Chris Cooper reviews the latest in IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series…
“The ranks of Hob’s gang are growing, and two other mutants want in… Bebop & Rocksteady!! Will they imperil the Turtles’ wary alliance with Hob? And just what the heck are Don and Harold busy building? Read on to find out!”
With brotherly bonds strained and characters tested there is plenty to get your claws stuck into this month with TMNT. It’s full of drama, but it has something more important than that…..a well written Bebop and Rocksteady!
Not only are the actually using their noggins in this incarnation (referring to both Koya’s failure in Northampton and their dealings with The Foot and Hun), but their size and strength is finally being put to good use, making them a real and present threat to everyone around them. They’ve usually been set up as a comedy duo, but it’s great to see the turtles and Hob’s army both take notice and curse their appearance. Santolouco perfectly captures that ‘oh shit’ feeling.
You might recall that Donatello went off on his own in issue #38. Well his short answers and choices regarding the situation his brothers find themselves in says plenty about his feelings in just a few panels. If you’d rather be with Harold then with Mikey then you must be peeved!
The most impressive thing about this month’s book is just how much content it gets through whilst not short-changing the reader. Everything from Casey and his new family, to Donatello’s disagreement, to Alopex making her reappearance. There is also action, and though sparing it gets across exactly what it needs to in an exciting manner. We’ve got gun fire, ninjas and massive chainsaw; it’s far from boring.
By this point the entire IDW team are in a groove, always giving us enough whilst building to more. Alongside the fantastic designs, realistic relationships and spot on pacing It’s what keeps me interested each month.
Raphael was tested at the start of the IDW run, with Leo facing his demons throughout ‘City Fall’. Are we now seeing Donnie face his troubles? What’s exciting is I have no idea how it will pan out! Guess I’ll have to come back next month.
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 16, 2014. Updated November 7, 2019.
