The final issue of the most epically radical crossover of 2016 is here! If you read the last issue you know you’re buying this (that cliffhanger OMG!), but those of you waiting for the reviews to come in — I know you want the answer to the question: Is it good?
Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6 (DC Comics)
With a title like this do you even need a summary? Fine, what does the official summary say:
The crossover event of the year comes to its thrilling conclusion. The Turtles have one last, desperate shot at going home. But will they take it, knowing what nefarious plans Shredder has for Gotham City? It’s full-on ninja warfare as our heroes go up against the combined forces of the Foot Clan and the League of Assassins. Co-published with IDW.
Why does this book matter?
James Tynion IV has managed to stuff this series with so much fan service you should be picking this title up if you’ve ever considered yourself a fan of either franchise. It’s required reading for anyone who was a fan of TMNT especially, but Batman fans can dig it too. That’s largely due to Freddie E. Williams II killing it with the art. I can’t wait to see what he draws next. But wait, he drew this…
Someone frame this for me. I’ll wait.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
And he blows it out of the park again! Williams II makes all of these animal Batman rogues look fantastic. The types of animals chosen for each makes sense, but they also look flipping cool. I never thought I’d say, “The elephant Bane mask looks great” but there I said it. Just seeing the villains as animals is an awesome concept in itself, but Williams II makes them look natural and frightening to boot. Seriously, if DC wants to make Mr. Freeze a polar bear from now on I’m cool with that. Williams II also delivers on a Shredder vs. Batman battle; the full page spread relaying the action is wicked, with every kick and punch taking place over 20 panels across the page with Batman and Shredder sparring at the center of the page over all of them. Oh yeah, three words: awesome ninja robot suit. I’ll leave it at that, but if they make an action figure know it’ll be a hot seller. It looks a tad clunky, but so cool in this book.
That might be the coolest Poison Ivy has looked in ages.
Tynion IV wraps things up once again giving us cool panels we could have only dreamed of before. Seeing the Ninja Turtles take on these Mutagen infused animal Batman villains is fantastically fun with plenty of great dialogue from Michelangelo too. Can someone get Tynion on a Michelangelo solo book please? Dialogue is spot on throughout actually with Batman and Damian strategizing it up in the opening and the Turtles bringing their charm too.
Leonardo is back, but not feeling so hot.
It can’t be perfect can it?
I don’t know why I expected more, but the happy ending is definitely too easy. After multiple issues telling us the Ninja Turtles had to leave Gotham at a specific time or they’ll die, only to have that threat refuted that with some lucky science does cheapen the tension from previous issues. Something else that didn’t feel earned was Batman’s emotional goodbye. Sure he hung out and sparred with the Turtles, but would he really be so sad to see them go?
Is It Good?
Anyone expecting anything more than awesome art and tons of fanservice scenes may be disappointed, but seriously dude lighten up. This is fun!
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