Chris Cooper reviews Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #50…
“The epic conclusion to over four-years worth of storylines! The Turtles stand against Shredder for one final battle that will determine the fate of NYC, and the world, for years to come!”
This month we have cause to celebrate for multiple reasons. Firstly IDW’s TMNT series has reached #50, a milestone many comics don’t reach. Secondly, this month’s issue is double size! Thirdly, it lives up to expectations.
Getting excited but also not wanting to spoil you all makes writing this tricky; there are so many moments that make me want to turn to you and say “did you see that?!?”. Alas, I’ll try to skirt around it.
Issue #50 has the task of not only wrapping up several main plot points, but setting up a few threads moving forwards. It does so with a sure-footedness that comes from the same team working together for years. Everyone brings their A-game, from Waltz and Eastman’s story to Santolouco and Smith’s mesmerising art, which is further enhanced by Pattison’s colours.
The story makes the most of the extra pages, not only giving us some fantastic pages focusing on the The Gauntlet battles but also a look back at Burnow Island. Cory Smith comes in to provide several extremely important pages. Damn it spoilers.
It’s not all a big fight though. The action is well played out, but this is mental and philosophical battle too. Yoshi and Oroku are both flawed characters, yet one has worked hard to shape his flaws into strengths whilst the other has let them dominate him. One has embraced calm whilst the other feeds on anger. This is most obviously shown in the ways they encourage those fighting for/with them. I make that distinction as the familial bond Splinter shares with the turtles couldn’t be more different to the ruler/underling relationship The Shredder uses in the The Foot Clan.
If you’re a lover of the original comics, or the 1990 film (one of the best comic to film adaptations there is), then the final confrontation will seem extremely familiar. That’s not a bad thing though, as it feels so right.
I must say I’m not entirely convinced by some of the ‘banter’ the turtles come up with mid-fight, but they are centuries old teenagers in the bodies of mutated turtles, so I’ll cut them some slack. Otherwise this issue comes together extremely well. Not only was I left satisfied that my expectations had been met, but I’m excited for the next fifty issues. We’re moving into territory I’m far less accustomed too now, so who knows what will happen.
IDW have built a universe that can stand proudly amongst the various versions of the TMNT; it may even be the best overall. Here’s to issue 100!
Chris Cooper is a Flickering Myth Staff Writer, and owner of the blog Super Duper Stuff. Follow him on Twitter @SDCCooper or visit the blog’s Facebook page.
Originally published October 7, 2015. Updated November 7, 2019.
