Review: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Universe, Volume 1

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES UNIVERSE, VOLUME 1: THE WAR TO COME
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

LETTERS: Shawn Lee; Chris Mowry
EDITORS: Bobby Curnow (series); Justin Eisinger and Alonzo Simon (collection)
COVER: Freddie E. Williams II
MISC. ART: Ben Bishop; Freddie E. Williams II; Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird; Kevin Eastman with Tomi Varga; Antonio Fuso; Damian Couceiro; Agustin Graham Nakamura; Eddie Nunez; Ian Chase Nichols; Dan Duncan; Tess Fowler with Tamra Bonvillain; Sajao Shah; Johnnie Christmas with Tamra Bonvillain
ISBN: 978-1-63140-874-8; paperback; 6 5/8 x 10 3/16 (May 2, 2017)
120pp, Color, $19.99 U.S., $25.99 CAN

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (also known as TMNT and Ninja Turtles or sometimes as “the Turtles”) are a media empire that began with characters created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird for the comic book, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (cover dated: May 1984).  Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael are four teenage anthropomorphic turtles who walk and talk like humans).  IDW Publishing has held the license to produce Turtles comic books since 2011 and has essentially rebooted the Turtles comic book universe.

Launched in August 2016, the comic book series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe, explores characters and story-lines that are pivotal to the IDW TMNT universe.  The first trade collection of the series is entitled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe, Volume 1: The War to Come.  It reprints Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #1-5.

The opening story arc of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe, Volume 1: The War to Come is “The War to Come” (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #1-4).  The Ninja Turtles are facing increasing threats against their existence.  An organization called the “Earth Protection Force” (EPF) is determined to wipe mutants from the world.  Led by Agent Bishop, the EPF launch an attack on the Turtles and others it considers mutants and freaks.

The Turtles find a reluctant ally in a murderous scorpion-like mutant named Zodi.  Meanwhile, Turtle ally, April O'Neil, goes to her former boss, the mad scientist and Turtle adversary, Baxter Stockman, who is also reluctant to help them.  However, the full-on assault of the EPF may force some to become the saviors of those who would be their enemies.

This trade paperback contains two stand-alone tales.  In the story, “Inside Out” (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #4), Leonardo fights the Foot Clan, Utroms, Koya, the Rat King, and his own fear.  In the story “Urban Legends” ( Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #5), two mutants, Hob and Leatherhead, raid a dog-fighting tournament, but being on the same side does not mean being on the same side.

First, let me say that the two short stories, “Inside Out” and “Urban Legends,” are not particularly special.  “Urban Legends” is the better of the two, but “Inside Out” features the art team of Kevin Eastman (layouts) and Bill Sienkiewicz (pencils and inks), which is something of a big deal... at least, for me.

The main story, “The War to Come,” is a really good story.  From the start, the stakes feel high, and the Ninja Turtles are very much in peril.  The EPF is a collection of mean, murdering bastards, and the Turtles allies are questionable, at best, so the story is edgy and intense.  Writer Paul Allor also plays up the conflict within the Turtles as a group, so the readers get complications on top of the threat to the heroes.  That certainly makes for a riveting read.

The art team of Damian Couceiro (pencils-inks) and Ronda Pattison (colors) is gritty and reflects the stinginess of hope for salvation that Allor depicts in the story.  I would say that “The War to Come” is the kind of story TMNT fans will want to read, and it alone makes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe, Volume 1: The War to Come a worthwhile purchase.

I must say that I am surprised.  When IDW sent me a review copy of this book a while back, I did not expect much upon first glance.

