entertaining because of the characters themselves. I will never not enjoy reading the Turtles when they are portrayed well. Raph’s impulsiveness and Mikey’s pop-culture awareness results in one of the issue’s few highlights. However, that is not enough to overlook that this issue concludes a disappointing story arc that wasted its potential. While not unreadable, it fails to meet the high bar the creative team established for this series right out of the gate. I do have faith that we will see it return to those standards, but until then both this and TMNT Universe have become a chore to read.

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Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #83 – ENTER MANMOTH!

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

The Turtles come face to face with the Pantheon’s dangerous and secluded member, Manmoth! As they handle their hulking foe, the Rat King continues his nefarious plans and Baxter tries to find a new way to stroke his ego.

Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #83

(W) Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow (A) Dave Wachter (C) Ronda Pattison

This latest arc of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has a classic feel to it. No, it does not evoke nostalgic visions of the 1987 cartoon, or the original stories from Mirage Studios. In this case, “classic” should be taken quite literally, as the creative team has placed these characters on their own version of a hero’s journey, similar to the legends of Heracles, Perseus, and Beowulf. Am I saying that this story will be revered for years to come as a piece of classic literature? Absolutely not. However, it is evident that these classic tales – and others like them – are acting as clear inspirations for this dimension-hopping tale.

Seeking a means to defeat the Rat King, the Turtles have left Toad Baron’s lavish realm to face Manmoth in his frigid, punishing world. Though we have met the character in previous issues, this is the first extended encounter with him, and he is a joy to behold. While loyal to his family, he is not at all like them. He is not motivated by a need to control or meddle in the affairs of “lesser” beings, but rather to enjoy life in solitude and the thrill of the hunt. So it comes as no surprise that he views the Turtles as new playthings when they first arrive in his realm. But the key to their encounter is the term “playthings,” as his desire to hunt the Turtles is quickly alleviated by being bested by Michelangelo.

From that point on, the Turtles and Manmoth have a friendly relationship. The latter takes on the role of an old sage imparting wisdom, though most of it does not appear helpful on the surface. However, the creative team opts to spend time on other plot elements (more on those later), which makes this sequence come across as rushed and even a little confusing, especially its ending. Leo acts like a brat when Manmoth says he won’t betray his family, but also claims to have figured out how to beat Rat King. It’s sudden, jarring, and ultimately takes the reader out of the book.

Meanwhile, the book interjects sequences involving the the Rat King, the Purple Dragons, and Baxter Stockman. With the Rat King himself, Waltz and Co. seem to be taking the approach of “less is more,” to great effect. He is less a character and more a force of nature, intent on performing acts of pure, anarchist evil. Furthermore, his motivation is completely unknown to this point. He may not even have one, and that makes his actions all the more terrifying. He is like the shark in Jaws or Michael Myers in the original Halloween (before the sequels through in all that sister/family crap). Certainly, his motivations will be revealed in the next issue when the Turtles confront him, but for now let’s enjoy the terror that is this version of the Rat King.

As for the aforementioned subplots involving the Purple Dragons and Baxter Stockman, they’re a bit of a mixed bag. The former, involving the Purple Dragons and Jenika taking on some mobsters, appears to be more setup for a future story rather than anything that will directly impact the current arc. While it may be effective months from now with the benefit of hindsight, during the course of this issue it comes across as distracting filler. The Baxter sequence, on the other hand, is a great addition to the issue. It is clear that Waltz enjoys writing the character, putting him in situations to end up as a hero despite his best efforts to be a greedy villain.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle #83 may not be the best issue in the series, but it certainly isn’t bad. It’s a very solid middle chapter of an interesting story arc. It’s high points are on par with the best elements of this series, and it’s low points are middling at worst. If nothing else, the art continues to be top notch thanks to the duo of Wachter and Pattison.

 

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Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #82

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

With the Rat King on the loose, the Turtles seek help from others in the Pantheon – starting with the Toad Baron! Meanwhile, a meetup between Bishop and Baxter Stockman is absolutely, 100% wholesome.

Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #82

(W) Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow (A) Dave Wachter (C) Ronda Pattison

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vs. Toad Baron’s servants is an early contender for comic book fight of the year. Not because of awesome choreography and high-stakes drama, but due to the sheer hilarity of the situation. Though they give it their all, the pint-sized servants are clearly overmatched in a sequence that leaves the titular heroes, and the reader, in stitches. It serves as a great way to kick off the issue. As the series has hit a stretch of uneven quality, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #82 is one of the good ones.

