[amazon_link asins=’B077H7LY9Y’ template=’AiPTProductAd’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’689a2297-0c32-11e8-8c41-7d09b0a3b3d6′]
A Raphael and Alopex story? Count me in!
First Read Reactions
- Immediate points to Alopex for calling out a really bad stake out trope (and not falling for it, either).
- Points off for Raphael for being a hot-headed dumbass (as usual).
- “I swear Splinter trained samurai instead of ninjas…”
- You should always listen to your girlfriend, especially when she’s a better hunter/tracker than you.
- You know things are bad when you actually wish Donatello was around.
- It’s the security guards with dead, lifeless eyes that you’ve really got to watch out for.
- Never good when Zodi shows up (…for our heroes, at least. As a villain, she’s all types of fun to read).
- Oh $#%&
The Verdict
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #19 is about the most standard stake-out-discovery-ambush story you could imagine. As a reviewer/reader, that probably should bore me at least a little. Thankfully, it’s also so dang good that you can’t help but enjoy it.
Let’s start with the artwork by Dave Wacther. In addition to being aided by Ronda Pattison’s usual great work on colors, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Wacther’s pencils look this wonderful. Alopex and Zodi in particular are rendered in perhaps the best manner that we’ve ever seen them.
Story-wise, writer Ian Flynn absolutely nails the Raphael/Alopex dynamic, both with some fantastic dialogue and even funnier body language. Flyn also goes straight to my heart with wonderfully vicious takedowns of two well-worn superhero story tropes. His story, on the other hand, molds a fairly run-of-the-mill narrative into something that ends up with pretty terrifying ramifications.
Whether that final page ends up being a big new chapter or a self contained crisis, it’s safe to say that the next issue of the series is going to be great. Add in a fun/creepy back up story about the Rat King to this one, however, and TMNT Universe #19 absolutely belongs on your pull list this week.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