B+
7 out of 10

----------------------------------------------------------

The stories reprinted in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe, Volume 1: The War to Come
“The War to Come” (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #1-4)
STORY: Paul Allor
ART: Damian Couceiro
COLORS: Ronda Pattison

“Inside Out” (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #4)
STORY: Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow, and Tom Waltz
SCRIPT: Tom Waltz
LAYOUTS: Kevin Eastman
ART: Bill Sienkiewicz
COLORS: Tomi Varga

“Urban Legends” (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe#5)
STORY: Chris Mowry
ART: Michael Dialynas
COLORS: Tomi Varga

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

----------------------

Review: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, Volume 16: Chasing Phantoms

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, VOL. 16 CHASING PHANTOMS
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow, and Tom Waltz
SCRIPT: Tom Waltz
ART: Dave Wachter; Mateus Santolouco
COLORS: Ronda Pattison
LETTERS: Shawn Lee
EDITORS: Justin Eisinger and Alonzo Simon
COVER: Dave Wachter
MISC. ART: Dave Hammond; Dave Wachter; Kevin Eastman; Carlos D'Anda; Kevin Eastman with Tomi Varga; Goran Sudzuka with Miroslav Mrva; Alex Kotkin; Rod Thornton; Eric Jones; Edwin Huang; Mateus Santolouco; Garry Brown
ISBN: 978-1-63140-859-5; paperback; 6 5/8 x 10 3/16 (April 2017)
120pp, Color, $19.99 U.S., $25.99 CAN

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (also known as TMNT; Ninja Turtles, or “the Turtles”) are a media empire that began with characters created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird for the comic book, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (cover dated: May 1984).  Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael are four teenage anthropomorphic turtles who walk and talk like humans.

An anthropomorphic rat, Master Splinter, adopts them and becomes their sensei.  He trains them in the art of ninjutsu.  The Turtles live in the sewers of New York City and battle every bad guy, from petty criminals and overlord-mastermind types to alien invaders and mutated creatures.  Many of their adventures have been chronicled in comic books, with IDW Publishing current holding the license to produced Turtles comic books since 2011.  IDW'S Ninja Turtles comic books have essentially rebooted the TMNT franchise.

The trade paperback, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Volume 16: Chasing Phantoms, reprints IDW's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #61-65.  Issue #61 opens in the wake of the surprise attack that exposed the weaknesses in the Turtles and Splinter's defenses.  Now, an ambitious crime lord, Darius Dun, and his technologically-equipped gang, the “Street Phantoms,” move against them.  To maintain his advantage, Dun has Harold Lilja, the inventor who equips the Turtles and Splinter, kidnapped and demands that Lilja serve him.

Meanwhile, the Turtles and their allies prepare to fight back with the help of familiar allies, including Casey Jones.  However, the Turtles discover that Master Splinter considers this dispute with Dun to be a war, and they are shocked to learn just how far Splinter is willing to go to win... or just how many secrets he is keeping to himself.

Prior to reading Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Volume 16: Chasing Phantoms, I think that I had read only two TMNT comic books in well over a decade.  I was surprised that I enjoyed Chasing Phantoms, although I was not looking forward to reading it after IDW sent me a copy for review last year or so.

The conflict between the Turtles and their Master Splinter is quite potent, but I don't know how long the secrets and lies have been happening.  Perhaps, it is less of a big deal for regular Turtle fans if this is a long-simmering plot thread.  That said, I found myself shocked, titillated, and all-around entertained.  In fact, all the conflicts, especially the Darius Dun-Harold Lilja-Dr Libby Meitner (“The Inventor”) dynamic, are particularly engaging.

I am recommending this trade paperback to readers familiar with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  If you want to read a good Turtles comic book, I recommend Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Volume 16: Chasing Phantoms.  Also, issue #65 is a Christmas issue, so...

7 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

------------------------

Review: BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #1

BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS/IDW Publishing – @DCComics @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: James Tynion IV
ART: Freddie E. Williams II
COLORS: Jeremy Colwell
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
COVER: Freddie E. Williams II with Jeremy Colwell
VARIANT COVER: Kevin Eastman with Tomi Varga
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2018)

Rated “T”

“A Knight in New York”

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (also known as TMNT and Ninja Turtles) are a media empire, including animated and live-action films and television.  The Ninja Turtles began as four fictional characters that first appeared in a comic book created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (cover dated: May 1984), which was published by Eastman and Laird's Mirage Studios, gave birth to a comic book series that led to the TMNT media empire

The Ninja Turtles are teenage anthropomorphic turtles, meaning they walk and talk like humans.  Each turtle is named for an Italian Renaissance artist: Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael.  The Turtles were adopted by an anthropomorphic rat, Master Splinter, who was their sensei and who trained them in the art of ninjutsu.  The Turtles live in the sewers of New York City and battle every kind of bad guy, from petty criminals and overlord-mastermind types to alien invaders and mutated creatures.

