Story: Kevin Eastman & Tom Waltz
Script: Tom Waltz
Art: Dan Duncan
The Solicitation
Everything has been leading to this issue— the nail-biting conclusion to the Turtles’ first fight with the Foot! Overwhelmed, outnumbered, injured, and running on fumes, the TMNT family is in for the battle of their lives. Will everyone survive? The end to the first year of IDW Turtles finishes big! Don’t miss it!
Preview
Why I Bought It
Just riding the roller coaster that is TMNT.
What I Liked
There is a lot to like with this issue. It does have the feeling of wrapping up everything from the past 12 issues and moving forward with it.
The battle felt and was climatic. When I first read it, I really hated Leonardo's line at the end of the fight. It just seemed to me that if you hadn't read the Leonardo micro-series then it fell flat. On my second read, I honestly felt better about it. It is there, and it does play off Shredder's words, so it does have a little pay off. However, this book does appear stronger when you have read the Leonardo micro-series issue.
This brings up a mini-rant. Looking at sales charts is an interest of mine, because its a nice way to judge where comics are about. I know they aren't exact figures, but it gives me an idea of where stuff is overall in the direct market. Roughly, there is about a 25% drop in sales between the micro-series and the main title. Why that is, I don't know. But it means that about 25% of the audience is missing out on the full story. So for each of these references from the main book to these micro-series, 25% of the people aren't getting it. I am hoping that more books get re-ordered of the micro-series, or that Comixology is selling the micro-series like crazy.
I think I like Leonardo's characterization best in this comic. He has a few moments that really show his character and who he is. Especially the line that references to Donatello's liking of numbers, that one hit it strong for me.
The art stayed on at its awesome level again this month. there has to be something said for Duncan and the consistency month in and month out.
What I Didn't Like
The one page that Hob and Stockman at the end. It felt out of place and really thrown in at the last minute. Like someone went, "Hey, remember these guys? We gotta do something with them!" and then threw together that page.
And seriously, if that is the death of that character, I would scream fuck that. It is a lame, throwaway death at best. I really hope this isn't the case with it and he comes back later.
Speaking of character death, I am really sad that something major didn't happen to either the Turtles themselves, like some disfigurement, or Splinter going down for the count.
Panel to Remember
The "last" Hob panel. The words "...for plan B" really sell the panel to me. As in, its time for the secondary story line to take center stage next issue. However, if this is truly Hob's end, it is a shitty way to go.
Quotable
My brother's the one that cares about numbers." - Leonardo when told how the Turtles are outnumbered.
Grades
Words: 9/10
Pictures: 10/10 - And yes, I just read the letters column that says this is Duncan's last issue. That is such a sad thing to see after the end of a great issue. I'll be interested to see where he goes next, and it makes me wonder how the art will change up for the next story. I've enjoyed the different artists on the micro-series, so it will be interesting to see how the style will go for the main book.
Buy Next Issue: I'm down.
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