What makes TMNT #82 such a strong issue is the notable lack of action. Yes, it opens with a “fight” sequence, but beyond that the script by Tom Waltz is largely conversational in nature. Whether it’s the Turtles and Toad Baron, Baxter and Bishop, or Splinter and Jenika, this is an issue where people like to talk. And even though this is an action title, it is issues like this where the series really shines. Without a big, bombastic event going on, the story can breathe and characters can get their due attention. This is especially true in the moments featuring the Turtles. Waltz’s handling of their personalities is on point, and their interaction with the Toad Baron is the highlight of the issue.

While the Turtles shine brightly, they are not the only strong point of this issue. Baxter Stockman has found himself in the crosshairs of Bishop and the EPF, due to the publicity he “earned” during the “Invasion of the the Triceratons” story. While good, this subplot is nowhere as strong as the Turtle-centric stuff. Its relevance appears to be setting up a future story than dealing with the one at hand. Tonally, it’s a bit uneven too, but it remains stronger than the inclusion of Splinter and Jenika’s rooftop conversation, which appears to be included solely to fill the page count.

I’ve commented in past reviews on how much I love Dave Wachter’s artwork. No surprise here, it’s fantastic. Ditto with regard to Ronda Pattison’s colors. Visually, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a book that hardly ever disappoints thanks to the quality talent IDW has cultivated.

As the series has progressed, these “breather” issues have become the strength of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. As cool as it may be to see them engage other weird-looking foes in fisticuffs, it is their personalities and interactions with others that have made hardcore fans fall in love them. To see those personalities shine as they do here here is exactly what TMNT fans want out of their stories.

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Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #81 – The Rat King Cometh!

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

In the aftermath of “Invasion of the Triceratons,” the Pantheon returns! But is the Rat King working in concert with this siblings, or on his own?

Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #81

(W) Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow (A) Dave Wachter (C) Ronda Pattison

With the conclusion of “Invasion of the Triceratons,” it looks like Tom Waltz and company have their eyes set on redirecting the TMNT to the street-level and supernatural themed storytelling that was once a staple of this series. And it’s about damn time, as the last 30 or so issues, with space adventures and dimension hopping haves seen the once great series slump towards mediocrity.

The cover of this issue, by Wachter, signals the (hopeful) return to form. Rat King, perched atop one of New York’s countless buildings, plays his flute like the Pied Piper, calling readers turned off by the series to return. And while some dynamics remain changed – especially the relationship between the Turtles and Splinter – the book has a “classic TMNT” feel to it. The Turtles and April are sneaking around behind Stockman’s back. Casey is out trying to protect the streets while dealing with the, ahem, complicated relationship with his father. Oh, and Bishop is still a smarmy bastard that keeps readers on their toes.

Wachter’s artwork – specifically his visual storytelling – is what hooks readers into the issue. The first several pages of the book sees a parallel narrative following Splinter and Leonardo, and the leadership methods they employ in service of their respective clans. It also demonstrates the difference between a leader who joins his soldiers in the field versus one who sits back and delegates, and how those approaches can lead to different interpretations of events.

The strong artwork continues throughout the issue, a welcome improvement over the mess that was delivered in Issue #80. Throughout this middling stretch of TMNT comics, Wachter’s artwork has been the one consistently shining element, and it is great to see him once again be given a script that matches the quality of his talent. It would also be remiss to forget Ronda Pattison’s contribution to this issue, who has a strong bounce-back performance after rough outing in the last issue.

If there is a criticism to be made, it is that this issue feels less like the start of a new arc and more like a filler issue. Not much of significance actually happens until the final two pages. However, that is not necessarily a bad thing, as the series has been moving at a breakneck pace for quite a while now. Taking a breather for an issue to reset and refocus on the characters and their relationships with one another might be just what the book needs.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #81 is a nice palette cleanser for fans hoping to see this series finally return to form. While a story as impactful as “City Fall” may not be in the cards for the immediate future, the creative team has made a concerted effort to right the ship as it marches towards issue #100. This issue, full of character moments and much improved artwork, is a good start.

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