Since late 2015, DC Comics and IDW Publishing have united to publish the two crossover comic book miniseries teaming Batman with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  DC comics began with the six-issue miniseries, Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  DC recently began publishing a sequel six-issue miniseries, Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II.  It is written by James Tynion IV; drawn by Freddie E. Williams II; colored by Jeremy Colwell; and lettered by Tom Napolitano, the creative team behind the first series.

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #1 (“A Knight in New York”) explodes in the subway tunnels of New York City.  The Ninja Turtles are pursuing the “Ninja Elite,” a... splinter faction of the Foot Clan.  In the wake of the death of the Foot Clan's founder and master, Shredder, the Ninja Elite want control of the Clan, even if it means killing Shredder's daughter, Karai.

Meanwhile, in Gotham City, Batman and Robin (Damien) are tracking ninja belonging to Ra's al-Ghul's The League of Assassins.  What they find instead is Bane, but inter-dimensional technology is about to gather heroes from two different worlds to stop a criminal conspiracy on two different worlds.

When I first heard about DC Comics and IDW Publishing's first Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book back in 2015, I wanted to read it, although I was (and still am) cynical about crossover comic books.  Ultimately, I was pleasantly surprised by Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 all the way to the sixth issue finale; I wanted a sequel.  [I only read the first issue of the IDW-published Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures.]

With good reason, I am cynical about sequels, but I am, once again, pleasantly surprised.  Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #1 promises more fun.  Writer James Tynion IV delivers a story that hits Batman and Ninja Turtle wheelhouse favorites with wild abandon, and there are some interesting subplots.  In fact, it is all so enjoyable that I am already, in typical fanboy fashion, hoping that there is a second sequel.

As I wrote in my previous reviews of the first miniseries, I like that artist Freddie Williams II's illustrations recall the visual and graphic presentation of the early TMNT comic books from Mirage Publishing in the 1980s.  Williams' take on Batman is edgy and different; it is as if Williams were drawing Batman for those old science fiction comic book magazines like Heavy Metal and Epic Illustrated.  This art is pulpy and futuristic at the same time.

Of course, I am ready for the second issue of Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II, and I recommend it to fans of the first series.  I think all Batman and TMNT comic books should try at least one issue of this new series.

8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

----------------------

Review: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES/USAGI YOJIMBO

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES/USAGI YOJIMBO (ONE-SHOT)
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Stan Sakai
COLORS: Tom Luth
LETTERS: Stan Sakai
EDITORS: Bobby Curnow, Philip R. Simon, and Megan Walker
COVER: Stan Sakai with Tom Luth
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Stan Sakai; Stan Sakai with Tom Luth; Sergio Aragones with Tom Luth; David Petersen; Kevin Eastman with Stan Sakai and Tomi Varga; Kevin Eastman
48pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (July 2017)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird; Usagi Yojimbo created by Stan Sakai

“Namazu of The Big Fish Story”

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (also known as TMNT and Ninja Turtles or sometimes as “the Turtles”) are a media empire that began with four fictional characters created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.  The comic book, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (cover dated: May 1984), introduced four teenage anthropomorphic turtles (meaning they walk and talk like humans).

Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael were adopted by an anthropomorphic rat, Master Splinter, who was their sensei and who trained them in the art of ninjutsu.  The Turtles live in the sewers of New York City and battle every bad guy, from petty criminals and overlord-mastermind types to alien invaders and mutated creatures.

Usagi Yojimbo, which means “rabbit bodyguard,” is an anthropomorphic rabbit ronin who is sometimes hired as a bodyguard.  His adventures take place in Edo-era Japan (specifically the 17th century).  Created by Stan Sakai, Usagi first appeared in the small press comic book, Albedo Anthropomorphics #2.  He is the star of a long-running comic book series, Usagi Yojimbo, which is currently published by Dark Horse Comics, but was previously published by Fantagraphics Books (1987) and Mirage Publishing (1993).

