Chris Cooper reviews the latest issue of IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles…
Special indeed. I’ve been reviewing older issues lately so I’ve seen some of Eastman’s work, and though I’ve always felt it betrays it’s age, it is always fast paced and kinetic. Plus, this is the guy who originally designed the TMNT! Even though the design has been improved by other artists since, you can’t ignore where it all started.
Gratefulness for being one half of the creative team aside, this is a cracking little issue. Even though it makes the Turtles look useless! This issue bristles with energy, as our hero get their backsides kicked all over the shop by a mystery assailant. This new enemy switches between different martial arts on the fly, and not only outsmarts and outfights the heroes in a half shell but mocks them at every turn.
You’ll find no spoilers here as the surprise is too good to ruin in a review. Suffice to say it’s a corker. It does do a great job of showing you the natural order of things and as the solicitation paragraph points out, shows how much Leo and his Brothers have to learn.
The artwork is solid, and the writing backs it up. Through the issue you really want this enemy to get their comeuppance, as they are quickly set up as knowing how much better they are. The Turtles, for the all the beating they receive, persevere and fight hard, exactly as you’d expect.
TMNT #21 could easily have been a poor filler issue before the next big arc begins. Instead though, we get a good little story that can mainly be enjoyed on it’s own whilst linking into the overall story. Hopefully in the future Eastman can step in again.
Chris Cooper
Originally published April 24, 2013. Updated April 14, 2018.
