Chris Cooper reviews Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #69…
“Desperate Measures,” Part 3! Old Hob and the TMNT work together to save the Mutanimals, but Bishop still has some tricks up his sleeve!
Missed last month’s review? Check out Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #68 here.
I think I can you tell you all now, I’ve seen enough to make the call.
The E.P.F. are the best threat we’ve seen in TMNT since The Shredder. They’re a force to be reckoned with. They have next level tech and the ability to use it. They believe they’re in a war, even though they’re the ones causing it!
To be fair though it’s not as though they have no reason. I’ve got huge issues with making enemies sympathetic. I despise the movie Maleficent and how it goes about giving the Evil Queen a tragic backstory. It’s generally a mistake. So don’t take it lightly when I say that TMNT #69 turns the layers it adds to the bad guys into a positive. If anything it makes them more compelling enemies.
Speaking of enemies, I must salute Old Hob. I do like how he makes things happen. The story seems to be focusing on how Leo is struggling to make decisions, directly comparing him to someone who just gets on with it, even if the choice is less palatable. I much prefer a wrong call to no call at all. Didn’t think I’d be rooting for Hob and struggling so much with Leonardo but here we are. That Tom Waltz and the team have me thinking this way is pretty damn good.
Mondo and Sally’s parts to play this month further confirm how much I like the Mutanimals. Like their leader Hob they’re a different kind of mutant, more willing to ‘go there’ due to the lives they’ve led so far. Equals to the turtles, they’re also very cool, entertaining, and have a diverse skill set that sets them apart.
We’re right in the midst of a big story now, and I’m really enjoying it. With Hob making a decision that could well make Leonardo squirm and Raph cheer, next month will be very interesting. Month after month I’m left looking forward to what comes next. Well played IDW.
Rating: 8/10
Chris Cooper
Originally published May 6, 2017. Updated November 30, 2022.