TMNT and Usagi Yojimbo team up (not for the first time) in the new full-color comic book, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo.  This recently published one-shot is written, drawn and lettered by Stan Sakai and is colored by Tom Luth.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo (“Namazu of The Big Fish Story”) opens with Usagi dispatching a group of bandits that have been infesting a section of a road used by pilgrims.  A group of people on a pilgrimage thank Usagi for getting rid of the bandits, but they also inform Usagi that “the Old One” is expecting a visit from him.

The old one is Kakera-sensei, who wants Usagi to be his bodyguard as he travels to Tashima Shrine to deliver a special object.  One bodyguard will not be enough, so Kakera summons Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael – the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!  However, these turtles are not quite like the ones Usagi remembers, and their opponent, the evil Jei, is the obstacle in their big fish adventure called Namazu.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo is one of the best comic books I have read this year.  I have even put it on my my short list of best comic books of 2017.  Why?  First, it is really a good comic book.  The fact is that Stan Sakai is a master cartoonist and superior comic book creator.  I don't read Usagi Yojimbo that often (which is a shame on my part), but every time I have read it I have marveled at Sakai's imagination and inventive storytelling and, of course, his beautiful artwork.

I think Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo's format plays a big part as to why I like it so much.  This comic book is a one-shot.  It is like a magical item that shows up once, delivers some magical storytelling, and then is magically spirited away.  It is also a comic book that is appropriate and accessible to anyone who can read comic books, regardless of age.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo is an example of a perfect (or near-perfect) comic book.  It features venerable, beloved comic book characters, and it is the creation of two master comic book creators, Stan Sakai and Tom Luth.

9.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-----------------------------

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for April 11, 2018

IDW PUBLISHING

JAN180471    BACK TO THE FUTURE TIME TRAIN #4 CVR A LEVENS    $3.99
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FEB180491    X-FILES CONSPIRACY THEORY GAME    $39.99

Review BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #1

BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS/IDW Publishing – @DCComics @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted in Patreon.]

SCRIPT: James Tynion IV
ART: Freddie E. Williams II
COLORS: Jeremy Colwell
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
COVER: Freddie E. Williams II
VARIANT COVER: Kevin Eastman with Tomi Varga
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2016)

Rated “T”

“Knights in a Half Shell”

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (also known as TMNT and Ninja Turtles) are a group of fictional characters that first appeared in comic books.  Created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles debuted in the comic book, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (cover dated: May 1984), which was published by Eastman and Laird's Mirage Studios.

The Ninja Turtles are teenage anthropomorphic turtles, meaning they walk and talk like humans.  Each turtle is named for an Italian Renaissance artist: Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael.  The Turtles were adopted by an anthropomorphic rat, Splinter, who was their sensei and who trained them in the art of ninjutsu.  The Turtles live in the sewers of New York City and battle every bad guy from petty criminals and overlord-mastermind types to alien invaders and mutated creatures.

Marvel and DC Comics no longer publish comic books featuring both their characters uniting for adventure and battle.  However, over the past several years, DC and IDW Publishing have published cross over comic books that featured DC's characters playing with characters for which IDW has the license to publish comics.  An example is the recent comic book miniseries that brought the worlds of Star Trek and Green Lantern together.  The two publishers have come together again for Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a six-issue miniseries written by James Tynion IV; drawn by Freddie E. Williams II; colored by Jeremy Colwell; and lettered by Tom Napolitano.

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (“Knights in a Half Shell”) finds Gotham in the midst of a strange crime wave.  Several research labs have been attacked, and the only things the intruders have stolen is experimental military-grade technology.  Witness claim that the attackers are monsters, something like “turtles.”  Batman's own investigation leads him to believe that some of the attackers are trained in ninjutsu.  Batman and those witnesses are closer to the truth than they imagine.

