tmnt-fansite-logo
Home Tags Posts tagged with "Tom Waltz"
Tag:

Tom Waltz

Comic BooksReviews

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.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Comic BooksReviews

Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #80

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

The Turtles are off to save the Triceraton’s leader, Zom, from Splinter’s Foot Clan. Meanwhile, Splinter has an uneasy alliance with Agent Bishop and the EPF. And Zom wants the Triceratons to be the dominant species on Earth. So, the Turtles are… wrong?

Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #80

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

The TMNT franchise works best when kept at street level. While there is some enjoyment to be had when bizarre sci-fi concepts are introduced, it cannot match the iconography of the Turtles in New York City. Perhaps that is why the past year of TMNT comics have been so average. Between dimension-hopping and space travels, the Turtles have been out of their element. Yes, it is good to push the franchise beyond what is comfortable. But all this time there has been zero emotional weight, and as a result zero tension. “Invasion of the Triceratons” has been a solid story thus far, thanks in part to returning the action to the Turtles’ home turf. However, it too suffers from the same problems as the other recent stories, because for our core cast of characters things will inevitably work out in their favor. That’s exactly the case for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #80.

Despite this doom-and-gloom outlook, this issue is constructed rather competently. The climactic fight between the Foot, the Turtles, and Zom – which takes up the bulk of the issue – is well-paced and does address the differing interpretations of right-and-wrong. Tom Waltz’s script does a great job exploring Splinter’s current mental state, providing a much-needed justification for why he’s been such a dick lately (pardon the lack of candor). Because most view Splinter as a gentle, fatherly figure, it is often forgotten that he was a fierce warrior who took lives without hesitation when the moment called for it. With this in mind, the Turtles act as a surrogate for the reader, as they too seem to have forgotten their father’s bloodied past. And while they have not forgiven Splinter for his actions, they at least understand where he is coming from

For the good that the issue has exploring the Splinter/Turtles dynamic, it completely whiffs in its portrayal of the Triceratons. Throughout “Invasion of the Triceratons,” the titular invaders have been portrayed as ruthless and unrelenting in pursuit of their goal to become the dominant species on the planet. Yet, in this concluding chapter, the are content to take refuge on Burnow Island. It is difficult to reconcile these two plot points, making overall conclusion rushed and ultimately unsatisfying. I’m not a fan of unnecessarily dragging out a story (see our review for Batman/TMNT II #5), but at the same time if a story needs the pages to be properly told, I’m all for it. Arguably the best story of the entire IDW series thus far is the 8-part “City Fall” arc. If an extra issue or two was needed to get the Triceratons from confident and unrelenting to complacent, it should have been given.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #80 brings another solid, but ultimately unsatisfying story arc to a close. Hopefully with the Turtles firmly planted on the ground and their space-based opponents taken care of, the series can finally return the the highs seen in the first 50-60 issues. If not, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles runs the risk of suffering the same fate as many long-running titles: a chore to read. And that is something no one wants.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Comic BooksReviews

Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #79

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

As “Invasion of the Triceratons” marches on, the invading forces take a back seat to the family squabbles of Clan Hamato and the Foot Clan.

Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #79

(w) Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, and Bobby Curnow (a) Brahm Revel (c) Ronda Pattison

With each issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the series rebuilds its cache since its well-known slump post-Vengeance. From a storytelling perspective, TMNT #79 is arguably one of the strongest issues in recent memory thanks mostly to its focus on the long-running strife between the Turtles and Splinter. The issue also takes its time to place emphasis on the the fallibility of heroes and the redemptive qualities of villains, both of which have been trending in higher-profile comics.

Throughout “Invasion of the Triceratons,” the TMNT’s interactions with the actual Triceratons has been limited. As a result, their perception of events is skewed by past interactions, as well as their black-or-white worldview. Tom Waltz and his writing collaborators have done a great job in setting this up over the course of previous story arcs, and the benefits are paying off now. Throughout the issue, the Turtles are insistent that the Triceratons are innocent victims of circumstance that don’t really want to fight. However, readers are aware that is categorically untrue, as the Triceratons reveal (to the reader) that their desire is to become the dominant species on Earth as they set up multiple colonies in space. Seeing how this will play out in the arc’s finale will be interesting, but the work put into the setup by Waltz has been impressive.

Readers of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are keenly aware of Baxter Stockman’s status as uneasy ally of the titular heroes. Seeing Stockman work side by side with the TMNT may be awkward for those aware of his more mainstream portrayal as strict adversary, but this is a fitting evolution for a character who should have always occupied that grey area between heroes and villains. Perhaps seeing this approach work wonderfully at DC Comics with Lex Luthor made the folks at IDW go all-in on good guy Stockman, but whatever the reason for it, it works. Yes, Baxter can still be a sleazy, selfish businessman, and his “good” acts are done out of self-preservation than benevolence, but he now gets to more frequently interact with the good guys, which makes for a more rewarding reading experience.

If this issue has as serious flaw, it’s the artwork. While TMNT Universe and other spin-offs may have had questionable art choices, the core title has always delivered a good-to-great showcase. Unfortunately, that streak comes to an end under the pen of Brahm Revel, who has previously worked in back-up features for TMNT Universe. To be fair, his art is not bad. It suffers from inconsistencies that speak to a larger issue – it is very unrefined, so much so that even Ronda Pattison’s normally great colors cannot make a noticeable improvement. It’s a shame, because it is really the only element of this book that is holding it back from being among the best of the series.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #79 has one of the strongest scripts the series has seen in recent memory, setting the Turtles and their father on a collision course from which they may never recover. Despite its less than stellar artwork, the series appears to be hitting its stride, making the wait between issues almost unbearable. This issue sets the standard of quality going forward as the series marches towards issue #100.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Comic BooksReviews

Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #78

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

“Invasion of the Triceratons” marches on into its third installment. The Turtles come face-to-face with Splinter, but will this family reunion be a happy one? Can the TMNT and the Foot work together for the good of the planet?

Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #78

(W) Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow, (A) Damian Couceiro, (C) Ronda Pattison

One thing that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has not managed to do throughout its extensive run is be political. Family dynamics and being outcasts are the strongest themes of the franchise, but that’s by and large the extent of it. And while that mostly continues in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #78, it is clear that the creative team is beginning to dip their toes into those rich, albeit muddy, waters. But for the most part, this issue sees a progression in the “Invasion of the Triceratons” with Casey and the Purple Dragons defending their turf. Also, we see the Turtles’ reunion with Splinter. Unsurprisingly, their reunion does not go as planned.

Since the end of the “Vengeance” arc (way back in issue #50!) there has been a wedge dividing the TMNT and their father, which only grew deeper with Splinter’s execution of Darius Dun in issue #64. And while there may be signs that the wounds are mending, Splinter goes ahead and reopens them. To be frank, this interpretation of Splinter is both interesting and disturbing. With the reincarnation origins of this saga, the creative team has leaned hard into the old-world mentality that Splinter must have retained from his past life as Hamato Yoshi. While the Splinter we were introduced to at the beginning of the series maintained the compassionate wisdom most associate with the character, these later issues have seen him evolve into a cold, ruthless leader of the Foot, not too dissimilar from his old nemesis – the Shredder. While it may grate longtime fans of the TMNT, this new direction for the character keeps the story unpredictable and readers on edge.

One of the most interesting sequences throughout the issue sees April’s parents discuss the state of the modern, 24-hour news cycle. Holed up in their apartment in the wake of the Triceraton invasion, the couple provides an entertaining back-and-forth regarding the state of not just news media, but journalism as a whole. This type of social commentary is unusual for the TMNT, but it is a welcome addition. The writing by Tom Waltz is on point, as the O’Neil’s conversation makes valid arguments that should satisfy readers no matter where they fall on the political spectrum, while also exposing them to differing points of view.

Unfortunately, the issue opens and spends a lengthy amount of time with Bishop negotiating to get more weapons to take out the Triceratons. To be frank, it’s pointless and only serves to pad out the issue’s length. If the planet – specifically New York City – was under attack from an alien force, an agent from a clandestine government organization would not have to negotiate with military officials to get weapons and manpower. In an issue full of dinosaur warriors and anthropomorphic creatures, this was by far the least believable part of the issue.

Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #78 is a solid continuation of the “Invasion of the Triceratons” arc. Despite a few hiccups, it is a well-crafted issue that sees the series effectively branch out into uncharted territory. Furthermore, the unpredictable character motivations keeps readers on edge through the final page turn.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Comic BooksReviews

Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #77 – Invasion of the Triceratons Part 2

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

The “Invasion of the Triceratons” arc continues. After the skirmish that brought the previous issue to a close, all sides of the battle are forced to retreat and regroup. Meanwhile, the TMNT is just trying to figure out what the hell is going on.

Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #77

(W) Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, & Bobby Curnow (A) Damian Couceiro (C) Ronda Pattison

This current incarnation of the TMNT has been often compared to the famed run of X-Men comics by writer Chris Claremont from the 1980s. With the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #77, it appears that the creative team took that comparison to heart, delivering wordy, action-light installment that saps much of the energy from “Invasion of the Triceratons.”

Inherently, there’s nothing wrong with an issue that features a lot of dialogue, and TMNT #77 does a lot of things right. There are moments when Tom Waltz’s script mixes humor and deception with most of its dialogue – itself a masked exposition dump. Unfortunately, the amount of dialogue used in this issue prevents the artwork to adequately breathe. Unlike a movie or television show, where characters can move while carrying on a conversation, comics are restricted. As a result, Damian Couciero is forced into drawing many (very expressive) talking heads.

Another unfortunate side-effect is that attention is called to the lettering work of Shawn Lee. It is often said that the best lettering work isn’t noticed. Well, in this issue, it was noticed. Lee has been lettering this series pretty much from the beginning, but this is the first time following conversations has proved troublesome due to word-balloon placement. There were a few occasions where pages needed to be reexamined in order to decipher the correct order for the dialogue. Hopefully, this is a one-time thing, as Lee has done an admirable job for the entirety of his run on the title.

One of my favorite things this series has done, and is on display here, is made Baxter Stockman an unreliable ally of the TMNT. He’s a sleazy scientist with eyes on getting rich, but he’s not inherently evil. His rationalization for charging people trapped in the battle-ravaged area of New York for supplies underscores his cynical personality. For readers, he’s grown into one of the most interesting aspects of this entire TMNT saga.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #77 is a comic that defines the term “meh.” It does some things well, and others… not so much. The character interactions are at times entertaining, but the overall story goes nowhere. But perhaps the biggest flaw is that there is no underlying sense of tension. It’s a problem that could have been avoided by simply keeping the Triceratons motives seemingly altruistic. Without that, this issue – and by extension this arc – exists only to allow the series to bide its time until issue #100.

 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts
Close