Chris Cooper reviews Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #55…
“Recent events have strained many relationships amongst the TMNT and their allies. Many must decide whether to trust or to betray, to separate or to stay, and to love or to hate. Time takes its toll, but where do the Turtles go from here?”
This month brings us a standalone issue that concludes recently built up story threads, in time for the return of Santolouco and a new story arc next month.
Our time with Michael Dialynas has been relatively brief, but he peaks here with his final issue. This isn’t an action-packed issue, and he does a great job of portraying emotion on each character. There is a shell-full of emotion on display here too, so whilst I’m looking forward to having Mateus back, Dialynas has done himself proud. It almost goes without saying at this point that Ronda Pattison’s colour make each panel shine that bit more, but colourists aren’t mentioned enough so I will say it!
I’ve mentioned the amount of emotion already, but to drill down it’s really about relationships. If you’ve been keeping up to date, and also been reading the side issues, then a lot of this won’t be a surprise. Really it’s all coming to a natural point, and forms a real mix of happiness and sadness. Personally the happiness far outweighs the sadness as certain characters are being jerks. Well, one character. But you’ll see for yourself.
Sometimes these one-off issues can be quite blatant filler, but in the case of TMNT, it’s a perfect way to wrap parts up before moving on; it’s very well judged.
Last month I had written about how I still don’t think we’ve had a Mikey story. Issue 55 solidifies that feeling. I can’t really place how long Mikey has been away from his bros, but it doesn’t feel like long enough. I don’t think he’s really changed, and I’m not sure he’s learnt much. Perhaps his brothers have more than he has. Maybe I’ll just have to let that one go and hope for something more in the future.
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.
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Originally published February 25, 2016. Updated November 8, 2019.