I wanted to be cynical about the first issue of Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but I can't.  I had thought that this crossover comic book would be silly, but instead, it's simply fun to read.  Thanks to the art of Freddie E. Williams II, Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 looks like the early TMNT comic books that Mirage Studios published back in the mid-1980s.  Williams presents a Batman that looks like the Dark Knight of DC's “The New 52,” but he also looks like he belongs in the funky world of TMNT.  Stylistically, Batman and TMNT don't seem strange together.

Writer James Tynion IV makes every word count, moving the story forward and whetting our appetites for more.  He seems dead serious about taking this miniseries seriously, but that doesn't mean he does not realize how much fun it is in bringing Batman and the Ninja Turtles together.  This is a good, old-fashioned fun-to-read comic book.  Did I mention fun?  As I write this, the second issue of Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is available, and I'm ready for it.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-----------------------------------

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for November 15, 2017

IDW PUBLISHING

SEP170597    DAEMON TRILOGY SUBROSA GAME    $29.99
SEP170515    MY LITTLE PONY LEGENDS OF MAGIC #8 CVR A FLEECS    $3.99
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JUL170676    PLANET OF THE APES GAME    $59.99
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AUG170519    WYNONNA EARP SEASON ZERO #5 (OF 5) CVR B PHOTO    $3.99
AUG170420    X-FILES COMP SEASON 11 TP    $24.99

Review: Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #1

BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ADVENTURES No. 1
IDW PUBLISHING/DC Comics – @DCComics @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Matthew K. Manning
PENCILS: Jon Sommariva
INKS: Sean Parsons
COLORS: Leonardo Ito
LETTERS: Shawn Lee
COVER: Jon Sommariva
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Kevin Eastman with Tomi Varga; Ciro Nielli; Hilary Barta with Jason Millet; Ty Templeton; Ben Bishop; Alex Kotkin; Ken Haeser; Steve Lavigne and Peter Laird with Ben Bishop; Tony Fleecs; J. Bone; Ian Nichols; Dario Brizuela; Eddie Nunez; Derek Fridolfs with Heather Breckel
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2016)

“The Face of Two Worlds”

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (also known as TMNT and Ninja Turtles) are a media empire that began with four fictional characters created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.  The comic book, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (cover dated: May 1984), introduced four teenage anthropomorphic turtles (meaning they walk and talk like humans).

Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael were adopted by an anthropomorphic rat, Master Splinter, who was their sensei and who trained them in the art of ninjutsu.  The Turtles live in the sewers of New York City and battle every bad guy from petty criminals and overlord-mastermind types to alien invaders and mutated creatures.

DC Comics and IDW Publishing united last year to publish the crossover comic book, Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  Now, IDW Publishing has just released the second such crossover, Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures.  It is written by Matthew K. Manning; drawn by Jon Sommariva (pencils) and Sean Parsons (inks); colored by Leonardo Ito; and lettered by Shawn Lee.

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #1 (“The Face of Two Worlds”) opens in the Turtles' New York City, where we find them fighting crime in their own unique way.  Meanwhile, in Gotham City, Batman is trying to find out why select denizens of the infamous prison, Arkham Asylum, are disappearing and sometimes returning... and telling strange tales.

When I first heard about the first Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover comic book (published by DC Comics), I wanted to read it, of course.  However, I was and still am cynical about crossover comic books, so I did not expect much from Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  I was more than pleasantly surprised.  It is one of the best inter-comic book company crossover comic books that I have ever read.

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #1 takes its leads from those “Adventures” comic books.  Back in 1992, a syndicated animated television series named “Batman” debuted.  Commonly known as “Batman: The Animated Series,” it featured Batman in a visually striking manner that recalled the art and design of the 20th century's early decades and also the early years of Batman comic books.  DC Comics published a comic book based on “Batman: The Animated Series,” entitled “Batman Adventures,” which was also friendlier and more open to younger readers than regular Batman titles.  Since then, other comic books based on animated TV series have followed the lead of Batman Adventures, including IDW's (which has the license to publish TMNT comic books) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures.

