There’s no doubt that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hold the title of “crossover kings.” The Heroes in a Half-Shell have teamed up with Batman, the Power Rangers, and are soon set to collide with the world of Street Fighter next month. But the one character they’ve ran into perhaps more than any other is Usagi Yojimbo. And now in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo WhereWhen #1, the anthropormorphic animal avengers join forces for a unique story.
WhereWhen #1 criss-crosses between the past and the present, as Yojimbo and his fellow warriors set out to battle a group of kappa that have been terrorizing a local village. Those with knowledge of Japanese mythology know that kappa are water demons, and are often mistaken for turtles. So any reader will probably know exactly where things are going.
But writer/artist/Usagi creator Stan Sakai chooses to zig where other creators would zag, and focuses on the buildup to the first meeting between Yojimbo and the Turtles. His script splits the story in half, with the first half focused on Yojimbo and the second detailing how the Turtles travel back in time. It’s a fun narrative device that allows readers unfamiiar with Yojimbo to learn more about his world, and for Turtles fans to get the action they crave. This setup also gives both parties equal focus, avoiding a pitfall that most crossovers fall into.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention Sakai’s art, which has only gotten better with age. Usagi is a giant bunny who walks upright on two legs, yet he still looks noble and stoic. As for the Turtles, Sakai’s interpretation takes inspiration from the classic Kevin Eastman/Peter Laird incarnations; they’re a bit more stocky and muscular. Sakai also differentiates between his characters’ worlds with a simple switch in colors; Usagi’s pages feature lighter, autumn hues while the Turtles’ features a darker tone that’s in line with the streets of New York.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo: WhereWhen #1 is perhaps one of the most interesting crossovers I’ve read. It’s not only a crossover that makes sense, but it’s structured in a way that avoids the usual pitfalls and tropes. All in all, this is a great start to a story Usagi and TMNT fans alike will enjoy.
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