Chris Cooper reviews Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #59…
The Turtles return to NYC thinking that the worst is finally behind them. Little do they know that the ultimate danger lurks within their very headquarters!
Moving on from the somewhat disappointing Leatherhead story over the past few issues we move into something much more important.
There is a fair bit of action in TMNT #59 but that isn’t what I’m most impressed with this month. Rather it’s the dialogue – mainly Splinter’s – that has wowed me. Splinter is taking the role of Foot Clan Master extremely seriously as he attempts to instil some sort of honour back into an organisation so heavily corrupted by Oroku Saki. His work with certain members of the clan has gained him a high level of respect. I must admit I did wonder for a time if the level of power he had obtained was going to ruin him. Anyway, his dialogue with friends and enemies alike forms such a clear picture in my mind of how Splinter is currently feeling that it makes the issue as a whole hard to take.
With Splinter having more of the focus the turtles aren’t left with much to do. Usually I’d be a bit miffed at this but again, the old rat is handled so well I didn’t miss them. Wachter takes over the art duties this month. He does a bang up job too, which I think is helped by the level of continuity that Pattison’s colours bring.
I’m very interested in the budding relationship between Splinter and Jennika. The Shredder clearly had no time for relationships with his clan members and it has taken some time to break down the ‘old way’ of doing things. Will she struggle not to kill when truly pressured? Here’s hoping she gets more time in future issues.
I do hate having to wait each month for new TMNT. What I hate more is cliffhangers meaning nothing. So despite me being scared of what I might see in July I do hope IDW stick to their guns.
Rating: 8/10
Chris Cooper is a Flickering Myth Staff Writer, and owner of Super Duper Stuff. Follow him on Twitter @Superdstuff or visit the site’s Facebook page.
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Originally published June 18, 2016. Updated January 23, 2020.