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures is certainly an “Adventures” comic book.  Honestly, I have mixed feelings about such comic books, so I am not as excited about this new comic book miniseries as I was about Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which was darker in tone and more like Eastman and Laird's early TMNT comic books, with their raw, edgy, DIY aesthetic.  However, I want to give Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures a chance.  I want to see where this is going.  Truthfully, I would like to see Batman and the Ninja Turtles crossovers past this new series

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Heavy Metal Joins Imaginary Friends Studios at Comic-Con 2011 International

HEAVY METAL TO UNVEIL SPECIAL IMAGINARY FRIENDS STUDIOS EDITION AT SDCC

Heavy Metal, the premiere magazine for fantasy and science fiction, is proud to announce a special edition that will feature the artists of Imaginary Friends Studios. Set for mass release in September 2011, Heavy Metal will also be presenting a limited edition version at San Diego Comic-Con 2011 with a wraparound cover from IFS co-founder Stanley “Artgerm” Lau.

Based in Singapore and Jakarta with a stable of 30 full-time digital artists, Imaginary Friends Studios has worked on such familiar titles as Dragonlance Chronicles, Powergirl, Batman, Spiderman, Justice League, Superman, Exalted, Witchblade, Contra 4, Front Mission, Everquest, DOTA, World of Warcraft, Warhammer, Street Fighter 3 & 4, Planetside 2, Sleepy Hollow, Star Wars Galaxies, Sideshow Collectibles, Magic the Gathering, as well as promotional and licensing material for major motion pictures including Spiderman 3, The Dark Knight and Green Lantern.

Prior to Heavy Metal, Imaginary Friends Studios has had features in publications 2D Artist, ImagineFX, Advanced Photoshop, Fantasy Art China and international art annuals such as Spectrum and Expose. The studio was even featured separately in FHM South Africa and FHM Singapore, in addition to appearances on television shows, radio segments and news programs.

“This has to be the most exciting project of the year for my beloved Imaginary Friends Studios.” States Imaginary Friends Studios co-founder, Stanley “Artgerm” Lau. “We are proud to announce our collaboration with world renowned magazine Heavy Metal, for a special issue which was completely done by our studios from Singapore & Indonesia. Heavy Metal has always been the premium platform to showcase creative and artistic talent in the industry and we are thankful that Kevin has entrusted us with this precious opportunity.”

Heavy Metal publisher, Kevin Eastman adds, " I am a huge fan of the Imaginary Friends Studio and suggested a featured Gallery on them to guest editor Dave Elliott--what I got was the chance to showcase their legendary talent in an ENTIRE issue of Heavy Metal Magazine! Talk about winning the lottery!"


ABOUT HEAVY METAL
Since first publication in the U.S. in 1977, Heavy Metal stands today as the world's foremost adult illustrated fantasy magazine, having two animated feature films. Heavy Metal's resume of luminary creators include William S. Burroughs, Stephen King, Harlan Ellison, Robert Silverberg, John Shirley, H.R. Giger, Luis Royo, Walter Simonson, Jim Steranko, Moebuis, Caza, Esteban Maroto, Arthur Suydam, Dan Steffan, Enki Bilal, Bernie Wrightson and many more. Heavy Metal magazine is published and edited by acclaimed writer and artist Kevin Eastman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). For more information, please visit http://www.heavymetal.com/.

ABOUT IMAGINARY FRIENDS STUDIOS
Imaginary Friends Studios is founded by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau, one of the top artists on Deviantart.com with close to 6 million page views; Kendrick “Kunkka” Lim, a game designer who worked previously at a Tokyo-based game studio; and Kai “Ukitakumuki” Lim, who at 19 had already art directed two major game mods for Half-Life 2 including Hull Breach and Nuclear Dawn.

Imaginary is much more than a concept art, comics and illustration studio. With its “By-artists-for-artists” mantra and its small but ever-increasing cult-like online fan following, Imaginary truly represents a next-gen creative approach to the creative business by hot-housing its established and fresh new talents, delivering creative services and content to a global audience. For more information, please visit http://www.imaginaryfs.com/.