Plenty to celebrate this month. Firstly, IDW’s TMNT series has reached #50! Secondly, this month’s issue is double size! Thirdly, it lives up to expectations.
Issue #50 has the task of not only wrapping up several main plot points, but setting up the future. It does so with a sure-footedness that comes from the same team working together for years. Everyone brings their A-game, from Waltz and Eastman’s story to Santolouco and Smith’s mesmerising art. All enhanced by Pattison’s colours.
The story makes the most of the extra pages, not only giving us some fantastic panels focusing on The Gauntlet, but also a look back at Burnow Island. Cory Smith comes in to provide several extremely important and quality pages too.
Don’t think that this issue is all about fists and swords though; this is a battle that takes place on multiple planes. Despite many years spent together and an often hidden respect, Hamato Yoshi and Oroku Saki clash in every regard. IDW have made a real point of portraying them both as flawed; Splinter is far from a saint himself. However, one has worked hard to shape his flaws into strengths whilst the other has let them dominate him. One has embraced calm whilst the other feeds on anger and hubris. This is most obviously shown in the ways they encourage those fighting for/with them. I make that distinction as the familial bond Splinter shares with the turtles couldn’t be more different to the ruler/underling relationship The Shredder uses in the The Foot Clan.
If you’re a lover of the original comics, or the 1990 film (one of the best comic to film adaptations there is), the final confrontation will seem extremely familiar. That’s not a bad thing though, as it feels so right.
I’m not convinced by the TMNT’s mid-fight banter. Otherwise this issue comes together extremely well.
IDW have built a universe that can stand proudly amongst the various versions of the TMNT; it may even be the best overall. Here’s to issue 100!
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